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Inside: Montrose Indians Olathe Pirates Nucla Mustangs
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August 26, 2009
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Pigskin Preview 2009
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Stadium project making strides in tough economy Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
By Bill Swaim
D
espite a tough economy, the Montrose High Community Stadium Project is moving forward. The latest accomplishment can be seen in the concession stand area where a new restroom facility is currently being built up. "The stadium committee has been committed to getting it done and you can see some of the progress made, but in difficult economic times it can be a challenging project” Montrose High football coach Todd Casebier said. “But we're making progress and I think it's something Montrose should be proud of." Completed renovations include a state-of-the-art all-weather track surface that was installed in 2002. More recently, 800-plus stadium seats were added; and revised facilities for handicapped accessibility. Those projects were completed in 2007. The following is a list of current and future projects, according to the project's Web site: • Replace all bleacher seating with all-weather aluminum seating. • Install permanent, on-site, welllighted and appointed, sanitary rest-
Pgs 4-6
Construction continues on the new phase of the MHS stadium project, which includes new bathroom facilities, concession stand and front entrance. (PHOTO BY WILLIAM WOODY)
room facilities. • Replace and update press box and broadcast facilities. • Replace and update concession stand and food service area. • Renovate stadium entry for easier public access • Upgrade field lighting.
Pg 7
• Expand locker rooms/classroom facilities. • Install all-weather, multi-purpose, low- maintenance field turf. The project is being funded by community and business donations, not to mention the volunteer work that has gone into the stadium.
INSIDE
Olathe High Preview
New Play Caller For Pirates
Includes Schedules, Overview, Position Breakdown
Vincent takes over as offensive coordinator
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Some of the uses for the stadium include: • High school physical education programs (intramurals, cheerleading). • High school athletic teams competitions (football, soccer, track). • High school music programs (Marching Band). • School convocations & graduations. • Charity events (American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life”). • Community athletic events (Special Olympics®, Senior Olympics). • Competitions & Convention gatherings (Drums along the Rockies). • Open-air concerts. • Auto and motorcycle shows. • Art shows. • Craft fairs. "It's a place where people can come and celebrate whatever happens to be going on here, not just football games," Casebier said. "It's a reflection, a place to celebrate things in this community and the community deserves that. It's a benefit to not only football, but the community too." To find out more or to donate or volunteer for the stadium project, visit the Web site: www.montrosecommunitystadium.org.
Pgs 8-14
Pg 15
Montrose High Preview
New year, new look for Nucla
Includes Schedules, Roster, Overview, Position Breakdown, Features (Breaking down film)
Palmer takes over as head coach of Mustangs
MONTROSE
Daily Press Football Preview Staff Bill Swaim, Managing Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Design, Stories William Woody, Photojournalist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover Photo, Photos Joel Blocker, Sports Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stories, Photos
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August 26, 2009
Olathe High Pirates Pigskin Preview 2009
▼ 2009 Schedule Sept. 4 EAGLE VALLEY Sept. 11 MEEKER Sept. 18 @ Monte Vista Sept. 25 @ Roaring Fork Oct. 2 COAL RIDGE Oct. 9 CEDAREDGE Oct. 16 @ Aspen Oct. 23 @ Gunnison Oct. 30 BASALT Nov. 6 GRAND VALLEY *Schedule subject to change
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
▼ 2008 Results Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 29
REGULAR SEASON @ Eagle Valley W, 32-7 @ Meeker W, 18-2 MONTE VISTA W, 35-0 ROARING FORK W, 38-9 @ Coal Ridge W, 50-21 @ Cedaredge W, 59-20 ASPEN W, 36-7 GUNNISON W, 56-14 @ Basalt W, 55-21 @ Grand Valley W, 36-14 PLAYOFFS BUENA VISTA W, 55-10 @ Kent Denver W, 27-6 FAITH CHRISTIAN W, 14-6 CHAMPIONSHIP ERIE W, 22-21 OT
NOTE: Roster was not available at press time
Return to Glory Pirates working toward encore presentation By Joel Blocker
H
