Red Raiders low on junior class numbers

By USA TODAY High School Sports | August 21, 2016 2:03 pm ET

Marlette’s Ethan McKenney closes in for a tackle in a tackle drill Wednesday, Aug. 10 , 2016 during their football practice at Marlette High School.

MARLETTE – It’s not Christmas – just check the mercury – but it might as well be as far as Denny Lester is concerned.

“Yep, by far it’s my favorite time of the year,” said the veteran Marlette High School football coach, who is in his 16th year coaching the Red Raiders.

That kind of experience tempers his perspective of early-season practices.

“No too bad,” he said. “We’re working hard.

“We’re low on numbers, but we’re working through it.”

He said only five juniors went out for football this year.

“That’s what’s hurting us,” he said.

Marlette has been emphasizing conditioning and technique.

Marlette coach Dennis Lester talks to his players Wednesday, Aug. 10 , 2016 after their football practice at Marlette High School.

“We get into our individual drills,” Lester said. “We’ve been working hard on our individual drills.”

The Red Raiders did lose a lot of experience from the 2015 team, according to Lester.

“We’re a younger team,” he said. “We lost 15 seniors this year.”

“We’re a younger team and we’re looking to get better everyday.”

Key players include senior and three-year starter Chorben Chisholm, who plays fullback and linebacker; Isaac Dale, a senior tight end and outside linebacker; and Ethan McKenney, a senior quarterback and outside linebacker.

“He started all nine games last year and he improved as the year went on,” Lester said.

“He’s showing very good leadership qualities. When you have your quarterback back, you have your general.”

McKenney said the Red Raiders run a spread offense.

“I like throwing the ball,” he said.

Practice, he said, has been good.

“Got a good chemistry with this team,” he said. “Been with them a while. Everything’s running efficiently.”

He enjoys football, he said, “because it’s a fun, contact sport. Anything can happen.”

Chisholm said he relishes the contact and doesn’t care if it comes at linebacker or running back.

“We’re going to win,” he said.

“I like to win, and winning’s fun.”

Dale said he likes playing both offense and defense providing he can get his hands on the ball.

“We’ve got quite a few guys with decent hands this year,” he said.

The players said Sandusky is the game they’re most looking forward to. The Red Raiders and the Chiefs play Oct. 7 in Sandusky the week after Marlette plays its other rival, Brown City, at home.

The team’s goals include more than just making the state playoffs.

“We’re going far in the playoffs this year,” Chisholm said.

Marlette’s Isaac Dale tackles teammate Chorben Chisholm Wednesday, Aug. 10 , 2016 during their football practice at Marlette High School.

Lester said the players are putting in the work.

“When we roll the ball out here in a couple of weeks, we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Contact Bob Gross at (810) 989-6263 or rgross@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobertGross477.

2016 Schedule

Aug. 26: Vs. Merrill

Sept. 1: Vs. Unionville-Sebewaing

Sept. 9: At Laker High

Sept. 16: Vs. Harbor Beach*

Sept. 23: At Ubly*

Sept. 30: Vs. Brown City*

Oct. 7: At Sandusky*

Oct. 14: At Memphis*

Oct. 21: Vs. Armada

* Denotes conference game

MARLETTE RED RAIDERS

COACH: Denny Lester (16th season, 72-61)

2015 RECORD: 5-4

CONFERENCE: Greater Thumb Conference East Division

OFFENSE: Spread

DEFENSE: Multiple

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2014

RETURNING STARTERS: RB/LB Chorben Chisholm, QB/LB Ethan McKenney, WR/LB Isaac Dale, RB/LB Thomas Radzialowski, OL/DL Brenden Gugel

KEY LOSSES: WR/DB Hunter McGinnis, WR/DB Aaron Lefler, WR/DB Zak Chappel, RB/DB Ethan Stover, WR/DL Tyler Ladd, WR/DB Brett Knox, OL/DL Bryce Havens, OL/DL Austin Potter, OL/DL Ben Nied, OL/DL AJ Choike, OL/DL Drew Choike, OL/DL Joe Gratton

KEY NEWCOMERS: WR/DB Justin McClelland, WR/DB Brett Havens, WR/DB Marcus Armstrong, WR/DB Jason Stewart, WR/DL Derek Kutchey, WR/DB Justin Osbor, OL/DL Bo Manke, OL/DL Austin Ledsworth, OL/DL Darren Parke, OL/DL Micah Hager

Marlette’s Hunter Rye hits teammate Austin Ledsworth in a tackle drill Wednesday, Aug. 10 , 2016 during their football practice at Marlette High School.

ROSTER

Ryan Bower	Sr.	WR/DB	2
Thomas Radzialowski	Jr.	RB/LB	4
Brett Havens	So.	WR/DB	5
Marcus Armstrong	Jr.	WR/DB	7
Ethan McKenney	Sr.	QB/LB	8
Jason Stewart	Sr.	WR/DB	11
Derek Kutchey	Sr.	WR/DL	22
Justin McClelland	Jr.	WR/DB	33
Chorben Chisholm	Sr.	RB/LB	42
Justin Osborn	Sr.	WR/DB	49
Bo Manke	Sr.	OL/DL	67
Brenden Gugel	Sr.	OL/DL	70
Austin Ledsworth	Jr.	OL/DL	72
Hunter Rye	Sr.	OL/DL	75
Brandon Elliott*	Sr.	OL/DL	76
Stephen Pake	Sr.	OL/DL	77
Darren Parke	Jr.	OL/DL	78
Micah Hager	So.	OL/DL	79
Isaac Dale	Sr.	WR/LB	80