2025 Reno Huskies Season Preview

2025 Reno Huskies Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

We are just under two weeks away from the start of the high school football season in The Silver State and I could not be more excited. Over the next few weeks, I will be previewing many teams from our local area as well as a few other surprises, before getting into football season full swing on Aug. 14^th when the first games kick off. Without further ado here is Today’s team: Reno.

Reno Huskies

Head Coach: CJ Wintch, third season at Reno (8-13 overall, 2-8 league in two seasons at Reno and overall)

Previous Season Record: 4-6 overall, 1-4 league

Overview: After a revolving door at head coach for the last half decade CJ Wintch enters his third year as the head man in charge for Reno and he is ready to right the ship. Coming off back-to-back losing seasons, the Reno Huskies football program enters the 2025 campaign with renewed purpose and determination. After enduring two years of growing pains and hard lessons, the team now stands on the edge of a potential breakthrough. With a solid core of returning players, improved chemistry, and a sense of unfinished business, the Huskies are looking to reestablish themselves as a contender in the highly competitive Northern 4A.

Offensively, the Huskies will continue to operate out of the spread formation, built around a group of experienced returning starters. Coach Wintch said “There will be times we have either two tight ends on the field or two running backs on the field. We want opposing defenses to be ready for a lot of different looks from us. We run this offense because we will have times [where] we are up-tempo and trying to score quickly, and other times where we want to control [the clock], [keep] possession and slow down the game. At quarterback, Senior Braylon Wilson returns, and he brings leadership and a better command of the system after a full year as a starter last season that saw him account for 2,945 yards of total offense to go along with 29 touchdowns in only ten games. Junior Jackson Mathews returns in the backfield as both a downhill runner and a reliable receiving threat – he rushed for 661 yards as an underclassman last season. Senior Chase Langbehn, the team's top playmaker at wide receiver, adds speed and verticality to stretch the field, Wintch was quoted as saying “[He will] be our top target this year. Up front, Senior Duke Edwards anchors the line with toughness and leadership. The focus this season is on efficiency—sustaining drives, limiting turnovers, trying not to force the big play and converting in the red zone.

Defensively, the team returns 7–8 starters in its aggressive 3-4 scheme and expects that unit to be a key strength this fall. The front seven is experienced and athletic – Coach Wintch said “We will be undersized on the defensive line – [but] that will allow us to attack gaps and use our athleticism to slow down opposing offensive lines – this also allows us to get more athletes on the field that can cover a lot of ground quickly. That group is led by Seniors Caellum Leary, who had 82 tackles last season and Landon Meissner, who totaled fifty tackles last season, they both set the tone with their high motors and football IQ. The secondary has made strides in eliminating explosive plays and will most likely start four Seniors to begin the season. With more experience, greater discipline and communication, the defense is focused on eliminating big plays – as well as getting off the field in three downs have been the main coaching points this offseason but look for the Huskies to force their opponents to drive the length of the field, while limiting mistakes, and capitalizing on takeaways as well this season.

This year’s group of seniors has been instrumental in changing the tone within the program. Players like Braylon Wilson, Chase Langbehn and Caellum Leary have emerged as vocal leaders, modeling the type of work ethic and unselfishness coaches want to see. Whether it’s early-morning weight sessions, extra film study, or mentoring underclassmen, the seniors are showing what it means to lead. Their commitment to the team’s success over individual accolades is a driving force behind the program’s resurgence. Coaches have also been happy with the leadership of Juniors Jackson Mathews and BJ Loney as well this offseason. Much of the team’s current confidence is rooted in their returning experience. Many of this year’s starters played meaningful snaps last season—even during the struggles. That time on the field helped the players grow more comfortable in their roles and gain a better understanding of the Huskies systems. With so much talent returning on both sides of the ball, the team is no longer learning—they are executing, and their execution will come as the Senior Leaders show the underclassmen their work ethic and unselfishness will help propel them to potentially championship places this fall.

The move down to the 4A has not been ideal for the Huskies. In fact, they aren’t very happy about it at all, but the goals are clear: win the league, win the region, and win a state title. The coaches aren’t shy about talking championship aspirations, but they’re equally adamant about staying focused on the process—improving day by day, week by week. Coach Wintch said “We have a lot of experience coming back and a lot of talent to replace from last year. We are in a different position than last year, as we have moved down a [class]. We are not shying away from what our expectations are for this season.” With the program now trending upward, expectations within the locker room and around the Huskies campus are higher than they’ve been in years. There’s a different energy surrounding the Huskies this fall. The players, coaches, and fans believe this could be a defining season—one that puts the program back in the spotlight. With a balanced roster, strong leadership, and hard-earned experience, Reno High is no longer rebuilding. They’re ready to compete, and expectations are as high as they’ve been in years.

Potential Projected Starters:

Offense

QB Braylon Wilson, Senior: Wilson broke through last year accounting for 2,268 passing yards and 21 TDs. He also had 677 rushing yards and eight TDs on the ground – including four in a road playoff win at Douglas. He is looking to break career school records for passing yards this season.

RB Jackson Mathews, Junior: Mathews gained 661 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground last season. Look for him to break 1,000 yards this season.

RB Lochran Gregory, Junior: Will get a lot of touches this year as Mathews also plays defense. He will be a great change of pace back for us.

WR Chase Langbehn, Senior: Will be the Huskies top target this season after corralling 17 catches for 325 yards last season. He is a great route runner and has amazing hands.

WR Marcus Birnes, Senior: Came down with 12 catches for 163 yards last season in only five games. Will be a threat for the Huskies this season.

TE Caellum Leary, Senior: Entering his third season starting on varsity. Leary had 11 catches for 198 yards last season.

OTs Duke Edwards, Senior and Eli Sellers, Junior OR Lucas Low, Junior

OGs Jake Bashiata, Junior and BJ Loney, Junior

C Sam Weaver, Junior

DEs Eli Sellers, Junior: 66 Tackles last season; Jackson Hutchins, Senior OR Cruz Peterson, Senior OR Henry Morris, Junior

DTs Owen Layfield, Senior: 37 tackles last season; OR Joey Mello, Senior

OLBs Simon Gollmer-Pffrath, Senior and Landon Meissner, Senior: 50 Tackles last season.

MLBs Caellum Leary, Senior: 82 Tackles last season; and Jackson Mathews, Junior: 33 Tackles last season.

DBs Dominic Garaventa, Senior and Owen Hildenbrandt, Senior OR Dylan McCann, Junior and Jayden Lopez, Sophomore

SS Reese Shoolroy, Senior OR Mac Vendengrift, Senior

FS Brayden Hurley, Senior OR Isiah Sambrano, Junior

Kicker Eric Palmer, Senior

Punter Chase Langbehn, Senior

KRs / PRs Chase Langbehn, Senior and Marcus Birnes, Senior

Season Schedule:

Aug. 22 at Palo Verde (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Aug. 29 vs. Foothill (Calif.)

Sep. 5 vs. Sequoia (Calif.)

Sep. 12 at Bishop Manogue

Sep. 19 vs. Spanish Springs

Sep. 26 vs. McQueen

Oct. 3 at Wooster

Oct. 17 vs. Hug

Oct. 24 at Carson

Oct. 30 vs. North Valleys

J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling let him know via Twitter/X @J_RayDoc.