Warriors hungry to clear semifinal hurdle

COULEE CITY — After back-to-back seasons of reaching the 1B state football tournament semifinals, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (10-2) are looking to get over the hump this season.  

“It starts with the kids. They're hungry,” Head Coach Brandon Walsh said. “They have a sense of urgency about this year and want to get over that hump, and I think that's probably where it starts as far as identifying anything that we're going to do different. When you get to that level of the state tournament, it really is a little thing or two that can make the difference in a game.”  

Walsh didn’t stop at the players, either. He also noted a bigger emphasis for the coaching staff approaching the game with more intentionality and being pickier with the little things.  

“Trying to eliminate some of those kinds of mental mistakes or play calling on my part, or whatever it is, and just be a little more intentional and deliberate in practice on getting ready for those situations,” the coach said.  

Despite a tough end to last season's postseason run, the Warriors return a lot of key contributors this season – setting them up for another shot at the brass ring.  

“We have a good group of kids coming back,” said Walsh. “Lots of good senior leadership, some talented football players and athletes, and a good mix of younger kids too. We have a big freshman class and a big sophomore class. Some of those kids will help us out as role players.” 

Returning an experienced roster like ACH, Walsh said it’s important they stay healthy and work to improve every week of the season. On the gridiron, they don’t plan to steer too far away from their philosophy – moving the ball on the ground. 

“Our philosophy is we're going to try and run the ball and be successful at that,” the coach said. “With the experience and the talent that we do have coming back, we feel like we can expand on that.” 

If the Warriors are able to effectively run the ball this season, Walsh feels confident passing lanes will naturally open up for quarterback Max Grindy.  

Grindy filled in as quarterback at the start of the season last year for Caden Correia as he finished healing up from an injury. This time around, the job is his.  

“I know I'm going to play here the whole year, so it's kind of a sense of peace knowing that I can do what I can do best,” Grindy said. “It's peace of mind to know that I'm playing at one position, so I can really go into that and perfect my craft in that sense.” 

In the days since practice first started, Grindy has loved what he’s witnessed from his peers. The team chemistry stands out the most to him and provides a confidence boost that the Warriors are ready to make some noise this season.  

“I'm super excited,” he said. “There's not a team like us, we're band of brothers, and I'm really excited. It's a lot of my friends last year. We played football since we were in third and fourth grade together.” 

As he steps fully into the quarterback position, Walsh expressed his confidence in Grindy. 

“He's one of the better athletes in the state at our level, and we are hoping for a big year from him,” Walsh said.  

Also expected to be a key contributor this season is Nolan Grindy, an experienced offensive line, and potential game wreckers in the defensive trenches led by Ian McWalter, Tucker Bayless and Noah Butler.  

The Warriors are going to very reliant on that talent this season since they face some tough challenges early on in state title runner-up Liberty Christian and a semifinals rematch at home against defending state champions DeSales on Sep 18 at 7 p.m. 

“We haven't beaten either of those teams the last couple of years,” Walsh said. “We're looking forward to those games. We scheduled them on purpose because we want to see where we're at. If we win, that's awesome because now we know what we're capable of. If we lose, we know where we got to get better, and so we're really looking forward to those two games.”  

For Grindy and his peers, their semifinals loss certainly plays a motivational factor in their upcoming season.  

“Getting third sucks, like not being able to make it when we tell ourselves the whole entire year we need to make it, make it, make it,” Grindy said. “But I think it just takes a lot more grit and determination to just go out there and do it, not think about it all the time. It's definitely a factor in what we do at practice.” 

Walsh has led the Warriors for 28 years and hasn’t lost the excitement for the start of the football season yet.  

“I enjoy the relationships you get to build with kids as a coach, and watch these guys come through our program,” he said. “In a small school like this, I've known most of them since before they were in school, or know their families, and those relationships are fun, and it's really the part that's most special when it's all said and done.” 

    Quarterback Max Grindy unloads a deep ball at the ACH Warriors practice. Grindy will take over as the fulltime starter at QB this season for the Warriors.
  

    The Warriors’ Ryan Hernandez eyes the ball as he reaches out to make the catch.
  

    Noah Butler gets set ahead of a linemen drill at the ACH Warriors practice.
  

    Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors Head Coach Brandon Walsh (wearing black hat) gives his players directions ahead of their next team drill.
  

    The Warriors linemen work on their blocking.