Auburndale varsity football: physical and disciplined

School: Auburndale High School

Sport: Varsity football

Coach: Jay Anderson

Question: What are your overall expectations for the team this season, and what is the team's primary goal?

Answer: My expectations are similar each year and focus mostly on ourselves and our team. We focus on teamwork, dedication and always want to be a tough, physical and disciplined football team. Our primary goal is to challenge for a conference championship. With our conference being so strong, that goal to challenge in the conference can take care of any talk about playoffs and making a deep run in the postseason.

Q: Which returning players will be key leaders for the team, and what makes them stand out?

A: We return four starters on the offensive line and an additional three offensive starters in RB Nathan Van Wyhe (2nd team All-Conference FB), WR Peyton Weinfurter (1st team All-Conference WR), and WR Trevor Trowbridge. We will also have TE Josh Lundgren back after missing all of last season with a knee injury sustained in last year's scrimmage. Our offensive line starters that return are Logan Nagel, Koby Nagel, 2024 2nd team All-Conference OL Tevin Bauer and Jay Kearns. The plan is to move Peyton Weinfurter to QB and Nathan Van Wyhe will move to more of a feature RB role. Trevin Seevers was a part-time starter as WR last year and also returns.

Defensively, we return seven full-time and part-time starters. Dawson Baird and Logan Nagel (2nd team All-Conference) return at DT. Logan and Dawson are very hard workers in the weight room and hopefully will have big impact in the middle of our defense. Koby Nagel also returns as a part-time starter and should have a big role as our third T/NT. Junior Carter Grassl returns at DE. Wyatt Malsin, who made the move from starting DE as a sophomore to LB last year returns along with defensive backs Trevor Trowbridge, Peyton Weinfurter and Julian Anderson. Good overall experience with this group and we're expecting a physical group.

Q: Are there any newcomers or underclassmen who have impressed you in the offseason and could make a significant impact?

A: We have several newcomers who were impressive last year on the JV team and have put in a very solid offseason. We have 16 seniors and they all will have the opportunity to impact as starters, quality depth and special teams. Those that haven't been mentioned are Coleman Becker, who made a couple starts at LB last year, DE/OL Evan Bohman, WR/DB Ayden Wargowsky and WR/DB Jack Zenner.

Q: What do you consider to be the team's greatest strength this year?

A: Depth is our greatest strength. We have a total of 26 seniors and juniors. We have an experienced group of upperclassmen and good balance of seniors and juniors that are physically ready to contribute at the varsity level.

Q: Looking at your schedule, what are you most anticipating and why?

A: I don't really think too far ahead. We have a difficult schedule and there are always little things that can happen that can impact the season. I hope that our recent success can translate with this group and the pride in performance can continue.

Q: What message would you like to share with the community and fans as they prepare to support the team this season?

A: I would like them to know that we have a nice group of young men who are working hard. They represent the community well and take pride in what they are doing.