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Williamsburg opens the high school football season at Keokuk
Aug. 26, 2025 6:16 pm
Williamsburg Raiders head coach Austin Blythe gives instructions
during football practice at Williamsburg High School in Williamsburg, Iowa, on
Thursday, August 21, 2025. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
WILLIAMSBURG – Austin
Blythe has played football at every level.
He has had successful
coaches at each stage of his career, playing for hall of fame high school coach
Curt Ritchie at Williamsburg, Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz and National Football
League skippers Andy Reid, Sean McVay, Pete Carroll and Chuck Pagano.
What is the biggest eye-opener as a new head coach, replacing
Ritchie at his alma mater?
“It doesn’t necessarily have to do with anything really on the
field,” said Blythe, who played seven NFL seasons with Indianapolis, Los
Angeles Rams, Kansas City and Seattle. “Quite a few more administrative
responsibilities. But there's still plenty of time for football. So far, it
hasn't bogged me down too much to where I'm not enjoying myself.”
The hometown standout takes over a program that has won 150 games
and qualified for the playoffs for 17 straight seasons. The Raiders were 7-3
last season and begin the Blythe era unranked by The Gazette. They open the
season Friday at Keokuk.
“The pressure that I feel isn't necessarily in measured in the
wins and losses column, at least, in my mind,” Blythe said. “It's about
upholding the legacy and the standard that Curt has set. Obviously, he was very
good and he's won a lot of games at (English Valleys) and Williamsburg.
“He's always doing things the right way and really that's what
translated to wins. That's the highest on my priority list as far as my first
year goes.”
Blythe, a 2011 graduate, will be tasked to build on the foundation
set by Ritchie, while advancing the program and affixing his own stamp on it.
He has a clear vision of Raiders football.
“I want our team to be described as tough, hard-nosed dudes that
go out and play every Friday, and it doesn't matter what the situation is, we
dictate to how we respond to everything,” Blythe said. “Just a bunch of guys
that fly around and then they have fun.
“At the end of the day, everybody’s playing a game. I want the
kids to have fun and to have that show through.”
The Raiders are familiar with Blythe, who had been an assistant
the previous two seasons. The transition has been smooth since Blythe was named
head coach in the spring.
“I find it pretty similar because he's been there the past few
years,” Williamsburg senior lineman Carson Grier said. “We have like a lot new
conditioning, so we got ourselves in shape a lot better this year. We’d run our
conditioning and then football.”
Blythe was an all-state
lineman and honorable mention Parade All-American as a prep. He was an all-Big
Ten Conference center for the Hawkeyes and named third-team All-American by the
Associated Press. That’s a lot of street cred for a coach and commands the
respect of players, who are from the same town and grew up watching him.
“Since he's a prior athlete, he knows the mindset of others on the team,” Raiders senior Grady Wetjen said. “He's able to relate to everybody and tell them how he would get through it and he really makes us understand how things work and how we can make ourselves better.”
Williamsburg Raiders senior linebacker Dylan Weisskopf calls out
coverage before the snap during football practice at Williamsburg High School
in Williamsburg, Iowa, on Thursday, August 21, 2025. (Jim Slosiarek/The
Gazette)
The preseason scrimmage against Benton Community helped answer
some questions about the Raiders potential. A strong showing boosted confidence
for a group, aspiring to return to the UNI-Dome.
“I feel like we have a lot of energy coming on the field and we
are really at a good spot,” Wetjen said. “I think we can make it long ways in
the playoffs this year.”
Blythe inherits an offense that averaged 40.9 points per game,
allowing 15.8. The Raiders have a promising passing attack with playmaking
receivers like Wetjen and Dylan Weisskopf.
Wetjen, the younger brother of Iowa All-American return specialist
Kaden Wetjen, stands 6-foot-3 with a 205-pound frame. He will also start at
nose tackle on defense. An unusual combination for a unique athlete with size,
speed and athleticism.
“We have a really good wide receiver corps, led by Grady Wetjen,”
Blythe said. “I think he’s poised to have a big year. Big kid, big frame but
also super athletic. He moves well in space. He’s extremely fast for his size.”
Williamsburg Raiders senior defensive lineman Grady Wetjen (left)
closes on quarterback Rogan Ackerman during football practice at Williamsburg
High School in Williamsburg, Iowa, on Thursday, August 21, 2025. (Jim
Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Rogan Ackerman and Cash Brown are the frontrunners to replace
all-state QB Grant Hocker, who is at University of South Dakota.
Carson Grier and Griffin Becker will lead the Raiders in the
trenches. Many of the same offensive names will have defensive roles.
“Athletic attributes and the tangibles, but also the intangibles,”
Blythe said. “I need our best guys doing what they do best.”
“We're a little bit undersized by our standards. I think we've got
maybe a handful of dudes that are over 200 pounds. We may not be able to go
punch for punch but if we can outlast you, we might be all right.”
Grier noted the team’s camaraderie can be game-changing asset. The
Raiders work together for the same goal. They push and support each other.
“We have a lot of potential right now with how well we've been
playing and practicing,” Grier said. “We don't really have many downfalls
because we just pick each other up nonstop.”
Emphasizing all facets of the game has been crucial to
Williamsburg’s success, reaching the state finals under Ritchie in 2002, 2017,
2022 and winning the Class 3A title in 2023. Blythe said special teams is a
priority and has liked what he’s seen this fall.
“I've played with some really good head coaches, who've always
emphasized the importance of special teams,” Blythe said. “There's three phases
of football, offense, defensive special teams, and if they aren't all playing
together, it can derail a team’s success pretty fast. It's super important to
have that phase clicking, just like offense and defense.
“It's really about buying in because some of those special teams
guys don't necessarily start on offense or defense, but they play a very
important role.”
Blythe said players have responded well to his demands, changes
and additions. They were committed to strength and conditioning during the
summer and have shown up with a purpose. The Raiders have embraced the new
leader.
“They have laid a good foundation,” Blythe said. “Now, we're just
trying to get our schemes, assignments and technique down. The kids are really
buying in.”
WILLIAMSBURG RAIDERS
Coach: Austin Blythe (1st year, 0-0)
2024: 7-3, lost in first round of Class 3A playoffs
Top returners: WR/NT Grady Wetjen, sr.; OL/DL Carson Grier, sr.; TE/LB
Dylan Weisskopf, sr.; OL Griffin Becker, sr.; RB/DB Owen Scott, sr.; FB/LB
Sawyer Kirby, jr.; WR/DB Bowen Stratton, sr.; WR/DB Kale Bailey, jr.; OL/DL
Malachai Williams, jr.; WR/DB Albert Bamrick, jr.
Keys to success: The Raiders have a strong group of receivers and playmakers.
They will need to find someone to get them the ball, solidify the offensive
line and play their signature aggressive brand of defense.
Marquee matchup: Oct. 3 – vs. No. 9 Nevada. Williamsburg’s homecoming game
could determine the 3A District 5 title.
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com