ead football coach Ryan Corn knows the Pirates will begin the season with a target on their backs. “We won state last year and we know everybody is going to want to come out and get us,” Corn said. The 2008 Class 2A state champions have set high expectations this season in hopes of building off the success from last year, when they finished 14-0, and won the Class 2A state championship game in overtime, 22-21 against Erie. “We’re trying to stay focused on the season and not get cocky,” OHS cornerback Kris Nieto said. “Right now we definitely need to work on getting in better shape and have better discipline on the offensive and defensive lines.” The Pirates still have more than a
week to prepare for their opener against Eagle Valley and Corn believes there’s plenty to be done before Sept. 4. Some things coach Corn is really trying to stress are team speed, and getting the summer kinks out of the players. Corn doesn’t believe losing quite a few seniors who were major contributors and defensive coordinator Ben Johnson, will deter his team. “We have a good number of players that played on this team last year and all of them have a lot of experience,” he said. “All the junior varsity players have game experience as well.” To defend their state title, the Pirates need to replace nine seniors, most notably David Rhodes (RB/DL), Chris Brummitt (LB/FB) and Marvin Rivera (RB/LB). However, the Pirates do return 14 sen-
QB Garhett Jurgens (WILLIAM WOODY / DAILY PRESS)
iors who were all on last year’s team and helped contribute to the state title. “We’re pretty much going to go out and work and play the same way we did last year,” senior middle linebacker Camren Harris said. “We still have a lot learning to do and we’ve got some younger kids coming up who still need to learn the ropes, but our expectations are always the same and that’s to win.” The Pirates will have the help of home-field advantage at the beginning of the season. Four out of their first six games are played at home. Their first road game is against Monte Vista on Sept. 18. “I really think we’ll play good football this season,” senior wide out Pablo Payan said. “I think as the season moves forward, we’ll start to play better and better.”
Olathe High Pirates Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
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Coach confident his offense can run the table Coach’s Take: “This season we’re going to be running the old run-and-shoot offense.”
By Joel Blocker
The Backfield The Pirates are definitely going to notice a huge presence missing from their backfield. David Rhodes, who accounted for a good portion of the Pirates’ rushing and scoring attack, graduated. He is attending Mesa State on a football scholarship. “We’ll never be able to replace a player like Rhodes,” Corn said. “That’s just one of those things, you can never replace any kid you lose. We just hope with the kids we have, that we can continue to play at the same level we did last season,” he said. This season the Pirates will be switching from their usually “I” formation to a “Falcon set,” which is a spread offense. The wings will be Dylan Markley and Pablo
Payan with Kyle Piatt in the fullback role. Who will start at quarterback for the Pirates this season has yet to be determined as two are vying to lead the offense. Garhett Jurgens was the starting quarterback last season, but is in a fight to keep that job. “Garhett Jurgens is back, but we’re still in question on who is going to start for us,” Corn said. “We have a battle going on right now between him and Keifer Wollert for the starting spot.”
The Line The Pirates are going to have a whole new look to the right side of their offensive line this season. OHS lost center Tyler Hawk and tackle Eddy Ramirez to graduation, while Seb Wollert, who is a senior this season, was lost for the year after seasonending surgery. “Wollert had a shoulder injury last season and played through it,” Corn said. “But surgery didn’t go as planned and he had to have the surgery again and that’s why he going to be out this season.” That’s going to be one less senior leader on a line that now only has two seniors. “It’s going top hurt us to lose an all-conference player like Wollert, but we have some kids that can take his spot,” he said. But even with a new right side, coach Corn still believes he’s got plenty of depth on the offensive line.
(PHOTO BY JOEL BLOCKER)
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The Receivers
Taylor Kelso (PHOTO BY JOEL BLOCKER)
The wide receiver position for the Pirates is pretty solid. Senior Roger Pacheco will solidify one receiver position, while the other spot will be taken up by the loser of the quarterback battle between Jurgens and Wollert. Junior Zach Cosper and senior Devon Brown are among players that are also in the mix for playing time at the position.
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Olathe High Pirates Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
Olathe defense bolstered by returning players Coach’s Take: “We have quite a few defensive players returning from last season.”
