COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors put together a strong 10-3 season last year, but left with a sour taste in their mouth after a close loss in the 1B state semifinals. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said he was proud of what the Warriors did last year, despite the outcome.  

“Last year was a really good year for us. We lost in the semifinals, which was a little disappointing, you don't have hopes and dreams of going to the championship and come up one step short... we're hoping to build on that,” Walsh said.  

The Warriors fell 36-28 to Liberty Christian at the end of last year’s season.  

As they begin practices for the 2025 season, many players feel they have a championship team on their hands. One of them is quarterback Caden Correia, who is motivated to bring his community a championship in his senior season.  

“I want to win a championship more than anything, especially for this town, we haven't had one in four years or so, and it's kind of starting to be a tradition where we got to have it,” Correia said. “I think there's a lot of kids that want it a little more than other people. So, we push each other in the weight room, we push each other in practice, and we got parents to back us up and push us also.” 

Though Correia is eager to lead his team, he will have to wait a few weeks into the season, he said. In the spring, he suffered an ankle injury during a scrimmage. In the meantime, junior Max Grindy will step in at quarterback while Correia heals. For Grindy, he feels confident in himself to hold down the fort for the start of the season.  

“When he hurt his leg I kind of just got thrown in,” Grindy said. “I've done it before, so felt comfortable in it, and I know I can do it ... I always got to bring energy, it's more fun that way."  

Correia said he is also confident in Grindy’s ability to lead the Warriors to success. Correia is ahead of schedule and has been working hard to get back on the field with his teammates for his final season as a Warrior.  

“Originally, when I hurt it in the spring for the football scrimmage, they were telling me hopefully I'll make it for basketball season. That's kind of crazy, especially going to my senior year, and then I've been doing a lot of recovery, a lot of physical therapy, and I got to the point where the doctor thinks I can get back in October for some football,” Correia said.  

Last year the Warriors graduated eight seniors and this year it’s looking like it will be the same, Walsh said. While he anticipates a transition period, he feels good about the depth of his roster. He said a lot of his players can play both sides of the ball which is helpful in navigating any injuries that occur.  

“What it does is provide you with depth, and if you get injured at one spot, you can move kids around a little bit and not lose much,” Walsh said.  

In addition to their depth, Walsh said the team chemistry is strong for the Warriors. He said a lot of their key contributors like Grindy and Correia, play multiple sports together and have an extensive history of working together.  

Brady Roberts and Harvest Parrish will split snaps at running back this season. Walsh said Roberts is one of the fastest kids on the team and is effective at defensive back, too. Walsh also said Parrish will be called on a lot as their bell-cow running back.  

As Walsh and the Warriors look ahead to the 2025 season, their goal of a state championship remains intact. The disappointment from last year's semifinal game is a motivator for them as they hit the gridiron for the first time Sept. 5 against Columbia, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. 

“As a team, it's always a goal for us to be playing late in the season, hopefully in the first week in December for a title. I think this group kind of has that in the front of their mind as a very realistic goal; they want to get back to that stage and try to take it a step farther,” Walsh said.  

    Two ACH Warriors football players watch drills during practice. The Warriors were one game shy of making the 1B state championship last season and are optimistic about returning this season.
  

    ACH Warriors Quarterback Max Grindy running an option play during their practice. Grindy also plays receiver and running back.
  

    ACH Warriors Running Back Harvest Parrish works through footwork drills at their practice. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said Parrish will likely lead the team in carries this season.
  

    ACH rising senior Brady Roberts (21) carries the ball during a game against Dayton last season.
  

    The Almira/Coulee-Hartline defense sets up for a play against Wilbur-Creston-Keller on last season.