Team Preview: Holt

The Holt football program has come a long way in the past few years to emerge as one of the St. Louis area’s top programs last fall. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">The Indians went from 0-10 in 2015 to two wins in 2016, four wins in both 2017 and 2018 and then six in 2019. The breakthrough came last fall, when Coach Ethan Place’s squad, led by a strong junior class, won eight of its first nine games before COVID concerns forced an early end to the season with a playoff forfeit.  </span> Holt returns this fall with a veteran squad looking to build off last season’s success and  take another step forward as a program. Returning 10 starters on each side of the ball helps, as does a more normal football offseason of training, practice sessions and camps. "It’s been good," Place said. "It’s getting closer to normal. I don’t think we’re back there yet, but it’s nice to see the kids out and get work in in June and whatnot. ... We’ve been happy with the kids’ work ethic." With the Wentzville School District opening a new high school this fall, North Point, Place said it is possible the Indians could down from Class 6 to Class 5. That will be a storyline to watch when the class and district assignments are released, though Holt would still have a challenging path forward in the state playoffs. Here’s a look at some players to watch this fall... <strong>CLASS OF 2022</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37580" first="Cooper" last="Brown"], 6-3, 210, QB</strong> A four-year starter, Brown established himself as one of the state’s top quarterbacks last fall when he completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 2,057 yards and 32 touchdowns. Place said Brown has continued to grow physically and mentally and matured in his decision making. His arm has gotten stronger. Recruiting interest has picked up with offers from Benedictine and Culver-Stockton, but he could garner more interest as colleges track him during his senior season. "He’s had some offers, smaller schools, but I think he’s very much being overlooked. I know every coach says that, but he’s going to make somebody really happy." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10219042/5f665bc82aa7ad0ab8ad9ec1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37652" first="Jackson" last="Smith"], 5-9, 180, WR</strong> Another four-year varsity player, Smith "owns every receiving record we have," Place said. Smith can line up anywhere and still be a threat to defenses. He caught 59 passes for 714 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago and also added 198 yards and four touchdowns running the ball. He’s showed his speed (4.5 40 range), quickness and agility during camps this offseason and is expected to have another big year. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8046646/5f92287f176c5c0eccf12811" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96181" first="Colin" last="Bunner"], 6-3, 200, WR-OLB</strong> Bunner was Brown’s other main receiving target a year ago when he caught 32 passes for 765 yards and 13 touchdowns and averaged a remarkable 23.9 yards per reception. He also racked up 60 tackles, three sacks and an interception from his linebacker spot. Bunner suffered a knee injury this spring and is rehabbing to try to get back on the field as soon as possible. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11402596/60477da632dc3d0e58330e45" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99517" first="Alex" last="Ginnever"], 6-5, 230, TE-DE</strong> Ginnever caught 13 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns a year ago, but could be a bigger part of the offense this fall as he’s continued to get bigger and better. He received a scholarship offer from Eastern Illinois and has a lot of schools interested in him, according to the coach. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11402503/5fa1b867e97b9f0bf41d7da7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37607" first="Isaiah" last="Slaughter"], 5-11, 205, S</strong> Slaughter is one of the anchors of the defense from his safety spot and is coming off a season in which he had 76 tackles, which ranked second on the team. "He’s a stud player," Place said. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11547596/5fac98737bdd570b488e3f9a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96295" first="Zakhi" last="Johnson"], 5-11, 190, LB-RB</strong> Johnson had 72 tackles and one sack and added 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns a year ago, as a junior, and has several schools looking at him. "If there are scholarships available, he’s a college football player." Place noted that Johnson could play several different positions at the next level. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11402560/5fc5a048bd6acd0a38e31a7d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37579" first="Kyle" last="Wuebbeling"], 5-11, 210, RB-K-OLB</strong> Wuebbeling followed up a strong sophomore season with a 1,000-yard campaign a year ago. In eight games he rushed for 1,007 yards and 11 touchdowns, and added 55 yards and a touchdown receiving, despite battling a hamstring injury. Wuebbeling, who is also a lacrosse player, is the Indians’ kicker and will also play some defense this year. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11402504/5fc9bf37ff0354014093c505" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37604" first="Austin" last="Bone"], 6-1, 310, OL</strong> Bone, who will probably start at left guard, has improved in his pass protection, according to Place, but his run blocking makes him a difference maker up front. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11539513/5fc5cea819b03d09c0a76577" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>CLASS OF 2023</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104128" first="Kaden" last="Moore"], 6-0, 210, LB</strong> Moore had a team-high 86 tackles and added two sacks during an outstanding sophomore season last fall. "He’s done a good job," Place said. "He’s a coach’s kid. He’s at everything. Very instinctive football player. He was our defensive MVP last fall. He’s always around the football." The coach said Moore could be an Ivy League player with his impressive academic accolades. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9724260/6090475f4205c70c6883a81e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104130" first="Richard" last="Meyer"], 6-0, 195, OLB</strong> Place describes Meyer as just a tough football kid. "He’s fun to watch on defense," Place said. "He flies around." Meyer recorded 65 tackles, one sack and one interception during his sophomore season a year ago. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13152186/5f5f56529675f70ac89145d6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172186" first="Jack" last="Byrne"], 6-1, 180, CB</strong> Byrne started as a freshman for the Indians, the coach said. He recorded 21 tackles and two interceptions last season as a sophomore. "He has good size and good strength and good speed," Place added. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12910991/5fa214b26e819b004cd1cec0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>CLASS OF 2024</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="126265" first="Quinn" last="Brown"], 6-3, 260, OL</strong> The younger brother of the quarterback, this Brown started every game at right tackle as a freshman but could move to left tackle for his sophomore season. "He’s an athletic tackle," Place said. "He’s grown a lot as a player." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10338949/603fc6acb0235313f0421ed9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130183" first="Mason" last="Burke"], 6-2, 230, RB-LB-DE</strong> Burke has a unique skill set as a younger kid with good size and he could end up playing any number of positions and roles for the Indians this fall. "When he runs the ball, he runs angry," Place said. "He’s a bigger kid but he runs with his pad level low. He’s a tough kid." Offensively, Burke could play running back, H-back or tight end. Defensively, the coach said, he may end up being a pass-rushing defensive end. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14798595/5f9ff0d73449120ba8712b4d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172187" first="Anthony" last="Keller"], 5-11, 150, DB-WR</strong> Place has high hopes for Keller. "He’ll be a kid we expect to make an impact on either side of the ball," the coach said. &nbsp; <em><strong>You can follow Nate Latsch <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">on Twitter at @natelatsch</a>.</strong></em>