By Joel Blocker
The Line The Pirates were dominant on the defensive side of the ball last season. Olathe’s defense only allowed an average of 11.2 points per a game on its way to a Class 2A state title. This season they’ll have to replace their entire defensive line, who were lost to graduation. “So far we have a few guys fighting for positions,” head coach Ryan Corn said. According to coach Corn the only spot on the defensive line that is secure is the left end position with Colby Corey.
Levi Nation, right, tackles Josh Kelso during the first day of contact practice.
The Linebackers The Pirates for the last three seasons have been very strong at the linebacker position and this year seems to be following the same pattern. “Our linebackers are really looking solid so far this season,” Corn said. “They’re athletic (linebackers) — that’s why we run this defense, we have a lot of linebackers,” he
(PHOTO BY JOEL BLOCKER)
eto, who was a constant starter from last season.
OHS sophomores, Ronnie Mumm, left, and Blaine Sinks, go after the ball while running cover drills.
Special Teams
(PHOTO BY JOEL BLOCKER)
said. The linebacker position is all but set with Cameron Harris playing the middle backer and
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Kyle Piatt playing the strong baker. Both are great athletes for the Pirates. The weak-side linebacker position is still up for grabs and that’s going to be a battle between Casey Davis, Zach Stansberry.
The Secondary OHS will have a veteran
secondary for the first time in a few years. All four of the Pirates’ defensive backs return will lots of playing experience. “We’re going to have a pretty good veteran secondary this season,” Corn said. “All of our starters played a lot last season.” One of those veterans is starting cornerback Kris Ni-
The special teams unit for the Pirates will look the same as it did last season. The Pirates will return kicker Sergio Salazar and punter Zachary Stansberry. Senior Dylan Markley will handle all kickoff and punt returning duties. “We’re not missing anything special teams wise this season.” Corn said.
See the Daily Press for coverage of Olathe High School football, including photos, stories and live webcasts all season long
Olathe High Pirates Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
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Vincent to take over play-calling duties for Pirates By Joel Blocker
T
he Pirates will have a new play-caller on the offensive side of the ball this season. Tyler Vincent, who coached the freshman and junior varsity squads as well as the varsity team last year will be calling the shots for the Pirates this season. The Olathe coaching staff took a major blow in the off season when they lost defensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson, who spent 14 years coaching high school in Nevada and the last three years in Olathe, accepted the vacant head coaching job with Delta High School. “Coach Johnson was a great coach, he just had an opportunity he couldn’t pass up,” OHS head coach Ryan Corn said about Johnson’s departure. With Vincent now taking over for the play-calling duties, Corn will be shifting
Vincent over to the defensive side of the ball to replace Johnson. Vincent believes that after working through the mini-camps and working hard
through practices this off season, his offense will be ready to compete against Eagle Valley for the Pirates opener. “The whole face of our offense has changed quite a bit,” Vincent said. “We just need to go out and utilize the personnel that we have.” The Pirates will return four starters from a senior-heavy offense from last season. Three of those starters, quarterback Garhett Jurgens and slot receivers Dylan Markley and Pablo Payan were major contributors from last year’s championship team, along with offensive lineman Andrew Steckel and Colby Corey. All are primed to help lead the Pirates’ attack again this season. Vincent admitted that the offensive line will be the only glaring weakness that he will have trouble replacing. “We definitely lost some key players to
graduation including our center and our tackles,” Vincent said. But with even those losses and the loss of senior running back David Rhodes, Vincent believes that OHS will still have a dynamic team. “We’re going to utilize more weapons this season and that will allow us to be more dynamic in regards to the personnel that we have this year,” he said. “We’re going to use our speed a lot more to get to the outside, instead of our usual power running game that we’ve had in years past with (David) Rhodes. The Pirates also lost assistant coach Brent Wareham, who was also the athletic director for OHS, to retirement. To fill his vacancy, Corn brought on Thomas Godfrey. Godfrey will coach the freshmen as well as the varsity running back and linebacker positions.
