Week Zero - The Preseason Report

By Suzie
August 31, 2006

This is part one of my preseason look at the Jim Ned Indians. Today, I will cover the offensive game, and tomorrow I will discuss the defense. Let the comments begin!!!


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I forgot this is a blog, so let me get comfortable in my blogginess and let's get down to business.
I don't have a JV report, yet, because honestly, I still don't know everyone on the teams....and I don't have enough time either...but they'll get coverage. So on to varsity:

Offense

At quarterback, the preseason has seen the trio of Jon George (SR), Taylor Cain (Jr), and Jeremy Shaw (Jr) taking snaps. Cain, unfortunately, was nailed hard during the latter part of the Hawley scrim, and did not suit out for the test against Sonora. He appeared to be okay, however, cheering happily from the sidelines for that game. His strengths include an insane ability to scramble and target his receivers regardless what side of the field they are on. He also dabbled a bit as an RB. George seemed the strongest, in that it seemed like he didn't mind taking some pretty nasty hits in order to pick up a couple of yards by himself. He seemed to prefer the running game over passing, and even still, showed tight accuracy on the short passing game. Shaw has little, if any, varsity experience, but his speed and size are more than welcome on the team. Sonora gave him a big challenge, but he connected with Tallen Swanzy (Jr), who managed to get out of traffic for a catch just inside the line.

For the running game, Philip Perez(Sr) is definately going to be the main guy. He was second only to Stephen Hernandez ('06), and probably took about a third of the handoffs. He brings the most experience in the category, but junior Kolby Kelley and senior Colt Sansing will be helping him with the load. Kelley is a formidable bulldozer who will post some good numbers, if he stays at 100%. Sansing, I believe, played all defense last year, so I'm not sure how he will do, as he took one handoff that I could see. I'll talk more about him when I write about the Defense. Another player who has not seen varsity time is Jake Lovelady (Jr). He did not get to play during the preseason, due to a lingering injury, but last season, he was a veritable pinball, bouncing off defensemen and finding the endzone. It was rare that he was actually tackled, as it was usually a fast defender in the backfield that was able to dive for his ankles. No joke.

On the receiving end, Michael Shelton(Sr) has been getting a lot of press for his abilities. Some may say he's one of the best players on the field. He's got the size, speed, and hands anyone would want on their team, and he's sure to be on a college team, next season. Follow that up with Rance Cook (Sr), who flanks the other side of the field, usually, and you have a troublesome duo for any opposing team. Kit LeFevre (Sr)is returning from a season that ended before it began (injury). The three of them really boost Jim Ned's scoring threat, and make the team a serious contender for a playoff berth. Garret Brown (Sr), and Kirk Whitehurst (Sr) give solid depth to the receiving department. Hayden Holson (Soph) took passes during the scrimmages, as well as Jordan Coffman (Jr), and both of them, along with Luke Taylor (Soph) and Tallen Swanzy (Jr), remind us that the passing game is in good check for at least two more years.

Our lone kicker is, once again, Sophomore sensation Frankie Rohr. He's the best field goal kicker on the team. I'd say that for kickoffs, but he shares that job with Garrett Brown, who probably owns that title. However, the 10th grader has been getting some kickoff time in the scrimmages. He started on the varsity team about three games into last season.

Our linemen on the offense look about the same as the linemen on the defense. Actually they're the same people, generally. The line, from left to right, usually reads something like Dayton Ferguson (Sr), Colter Sherley (Sr), Chance Darby (Sr) or Will Meiron (Jr) at center, Bryan Schulle (Jr), and Garrett Brown. Juniors Trenton Tippett and Payden Brown got time on the offense as well, but their mainstay looks to be defense. I can say one thing about the guys that make up this line -- they're not BIG by any means. They're not little, either. But they have gelled big time in the seven days between Hawley's scrimmage and Sonora's test that leaves me nothing more than confident that they'll not let anything get between them and their quarterback, be it Jon, Taylor, or Jeremy. I was immensely impressed with their 180 change -- it was that noticeable -- in that week. Whatever coach Walter Hargrove told them -- it worked.

You know, I just realized I named every player on the team. Every player contributes to the offensive plan for the Indians. That's awesome. Haha. Well that's my offensive report. Tomorrow I'll write about the defensive situation, and I'll also let you know how the JV teams did this afternoon.



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