‘Iron Eleven’ A Mainstay At Freeman

Second-year football coach John Custer has given Freeman’s football players a makeover.

This year’s Scotties starters have made wholesale position switches.

While you’re at it, call them the “Iron Eleven.” The starters will seldom come off the field.

It’s not a whole lot different from last year, said Custer. “We were a little deeper in the backfield.”

The Scotties in Custer’s debut season were 3-5 in league and 3-6 overall. They finished tied for sixth in the Northeast A.

Even though the team lacks depth, league coaches predict that things will improve.

“Everybody in the offensive and defensive line has graduated but I think we have people who can fill in,” said Custer.

Jason Groesbeck, a 6-foot-3, 270-pounder moved to Montana.

“I’m disappointed about that, but that’s football,” said Custer.

In his place will be 150-pound Montana transfer Tobin Kruse at center. Guard David Aman is the lone returnee with experience and at 210 pounds is the biggest player.

Garen Friberg has moved from the backfield to a tackle and Ryan Hemingway has moved from tight end to the other tackle. Marc Reed has moved from the backfield to tight end. Other lineman is University transfer Greg Dahlstrom at guard.

They’ll block in front of fullback Nick Schuerman, who played tailback last year, new tailback Brandon Miller and sophomore quarterback Matt Smith.

Speedy Jeremy Van Voorhis is at one receiver. The other is up for grabs among Aaron Hill, Ryan Bates and Josh Olson.

“Flip those iron 11 right back on defense,” said Custer. “No one gets a rest, period.”

What defines this team is its quickness. As a result, not only are players at new positions, but the offense will change as well.

“If anything I’m going back to the stuff I’ve done in the past,” said Custer.

“We’ll run option to balance our power stuff, have simplified our throwing and sharpened play action. It’s a tighter, deceptive system.”

That is why Custer says Freeman has a legitimate chance to finish well in league.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: FREEMAN SCHEDULE Sept. 8 St. Maries at Freeman, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 Tekoa-Oakesdale at Freeman, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 Lakeside at Freeman, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 Kettle Falls at Freeman, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 Freeman at Chewelah, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 Freeman at Medical Lake, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 Deer Park at Freeman, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Freeman at Colfax, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Freeman at Newport, 7:30 p.m.