Buhach Colony football leaning on experience to help rebound from tough year
Buhach Colony High School football coach Jerry Dietz has already seen a difference this offseason with more seniors on the field.
A lack of experience played a big factor in the Thunder’s disappointing 2-7 season last year. Buhach Colony only had a handful of seniors who saw significant playing time.
With a bulk of starters returning, Buhach Colony is looking to put last season behind them.
“We’re ready to get back at it,” Dietz said. “We’ve got a strong senior class. They’ve been more dedicated in the weight room and doing our offseason stuff like seven-on-seven. They’ve been more focused, they pick up the coverages and learn the plays quicker.”
The Thunder return one of the most dynamic players in senior Jaxson Percoats.
Dietz says they will find more ways to get Percoats the ball. The senior saw most of his action at flyback last year, rushing for 517 yards and six touchdowns.
“He’s a playmaker,” Dietz said. “He’s going to be our go-to guy and we’re going to move him around more this year. We’ll use him out of the backfield more. We hope to use him in our passing game more.”
Percoats has the combination of size and speed to break off a big play at any time.
“I’m excited for more opportunities this year,” Percoats said. “Last year I didn’t get moved around a lot. I think I’m a Deebo Samuel type player. I’m excited to move around and get the ball more.”
Senior receiver Kailin Frade gives the Thunder a big threat on the outside.
Buhach Colony should be improved up front with four seniors on the offensive line in Eric Green, Cornell Gilkey, Cielo Henderson and Brady Hill.
“Those four guys know the system,” Dietz said. “They like each other, they make the right calls at the right time and when they’re not thinking they’re playing more aggressively.”
Those senior offensive linemen will also anchor the defensive line.
The Thunder coaches are also looking for contributions at linebacker in Jayden Resendez and Alex Sevilla-Rodriguez.
“We lost a lot a lot of games last year, we lost a lot of close games last year,” Percoats said. “Hopefully going through that experience will help us put together a winning season this year. We have a lot of seniors and that means this is their last year. We want to go out and make plays.”
2022 Schedule
Aug. 19 at Gregori
Aug. 26 vs Hanford
Sept. 2 vs Enochs
Sept. 9 at Lincoln
Sept. 16 vs Golden Valley
Sept. 23 at Central Valley
Oct. 7 vs El Capitan
Oct. 14 vs Merced
Oct. 21 at Patterson
Oct. 28 at Atwater
