Football: Schedule could make or break Trojans
Speed to be Trojans' biggest asset in 2002
BY RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
The lasting memory of the 2001 Trojans' football team was with their heads hung low after failing to clear the bi-district hurdle for the second consecutive year.
Hillsboro ran roughshod through the season and district play only to run into a gusting wind and a speedy Minneapolis team which ended the Trojans' season on a sour 9-1 note.
Now a big question for seventh-year head coach Dustin McEwen is whether this year's Trojan team has enough to snap a two-year bi-district skid?
It won't be east as the 2002 season will bring about some changes along the lines of the Trojans' schedule.
"It's going to be a little different this year schedule wise," the Trojan coach said of his outlook on the 2002 season. "It will be interesting to see."
Longtime nemesis Wichita- Collegiate took the elevator up to Class 4A, Marion is not on the schedule and Herington dropped down to 2A.
McEwen will instead be scratching his head this week on what to expect from the two newest additions to the Trojans' schedule: Friday night's opening opponent, Haven, and Oct. 4's Ellsworth.
With just two starters returning on both offense and defense, how quickly the young Trojans mature will be a huge factor.
Luckily for McEwen, he's got less concern with tremendous team speed and experience at all the skill positions along with senior quarterback Dustin Jost back running the offense.
Jost rushed the ball 74 times last season for 363 yards and four touchdowns while passing for 1121 yards and 13 touchdowns.
But Jost won't have his favorite targets, All-Class 3A wideout Layne Frick and tight end Adam Woods to throw to.
That leaves Steven Chisholm first in line at becoming Frick's successor.
Chisholm 6-foot-3 inch frame is a replica of Frick, but the senior Chisholm saw limited action last season.
"We're looking to Steve to have a lot more catches than what he had last year," McEwen said. "He fits the mold of a big, tall receiver that can go up and get them."
Shawn Hughbanks will also be figured into the mix as will Tyler Peachey.
Peachey's athleticism and size make him a utility player for both offense and defense.
Other than new faces in the starting lineup, the Trojans' offensive game plan won't change much.
"We're going to do a lot of the same kind of things that we did last year with our doubles package," said McEwen. "In fact, we're going to put in the I-formation yet this year."
Hillsboro will feature arguably one of the quickest backfields in Class 3A with Kris Jones and Alan Yoder.
One of 3A's fastest, Yoder lead the team in rushing last year at tailback with 71 carries for 507 yards and nine touchdowns.
McEwen will move Yoder to fullback to fill the hole left by Phil Terrell, leaving the fleet-footed Jones at tailback
Should either Jones or Yoder falter, hotshot Elk City (Okla.) transfer Caleb Marsh or Peachey might get the call.
If Marsh is anything like his brother, Tabor standout Tyler, watch out.
The biggest concern on offense comes from the line where all five starters must be replaced.
"You go from an offensive line last year that was very experienced with a lot of those guys having two years of experience under their belt to a group that hasn't really taken any varsity snaps," said McEwen.
"This year, there's been maybe a little more teaching to do than what there has been in the past, but the guys are picking it up well and we'll be ready for the first game."
Seniors Graham Ratzlaff and Dustin Hendricks anchor the tackles with James Bina and Brian Thiessen at guards.
Tracy Jost looks to be a candidate for center with Jeremy Klose and Tim Glahn vying for snaps.
'These guys are a smaller group than last year as far as size-wise, but part of that when you look is because they're not as tall," McEwen said. "Weight-wise they're a little lighter but not as much as some people might think."
Graduation left the Trojans' defense the most depleted.
Gone are four All-Class 3A selections in tackle Ronnie Davis, linebacker Andrew Hein and defensive backs Frick and Ross Duerksen.
Also absent are linebackers Woods and Carson Greenhaw, leaving linebacker coach Dennis Boldt taking applications for replacements.
Thiessen and Hendricks look to pick up the slack left by the departures of Davis, Wade Sorenson and Austin Jost.
"Brian and Dustin are the only two that have had experience at defensive tackle so we'll be really thin in that position," said McEwen.
Bina, Chisholm and Peachey will compete for action at defensive ends.
Ratzlaff takes over for the three-year starter Hein at linebacker with Jones and Hughbanks moving up from the secondary.
Keep an eye out for junior Kyle Jilka, who's become more aggressive and grown some over the summer, to press for time at linebacker.
With blazing speed, Yoder will be a force at free safety and Marsh steps in at strong safety.
The cornerback spot could go three ways with Dustin Jost, Brodie Unrau and Derek Mayfield jockeying for position.
The road to the Trojans' fifth district and second consecutive MCAA title will once again run through Hesston as the two teams have developed a heated rivalry over the last two years.
After knocking the Swathers out of district competition the last two years, Hillsboro will have a bull's eye on its back for second-ranked Hesston in 2002.
Hesston boasts one of the state's premier running backs in Brian Roulhac, lineman Matt Koehn and Chad Hershberger.
The two meet in Hillsboro Oct. 25 in a game that could likely decide the District 11 championship.
