Vikings high on returning talent; Saffo edging Levy in FHC QB derby
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| The Francis Howell seniors (from left) Front row " Michael Stark, A.J. Siscoe, Tyler Schneider, Chris Ekiss, Billy Ekiss, David Shipley, John Gomez and Ryan Sparkman; Back row " Josh Sheridan, Patrick Swoboda, Jeff Fabian, Justin Iffrig, Ben Slover, Cam'Ron Cathcart, Jon Bemis, Thomas Ortiz, Jake Ksiazkiewicz, Malach Radigan and Brian Cobbs. |
"There's a million things we could say about what happened last year, but at the end of the day we didn't get it done," Koch said. "The kids took last year as well as they could have. They gave everything they had every week and a lot of lessons were learned. We have a great group of seniors that don't want that to happen again this year."
After opening 2007 with a win against Troy, the Vikings dropped their last nine games and finished with their worst record in more than 15 years. A strong cast of senior veterans on offense and defense should change that. The Vikings have 18 returning starters.Senior Jake Ksiazkiewicz (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) played in seven games at quarterback last fall and Koch said he was a better runner than passer. Strict off-season preparation with Koch and the Vikings' other QBs should equate into better offensive numbers all around for Ksiazkiewicz, who is backed up by sophomore Brett Graves (6, 185).
"He's made progress in form and technique and far exceeded what our goals were," Koch said. "He's a natural linebacker and had to learn the (QB) position on the fly last year. This off-season, he's shattered goal after goal."
In the backfield, junior Sean Auer (5-10, 190) finished second in the 100-meter dash at last spring's Gateway Athletic Conference South track & field championships, now he's the feature back in the Vikings' offense. Koch said Auer is a mixture of finesse and power and loves contact. Senior Ryan Sparkman (5-10, 180) returns at fullback. Senior Brian Cobbs (5-10, 185) gives the Vikings excellent speed at slot back. Cobbs was the Vikings' leading rusher last year and has made a smooth transition from running back. Cobbs' backup is junior Dylan Huebler (5-10, 175).
Wide receiver has been an under-utilized position for the Vikings the past couple seasons, but this year's group has the talent to change that. Senior Jon Bemis (6-2, 200) is big and strong enough to challenge anybody in a high school secondary. Junior Jaz Downer (5-11, 165) joins Bemis on the outside.
"Jon is our possession guy, and he has a great frame and great hands," Koch said. "Jon will catch 10 balls in a row from five yards, and like all the rest of the starters, he's lived in the weight room and (is) starting to realize the strength he has."
Another big target for Ksiazkiewicz is senior tight end Cam'Ron Cathcart (6-3, 200), whom Koch refers to as "an unbelievable athlete". Cathcart caught 20 passes for 234 yards last year, then in the spring won the GAC tennis championship even though he'd never played the sport before. He's backed up by junior Kevin Mason (6-2, 190).
After starting at tackle in 2007, strongman Malach Radigan (6-2, 250) anchors the offensive line at center. Koch said Radigan joined the Vikings' 1,000-pound club with 500 pounds of squat, 330 pounds at the bench, and a 250-pound power clean.
"Malach was undersized last year, but he absolutely lived in the weight room, we gave him a nutritional plan, and when we do conditioning he runs with the backs," Koch said. "His heart is as big as you'd ever want. His snap in the gun will be vital to our offense's success."
Koch demands his guards be mobile, and he's got two such players in senior Thomas Ortiz (6, 240) and junior Aaron Ray (6, 320). Koch said Ray might not look fleet of foot, but a closer examination of his play shows he's quicker than at first glance. Senior Josh Sheridan (6-1, 230) and sophomore Jake Baught (5-11, 190) are the backups at guard.
Tackles Justin Iffrig and Matt Killian are new starters. Killian is a sophomore and already 6-6, 265, but he had limited varsity experience before suffering a stress fracture in his foot. Sophomores Aaron Dunkley (6, 205) and Jake Lasater (6-6, 280) are the future at tackle for the Vikings.
Koch said he's still not sure which Ekiss twin is which with their helmets on, but that's not as important as watching their development as starters last year and admiring their hard work. Bill and Chris Ekiss are the two starting cornerbacks. Al Blackmon and Downer are the backups at cornerback.
