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With returning letterman Will Lindsey who’s breakaway speed and quick cornering ability isn’t dampened by football gear, any given play could be over in 11.24 seconds (his time in the 100m state track finals in May of this year) or substantially less. This year’s Spartan squad is jam pack with explosive speed demons like Lindsey. Tyler Rhodes, Nick Rogiers, Lukas Graves, and Zach Flessner streak across the field like bolts of lightning. The only way for opposing teams to win games is they MUST score at least six touchdowns while holding the Spartans to four or five (which I don’t think is even a remote possibility). “We can probably score anywhere on the field,” said head coach Dick Duval about this year’s squad. “We should never feel like we are out of any game because we ought to be able to score fast and score from anywhere. That is a plus for our team this year.” Add the 6’2”, 240 pounds muscular Zach Becker and Duval’s team might very well make another deep march on to the turf at Zuppke Field in Champaign. While Tuscola’s John Wienke and Champaign Centennial’s Mikel LeShoure have been the focus of media attention as soon-to-be Division 1 football players, the senior, who is the area’s most overlooked candidate, will serve as the team hammer. During the last Friday’s scrimmage would be tacklers bounced off Becker like rain drops on the hood of semi-tractor a hot summer day. The team’s speed and power will be put to the test on the road against conference favorite Momence’s spread offense in a contest that will likely determine who will reign supreme at the top of the Sangamon Valley standings. In the game slated for September 7, the Redskins will be seeking revenge for last year’s almost embarrassing 31-0 shutout. But before the week three contest, the Spartans, after a 13-1 season and a Class 3A runner-up title, will first be put to the test when they kick off their 2007 campaign in their home opener against Robinson. Duval and his team have several areas that need improvement and this game against their 4A opponent will expose them all. “I think we are really excited about the season but we have a lot work on just like everyone else,” said senior Tyler Johnson after the Spartans’ open scrimmage on Friday night. “We need to work on our defense, offense and our special teams need to be sharpened up a little bit.” Duval, who has 170 career wins, tries to shield his optimism about 2007 season, but his words, the gleam in his eyes say otherwise. “I think it is going to take some time. We might struggle early,” he said. “Its not going to be easy at the start but if we can live through the first three weeks and getting going after that. I think this team will develop into a pretty good team.” While the offense will start the year out explosive and unpredictable, the Spartan defense needs remolding after losing a talented, battle-hardened group of seniors who gave up just 180 points in 14 games. “It’s a new season and we are going to have new guys step up. A lot of guys are coming back stepping up into bigger roles than they had last year,” commented Johnson. Several players will have that and more that if the Spartans hope to continue their tradition with an 18th consecutive playoff appearance in November. Both defense and special team performance will need to evolve quickly to avoid losses later in the season. “You hope tradition never graduates. We’ve developed a good tradition of football here at St. Joe-Ogden and hopefully our seniors are up to the task.” blog comments powered by Disqus |
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