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August 26, 2009
Montrose High Indians Pigskin Preview 2009
2009 Montrose High Indians No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 17 20 21 22 23 24 26 28 30 32 33 35 36 37 46 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 62 63 64 65 66 68 73 74 79 81 83 84 85 88 89
(Roster as of Aug. 23) Name Grade Travis Duffle SR Justin Trujillo SR Corey English SO David Harthan SR Nick Brennan SR Austin Willis SO Jake Bolstad SO Dylan Morris SR Braxten Franz SR Nathan Robertson JR Mike Elder SO Josia Bussing SO Glayden Berry SR Roland McLaren JR Kordell Bradshaw SO Jordan Passehl SR Tanner Stuart SO Bryce Gaber JR Jamon Carter SR Nolan Johnson SO Camaron Jones SO Justin Briskey SO Luke Frost SO Chris Sandoval JR Kioki Medina JR Andres Soto SR Cameron Medina JR SR Troy Frigetto Cole Panter SO Taylor Reed SR Cody Luth SO Garret Franz SO Francisco Saenz SO Anthony Morgan SR Ross Krabbe JR Kyle Miller SR Brian Kolowich SR Jeremy Tungent SO Lyle Wright JR Chance Davidson SR Troy Ryder JR Josh Mora JR Jonathan Sierra JR Daniel Northcutt SO Tyler Johnson JR Corey Stewart SR Sawyer Firkins JR Seamus O'Connor SR
HT 5-6 5-8 5-11 5-8 6-0 5-5 5-8 6-0 6-0 6-2 5-6 6-2 5-9 6-1 5-3 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-9 5-7 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-6 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-3 5-8 6-0 6-0 5-11 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-1 5-11
WT 150 170 150 160 185 131 160 150 198 195 140 170 180 185 135 200 185 185 165 140 175 160 161 160 152 184 213 198 185 188 161 180 230 237 212 250 200 170 165 220 295 300 190 180 150 191 158 162
The Arrival
Great Expectations
RB Jordan Passehl (WILLIAM WOODY / DAILY PRESS)
Montrose High program looking to take next step By Bill Swaim
F
ive years ago if someone had mentioned Montrose High football, three-time league champion, title contender and elite program in the same sentence, they probably would have been locked up in a padded cell. The team was coming off an 0-10 regular season and there seemed to be little hope for the future as a winless season was becoming a norm and not an aberration. But five years later, that person would now look like a visionary. And that is just the place the Montrose High football program has arrived heading into the 2009 season. The Indians have three straight league titles, four straight playoff appearances, and with
the weapons the team returns on offense, they are being mentioned as a title contender and one of the elite programs in the state. “I think we’re one of the best programs in 4A and certainly, over the last four years, we’re one of the top five programs in wins, league titles and playoff appearances,” head coach Todd Casebier said. Casebier took over the program following the 2004 season. “Which is good — it’s where you want to be. The only thing we haven’t done is win a state title, but that is a big ‘only.’” The 2009 team, however, is trying to keep things in perspective. The schedule provides a daunting task and has the team focused on the short term and try-
ing to let the long term goal take care of itself. The Indians face defending Class 3A state champion Glenwood Springs on the road in the season opener. Last season, the team faced the defending Class 4A champ Pueblo West and won 34-6. If that wasn’t enough, the team hits the road twice against its Grand Junction rivals when league play gets underway in October. “We’re really focusing on Glenwood. There is really not a whole lot of room to worry about anyone else other than them,” the coach said. “I think that is good for us because we don’t have to worry about the big picture — we have things we have to deal with right in front of us.”
