PAGE 8 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Chiefs need to find replacement for Martinez's production by Hobby King S PORTS W RITER Returning nine starters on each side of the ball, the Santa Fe Chiefs could see improvement in their record in 2014. They were 4-6 last year. However, they must find some type of replacement for all-conference and all-state workhorse running back Alex Martinez, who carried the mail for more than 1,600 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Also gone are seniors Julio Ruiz and Brandon Rieves who contributed on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs will be buoyed by the return of starting quarterback Ben Hinz, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior. “Ben Hinz and (senior) Truman Sleeper (6-2, 175) will lead a more diverse group of play-makers,� eighthyear head coach Andy Frerking said. “The offense should be more balanced.� He points to the return of fullback Gutherie Baldwin (5-8, 189, junior), Chris Breland (5-8, 128, sophomore) and Ty Bell (6-2, 176, senior) as being important. And with the return of Ben Reeders (6-2, 210, junior) after he lost last year to injury and Luke Schmidt (6-3, 150, junior), “the opposition will not be able to key so much on one aspect of the offense,� Frerking said. Frerking also is impressed with the newcomers. “The freshman class has added some good, young depth,� he said. “Several of them should be contributing on special teams.� Leading tacklers Hinz and Sleeper are back on defense. “The defense will be led by the linebackers and the secondary,� Frerking said. “We are hoping for improved play from run stoppers up front. “A year of getting stronger and faster ought to help. However, the front line, with the addition
conference action and 273 (27.3ppg) in all games. Defensively, the Chiefs allowed 230 (32.9ppg) points in conference action and 388 (38.8ppg) in all games. The Chiefs sport a roster of 26, including four seniors, 11 juniors and two sophomores. Frerking is hopeful everything gels. “Overall, the team has had a good off-season,� he said. “The conference and district should both be strong. “Playing with great effort and staying healthy will be key for the Chiefs. Being able to play a full JV (junior-varsity) schedule should help the depth to improve throughout the season.� Frerking is hopeful the Chiefs are Frerking peaking at the end of the season when the district playoffs start.
of Joey Narron (6-0, 165, junior), will be the same players as the offensive line. They will have to show an improved level of conditioning for the defense to be improved.� Frerking is looking for the linebacking corps
“The team has had a good off-season. The conference and district should both be strong.� — Andy
of Bell, Baldwin, Sleeper and Reeders to be the defense's backbone. “Tanner Wodrich (6-2, 185, senior) will provide physical play on the perimeter as he continues his push to be a starter,� Frerking said. Frerking notes corner back positions are “wide open.� He said returner Dillon Caton (5-11, 149, junior), Devin Breland (5-7, 129, freshman), Chris Breland and Blake Schreiman (5-9, 145, freshman) are “all making cases for playing time.� “At safety, Schmidt and Hinz have shown the ability to run down the football, and will have to limit the big plays, which plagued the Chiefs last season.� A year ago, the Chiefs scored 174 points (24.9 points per game) in Good luck this season!
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