Wood River High School Football Season Preview

The Wood River Wolverines are back in the lab this offseason, laying the foundation for what promises to be a transformative year. Head Coach Shane Carden is focused on building a new team identity, developing emerging leaders, and preparing young talent to fill some big shoes left by departing seniors. Offseason Focus: Who Will Step Up? This offseason is all about finding new leaders and reloading key positions. With major roles—QB, RB, MLB, and DE—opening up, Coach Carden is watching closely to see which athletes rise to the challenge. “Our main focus is always building the new team & finding the new leaders of this group,” says Carden. Camps and Bonding: Twin Falls Trip To help accelerate team development and chemistry, Wood River will head to an overnight camp in Twin Falls, where they’ll scrimmage against bigger schools and spend valuable time bonding off the field. Staff Boost: Welcome, Coach Kyle Young Wood River made a big offseason move with the addition of Kyle Young, a former Fresno State standout, as the new offensive line coach. “We’re excited about him taking over that position group and helping those players develop,” says Carden. Players to Watch: The Junior Class Is Loaded Coach Carden is fired up about a strong group of juniors who’ve already logged serious varsity minutes: Axel Oelerich (DB/WR) – A versatile weapon in the secondary and on offense Kolton Marcroft (DL/OL) – Tough in the trenches with varsity experience since freshman year Other rising stars from the same class to keep an eye on include: Wyatt Stone (DB/WR) Max Fife (DB/WR) Jack Daly (LB/TE) Grady Edwards (LB/TE) Carlos Martinez (LB/TE) Weight Room Energy: "Main Thing is the Main Thing" Following the mantra from ECU’s Coach Conners, Wood River is all-in on the basics: “We need to get better at the meat and potatoes lifts… Benching, Squatting, Power Cleaning.” And with brand-new weight room equipment just added, there’s a renewed excitement around offseason training. Fueling Up: Simple Nutrition Wins Many of the Wolverines are working to bulk up this offseason, and the team has a straightforward strategy: “More steak and pasta. Whole glass of milk and a peanut butter sandwich before bed.” Strategic Coaching: Scheming for Strengths Coach Carden and his staff are dialing into what this year's group does best: “It’s our job as a staff to put in place the right plays and schemes to allow these players to be the most successful.” With fresh talent and new team dynamics, they’re adapting to fit the squad’s unique makeup. Challenges Ahead: The Unknown While Coach Carden didn’t detail specific challenges, the implication is clear: this season is about embracing change, developing depth, and creating a new team legacy. With strong leadership, a hungry junior class, and fresh coaching energy, the Wolverines are ready to go.