Ida Blue Streaks 2023 Team Preview

By Frank Vajcner

If there was a team on the blog that was better than their record showed last season, it was Ida.

Despite a 4-6 record, the Blue Streaks qualified for the playoffs for the ninth time in the last ten seasons, thanks to their strength of schedule.

Head Coach: Jeff Potter (36-24, seventh season)

Staff: Dave Potter, Chris Leonard, Zack Johnston, Zac Shopshire, Clay Sampson, Brian Spears

Offense: The bad news for the Streaks is that their skill positions were gutted by graduation. The good news is that they return all five offensive line starters, and the lone senior of that group is Chris Galloway (5-11, 275). He will be joined by Jackson Werternberger (6-4, 300), Jeremiah Hoffman (5-11, 200), Alex Giarmo, and Cam Satkowski. Don’t be surprised if rising sophomore AJ Sivil gets some time.

While the skill positions are light on experience, there is plenty of athleticism. Sophomore Owen Snyder will get the nod at QB, similar to what happened to his predecessor Nate Miller in 2020. At RB, senior Tyler Konieczny and junior Dean Thomas will be two of the primary options. Potter also mentioned sophomores Dylan Jarrett and Gavin Albring as players to watch at RB.

Defense: Despite only five starters returning, there will be depth on the unit, especially in the trenches. Galloway and Wertenberger bring plenty of size up front on the line, and Sivil will see action there as well. Hoffman and Konieczny will anchor the linebacking corps, while Albring and Thomas are names to watch in the secondary.

The Streaks also return a reliable kicker in senior Max Buschmann, who went 4-for-4 on field goal attempts last season.

Fun Fact: Put this in the “strange, but true” file; Since 2017, Ida has either won eight games or four games in a season.

Coach’s Outlook: The schedule will be difficult, especially the first four games, but I believe that our kids will rise to the challenge. As usual, the league will be competitive, so you will need to be prepared and focused each week. If our younger players gain some confidence and experience in the early going, we are capable of competing for a league title.

FNV Outlook: People who have read the blog will know how bullish I have been on Ida. This year is different. Having an offensive line that is a non-negotiable will only help a young group of skill players. This is a team capable of winning the rugged LCAA, and don’t be shocked if the end up going on a postseason run

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