After a down year, Ferndale football should be much-improved this fall

After one of the more disappointing years in recent Ferndale football program history, the Golden Eagles have taken measures to ensure 2015 follows a different narrative.

“We let things, not even within the framework of games and practices, get in our way of being as good as we could be,” coach Jamie Plenkovich said.

With an impressive group dedicated to offseason training, emerging leaders and key returners peppered throughout Ferndale’s roster, the Golden Eagles seemed poised for a return to league prominence.

It seems Ferndale has a strong player or two at every position grouping, but the Golden Eagles’ physicality up front could end up being the team’s hallmark.

Ferndale returns eight starters on offense, and four of those starters reside along the offensive line with Nick Bartel, Christian Rodriguez, Chris Hernandez and Zach Eriksen. And Winterhawk Leighton returns after spending time at tight end.

“We do have some good size,” Plenkovich said. “Those guys up front have a lot of experience coming back, and the guys behind them have done a good job.”

They’ll be charged with opening up rushing lanes for what will be a reworked backfield with the graduation of Marcus Nightingale and Daniel Jones.

Even with the duo’s departure, Plenkovich feels good about his running game, and for good reason. Taylor Bellefeuille should get some looks with Austin Honeycutt at fullback, and Sky Freeman, Ben Broselle and Justice Powell will solidify the running back spot.

“We want to be able to (distribute) our carries and attack the defense in a bunch of different ways,” Plenkovich said. “I think we have several guys who can make big plays that will be carrying the football.”

Attack in multiple facets means throwing the ball, too — something the Golden Eagles weren’t particularly strong at a year ago. But Ferndale has a close quarterback battle between returner Kyler Schemstad and sophomore James Hinson. Plenkovich likes both, and whoever wins will have good options outside with Jackson King and Jacob Killdall.

Ferndale’s defense seems to have the making of a dominant unit.

Hernandez, an all-state talent, will join returners Leighton, Honeycutt and Rodriguez along the defensive front, and Bartel adds more depth.

Bellefeuille may be the best linebacker in the NWC, and he’ll be joined by Sam Cleary and Jake Leavitt.

As good as the line and linebackers could be, it’s the secondary, made up of Powell, Kildall and Freeman that has been most impressive during the preseason.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "After a down year, Ferndale football should be much-improved this fall."