The Great Falls Red Devils are small in number, but big on experience

The Great Falls Red Devils were excellent last season and are looking to continue the momentum.

Head coach DeMarcus Simons is now in his third season and has had a positive effect on the Red Devils’ fortunes.

In his first season, Great Falls finished 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the region. They started 0-4, but finished 3-2 including a close loss. However, the groundwork was put down for success.

Last year the Red Devils improved their win total by four games and missed by only four points of making it five. They made the playoffs where they picked up a win in the opening round.

“I think that we will be a better team than we were last year,” Simons said. “We worked hard in the weight room in the off season, and our summer workouts were also very productive.”

The Red Devils lost key performers and leaders from last year’s team, but 17 starters return. Eight offensive starters are back along with nine on defense.

“We lost some outstanding players from last year,” the coach said. “We have a lot of players back who got a lot of playing time and gained valuable experience a year ago. That gives us a good reason to be optimistic about our chances.”

The Red Devils also are looking to climb up the ladder in the region.

“It is a tough region, but I definitely think that we can compete well in the region this year,” Simons said. “Time will tell, but I know the players have more confidence than last year because of all the experience we gained last season.”

Jacob Bair, a junior, looks to be the starting quarterback. He appeared in four games, completed four passes, and had one passing touchdown.

Jaylan Sanders, a junior, will lead the running backs. He got valuable experience last year with 74 carries for just more than 300 yards, and he scored one touchdown.

The wide receivers will be spearheaded by a trio of returning starters, who got plenty of playing time in 2021. Seniors Jordan Holmes and DeMarion McMullen, and sophomore Rico McCullough are all expected to have productive seasons.

Holmes hauled in 20 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns last year. McMullen had eight catches for 68 yards and one score, while McCullough caught four passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

The offensive line has three veterans. Senior Isiah Schnepf and juniors Trey Wilson and KeShaun Killian logged a lot of playing time last year.

The defensive line will be led by Schnepf, Wilson, and Kilian. Wilson recorded 57 tackles and 5 sacks. Schnepf had 29 stops and a pair of sacks, while Killian had a dozen tackles.

The linebacking corps is spearheaded by Sanders, who is the leading returning tackler with 79. He also intercepted two passes and recovered a pair of fumbles.

The secondary will be led by a quartet of returning players. Jordan Holmes, McCoullough, McMullen and Caleb Hauanio give the Red Devils an abundance of talent and experience.

“We will have pretty good speed overall on both sides of the ball this fall,” said Simons. “However, we will not be as fast as we were last season.”

Stephen Caughman, a junior, is penciled in as the place kicker, while Hauanio will handle the punting. The two shared the punting chores last year.

The Red Devils’ roster shows 26 players, and quite a few will be required to play both ways.

“I think we will be OK as far as overall depth is concerned,” the coach said. “We are constantly working to find quality depth so that we can limit the number of people who have to go both ways.

“The success we had last year will definitely help us. The guys are hungry to build on what we did a year ago. Everyone is totally bought in to what we are doing.”

And what’s the key to improving on last year’s 7-4 record and 1-3 region mark as well as make another trip to the postseason?

“We definitely need to stay healthy,” the coach said. “We need to continue to work hard, stay focused and dedicated like we have been thus far.”