Bluejays lose Chandler days before season opener against SAGU
n Guard Richard Chandler sustains ligament damage in his knee. Tabor coach Tim McCarty remains optimistic despite the loss.
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Not so fast thinking the injury bug won't bite the Bluejays as hard this year as it did in 2002.
And the season has yet to kick off.
Tabor's already dropped one bout to its biggest opponent of a year ago: injuries.
That's bad news with Tabor opening this weekend when it travels Saturday to Waxahachie, TX., to take on Southwestern Assemblies of God.
The injury bug took a huge bite out of the Bluejays, literally, one in the form of 310-pound senior guard Richard (Big Daddy) Chandler.
A second-team all-KCAC pick a year ago, Chandler sustained a anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in practice and will be out for the year.
A devastating loss to the Bluejays, Chandler was one of two anchors on an offensive line which figured to be arguably the Bluejays' best.
You might find coach Tim McCarty looking for wood to knock on, only hoping Chandler's injury isn't a sign of things to come.
If it is, Tabor will have a battle on its hands living up to its expectations of finishing in a projected
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second place and dodging another year like it had in 2002.
"We've maintained our focus through it, we're going to miss Rich though," McCarty said. "He already talked to the guys and I know it is very hard for him.
"He told the guys he's going to be with them spiritually, emotionally and mentally. He was a great leader for us."
Yes, the Bluejays are coming off their best season in history, finishing 6-4.
But staying healthy was perhaps an even bigger opponent than the teams Tabor faced.
The Bluejays' stars fell like dominoes in 2002.
First it was All-American wideout Tyson Ratzlaff suffering a freak broken collar bone in practice the week of the showdown with perennial conference power Bethany.
The Bethany game did an number on the Bluejays, falling both Tyson Ratzlaff's fellow All-American wideout Tyler Marsh and inspirational defensive leader Eli Kennedy.
The bug still had one final bite left, forcing linebacker Damian Ratzlaff into early retirement after a pair of injury-shortened seasons.
Man-mountain freshman Bobby Hurd is likely to step in at Chandler's position.
Although standing a good four inches taller than Chandler and outweighing him by about 20 pounds, Hurd might feel like he has a pair of size 30 cleats to fill.
SAGU
Once again, the Bluejays can relate to Saturday's opponent, the Southwestern Assemblies of God Lions.
Not too long ago, much like the Lions, the Bluejays were a team starved for a victory, not to mention snapping a three-year winless streak.
Not too long ago, Tabor had to rely on its youth, too.
Of course that was before McCarty installed a new attitude and winning ways at Tabor.
The Bluejays finally got that win in 1998, but it was short lived as the Lions got the last laugh in on the Bluejays the following year, embarrassing them at home.
The 1999 season marked the ending of the Dan Thiessen-era at Tabor.
The Lions return four starters on offensive and six on defense from a team that went 0-9 in its first year competing as an NAIA Independent.
SAGU had to get used to life on the road, hosting a sole home game.
The Bluejays opened the 2002 season, drubbing the Lions in Hillsboro, 44-2.
Despite falling in the 2003 opener to Southern Nazarene after outscoring them 21-9 the second half, the Lions have already have one game and a scrimmage under their belt.
"That makes us nervous," McCarty said. "They've got a small advantage and when they've got a jump like that, we're worried. They're a lot better team this year."
Offensively, SAGU is lead by junior quarterback Ryan Smith, but he's reportedly got a youthful line in front of him.
Fullback Jeff Brantley is a potential threat both carrying the ball and as a receiver.
The receiving corps has some experience with the return of senior John Norman.
Norman had 500 yards in receptions and seven touchdowns in 2002.
Corban Radley anchors the defensive line for the Lions with sophomore Greg Ferguson as the force at middle linebacker.
Other than Radley and Ferguson, the defense is young, too.
Newcomers making giant strides early on defense are what second-year coach Jesse Godding believes the Lions need to be competitive.
"Our guys are going to have to step up," said McCarty. "They're (SAGU) excited about where they're at. We're on the road and in a hostile environment and we're going to have our hands full.
"We're were need to be right now and we'll have to see where we are at."
Saturday's game is slated for 6 p.m. in Waxahachie, TX.
