Page 20 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner
The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH BRONCOS
High expectations Coach Ty Kohl wants to turn team around from losing season to a state championship one, but knows the work it will take By SHAWN RONEY The Examiner
Lee’s Summit North coach Ty Kohl wants to go from 3-7 in 2009 to a state championship this season – and he knows it’ll be difficult to do it. “We (coaches) keep preaching (to our players), ‘Success does not come easy, it takes hard work,’” Kohl said during a recent telephone interview. “We’ve said, ‘If it were easy, everyone would be successful.’ ” The Broncos must slog their way through a tough regular-season schedule to qualify for the postseason, let alone play for a state title. They’ll open Aug. 27 on
the road against Fort Osage, the Class 5 state runner-up. “(Fort Osage) coach (Ryan) Schartz has done an incredible job with that program,” Kohl said. Kohl believes a key part of Fort Osage’s success has been Schartz’s ability “to get the kids to believe in their program.” “He was able to tap into the tradition they’ve had there at Fort Osage and bring that back alive,” Kohl said. “He’s been able to hire
some very good coaches, and that’s a big part of it as well.” After Fort Osage, North will face schools that have repeatedly contended for and/or won state titles, including Rockhurst and Suburban Big Seven rivals Blue Springs South, Blue Springs and RaymorePeculiar. “There is no question – we are in the toughest conference in the state of Missouri,” Kohl said. “Every game, you’d better be ready
Bronco facts: Head coach: Ty Kohl (second season: 3-7 at Lee’s Summit North). Assistant coaches: Ed Brill, Tim Collins, Jeff Diekmann, Richard Dilligram, Brian Glenski, Mike Westacott, Tim Harmon, Jerry Skakal, Richard Villigram, Aaron Wilson, Joe Johnson, Jeff Mumaw. 2009 record: 3-7 (seventh place in Suburban Big Seven at 1-5). Returning letter winners: 14 Returning offensive starters (3): Michael Hopfinger, 6-2, 185, sr., WR; Montereal Robinson, 5-8, 190, sr., TB; T.J. Semke, 6-2, 215, sr., WR. Returning defensive starters (5): Anthony Eller, 6-2, 200, sr., S; Cole Giannola, 6-3, 220, sr., DE; Will Harrington, 6-2, 205, jr., FS; Nick Johnson, 5-11, 200, sr., LB; Chris Mershon, 5-11, 205, sr., LB. Others to watch: Pete Haggard, 6-1, 185, sr., QB; Ben Pascal, 6-2, 220, sr., NG.
2010 schedule Aug. 17— at Fort Osage Sept. 3 — Raytown Sept. 10 — at St. Joseph Central Sept. 17 — Lee’s Summit Sept. 24 — Liberty at William Jewell Oct. 1 — at Blue Springs South Oct. 8 — Blue Springs Oct. 15 — Joplin Oct. 22 — Rockhurst Oct. 29 — at Raymore-Peculiar
to play.” As with other rebuilding programs, North likes having to play tough opponents each week. “To be the best, you have to beat the best – and we’re playing the best every single week,” Kohl said. A few factors might help
2009 results
W-L/Opponent LSN-Opp L-Rock Bridge 13-22 W-William Chrisman 24-15 L-St. Joseph Central 19-24 L-Raymore-Peculiar 16-21 L-Liberty 28-48 W-Blue Springs South 28-12 L-Blue Springs 14-45 L-Rockhurst 14-46 L-Lee’s Summit 21-24
North’s chances of turning around its program. For one, the players are more familiar with the team’s offensive and defensive systems than they were in 2009. “Last year was a new offense, was a new defense (for us),” Kohl said. “(The coaching) staff was
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Sherwood the favorite to take Crossroads Conference By DICK PUHR The Examiner
A new season, new hopes and a new conference for Van Horn. But the Falcons, in The Examiner’s poll of the coaches, aren’t expected to contend for the Crossroads Conference title. Van Horn was pegged for fourth. Defending champion Sherwood is the favorite followed by Butler and St. Mary’s. Another newcomer, Renaissance Academy, was fifth. As of now, Sherwood, is the team to beat despite losing 10 seniors off an 8-3 team that gained the first round of the state playoffs. “It’s tough to project how we’ll do because of losing the 10 seniors,” coach Tanner Lawson said. Only five lettermen return.
BUTLER
The Bears could be the team to beat because of the return of seven defensive starters from a 4-6 team. “I like this team,” new coach KIrk Hannah said. “I think they are a committed group that is willing to work and do whatever it takes to be successful. We do not have one or two dominant players that we will rely on, but we have a bunch of pretty good players willing to work hard. We have some new faces at some key positions, especially quarterback.”
ST. MARY’S
The Trojans also have a new coach in Jason Fenstermaker, who played high school football at Grain Valley. “New offensive and defensive schemes will be a challenge,” Fenstermaker said. “But with the experi-
ence we have we are planning to be competitive in all of our games. Our goal is to get better in every game.” The Trojans return 13 lettermen from a 5-5 team, including standout running back Henry Handley. The lack of numbers, as usual, is a concern. The Trojans will field a team of 25-30 players.
VAN HORN
The Falcons have suffered through two 0-10 seasons. But more returning experience and an easier schedule other than the district opponents should result in some wins this fall. “We will continue to improve as our team becomes more experienced,” coach Jeff Tolbert said. “Our points of emphasis will be improving our leadership, executing on offense and tackling on defense.”
RENAISSANCE Crossroads Conf. It’s the first varsity Coaches Poll
season for Renaissance after a 2-4-1 junior varsity record. School 1 2 3 4 TP “I have a very young 1. Sherwood 3 1 0 0 5 team,” coach Terry 2. Butler 2 1 1 0 7 McCray said. “”The 3. St. Mary’s 0 3 1 0 9 strength of my team is 4. Van Horn 0 0 3 1 13 that we will be really fast, but we lack size and expe- 5. Renaissance 0 0 0 4 16 rience. Even though we have a lot of juniors and “Our main goal this year is to have seniors 90 percent of the team had a winning record and get better in never played football until last year. each game, so we have a chance of “We will take our bumps and being successful when districts arrive bruises this upcoming season but as in week 8,” McCray said. you know it’s not how you start but Maranatha Academy of Shawnee how you finish. Mission (Kan.) also is a member of Running back Shaquille Pryor, the conference but will play an abbrewho scored 12 touchdowns last year, is viated schedule including an Oct. 9 expected to be one of the Renaissance game at Van Horn. standouts