Bluejays want to prove 03 no fluke years ago
Health, quick maturing
key for Tabor football
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
The cool-headed coach with the southern drawl who started the rebuilding process for Tabor has taken his rebuilding act back to his home state, the Sooner State.
Among the mild gnashing of teeth of McCarty's departure and the loss of the fabled recruiting class of 2000, Bluejay fans were in dire need of some good news.
They couldn't have hoped for more when Bluejay assistant and defensive coordinator Mike Gardner accepted the head coaching job in late winter of 2004.
Every college program Gardner's been affiliated with has transformed into an NAIA powerhouse: Baker, Lindenwood, and Hastings.
Projected to finish seventh in the KCAC, Gardner has some huge holes to fill from last year's best 9-2 season.
With 41 newcomers, Gardner's loaded virtually everywhere, but how well the young players adjust is a huge concern and a big key to making another run at Tabor's first KCAC title.
The only certainty on offense is that the league's top quarterback a year ago, sophomore Ricky Ishida, will run the show.
It will be hard to replace All-American wideouts Tyson Ratzlaff and Tyler Marsh, but Ishida still has some good targets in Layne Frick, Mike Beach, Matt Rorabaugh, and Jeff MacKinnon.
Keep an eye out for Marsh's freshman brother Caleb, a jack-of-all-trades and deadly return specialist from Hillsboro High School.
John Garcia takes over for KCAC honorable mention tight end Preston Neufeld, but will feel heat from Sonny Kaesbauer.
Four-fifths of the offensive line must be replaced as only mammoth guard Bobby Hurd is a returning starter.
Dan Rains, James Pizano, Andy Curtis, Grant Myers, and Cody Dick figure to join Hurd on the interior line.
The offensive backfield has been a knock against Tabor for some time.
Not this year. The Bluejays are loaded with highly-touted junior college transfers Roger Butler and Ben Brown, two players from the respected California Conference.
Trevor Thiessen, Ted Telemaque, Philip Aitken, and Justin Gibson could also press for time.
Brian Kimsey will handle both punting and kicking after a remarkable 2003 season that earned him second team All-League honors.
Tabor's defense was more powerful than the offense, finishing second in the NAIA two years ago and 10th in 2003.
That was with Gardner running the show though and cornerstones like All-Americans Chad Duerksen, Eli Kennedy, and Jason Phelps in the lineup.
Gardner moved up and Levon Smith moved in. Smith was a big part of the Bluejays in 2002 and now the show is his to run.
Despite the losses of Duerksen and Justin Friesen, Tabor's cupboard isn't bare.
Chris Cook was a highly regarded recruit of McCarty and Chris Williams will round out the other rush end spot.
Justin Mathias transferred in from Hutchinson Community College, a member of one the nation's top junior college conferences, the Jayhawks.
John Ohm should be an electrifying addition at defensive tackle, also another junior college transfer from the California Conference.
Kennedy was the heart and soul of the Bluejay defense from his linebacker position.
Even with his loss, Tabor is still loaded at the linebacker position, led by junior heavy hitter Jake Schenk.
Much like Kennedy, Schenk's motor never quits running, and he's a solid leader for the defense as a second team KCAC selection.
Brian Durowaiye missed all of last year with an injury but is set for a big season.
Brent Overmiller, Caleb Mason, Tyler McKim, Carson Greenhaw, Zach Coon, and Lee Waldron provide depth and experience.
The biggest question on defense is in the secondary where only CJ Hill returns.
Gone are Phelps, Olando Harris, and Jeremy Loewen.
Tabor has speed with Jones in the secondary.
