Photo By Clayton Bunt - #78 Nick Graham
Preseason Coaches' Poll (Subject to change)
1. Grangeville
2. St. Maries
3. Orofino
Written by: Brandon Baney
Three games. That’s all the Orofino football team got in 2020. COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the Maniacs’ season, as Orofino finished 1-2 on the season. Orofino defeated Priest River 26-0 in their “season opener” on September 25th, then didn’t take the field again until October 16th. By that time, they had two weeks left in the regular season, and had to play league foes Grangeville and St. Maries. Two losses later, and Orofino’s season ended before it could really begin.
The Maniacs’ biggest loss to graduation was Joe Sparano, a two-way player that earned All-Conference honors on both sides of the ball. On a positive note, Orofino had a really young team last year, and most of those players return in 2021. However, their three-game schedule means those players didn’t really get to develop.
“We need to improve on execution and understanding our responsibilities,” said head coach Garret Bretz. “Last year we only played three games so we lost valuable game experience. We need to bring ourselves up to ‘speed’ in a hurry.”
Bretz anticipates a strong offensive line this year, anchored by senior center Nick Graham. That could allow Orofino’s skill players time to get comfortable and in a position to make plays. Defensively, Bretz points to the linebackers as a source of strength. Seniors Slade Sneddon and Reid Thomas will lead the way there.
Bretz is entering his third season as head coach at Orofino. And for the first time in his career, the Maniacs aren’t throwing young players out on the field. “This will be the first year in my head coaching term at Orofino that we will have upperclassmen playing on varsity,” Bretz said. “Hopefully that will lead to some successes. I am looking forward to watching them compete.”
Orofino will start the season with a road trip to Class 3A McCall-Donnelly. Their non-conference schedule is made up almost entirely of Class 3A schools: road games at Kellogg, Marsing and Priest River, and a home contest with Bonners Ferry. Orofino will begin its two-game league slate at Grangeville on October 15th. Orofino’s chances to win the conference will likely be made there, although the Maniacs will play St. Maries the following week in their regular season finale.