Here's how Groom football plans to compete for a fifth straight district title
Through the first six weeks of the 2022 season, things weren't looking good for the Groom football team. They were sitting at 1-5 and their quest for a fourth consecutive district title appeared hopeless.
Then district play started and the Tigers proved a season can start at any time.
Groom went 4-0 in district, including a thrilling upset win over Silverton to clinch their fourth straight district title. The Tigers finished the season at 6-6, advancing two rounds deep into the playoffs as first-year head coach Tory Peet was named Amarillo Globe-News Six-Man Coach of the Year.
Entering 2023, the Tigers return 11 players from last year while losing three. With four out of six starters returning, things look good on paper. However, two of the players Groom lost may have been the most important contributors on the squad.
Stephen Kuehler and Blayne Shuck are gone and won't be easy to replace. Shuck hauled in 98 receptions for 953 yards and 15 scores, and Kuehler was an honorable mention AGN Super Team selection. It will be a challenge to replace that production, but Peet is confident in the returning players for the Tigers.
More: Meet the 2023 Amarillo Globe-News preseason high school volleyball Super Team
"Practice is going great," he said. "Yes, they know we lost two great kids in Stephen and Blayne, but they're excited for the opportunity that is there for the rest of them. We have four offensive and defensive starters coming back and they know that Stephen and Blayne were an integral part of our team, but it takes all six and they're excited to show what they can do."
Who is back
Bryson Shuck will move over to center to take over for Blayne while Cooper Treadwell will take on a larger role at running back with the departure of Kuehler. Kenneth McGinty will also step into the running back position to shoulder a greater portion of the load.
Quarterback Grayson Peet returns to command the offense. He'll have his top two targets back in tight end Ryan Weinheimer and wide receiver Noah Wood. Tucker Hinson and Clay Oliveira are expected to factor in as well.
More: Who's No. 1: Amarillo Globe-News preseason high school volleyball 2023 Top 10
"Those guys have had a full year offensively of playing together," Peet said. "They know each other, they know the expectation and they know their roles are going to have to change a little. They can't just rely on pitching the ball back to Stephen and letting him do things. They're going to have to step up and take on a little more leadership."
Junior Trayson Corley was an All-District defensive back last season while Kenny Blackwell and Collins Koetting were chosen as defensive linemen. Olivera and Hinson will also factor in on that side of the ball.
Deacon Saucedo and Davie Babcock are two freshmen that could make an impact, but Peet noted that the Tigers will benefit from having so many players on the roster. With 18 players, there's a chance Groom will field a JV team to place the freshmen on.
"We're really going to be counting on guys like Cooper Treadwell," Peet said. "He'll be filling a bit of Stephen's role. Kenneth McGinty is a transfer from White Deer who we'll be counting on. We have some juniors like Kenny Blackwell and Trayson Corley that we're going to be counting on a lot as well."
More: Memphis football will lean on Charlie Sepeda for success in 2023
Marking success
Peet acknowledged that Silverton is the team to beat in 1-1A Division II. Lefors and Darrouzett should be better this season as well. However, Groom is the four-time reigning district champ. With plenty of firepower back, the Tigers are in good position to make another run at it. That's not how Peet will determine the team's success, however.
"Everyone is going to look back at the record," Peet said. "Did you have a winning season or a losing season. Last year we went 6-6 but I thought we had a great season. We started off 1-5 and rolled through district into the playoffs. Our goal isn't about wins, it's about going out every day and competing."
GROOM TIGERS
Head coach: Tory Peet
2022 record: 6-6 overall, 4-0 in district
Base offense: Multiple
Base defense: 4-2
Last playoff appearance: 2022
Top returners: Noah Wood, Ryan Weinheimer, Bryson Shuck, Grayson Peet, Trayson Corley, Kenny Blackwell, Collins Koetting, Cooper Treadwell, Kenneth McGinty
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: at White Deer, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: vs. Amherst, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Nazareth, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: vs. Claude 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: vs. McLean, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: at Darrouzett, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: vs. Silverton, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20: at Hedley, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 27: vs. Lefors, 7 p.m.
Nov. 3: OPEN
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Groom High football seeks five straight district title in 2023