Montrose High Indians
Pigskin Preview 2009
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just a matter of when you make them and The big picture is a fourth straight how big they are.” league title, a high seed come playoff time, Some of what has allowed and a possible run toward a the team to maintain a high state championship. profile in 4A competition is the For the team to take that next Todd Casebier continuity on the coaching step, it comes down to one thing: staff. Casebier has the same avoiding the mistakes that Eric Handke staff he had when he started plagued them in two losses last Steve Gaber four years ago, plus new addiseason. Jim Scarry tions, including a former playMontrose finished 10-2 in 2008, Tom West er Matt Luttrell, who joins the which included a playoff win, Darin Dunnagan staff this season. but in their season-opening loss Chuck Alexander “You don’t get those league to Glenwood and their seasontitles and playoff appearances ending loss to eventual Class 4A Bill Duffle without a great staff. I’ve told state runner-up Greeley West, Jeff Berger everybody who will listen that the Indians committed 10 Matt Luttrell this is the best staff there is,” turnovers. In the 10 games in bethe coach said. “We have great, tween, the team didn’t have 10 hard-working coaches and they have great turnovers total. values and are teaching our young men in “You can’t make mistakes in big games. this community some great lessons.” High school football is a series of mistakes The team opens the season 7 p.m., Friday, — mistakes happen on every play from one Aug. 28, at Glenwood Springs. The home team or the other and sometimes both are opener is Sept. 18 against Adams City. making them,” coach Casebier said. “It’s
The Coaches
August 26, 2009
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August 26, 2009
Montrose High Indians Pigskin Preview 2009
Team optimistic about upcoming season By Bill Swaim
T
here are high expectations riding on the 2009 Montrose High football team and rightfully so. The team is coming off a 10-2 season, a fourth-straight playoff appearance, and their third straight Southwestern League title. The target is painted squarely on their backs heading into the 2009 season. But the team appears poised and ready. “Our goal is to win league and go farther than we did last year,” said MHS senior tailback Jordan Passehl. “What makes this team special is we’ve always had great team chemistry. We’ve all been playing together since flag football.” Montrose returns nearly every starter on offense, including the skill players, and the
(PHOTO BY WILLIAM WOODY)
middle portion of the offensive line remains intact to help pave the way for a league and playoff run. The only question mark concerning the team is on the defensive side of the ball, where Montrose lost eight starters and will have to replace the likes of all-conference standouts Mac Alexander, Brian Rumbaugh and Taylor Neill. “We have some good players back from a very good team last year,” MHS head coach Todd Casebier said. “We feel like we have good players in place to take over for the players who graduated, but time will tell. Every good program loses good players and we’re no different.” The Southwestern League should also be more competitive than it was last season, which presents another task for the Indians. Montrose rolled through the league
last year with the closest game coming in a 34-17 victory over Fruita Monument. “I don’t anticipate those games being far out of reach this season as those were,” Casebier said. And there is always the size disadvantage concerning the number of players available compared to the Junction schools. “It’s simple mathematics. Every time we line up against a Junction school, we have our hands full,” the coach said. “It (size) gives them a chance to reload quicker and if they have injuries, more players to pick from.” But the team is ready to pick up where it left off last season, and the coach said he is very optimistic this could be a special team, especially if players shore up the holes on defense.
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Montrose High Indians Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
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Coach’s Take: “The 11 we
put on the field this year will be as good as or better than the 11 we put on the field last season.”
The Line Three starters return up the middle for Montrose, led by all-conference standout Kyle Miller at right guard. With center Brian Kolowich and left guard Taylor Reed back, the only void left to fill is at tackle. The Indians will look at Chance Davidson, Troy Frigetto and Josh Mora to step up on the line. Of the team’s five captains, three are lineman. “If you look at the the four-year run we’ve had, it’s because of our line and anyone who knows anything about football knows this,” the coach said. “They don’t get the attention that the skill players do, but the O-Line is what we celebrate. We can’t do it without those guys.” Three players will also share the tight end duties with Nick Brennan, Corey Stewart and Bryce Gaber in the mix.
cited for everything. I’m really working hard for a good senior year.
The Receivers The only area of concern on offense might be the receiving corps, where the Indians lost starters Shane Hedrick and Alexander. The team will look to Grand Junction
High School transfer Justin Trujillo as well as Jonathan Sierra and Roland McLaren to fill the void, which the coach said he is confident those guys will step up.
