By WILL HOLLAND
Here’s an inside look at the 1A Freeman Scotties.
Links: Freeman Scotties team page | 2019 schedule | Roster
2018 IN REVIEW
0-9 overall record, 0-6 in 1A Northeast League
COACHING RESUME
HC: Ben Cochran
0-9 record (2nd season as head coach)
Coordinators: Kelly Neely (OC); Ben Cochran (DC).
Base schemes: Spread offense, 4-3 defense
RETURNING
Offense – 9. Defense – 8.
TOP RETURNERS
QB/LB Jace Phelan, 6-1, 225, Sr.
RB/FS Kaleb Ohler, 5-8, 185, Sr.
WR/OLB Ryan Hayek, 5-11, 170, Sr.
WR/DB Ethan Trumble, 6-5, 170, Sr.
OL/DE Tanner Smith, 5-10, 240, Sr.
THREE TO SEE
QB/LB Jace Phelan, 6-1, 225, Sr.
“Tough as nails” – those are the words that head coach Ben Cochran used to describe his two-way signal caller. As a junior, Phelan received all-league honors on both sides of the ball, as one of the lone bright spots for the winless Scotties.
WR/DB Ethan Trumble, 6-5, 170, Sr.
Tremble’s frame will offer a friendly target to his cohort at QB. The 6-5 senior will replace starting wideout WIll Campbell, who was an all-league selection last year. Look out for some jump balls this year in the redzone.
OL/DE Tanner Smith, 5-10, 240, Sr.
Smith has filled out quite a bit since last season, which adds some extra size to the physical defensive end. He’ll be key in helping stop the run for the Scotties.
OUTLOOK
After a winless 2018 season and a bottom place league finish, the Scotties will look to rebound with a much older and experienced team. The Scotties return 17 out of 22 starters, and will have a substantial improvement in the amount of upperclassmen on the field at all times. Senior QB and LB Jace Phelan will be the heart and soul of the squad on both sides of the ball, playing as a true ironman. Coach Cochran has nothing but good things to say about the multi-position and multi-sport athlete, saying that playing him at such a “funny combination” of positions is a testament to his skill and toughness. Hopefully Freeman can use their experience and playmaker to make some noise in the Northeast League this year.
Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: Timberlake (ID)
Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: at Colfax
Sept. 19, 7 p.m.: Riverside
Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: at Newport
Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: Medical Lake
Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: at Okanogan
Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: at Lakeside (9 Mile)
Oct. 25, 6 p.m.: Deer Park
Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: at Colville
*home games in bold
