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 |
2015 RESULTS
Win against Merrill, 29-18
Win against Bad Axe, 28-27
Win against Reese, 27-26
Lost to Ubly, 36-12
Lost to Brown City, 29-19
Lost to Sandusky, 48-6
Win against Memphis, 49-12
Lost to Harbor Beach, 19-8
Win against Armada, 49-20
Isaac Dale Marlette Football 2016
Marcus Armstrong Marlette Football 2016
Thomas Radzialowski Marlette Football 2016
Ryan Bower Marlette Football 2016
Justin McClelland Marlette Football 2016
Ethan McKenney Marlette Football 2016
Brett Havens Marlette Football 2016