The Backfield All of the Indians’ skill position players return for the 2009 season, including allconference quarterback Nate Robertson and all-conference tailback Jordan Passehl — both of who are also garnering statewide attention. “I’m really excited, it’s the first time in my career that the QB, tailback and fullback are back,” coach Casebier said. “We just have some outstanding people there and they proved it last year, and we expect them to be better this year. I feel very good about our guys who carry the ball.” Added to the mix are Glayden Berry, who tallied 13 touchdowns last season, and a healthy Braxten Franz. “I’m approaching this season the same way I have others,” Passehl said. “I’m exPHOTOS BY WILLIAM WOODY
Montrose High players run through plays during practice. The offensive line should pave the way for big days for the Indians’ backfield of QB Nate Robertson and backs Glayden Berry and Jordan Passehl.
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Montrose High Indians Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
Coach’s Take On The Defense: “Will the defense be as good as last year? It’s too early to tell, but I think in some ways it could be better because we just have speed on defense - it’s the fastest defense I’ve ever had. We all know speed translates to wins in football games.”
The Line With eight defensive starters gone from the team, the line was one of the units to take a big hit, and unlike their offensive counterparts, will have some holes to fill. Franz and Reed should fill some of the void on the line, making the team strong once again up front.
The Backers Another area hit by graduation was the linebacker unit, but like the D-Line, the unit could be strong once again as they add speed with McLaren and Gaber stepping in. “On one hand, we lost some great kids, but on the other, theses guys have a chance to be real good,” the coach said of
the new players stepping into the line and at linebacker.
The Secondary The strength of the defense could very well be the secondary as Passehl, Robertson and full-time starter Travis Duffle return to lead the defensive backs. Added to the mix is GJ transfer Trujillo, who the coach said will have an immediate impact on the team and this unit.
Special Teams With the graduation of Hedrick, who handled the PAT and field goal duties, the Indians will look to replace him with Dylan Morris. Passehl, who handled punt duties last season, will do so again in 2009.
▼ 2009 Schedule
▼ 2008 Results
Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6
REGULAR SEASON GLENWOODSPRINGS L, 31-26 PIEDRA VISTA W, 42-0 @ Adams City W, 54-0 @ Golden W, 42-9 PUEBLO WEST W, 34-6 @ Rock Canyon W, 37-7 GJ CENTRAL W, 45-13 @ Fruita Monument W, 34-17 GRAND JUNCTION W, 35-0 @ Durango W, 42-8 PLAYOFFS Nov. 8 NIWOT W, 21-14 Nov. 15 GREELEY WEST L, 22-8
@ Glenwood Springs @ Piedra Vista ADAMS CITY GOLDEN @ Pueblo West ROCK CANYON @ Grand Junction Central FRUITA MONUMENT @ Grand Junction High DURANGO
All Friday Games are at 7 p.m. with the exception of Golden, which starts at 6 p.m. *Schedule subject to change PHOTOS BY WILLIAM WOODY
Aug. 22 Aug. 29 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1
Some of the Best Linemen in Colorado Don’t Play for the Broncos They Work for YOU, Blocking Power Outages Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
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Enjoy a great season of pigskin this fall on your TV while imbibing a cool beverage chilled by your refrigerator. You probably won’t even have to think about the electricity that powers the lifestyle that you deserve.
YOUR linemen will be working for YOU to make sure the power stays on.
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Reel time
Montrose High Indians Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
The art of breaking down film By Bill Swaim
W
hile fans get to see two-plus hours of exciting football under the Friday night lights, many probably aren’t aware of the amount of effort and work that goes on to make those thrilling moments. Two to three hours of practice each day in the Montrose heat, the constant pounding from the hits taken in practice and the game, and the time spent in front of the television. And no, the time spent in front of the
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TV isn’t catching Saturday’s college games or Sunday’s NFL package, it’s time breaking down film for the team’s next game. Coaches on the Montrose High staff typically spend at least 10 hours each week watching film and probably much more than that. “We look at it two different ways, as a staff and individually,” MHS head coach Todd Casebier said. “On Sundays we spend a minimum of three hours. Probably another hour to two hours every day between games.” Coaches will typically receive two game films for each opponent (one highlighting a game last year and another from the current season). Sometimes, as will be the case when the Indians open the season against Class 3A state champion Glenwood Springs, the team will just have last year’s tape. It makes it that much more crucial then to catch tendencies and cater a game plan to stopping that team. Breaking down film is an art form of its own. “There is an art to it. You can’t just watch the game. You have to watch what you are trying to attack,” the coach said. “On defense, you are looking at tendencies. Which way do they run, do they run behind certain players, do they throw to a certain guy? Does their quarterback throw more to the right than the left? “What are their tendencies on the other side of the ball - how much do they blitz, what are their coverages? Personnel - who can you exploit? Where are their weaker kids? Which corner is better? How does free safety support?” And those were just a few things to look out for in coming up with a game-
plan for the opponent. “There are a lot of things we look for and it takes years to get it right,” Casebier said. “You really have to have been in the game and our coaches have.”