Cobbs returns at safety and will again match up against the opposition's top receiver. Junior Andrew Van Deven (6, 190) is the fourth string QB and first string safety. Koch likes how Van Deven always tries to be in on every tackle. Blackmon and sophomore John Bishop (5-10, 175) are reserve safeties.
The linebacking corps is comprised of Ortiz, Cobbs, Ksiazkiewicz, junior Alex Langford (5-11, 190) and sophomore Justin Schuh (5-11, 180).
Senior David Shipley (5-9, 180) might not be built like a prototypical nose tackle, but Koch said he was one of the best players when the team went to Mizzou for camp over the summer.
"He was a man-child," Koch said of Shipley. "No matter how low you get, he's lower. We don't know how he does it. He's very quick off the ball. He has the strength behind that, and size can be overcome."
Sparkman is a defensive tackle, Radigan is an end with Bemis.
Senior Logan Rizzo (6, 170) is a recent addition to the football program but after a 63-yard punt at practice recently, he's now the starting punter. Senior Mike Stark (6, 170) is the kicker.
"There are positions still being fought for and that kind of competition brings out the best in every one," Koch said. "They've all worked so hard in the off-season, and hopefully we can make that pay off on Friday nights."
Projected starters
Offense
Backfield: Jake Ksiazkiewicz, (6-2, 235 ), senior, quarterback; Brett Graves, (6, 185), sophomore, quarterback; Sean Auer, (5-10, 190), junior, running back; Brian Cobbs, (5-10, 185), senior, slot back; Ryan Sparkman, (5-10, 180), senior, fullback
Receivers: Cam'Ron Cathcart, (6-3, 200), senior, tight end; Jon Bemis, (6-2, 200), junior, wide receiver; Jaz Downer, (5-11, 165), junior, wide receiver
Line: Malach Radigan, (6-2, 250), senior, center; Thomas Ortiz, (6, 240), senior, guard; Aaron Ray, (6, 320), junior, guard; Justin Iffrig, (6, 200), senior, tackle; Matt Killian, (6-6, 265), sophomore, tackle
Defense
Line: David Shipley, (5-9, 180), senior, nose tackle; Ryan Sparkman, (5-10, 180), senior, tackle; Malach Radigan, (6-2, 250), senior, end; Jon Bemis, (6-2, 200), junior, end
Linebackers: Thomas Ortiz, (6, 240), senior; Justin Schuh, (5-11, 180), sophomore, strong side; Jake Ksiazkiewicz, (6-2, 235 ), senior, weak side; Alex Langford, (5-11, 190), junior
Secondary: Brian Cobbs, (5-10, 185), senior, safety; Bill Ekiss, (5-9, 175), senior, cornerback; Chris Ekiss, (5-9, 175), senior, cornerback; Andrew Van Deven, (6, 190), junior, safety
Special teams
Kicker: Mike Stark, (6, 170), senior
Punter: Logan Rizzo, (6, 170), senior
Saffo edging Levy in FHC QB derby
It was warmer than it's been all month Saturday, and it gave the Francis Howell Central football coaches a portend of what life will be like when they travel to O'Fallon to play defending Gateway Athletic Conference South champion Fort Zumwalt West in the season opener.
"That was one of the warmest practices we've had in two weeks," Spartan head coach Travis Wilson said. "We have a lot of two-way guys and as coaches we have to make sure they're out there ready to go physically and mentally."
With one starter returning on defense, and three starters back on offense, the Spartans are rebuilding about every position in 2008, but not at the most vital position. Both quarterbacks, Alex Saffo and Zach Levy, played extensively behind center last fall as part of a three-way derby with graduate Jon Clark. Limiting mistakes often starts with the QB.
"In two weeks time we've been able to emphasize taking care of the football and taking it away," Wilson said. "At the jamboree, we had three takeaways and no giveaways. With less talent, we'll have to be better at not beating ourselves. That's a good thing to see."
The Spartans finished 3-7 last year, but ended the season with two straight blowout wins over Howell North and Howell. Sustaining that momentum in the off-season is hard, especially when so many new players are filling starting roles and the Jaguars are your first opponent.
