Othello eyes second straight undefeated season
OTHELLO - The Othello Huskies are entering the 2013 season with a target on their back, and they wouldn't want it any other way. These guys are tough and they know it; so does seemingly everyone else in the Basin and it's that toughness that echoes through Othello football practice on a daily basis.
This is why it wasn't out of the ordinary when two players locked horns at practice and the aggressive on the field play quickly escalated into a shoving match long after the last whistle had blown the play dead.
There is a difference between being a tough player and letting your emotions get the better of you and these two seniors, right tackle Bubba Reiz and middle linebacker Colton Hall, clearly let their emotions outweigh toughness in this instance.
Coach Roger Hoell responded to the altercation by telling the team to line up on the sideline for extra conditioning. Just when it appeared the boys were all set to run until they threw up their lunch from a few hours prior, Hoell ordered the guys to turn around and face their assistant coaches. With looks of surprise and confusion the players obliged, only to see their coaches bearing popsicles as reward for a hard week of practice.
"No conditioning tonight, you guys have been working hard, go enjoy a Popsicle." Hoell said.
After last season ended with heartbreak this year's team has shifted their focus to the task at hand and what lies in front of them.
"In our playoff game against Prosser our quarterback went down with an injury just before half-time when we had a 14-0 lead. Due to injuries we had to hand the ball to our fourth string quarterback who was also a starting wide receiver so it was a huge blow to our offense and we ended up losing the game 15-14," team Captain Conor Weise said, who plays tight end.
Othello is focused on their rivalry game against Prosser and redeeming themselves from that tough loss. The experience is there as this year's team will return seven seniors on offense and three on defense. Building on veteran leadership the Huskies goal is no secret as they look to repeat their undefeated league record and go deeper in the state playoffs. "Our main goal is winning it all - to repeat what we accomplished last year. A lot of guys need to step up for us to get there and we are ready to do it," Co-Captain right tackle Bubba Reiz said.
The team opens play against Connell Friday and plays host to Wapato in their first league game.
While their sights may be set on Prosser later in the season, Coach Hoell is quick to note that the Huskies are not overlooking anyone. "We are working hard every day with lots of conditioning to ensure our stamina is there for the duration of the league season and playoffs," Hoell said.
Othello is ranked twentieth in the state overall rankings including all divisions and number 4 amongst all 2A schools in the state. Rival Prosser is ranked just behind them at number 6.
"Coach knows we can push ourselves every practice, so we have the endurance in the fourth quarter. We will still be going at 100 percent when they are starting to slow down." Reiz said.
There's no question that Othello is the team to beat in the Basin, and they have embraced that role.
With five team captains, strong veteran presence from returning seniors and young athletes ready to step up, the dogs have another undefeated season in their sights.
Coach Roger Hoell's old-school coaching style has proved successful for Huskies in recent years.
The 2013 Othello team looks to continue that success by doing what they do best: being tough and outlasting their opponents.