FORT MADISON – A new district, a new class, a new quarterback. But for the Fort Madison Bloodhound football team, the 2023 season will be anything but new.
Head Coach Derek Doherty, in his fifth season leading the Hounds, will be looking to build on back-to-back playoff seasons where the Hounds went 13-6. Doherty is 24-13 since taking over the program in 2019.
Fort Madison, playing in class 4A last year, was bounced in the first round by Waverly-Shell Rock 49-7, and got into the second round in the COVID year of 2021 where they were eliminated by Grinnell on the road.
Doherty said his expectations this year don’t have much to do with records or playoffs.
“Our goal every year is to maximize our potential. As a coach, when you spend the amount of time we do with these guys, you know when you are getting the most out of them. The record will be what it is. As long as we maximize our potential, that’s our goal,” he said.
The switch to 3A is comfortable to Doherty, but he said the schedule hasn’t gotten any easier.
“We feel like we belong in 3A. With that being said, we’ve probably got the toughest schedule we’ve had in my time as an assistant and a head coach. We didn’t get any favors moving to 3A, but we do feel like we belong here.”
The Hounds' offense could hinge on the arm of junior quarterback Marcus Guzman. Guzman who cut his teeth on the defensive side of the ball the last few years, will take over for Aidan Boyer, who graduated this spring.
Doherty said Guzman is part of a string of quarterbacks who’ve benefitted heavily from the starter in front of them.
Guzman followed Boyer in 2022 getting a few snaps. He completed just three passes, but they went for 91 yards and a touchdown in a backup role.
“With our quarterbacks we’ve been lucky. Landes (Williams) was a great teammate for Aidan and Aidan was a great teammate for Marcus. We hope that our quarterback culture continues to keep growing,” Doherty said.
“Marcus is ready and a really good quarterback. He’s different because he said he’ll play quarterback, but he still wants to play defense. We’re working through that."
Senior Ike Thacher and junior CJ Arnett will anchor the offensive line. Both will see plenty of time on the defensive line as well.
The Hounds sent three offensive lineman to play college football last year including Mateo Lozano, Tanner Settles, and Daniel Sokolik. Three spots that the Hounds will need to fill.
“Ike’s a monster there. He’s not a big dude, but he’s fully capable and just as good as anyone in the state. His numbers won’t jump out as far as height and weight, but he’s strong, fast, and physical.
Thacher said the team will go as far as it believes it can.
“There’s nothing different as I see it. We expect the best of our team and if we all believe we can do this, we’ll take this team pretty far,” Thacher said.
“Marcus is looking really great and I think we’ll be even better than we were last year at that position, and overall.”
Guzman is setting the bar high for the Hounds, saying his expectations are to go to the state championship.
“Expectations? Go to the Dome, obviously,” the junior said.
He said taking most of the snaps has required an adjustment, but one he’s adapting to. He also said he’s developing good relationships with receivers like senior Henry Wiseman.
Wiseman led the Bloodhounds with 43 catches and just over 500 yards last year. He also hauled in four TDs. Senior Leif Boeding also had a productive year in 2022 with 400-plus receiving yards and four scores.
“All of them standout, but Henry and Leif (Boeding) I’m really getting a feel for. We’ve spent some time outside of practice on the field,” Guzman said.
Wiseman said Guzman has been working hard in the offseason to build relationships on the field with the other skill players.
“We’ve been doing a lot of stuff this summer, building chemistry and I think all of us will work well together,” Wiseman said.
“I think we’re a lot more focused and we have really good energy coming into this.”
Offensive Coordinator Justin Menke said he’s excited about some new things the Hounds can do this year.
“Ever since I’ve been here it seems like we get a new quarterback so I think we always try to be preparing the guy coming up. Marcus is no different. I think he’s ready for his opportunity. We’re excited about the things we're going to be able to do with him in the context of our offense,” Menke said.
Offense won’t change significantly, but we’re going to be able to throw a few more things in there that you haven’t seen in a couple years, and some stuff that is skill-set specific.”
Teague Smith and Hayden Segoviano will handle the ball out of the backfield. Menke and Doherty found a nice platoon with the two in the latter half of last year. Smith had 621 yards and eight scores on 152 carries.
The senior is coming off knee surgery that he underwent after wrestling season where he advanced to state despite the damage. Smith said his knee is healthy and he’s ready to roll.
He said moving from 4A to 3A has no bearing on his preparation.
“It’s the same thing. I don’t change my mentality and I don’t care if its 1A or 5A, I’m just ready to go play football.”
Doherty said he’s also been impressed with junior Brody Cashman on both sides of the ball.
“He’s a great defensive guy, loves defense, but we’ve moved him over to offense and he did some good things at receiver. But we tried him at running back because we’re a little thin there and WOW he’s got great vision as a running back.”
Cashman will be relied on heavily on the defensive side of the ball. Cashman had 31 tackles last year, 19 solo, but he was second on the team in sacks with five and had eight tackles for loss as a sophomore.
Smith and Segoviano combined for 105 tackles last year at inside linebacker. Segoviano had a team-high six sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Boeding and Wiseman combined for half of the Bloodhounds' eight interceptions last year.
Boeding will also handle the point-after attempts while Henry Graham will handle kick-off duties. Boyer handled most of the punting from the quarterback slot last year, but senior Oliver Santiago could see some action there this year.
The Hounds open the year at Burlington next Friday, Aug. 25. After the opener, the schedule has the Hounds hosting Fairfield and Williamsburg the next two weeks before heading to Davenport Assumption on Sept. 22. The County Seat rivalry with Keokuk, who’s back in the district, will take place in Fort Madison on Sept. 29. The Hounds then host Mt. Vernon, travel to Mt. Pleasant, and host Washington.
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