Spring Creek Spartans Season Preview
The high school football season begins Today, with that being said we are continuing our previews within our local area. Today's team: Spring Creek.
Spring Creek Spartans
2022 record: 8-4 overall, 3-2 league
Head coach: Hunter Thomsen, first season at Spring Creek
Overview:
Spring Creek will break in a new coaching staff this season after they went on a magical run last season by upsetting Churchill County 21-20 in the second round of the Northern 3A playoffs. They will have the benefit of bring back quite a few returners that got good playing time last season.
Coach Thomsen and his staff have identified that their offensive line will be the strength of their team this season, while also saying that "We have a really, really good defense and a group of skill position players that will be prepared for battle each week." Coach Thomsen spent last season as Elko's JV Head Coach and prior to that he was at Carlin for two seasons so he is familiar with Eastern Nevada and it's football landscape.
Offensively, the Spartans will run a hybrid offense that Thomsen said will revolve around his five returning offensive lineman and his skill position group. Thomsen, who will take over offensive play calling duties, is excited about his squads seven league games and two non-conference games that they have scheduled, stating that he believes "They will make the team prepare for a deep playoff run." The offense returns seven starters off last year's team. Thomsen said "We are gonna spread it around and get the ball in our playmaker's hands."
Defensively, Spring Creek will run a 4-2-5 this season as they were able to keep Ryan McCormick on staff. Their goal is to split the concept coverage wise and keep teams guessing where pressure is coming from. They also return seven starters from last season's state semi-finalist squad.
The Big Three:
WR/DB Austin Reasbeck, Senior: Reasbeck returns for the Spartans this season after having rushed for 331 yards and two touchdowns last season. Considered an offensive weapon he also was responsible for 467 receiving yards and three touchdowns. If the Spartans can maintain their momentum of last season Reasbeck will be a catalyst in their success. He is a sleeper pick for Offensive Player of The Year in The 3A.
OL/DL Colin Banning, Junior: Banning is a three-star recruit that picked up a Nevada offer this past spring. He is a fleet footed tackle offensively that has the frame, strength and athletic ability to kick in to guard at the next level. This season will be a great litmus test for how good he can be as Spring Creek will play two 5A teams in their Non-League schedule. I am excited to see his growth as he also plays with tenacity on the defensive line.
LB Michael Dorame, Senior: When I spoke with Coach Thomsen he said that Dorame is "One of the top three players that will be key to the Spartans success" this season. He also went on to say that "He is one of the most athletic LBs in state" and "We are happy to have him on or team."
Also, look out for Cody Acord, Lloyd Austin, Wyatt Scott, and Jon Crawford-Wadley to make their mark the Spartans success this season.
Season schedule:
Aug. 18 at Galena
Sep. 1 vs. Douglas (Minden, Nev.)
Sep. 8 vs. Truckee (Calif.)
Sep. 15 vs. Lowry (Winnemucca, Nev.)
Sep. 22 vs. Sparks
Sep. 29 vs. South Tahoe (Lake Tahoe, Calif.)
Oct. 6 at Churchill County (Fallon, Nev.)
Oct. 13 at Fernley
Oct. 20 at Elko
J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling let him know via Twitter @J_RayDoc.