Timberland Football Looks for Life After Transition

Last year wasn’t the first time suffered through growing pains. Two seasons ago, the Wolves played well in the Gateway Athletic Conference North, storming to a 9-2 record and an appearance in the Class 5 state playoffs.

But as if a heavy senior turnover wasn’t misery enough heading into last season, the program also made the shift to the competition-heavy GAC South. Suddenly it was Timberland’s turn as fresh meat: New conference foes such as Francis Howell and Fort Zumwalt West chewed up and spit the Wolves out to a fifth-place conference showing (2-4), and an overall 4-6 record.

“We made the tough adjustment to go with the GAC South, obviously a bigger conference, and we didn’t have the season we wanted, for sure,” said Timberland coach Craig Collins, who begins his 10th season with a 58-33 overall record. “But we’ve been through it before—we first started in the state as a Class 3 (program). It’s not the first time we’ve had to make those adjustments. We’ve had to adjust every few years. But you go through it, and you get better. We’ll just have to take what we can from last year and improve on it.”

The Wolves did turn over 25 seniors from last season, including tailback Halleem Rayford, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. But last season still served as a rebuild that now becomes this season’s foundation: The 2011 squad is all upperclassmen, with a strong junior class already with a year experience under its belt.

Junior quarterback Ryan Bainbridge returns after a solid sophomore season (1,484 yards, 15 TDs) and his familiar targets are back, as well. Senior receivers Ben Steinkamp (39 receptions, 699 yards, 7 TDs) and Tyler Shumaker (24 receptions, 395 yards, 4 TDs) will continue Timberland’s downfield dynamic. Replacing Rayford in the backfield, junior Lucas Jordan saw limited time in 2010 but made the best of it, with 144 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 11 rushes.

On defense, the Wolves will bring a fresh look to more than just personnel. With only one returning starter in senior linebacker Dane Willman, Timberland is ratcheting up the aggressiveness of its unit with a 3-4 scheme.

“We had always been an even front in the past,” Collins said. “But we felt like we wanted to get more creative as coaches to get some unboxed players around the ball carrier.”

The Wolves kick off their 2011 season at home Aug. 26 against Francis Howell North and end the season with its rivalry war against on Oct. 28.