Last season, the Moorhead Spuds struggled through a two-win season. This year, they turned things around to the tune of five regular season wins and a trip to the state tournament. The Spuds had a lot of new faces in…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inLast season, the Moorhead Spuds struggled through a two-win season. This year, they turned things around to the tune of five regular season wins and a trip to the state tournament. The Spuds had a lot of new faces in the lineup in 2019, but one constant was quarterback Trey Feeney. Once the young kids got some experience and Feeney found a rapport with his new receivers, the team took off.
“We knew we were going to have some inexperienced kids that had not played a lot of varsity football,” Feeney said. “Throughout the season, we were connected. There wasn’t a lot of ‘me guys.’ We took a few losses early on, but we kept going at it. We knew our coaches were going to put us in a position to win by the end of the year. By the end of the year, we just went out and got it. We got to the state quarterfinals.”
Leadership was one of the main keys to the dramatic turnaround.
“Two years ago, there were a lot of guys who wanted to be the guy,” Feeney explained. “We didn’t have a lot of team leaders to bring the team together. The season was not the way I wanted it to be, but it was a great learning experience. It helped us a lot at the end of this year.”
A two-year starter, the tough season set the tone for this season.
“I could tell I was improving throughout the year, Feeney said. “We graduated the two receivers that had 90 percent of our passing yards. I knew I was going to have to find my new guys. Guys stepped in and made plays after the catch. By the end of the year, it was fun throwing to those guys.”
Feeney made noticeable improvements in the offseason too.
“As a sophomore, I knew I was undersized. I grew three inches (before this season), and in the weight room, I put on 25 pounds. The weight room was a huge key for me – throwing the ball harder, farther, and getting the ball out faster. (Getting bigger) helped me running the ball too. Even if the play broke down, I had to make a play for my team.”
Feeney – who played football this season at 6’3″ 185 – told northstarfootballnews.com what he felt were his strengths this fall.
“I was pretty accurate by the end of the year. Making plays with my feet was a big thing for me this year. That was a huge point of emphasis from my quarterbacks’ coach this year.”
Although he had a solid year, Feeney knows he needs to continue to improve.
“Next year, I need to work on getting the ball out faster. This year, I was more worried about accuracy. Next year it is going to be more about getting the ball out quickly. That means a quicker release and means film study.”
By the end of this season, Feeney – who likes to fish for crappies and walleyes – will be a four-sport athlete.
“My (basketball) coach told me I have to be a leader this year,” Feeney explained. “I am a small forward or power forward, but I can move all around the court. I guard the best guy on defense, so that is my strength, but I can also shoot the ball. In baseball, I am mainly a pitcher, and I will also be running track. This will be my first year in track. Our defensive coordinator just got the head track coach job – that is a big reason why I am doing it.”
Feeney already has interest from multiple levels of college football. Most schools are recruiting him as a quarterback, but some schools see him as a safety.
“It has been a great experience being able to see different places and their different cultures, cities, campuses, and game-day crowds. Hopefully, this spring and summer, I will be able to go to a few more camps and campuses. I have been to game day visits at North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Michigan State, Minnesota, and a few I couldn’t get to.”
There wasn’t much Feeney, and the Spuds’ football team didn’t get to this fall. With a more experienced team and a veteran quarterback, they might be reaching even higher next season.
