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Idaho State Journal | 2015 football preview
<< Preston Indians >>
reston improved its record to 3-1 by beating Snake River 14-12 last season and thought the close losses that had plagued them would no longer be suffered. It took until the Indians’ next matchup before they realized excruciating defeats were not saved for the 2013 season. They lost their next two games by a total of seven points and their victory against the 2014 3A state champion turned out to be their last. So the Indians enter a new season by trying again to be better in the clutch. Within his team, Preston coach Nick Hyde wants a killer instinct down the stretch in games. "They need to be focused right as we walk on until we walk off (the field)," Hyde said. "We’ve just got to be mentally tough, mentally ready."
2015 schedule vs. Park City, Utah
Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
vs. Star Valley, Wyoming vs. Shelley
Sept. 4, 7 p.m. Sept. 11, 7 p.m.
at Snake River
Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
at Pocatello
Sept. 25, 5:30 p.m.
at Minico
Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
vs. Blackfoot
Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
at Rigby
Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
vs. Century
Oct. 23, 7 p.m.
The team will try to do that while aiming for its first playoff bid since 2010. Hyde likes many of the parts he has, including on defense where the coach says his team has had success over the years. He said a plethora of players have shined on defense over the summer. A strength will be the linebackers,
highlighted by Kaleb Talbott. "Our linebacker group is probably one of the best, since I've been coaching at Preston," said Hyde, who has been an assistant or head coach for Preston for seven years. Superlatives were not just saved for the defense. Hyde also said the offense possesses speed that he has not seen the Indians have before. To hammer his point home, he used the words "light years" to describe the difference See Preston Page 30
HEAD COACH
Key playmakers
Nick Hyde, fourth year (6-21)
Hyde highlighted two running backs who also play on defense in Branson Atkinson and Kyon Wakley. Atkinson, a strong safety on the defensive side, is one of the fastest players on the team. Wakley succeeds because of his knowledge of the game. He puts himself in position to make the right play. Tyler Wakley is another player to watch at the receiver and safety positions. “He can jump out of the building,” Hyde said.
THREE YEAR GLANCE 2014: 3-6 2013: 2-7 2012: 1-8
RETURNING STARTERS 10 (3 offense, 7 defense)
IMPACT PLAYER RB/LB Kaleb Talbott Senior, 6 foot, 210 pounds CB Jaden Panter
Jaden Panter
Senior, 6 foot 1, 190 pounds The scoop: The two players who stand above the rest are running back and linebacker Kaleb Talbott and Jaden Panter, a cornerback who is also vying for the starting spot at quarterback. Talbott, who brings speed, will serve as a leader for the team. Panter has an ability to read the ball at the cornerback spot. If he does not win the QB job, he will use that skill as a receiver.
2015 expectations It’s been a slow and steady improvement for Preston over the past three years. And as the Indians have improved, their chances to make the playoffs may come down to a few key plays. Is this the year Preston makes those plays?