Nucla High Mustangs Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
15
New year, new look for Mustangs Coach hopes to bring balance to Nucla
F
irst-year Nucla High football coach Jeff Palmer is looking to bring balance — literally — to the eight-man football program this season. The Mustangs have had a new coach take the helm each of the last few years, but Palmer is hoping to instill a new attitude to the program. “We’re preaching family. And these guys are out there helping each other out,” the coach said. “We want the attitude of everyone working together, and we’re doing it.”
The Mustangs have just four seniors and will turn to the junior and sophomore players to step up. Palmer said those players played a lot last year and have experience heading into the season. Senior quarterback and linebacker Eric Galarza returns and will help lead the team while getting help from junior linemen Bryce Steffans and Justin Goforth. Both will also line up in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. Joining them on the defensive line and lining up as fullback is fellow junior Seth Knob. When Galarza looks to air it out, he’ll be throwing the way of sophomore Destry Smith, who will play at safety on
▼ 2009 Nucla High Schedule Aug 29 Sept 4 Sept 12 Sept 19 Sept 25 Oct 2 Oct 9
MANCOS (Scrimmage) SORENSON RANCH @ Moab (Utah) SANGRE DE CRISTO SOROCCO @Norwood @ Mancos
Oct 16 Oct 23
PLATEAU VALLEY @ Dove Creek
All Friday Games are at 7 p.m. Moab is an 8/11 split game at 3 p.m. Sangre De Cristo is a 1 p.m. game *Schedule subject to change
See the Daily Press for coverage of Montrose High School football, including photos, stories and live webcasts all season long
the defensive side. “The seniors have been real receptive to me, and have helped the others buy into our system,” Palmer said. Palmer coached 10 years in Ohio as an assistant coach at Elyria High before taking over the defensive coordinator duties the last five years at two schools in North Carolina (South Meck and North Stanley). Palmer said it was an easy decision to come out to the Southwestern corner of Colorado for his first head coaching gig. The coach will implement balance on offense and an aggressive, attacking style on defense as the team looks for
HERE FOR YOU HEALTH
By Bill Swaim
early success. He said the team will try to keep things simple too. “Our goal is the same goal as every other team — we want to win the conference, win every game, advance to the playoffs and win a title,” the coach said. The team also has another advantage — playing in a four-team Class 1A San Juan Basin League. However, Palmer said it was important for the team to focus on the now — winning the first game. “We’ll start with the first one and build from there,” he said. The Mustangs open the season at home against Sorenson Ranch Sept. 4.
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970.874.768 www.deltahospital.org
1501 E. 3rd St., PO BOX 10100 Delta CO, 81416-5003
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Pigskin Preview 2009
August 26, 2009
2009 Chevy Colorado LT
$
328/mo.
72 mo., 5.6%, +tax & fees WAC
$21,488 Sale Price #6287 -1000 Wollert Bonus Cash -500 Cash in Pocket
$19,988 YOUR PRICE! Photo is representative only and not exact car.
2005 Chevy Silverado 1500
$
265/mo.
66 mo., 5.6%, +tax & fees WAC
$16,488 Sale Price #6083 -1000 Wollert Bonus Cash -500 Cash in Pocket
$14,988 YOUR PRICE! Photo is representative only and not exact car.
Buy any vehicle this weekend and we will
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(UP TO $400)