Freshmen class stands out on picture day for Pirates

KAPLAN — Last Wednesday, the Kaplan Pirates had picture day for the upcoming football season, and there was one area that stood out.
The incoming freshmen class.
There are at least 55 players on the Pirates’ roster, and almost half of them are freshmen.
Each player walked into the Kaplan gym wearing a face mask and right before a photo was taken, they took off their mask.
The photographer took individual shots of the players, coaches and trainers.
Then the photographer took class photos.
The senior class went first. There was a modest nine players.
A group of 14 juniors were photographed, followed by seven sophomores.
Then the photographer looked at the freshmen group (24 players) remaining in the bleachers and went, ‘Wow.”
First-year KHS head coach Cory Brodie likes his freshmen class. He said a handful of players could help on a Friday night if need be.
“We are one or two players away from one of our younger players playing,” said Brodie.
While no freshmen are penciled in to start on Friday night, many will play on the junior varsity team.
“We have five or six players who are 6-1, 220 pounds,” the head coach said.
Brodie adds that there are a handful of sophomores who could see action on Friday night.
There are two penciled in to start.
Jedd DeVoltz (5-8, 220) is projected to start at linebacker, while sophomore Talon Frudge (5-8, 221) is projected to be starting offensive guard.
The Kaplan Pirates will open the season on the road against North Vermilion on Sept. 3.
Kaplan’s assistant coaches are Jared Duhon (offensive coordinator/OL), Tyler Domingue (QBs/RBs), Corde McCall (DL), Craig Brodie (defensive coordinator/DBs), Rhett Menard (FBs/LBs), Seth Hebert (RBs/LBs) and Blaine Frick (OL).