Wooster Colts Season Preview
Updated: Aug. 15, 2024
By: J. Ray Dockter
We are now officially less than 24 hours away from kickoff for high school football in the Northern part of the Silver State. I couldn't be more excited, even though my writing schedule got mixed up a little bit I will still be doing team previews, and league previews amongst other over the next few weeks. Without further ado... Today's team: Wooster.
Wooster Colts
Head Coach: Bo Sellers, ninth season at Wooster (22-43 overall, 10-25 league in eight seasons at Wooster)
2023 Season Record: 6-6 overall, 3-2 league
Overview:
Wooster is coming off a season that saw them finish last year with a .500 record overall and a .600 record in league, hosting a home playoff game, winning a home playoff game and making it to the regional semi-finals where they lost to eventual state runners-up Galena ending their season. A neat stat to note is that the Colts have made the playoffs three times (2019, 2022, and 2023) in three different divisions (4A, 3A, and 5A Division-III) over the last five seasons.
Doubling down on that is that one of the coolest things I've been able to witness in our area over the last eight years is how Coach Sellers and Wooster have been able to start moving forward again after years of falling short on the football field. As someone who got into high school right at the end of Wooster run of dominance, it has been really neat for me to watch Coach Sellers bring back stability and toughness to the program that was once the standard in Northern Nevada. He has raised the Colts level of play over the last eight seasons and has buy in from his community as they attempt to get the Colts back to the standard of old.
The Colts will begin this season in desperate need of playmakers as they look to replace six starters from their offense last season. Wooster will continue to run the "two back pistol" this season. As Coach Sellers stated "We are trying to run at you, so we can throw out of that. We must establish the run game, we'll run power - getting north and south is the goal. We will run in the A-gap a lot." Sellers believes that his offenses five returning starters are prepared to take the next step for the Colts this season. Coach Sellers continued on stating, "We strive to look like [The] 1990's old school, tough Joe Sellers Colts that was ready to compete at the drop of a hat."
Defensively, the Colts return four starters and will play a 'Heinz 57' style of defense this season. What is a 'Heinz 57' defense, you ask? I asked Coach Sellers, and he said "we will play whatever we have to each week this season, sometimes will go with a heavier front because we have quite a bit of depth along the line. It helps us on the backend where we don't have a lot of depth." Look for the Colts to run more '40' and '50' personnel in an attempt to get to the quarterback.
The Colts graduated a really good class that had multiple three-year starters on it. Sellers said, "[we] went to war together and it was great for our program." Look for the Colts to continue to be well coached, they are tougher and got stronger this past offseason. Coach Sellers said the strength of his team will be their "togetherness and toughness," along with their depth along the offensive and defensive lines. He was quick to point out that the Colts will only suit up 30 players on their varsity roster this season so multiple players will be expected to go both ways for the Colts to be successful. He identified that lack of depth as a cause for concern but was quick to point out that his kids have embraced the challenge and "increased their endurance and toughness this past offseason."
One thing is for certain - the kids at Wooster are tough. If they can stay healthy and play four tough quarters of football, they will be able to compete with almost anyone in our local area this season. If they can stay in shape, stay healthy and close out games in the fourth quarter they'll be contenders in the 5A, Division-III once again this season. Coach Sellers closed out our conversation stating, "If we can play good defense, with great endurance and toughness, we will give ourselves a good chance to beat people."
Players to Watch:
QB Junior Amazola, Senior: A second team all-league selection last season at WR, Amazola makes the switch back to QB, where he played his freshman and sophomore seasons for the Colts. Sellers called him "a great kid who will take charge of the Colts offense, [in] this offense, we are counting on his leadership to take us far this year."
OL/DL Lonnie Harrison, Senior: A two-way starter, Harrison, is last season's 5A D-III Lineman of the Year. He has started on both sides of the ball since his sophomore season, he is an outstanding lifter and a leader for the Colts. Coach Joe Mac (Sellers) made him understand the importance of the weight room this past offseason. He weighs 245-pounds and is the point guard for the Colts basketball team. As Coach Sellers mentioned "he can really move, [especially] for how big he is." The motto for him should be: "show up, show out and roll out."
WR/DB Chris Ballard, Senior: Ballard is another one of the Colts many two-way starters this season. He is entering his second season as a starter, having his season cut short by a knee injury. Sellers referred to him as a "warrior, someone who never gives up, he rehabbed to play in our final games last season." Sellers referred to Ballard as 'Mr. Inspiration' because of his dedication, grit and work ethic that was displayed last season.
RB/LB Jason Koch, Senior: You guessed it, Koch, is another one of the Colts many two-way starters this season. He is a three-year varsity player who has played QB and DB before. Sellers said "Pound-for-pound he is very tough."
OG/DE Aiden McElveney, Senior: A team player who recently moved around, spending time at FB and MLB, he is "The Ultimate Team Player." One of the Colts toughest players pound-for-pound he will be looked upon to provide great leadership for the Colts this season.
Season Schedule:
Aug. 16 at Pershing County (Lovelock, Nev.)
Aug. 23 vs. Sparks
Aug. 30 at Fernley
Sep. 6 vs. Spanish Springs
Sep. 13 at Reno
Sep. 19 at North Valleys
Sep. 27 vs. Carson
Oct. 4 at Hug
Oct. 18 vs. Damonte Ranch
Oct. 24 at Galena
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.
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