2024 Team Preview: Casteel Colts

We will continue to preview teams to cover players that you should be on the lookout for when watching these programs. We will continue in the 6A Premier Division with the Casteel Colts.   Established as a high school in 2015, this Colts program heads into almost a decade of football under their long tenured head coach, former Nebraska and Arizona Cardinals football player Bobby Newcombe. Last season, Casteel finished with a 6-6 record in a stacked 6A Premier Division, making a 6A postseason appearance and picking up a postseason win before losing to Brophy in the Quarterfinals. Riddled with injuries last season, 2024 is a year of optimism for the Colts with many key players returning and new additions to the team.   Here are some players to watch out for on Casteel:    2025 Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='606264' first='Isaiah' last='Linyear'] is a thrilling new addition to this Casteel team. The New York transfer comes in at 6'0 210lbs, with a gritty build and nifty athleticism. At Niskayuna High School last season, he had 170 carries for 1239 rushing yards and 21 TDs. He has remarkable vision when running through the gaps, able to maneuver and then burst with excellent speed and explosiveness in the open field. He is a tough man to bring down, making defenders miss with ease with a great jump cut and a solid stiff arm to pass over tacklers. With Linyear coming into a different environment, he will be an interesting player to keep your eyes on to see how he can adjust to a brand new team.      A nice two-way punch now with the addition of Linyear will be him and 2026 Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='992763' first='Mason' last='Lewis']. The junior was a multi-dimensional player for this Colts team last season, playing the running back position on offense and all over in the secondary on defense. Some of Lewis's most notable stats were his 470 rushing yards and 9 rushing TDs on offense paired with 50 total tackles, 30 of those as solo tackles, 3 pass deflections, and an INT on defense. As a running back, he is excellent at finding the hole and bursting through with instinctive quickness. He also has reliable hands in the passing game, able to pick up some yardage out of the backfield. As a defensive back, he shows good ability to cover a vast amount of ground and refined ball skills, locating and high pointing the ball. Lewis holds multiple D1 offers entering his junior year. A thrilling, multifaceted athlete who will be a massive threat for opposing teams to account for.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CasteelFootball/status/1794098543730581688 </div></figure>     2026 Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1177573' first='Bryce' last='Greer'] is looking to prove himself as a staple big man for the Colts offense. Standing at a 6'3 275 lb frame, he missed a good majority of his sophomore year due to injury. In the limited action he saw, he played everywhere on the line, but his primary position was as a guard. Greer's best trait is his pull blocking ability, moving with great agility across the formation and firing through defensive linemen to create space for the ball carrier. In pass protection, he can get set quickly and has formidable hands that will make pass rushers pay if they don't have proper balance, laying them into the dirt. Greer heads into his junior season looking to stay healthy and be a reliable blocker for this Casteel team.      2025 Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1192159' first='Lucas' last='Voss'] will be a great veteran player to have returning to the Casteel offensive line. The 6'5 260 lb center was consistent and efficient with his blocks up front. He is dangerous when he gets a full head of steam, having magnificent mobility and great pad level when he lays into his blocks. He has high mental alertness in pass protection, staying sound to his area and not being susceptible to twist or stunt action by the defensive front. Voss has picked up a few offers from the spring as he heads into his senior season. He hopes to bring in a few more during the season as he prepares for his bright future.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BigmanVoss/status/1817574023020364052 </div></figure>     2025 Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='368918' first='Elijah' last='Beamon'] will be the number one weapon of choice for the Colt's offense heading into 2024. With a good frame at 6'1 180lbs, he moves very well with great agility and speed. He brought in 26 catches for 535 receiving yards and 7 total TDs while only having played in 6 games last season. His downfield separation is impressive, bursting past defenders with great acceleration, creating an easy target for QBs. He has terrific elusive ability in space, exhibiting good change of direction and shiftiness to make defenders miss and pick up plenty of yards after the catch. If Beamon plays his entire senior season, he will be a continual threat to opposing defensive backs.      2025 Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='1353863' first='Merrik' last='Kubacki'] will be the most significant piece for the Casteel offense to be well rounded. With a really good frame at 6'4 250lbs, he moves very well for his size with solid quickness and speed. He totaled about 12 catches, 170 receiving yards, and 1 TD while missing a few games in 2023. He is now in a position to put up big numbers in the upcoming season. He occupies the middle of the field with great awareness and instincts to find soft spots in the defense with good ability to adjust before snagging his catches. He had moments of sound blocking in the run game, able to lay blocks in the second level for his team with good aggression and technique. Kubacki will be one of the more exciting TEs to see how he produces in his senior season.      2025 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='954365' first='Porter' last='Delnoce'] is a colossal key returning player for this Casteel defense. The 6'2 215lb senior played all linebacker positions, from inside to outside. Racking in over 114 tackles, 52 of those as solo tackles, 18 TFLs, and a team leading 7 sacks made for an outstanding junior year campaign. A tackling machine with great instincts and diagnosis followed by tremendous ability to wrap the ball carrier. Delnoce's pursuit and speed after QB, specifically from the backside is exceptional, making QBs have to be incredibly decisive with the football or he will hit them for a loss. If he can put up even somewhat close to the numbers he did last season, this Colts defense will be hard to move on downfield.

We will continue to preview teams to cover players that you should be on the lookout for when watching these programs. We will continue in the 6A Premier Division with the Casteel Colts.