Ar-We-Va Football Ready For Another Playoff Run

Ar-We-Va Football Ready For Another Playoff Run -

(8-20-26) – It’s one of the best times of the year… the start of football season. And the Rockets are eager to get the season started.

Ar-We-Va football Coach Austin Stoelk believes his upperclassmen have the knowledge and experience to make another run at the playoffs.

“Those guys are now seniors and juniors. They understand what it takes to win eight-man football, the conditioning that it takes, particularly with the numbers that we have,” said Stoelk of his team. “Our guys last year did a nice job of setting the tone and helping our guys kind of understand what it takes to be playoff bound in eight men.”

The Rockets were 5-4 a season ago, getting knocked out in the opening round of the 8-player playoffs by semifinalist, Gladbrook-Reinbeck.

One area that will be difficult to replace is the loss of Wyatt Ragaller, and his nearly 1700 yards and 32 touchdowns, due to graduation. Stoelk believes that, despite having just 17 players on their roster, he can get the most out of talented newcomers, such Jayden Quintanilla.

“We've got a freshman coming up in Jaden Quintanilla. Jaden will play tailback for us probably a lot of the season.”

Stoelk also feels quarterback Grant Wilken provides good leadership under center.

“Grant kind of played last year as a true sophomore. So, he's kind of a true junior this year for us, has some good experience at that quarterback position, throws the football well, makes some good reads. He came a long ways last year and he's a great leader for us.”

An area of improvement Ar-We-Va wants to see is on defense. The Rockets allowed over 38 pts a contest and were 1-4 in games where they allowed 39 or more points. Stoelk says the defense they run needs to be more cohesive.

“We kind of play a unique style of defense. You know, if you're not gap sound in our defense and if you don't perfect your first steps in how you're approaching the offense, you kind of have trouble. It takes 8 guys as a unit. We're never necessarily the biggest football team, but if we can be fundamental and if we can gang tackle on defense, that's kind of what our motto has been the last couple years.”

With Jose Arellano returning after earning 25.5 tackles last season, Stoelk hopes he can have a player to help with that process of getting gap sound.

“Jose's one of those kids that when he's on the football field, he's going to work tremendously hard for you. He's going to give full effort every single play.”

Stoelk is also high on senior Damon Thompson, who had 42 tackles last year, including 11 for a loss.

“His leadership is great. His work ethic is great. He sets a great example in practice. He's a great communicator for us and he has a knack, he has a nose for the football on the defensive side of things.”

Ar-We-Va will begin their season against Remsen St. Mary’s on Friday in a Week 0 match-up.

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