Reno Huskies Season Preview
Updated: Aug. 14, 2024
By: J. Ray Dockter
We made it!!! It’s officially game week as our first taste of football kicks off with multiple games this Friday. Football in the Silver State is back, and I couldn’t be more excited. Over the next couple days, I’ll continue previewing teams from our local area as well as a few other surprises, before getting into football season full swing on Aug. 16th when the first games kickoff. Today’s team: Reno.
Reno Huskies
Head Coach: CJ Wintch, second season at Reno (4-7 overall, 1-4 league in one season at Reno)
2023 Season Record: 4-7 overall, 1-4 league
Overview:
For almost two decades the Reno high football program was a model of consistency - for the last five seasons they have tried to find an identity as they have gone through multiple head coaches as well as assistant coaches and various coordinators during that same timeframe.
This season is no different, as Coach CJ Wintch embarks on his second season at the helm he has made a number of changes to his coaching staff over this past offseason. Coach Wintch has also made a change in his offensive philosophy along the way. He was looking for “All in coaches, who want to be successful and coach with their hair on fire,” to move his program forward.
To some degree the Huskies made positive strides last season, but they were lucky to avoid relegation as well. After losing two league games by a total of six points the Huskies found themselves as the fourth-place finisher in the Northern 5A-II, hosting a playoff game, before falling to McQueen, 21-6, at home thus ending their season.
That led to an offseason of change over off Booth Street as Wintch was able to prepare his team stating, "we had a better summer than the prior year." He doubled down on that previous comment stating, "We got an earlier Head start which created more competition in our position groups." In order for the Huskies to pursue excellence this season Wintch also went on to say, "The goal for us this season is to compete in everything we do, our kids have to want it, we had games in our hands last season that we let slip through our fingers, we must embrace the grind and win those games.”
Wintch stated that "for much of the season I was doing a lot of administrative things, I got struck by some gameday surprises last season which led to some good lessons learned for me. In other words, I didn't know what I didn't know but I am better prepared to face those things when they come up this season." Wintch pointed to the fact that he added several new assistant coaches to his program this off-season including former Hug head coach Tony Doucette (who has helped shoulder some of the load), and his former offensive coordinator.
Wintch also hired former Nevada QB Carson Strong to be his offensive coordinator for this upcoming season, which has been talked about with great anticipation many times in the lead up to the season.
The Huskies will begin the season with two returning starters on the offensive side of the ball. Coach Wintch was quick to point out "we have lots of competition at running back, wide receiver and along our offensive line." The offense will be moving from the "power spread" that they ran last year to a modified version of the "air raid" offense that Strong has developed himself utilizing concepts he learned at Nevada and with the Philadelphia Eagles. Many juniors to be that were on varsity last season (as Underclassmen) are expected to be big contributors this season for the Huskies. The Huskies quarterbacks and offensive lineman are showing the most leadership early in fall camp for Coach Wintch's squad.
The Huskies defense returns three starters from last year's team but lost a plethora of senior talent off the roster from last year that will be tough to replace. Coach Wintch stated "we are looking for kids who are willing to compete in everything - [because] it's always going to mean a little more when you compete your tail off. They must perform every day, and we must play above our competition level; giving each team everything we have each week if we are going to be successful.”
The goal for the Huskies in the early part of the season is to get a good feel for their team, then “figure out what we need to clean up and move our football team in the right direction for league play.”
Players to watch:
LB Aiden Goss, Senior: When you watch Goss one word comes to mind, fast. How fast you ask? He is on Reno’s 4 x 100 relay team, that’s how fast. As Wintch put it, “[He] moves at a different speed than anyone else. He is the heart and soul of our defense, unfortunately injury cut his season short last year.” If he can stay healthy, he’s a sleeper candidate for League Defensive Player of the Year Honors.
OL/DL Quinn Meyer, Senior: Two-way starter in his third season on varsity. Meyer has taken the next step, and Wintch believes he’s ready to become “the dude” this season.
WR Dawson Planeta, Junior: A threat to score every time he touches the ball. He’s a good route runner and can get over the top on you in a hurry. Benefits from being an outfielder as well with his ability to track the ball in the air quickly and efficiently.
WR Logan Ford, Senior: Ford is a three-sport athlete that knows how to win regional championships (having won two this past academic year as a member of the basketball, and baseball teams at Reno HS). He is also “tough as nails” and isn’t afraid to go across the middle, looking to deliver crushing blows to anyone who dares to try and tackle him. Good hands, reliable, great route runner. Wintch said, “If we get the ball in his hands 6-9 times a game, we are going to be okay.”
QB Braylon Wilson, Junior: Described as ‘In the mix to start last year,’ Wilson is a young QB that has taken the next step this offseason for the Huskies. Wintch said, “[He] is great in the weight room, [a] hard worker, and very strong – one of our strongest kids, pound-for-pound. He’s someone we are [really] high on this season.” He is still learning the offense, but Wintch is “excited to see him get more out of the offense.” He’s also a basketball player with a 4.0 GPA and a high football IQ according to his coaches.
Season Schedule:
Aug. 24 vs. Palo Verde (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Aug. 30 at Foothill (Palo Cedro, Calif.)
Sep. 6 vs. Galena
Sep. 13 vs. Wooster
Sep. 20 vs. Douglas
Sep. 27 at Reed
Oct. 4 vs. Spanish Springs
Oct. 18 at Bishop Manogue
Oct. 25 at McQueen
J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling, let him know via Twitter @J_RayDoc.
Comments