Griffon football will rely on youth at quarterback, running back for 2007 campaign
The Missouri Western football team will look to build off last year’s successful season. The football team broke through and made their first playoff appearance last year. Many of the main players from last year’s team have graduated, so the team will look to younger players to step up.
The team will have a big challenge to start off conference play. The Griffon’s first three conference games are against Northwest,then Pittsburg State and Washburn who are the best teams in the MIAA. Head coach Jerry Partridge has
pushed his players extra hard to get ready for the tough schedule.
“That is why we have had such a tough camp because we are trying to push our kids to get ready for that,” Partridge said.
The team does bring back players off last year’s squad. The entire offensive
line returns including first team all conference lineman Roger Allen. On the defensive side of the ball the team returns six starters including first team all-MIAA J.R. Graham.
The football team has new offensive and defensive coordinators as well. There
has been an adjustment for both coaches, but for Trotter the adjustment was a little more challenging.
“It’s been an adjustment because of the late notice getting the job, but I think it is going well,” Trotter said.
The strength of the offensive is going to be the offensive line. The wide receivers will also play a big role under the offensive game plan. Fenwick believes that for the offense to be successful the receivers will have to
step up and make plays.
“With Brooks gone someone will have to step up and be that guy,” Fenwick said.
“We have a couple guys that can fill that role.”
The defensive strength will be the two returning safeties. J.R. Graham and
Chauncey Mayfield will look to provide senior leadership to a young defensive team. Linebacker Seth Hane will also return to help bolster the defense.
Some may look at this year’s team as being in rebuilding mode. The team
does not feel that way. Sophomore wide receiver Andrew Mead would like to
continue the success they had last year.
“We would love to go back to the playoffs and be competitive in conference,”
Mead said.
Freshman will play a big role on this team. Freshman defensive lineman Andrew Gilmore is a probable starter on the defensive line. There are also two freshmen battling it out for the starting quarterback position. The two players vying for that spot are Barron Bradshaw and Drew Newhart.
The special teams should be one of the strengths of the team. The team returns
kicker Dustin Strickler and punter Jamie Hanson, they were both all league performers last year. Partridge knows this will be solid at those positions.
“We have great specialists returning for our team,” Partridge said.
The football team will balance youth with experienced players and try to get back
to the playoffs. Getting to post season play is the main goal of the football team.
The team will rely on new players at many positions. They will need those players
to step up and fill the void left by last year’s departing players.