Cardinal fall sports has begun

WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg High School and Middle School football teams have started practice for the upcoming season. Gabe Kiefel is in his second season as head coach of the high school team. The team was 5-5 last season. This year, Kiefel is looking to fill spots left by Cyson Morris, Jayce Gleason, Rueben Yutzy, and Blake French, who graduated last year.

Returning seniors Lucas VanHoose and Jackson Karl will serve as team captains. Senior Cougar Anderson is also returning; senior William Daves returns after a break from football last year, and senior Will Ahler is new to the football program. VanHoose and Karl will play in the receiver position. VanHoose will also see time as a running back. Anderson will play running back and linebacker. Daves and Ahler will be on the offensive line.

Isa Reyes is returning as starting quarterback, Brenton Segraves as a running back and linebacker, and Jarod Hankins as an offensive and defensive lineman. Koyen Fortune will move between the offensive line, running back, and linebacker positions. Victor Whitmore returns as center on offense and tackle on defense, Tucker Hamilton will get time as linebacker and receiver, and Teegan Kenney will join the offensive and defensive line.

Jayton Gleason will play defensive back and receiver. Isaac Mahre will support the team as a quarterback and defensive back. Martin Vasquez is new to the Cardinal team and will play running back and linebacker/defensive back. Three freshmen, Leif Heckman, Dylan Gutierrez, and Gavin Harrison, round out the team. 

Kiefel's assistants are Dane Kiefel and Lash LaRue.  Matt Hamilton and Marco Reyes will be volunteer coaches.

Jared Wheat is the middle school head football coach, and Gavin Waggoner is the assistant coach. Chris Andrews, Donovan Romero, and Scott Creeley will be volunteers for the middle school. The middle school team ended last year with a 3-2 record. With most players returning, Coach Wheat feels confident about the team's ability to perform well on the field.

Karen Huwe

Waitsburg Middle School team: back row l-r: Abel Creeley, Sidian Stegall, Carsyn Pennington, Carter Barron, Alex Zuniga, Jake Lynch,  front row l-r:  Mitchell Hays, Liam Kiefel, Uriah York, Alex Watson, Gage Mynear.

Returning players are Alex Zuniga and Gage Mynear on the offensive/defensive line, Liam Kiefel as quarterback, and Uriah York as receiver and corner. Kellen Coulston and Jake Lynch are running backs and linebackers, and Carter Barron is a receiver and linebacker.

New Cardinals suiting up to play are Carsyn Pennington at center, nose guard, and Alex Watson as running back and linebacker.  Mitchell Hays, Sidian Stegall, and Abel Creeley will be receivers and defensive backs.