Saffo has won the starting job at QB, but Levy isn't too many miscues away from taking over. Saffo completed a higher percentage of passes for more touchdowns (six) than Levy (five) last year. Levy is taller and a better pocket passer, but Saffo can make more plays running the ball.
"Our depth chart reads 1A and 1B because right on Alex's heels is Zach," Wilson said. "Both got good playing time last season, both play safety as well and are a good complement to each other. I've been impressed with how Zach is throwing the ball. Saffo is not quite as tall but a dual threat."
No matter where Pierre Desir lined up in his three seasons as a skill player for the Spartans, defenses had to account for him. Desir capped a stellar prep career playing wide receiver last year and led the Spartans with nine touchdowns.
Seniors Jeremy Visor and Jordan Stevens will share time in the one-back, four-wide receiver offense the Spartans employ. Wilson likes both backs' ability to find the seams and cut back.
"We're excited about having them because they will help the passing game," Wilson said.
Garner Wilson is expected to replace Desir's big-play ability. Wilson got in midway through last season, has good hands and speed, and is a threat down the sideline. He's joined out wide by Zach DeGrande, a junior in his first varsity season, who can also stretch the field vertically. The slot receivers are senior Ty Shearon and junior Micah Alsobrook, who double as the kicker and punter respectively. Shearon, one of the school's best ice hockey players, is a big target inside, a possession receiver. Alsobrook played QB on the JV last year and was a starter on the varsity at linebacker.
"On third-and-8, Shearon will catch it and move the chains," Wilson said. "We've been pleased with the progress he's made. He had a touchdown in the jamboree."
The Spartans have to replace their entire offensive line. The newcomers are center Erik Hinze, guards Nick Walker and Drake Rallo, and tackles Tyler Beamer, the team's lone returning starter on defense at inside linebacker, and Josh Frost.
"At the jamboree, we had some mental mistakes as far as jumping offside but we made it clear they have to get it out of their system," Wilson said of his line. "That ties in with the ideology of not beating yourself. Overall, we ran the ball effectively on first down. I was pleased with their first start as a unit."
On defense, the ends are Hinze and Anthony Gauldin, and Rallo is the nose tackle. The linebacking corps is Tyler Beamer and Frost on the inside, with Kyle Kellis and Alsobrook on the outside. Safeties Garner Wilson and Levy are joined by cornerbacks Visor and Stevens.
The Jaguars have had their way with the Spartans in recent seasons, even when the Spartans had their best team in school history in 2006. Many feel Zumwalt West has the talent to finish its season at the Edward Jones Dome in late November.
"It's good to get that out of the way, but maybe it's better to get them in Week 1," Wilson said. "I know those guys have an outstanding staff, a great quarterback in T.J. Moe, and will be ready and we'll make sure we are also ready to go out and compete."
Projected starters
Offense
Line: Erik Hinze, (6, 200), senior, center; Nick Walker (6, 202), senior, guard; Drake Rallo (6-1, 250), sophomore, guard; Tyler Beamer (5-9, 187), senior, tackle; Josh Frost (5-11, 175), junior, tackle
Receivers: Garner Wilson (5-10, 150), junior; Zach Degrande (5-9, 160), junior; Ty Shearon (6, 17), senior, slot; Micah Alsobrook (5-11, 174), sophomore, slot; Backfield: Jeremy Visor (5-8, 150), senior, running back; Jordan Stevens (5-8, 170), senior, running back; Alex Saffo (6, 160), junior, quarterback; Zach Levy (6-3, 170), senior, quarterback
Defense
Line: Erik Hinze, (6, 200), senior, end; Anthony Gauldin (6, 191), junior; Drake Rallo (6-1, 250), sophomore, nose tackle
Linebackers: Tyler Beamer (5-9, 187), senior, inside; Josh Frost (5-11, 175), junior, inside; Kyle Kellis (6, 165), junior, outside; Micah Alsobrook (5-11, 174), sophomore, outside
Secondary: Garner Wilson (5-10, 150), junior, safety; Zach Levy (6-3, 170), senior, safety; Jeremy Visor (5-8, 150), senior, cornerback; Jordan Stevens (5-8, 170), senior, cornerback
Special teams
Kicker: Micah Alsobrook
Punter: Micah Alsobrook
