Sioux City West wants to set positive culture for football team

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West's Turner Joy (3) hands the ball off to West's Jayson Joseph (2) during Bishop Heelan vs Sioux City West football action played Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Sioux City.

Jared McNett

First year Sioux City West football Coach Frank Irvine wants a fresh start for the Wolverines.

"We don't really talk about the past. We're just moving forward and really just keeping the kids loose and having fun," he said. "We want to set a culture where kids want to come to practice every day and really set the tone where we're trying be positive with all the players."

The past two seasons haven't been the easiest for the Iowa Class 4A District 1 squadron. They've lost two coaches and went winless in both years. Going all the way back to 2010, the Wolverines have had seven winless seasons. In 2024, West were shutout by Bishop Heelan, Spencer and Fort Dodge. Part of that could be attributed to the ground game struggling and earning just 156 yards for the entire season.

Some of the bright spots on the winless 2024 team are gone now. The three leading receivers and nine of the 10 leaders in total tackles were seniors. Irvine was hired in December and has served as the head girls golf coach and the assistant boys basketball coach at West. He's also taught special education.

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"We got a lot of new bodies here. We got a couple new kids that came in. Pretty much different offense than we ran last year. So a lot of guys playing that didn't play last year," Irvine said. "We have some good younger kids that we're developing and you'll see them on the field early and often."

West football media day

Members of the West High School defensive line, front row from left, Nate Hoyos (53), Wesley Heck (69) and back row, Jereth Cota (6), Tyson Be...

Kash Olson, a captain, is one of the players who didn't get any reps in 2024 that Irvine is looking to as an on-field leader in 2025.

"I think we should expect a community. A really good defense out of us. We really put in a lot of good hours working on defense and I just think it's been a big emphasis this offseason."

Also during the offseason, Olson said the Wolverines have been trying to have a vibes shift.

"Just getting stronger as a group, like bonding and keeping our chemistry up," he explained.

Similar to Sioux City North, Olson said that West wants to use the season to inspire more kids to come out and play football.

Fellow captain Max Hoyos, who will play on the defensive and offensive lines, agreed with Olson about getting the word out and recruiting.

"West, they haven't done so well in the past but I think that we're really on the build up," Hoyos said.

West football media day

The West High School offensive line, front row from left, Nate Hoyos (53), Dylan Gonzalez (52) and back row, Jamarrion Smith (55), Wesley Heck...

Hoyos told Wolverines fans to be on the look out for quarterback Tavin Irvine.

"He's really good in the pocket. He can roll out good. And I know that he loves this game more than anything," Hoyos. "I think him and another player's probably going to be Cash Olson."

Olson's on the same page as Hoyos when it comes to the new signal caller. And on the receiving core be ready to go as well.

"We have a lot of guys that want to work hard and I think that's going to boost us throughout season."

Irvine's big on Olson and Hoyos both and credited the latter for coming from Lawton and for playing both offensive line and defensive line.

"We're not super deep so he's kind of taking that role of being conditioned and really leading that team. Young kid too. Sophomore kid. It'll be good to have a young kid lead like that."

Part of Hoyos' leadership is going to be getting the defense to play with a bit of an edge.

"I think we're really strong on our d-line. Not just because I'm on it. We're going to be really aggressive. We're going to fight for the ball anytime we line up next to somebody. And we're just going to crack some heads and we're going to go do our best."

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