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Feb 15, 2024

High school football: Simley will defend its state title with loads of fresh faces

Simley football coach Chris Mensen has told his players many times already this year that the Spartans will now be the hunted. That’s what happens when you win a state title, as Simley did last year

Simley football coach Chris Mensen has told his players many times already this year that the Spartans will now be the hunted.

That’s what happens when you win a state title, as Simley did last year by downing Hutchinson in the Class 4A championship game. And, frankly, that’s a credit and respect Simley has sought.

“I think it’s a good change for Simley football,” Spartans senior running back and linebacker Danny Martin said. “We’ve always kind of been an underdog. But yeah, it’s something that we’ve wanted, and now this year, it’s time to go.”

But they’re going into uncharted waters with an unproven crew. Simley’s state championship team in 2022 was senior-dominated. Quarterback Caden Renslow, bell cow Gavin Nelson and big-play machine Tayvion McCoy are all gone, along with many other heavy contributors.

Of the full-time starters from a year ago, only two are back on each side of the ball. That’s what makes it difficult to even say there’s momentum rolling into this fall. Certainly, as Mensen noted, the culture and standard have been set, and a state title only further cements that foundation. But that standard is still being taught to so many fresh faces.

“A lot of us, we kind of think we’re the same team as last year, even though we’re a whole new team. That kind of messes with our brains a little bit,” senior receiver and cornerback Connor Binley said. “We’re not the same team as last year, so it’s going to be a lot different than it was last year, role-wise and everything. So we don’t truly know who we are, but we know we’re going to compete to win.”

Each year, Mensen noted, is a restart. You have to remember the previous year, but can’t “fall back on it.”

“That’s been a big point of emphasis for us, that 2022 was a fun year but 2023 will look very different,” Mensen said. “A lot of the communication we’ve had with the guys is, ‘Make it your year. Put your stamp on Simley football, and make sure that everyone remembers your senior squad for something special.’ ”

Mensen noted it’s difficult for guys to step in and fill spots previously occupied by a talented senior class of players, because the new arrivals don’t have much varsity experience. So, Mensen noted, “we’ve got a little growing pains right now.”

That included a scrimmage in Orono that Binley said was a “good wakeup call that we can’t just walk around like we’re state champions anymore.”

“That was not a good scrimmage for our standards,” he said.

Which is no reason for panic. If anything, it’s a good reminder for returnees such as Binley and Martin that this squad will take a little time to take form.

“It’s kind of hard to stay patient with the guys sometimes, but it’s important to know this is new stuff for them. They’re not like a two-year returner,” Martin said. “It’s probably what can be expected. There’s little mental mistakes and things we work out as we get going, but I see a lot of potential. Even through mistakes that have happened, I see growth, and guys grow both mentally and physically stronger, which is big for this football season, I think.”

Mensen added there is “success that comes in troubles” — and that’s where the Spartans are at the moment. That’s a common phase for any team that graduated such a large, talented class from the year before. But Simley gets to adapt and endure while getting the kitchen sink thrown at it every week by foes eager to take down the champ. The first opponent champing at the bit for a shot at the champs is an always-strong Winona team, which Simley will host Friday in its season opener.

The Spartans vow to be ready. Even with a new, somewhat young roster, there are legitimate signs of optimism ranging from the team’s physical size, energy and grit.

It might take awhile to get the level required to achieve high-level success this fall, but the aspirations to reach that point remain the same for this year’s crop.

“I think (last year’s title) is something that should motivate them, because that is one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced in my life, and I sure want to do that again,” Martin said.

“It’s not going to be Week 1, Week 2, we’re the best team. We’re going to slowly get there, find out who we are, find out how we’re going to win games and just build our way off of that,” Binley said. “We’re looking to prove a point for everybody to show that Simley is still here to play.”

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