Sports Preview

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E X A M I N E R ’ S

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AUGUST 26 • 2010

Previews of

• Blue Springs • Blue Springs South • Fort Osage • Truman • William Chrisman • Van Horn • Grain Valley + other area teams

ROUGH & READY ALSO INSIDE

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Tony Tanumai, left, and Juan Saucedo enjoy life in the trenches for state power Fort Osage

Division I recruit Jordan Nubine hopes to make his mark, help carry on Blue Springs tradition

Page 2 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition

Vol. 2, No. 2 The Examiner P.O. Box 459 Independence, MO 64051 Phone: 816-254-8600 Fax: 816-254-0211 Director/Sports Editor Karl Zinke • 816-350-6316 karl.zinke@examiner.net Contributing Editor/Design Charlie Slenker • 816-350-6319 charlie.slenker@examiner.net Examiner Executive Editor Sheila Davis sheila.davis@examiner.net Examiner Publisher Steve Curd steve.curd@examiner.net Cover Design: Karl Zinke Contributing Writers Bill Althaus Toriano Porter Shawn Roney Photographer Adam Vogler © The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition is published by The Examiner five times a year and distributed to paid subscribers of The Examiner and also freely around Eastern Jackson County.

New season holds a lot of mystery

I

KARL ZINKE

t’s the smell of grass on a hot August day that signals to me that football is back.

It takes me back to my days in high school suffering through two-a-days in the final dog days of summer. But it also means that the first whistle and first snap aren’t far off either.

And this year promises to possibly be more interesting than most. It seems this year has more mystery to it than many in the time I’ve been in the area. It seems like there are more question marks and less sure things, but I’ve also heard that there is a lot of promising newcomers as well.

So what will it be? A big year like last season when we had Blue Springs in the Class 6 title game, two teams – Fort Osage and Raytown South – in the Class 5 final four with Fort Osage finishing as the state runner-up and Grain Valley going to the Class 4 state quarterfinals? Or a down year when the local teams struggle to finish in the top two in districts?

Expect Blue Springs to be good, but even the Wildcats have question marks despite the return of all-state running back Darrian Miller, the state’s reigning Gatorade Player of the Year.

Can Blue Springs South bounce back from an

uncharacteristic losing season?

A healthy quarterback in Calvin Jacobson, a whole returning offensive line and a promising backfield featuring Chris Gilyard and newcomer Donnell Alexander may be the cure.

Will Fort Osage and Raytown South bounce back from big losses on both sides of the ball to remain state powers in Class 5?

Will Grain Valley be able to replace the first Division I recruit in its history – quarterback Austin Gouldsmith?

Will William Chrisman continue its ascent that started last year or will having its third head coach in three years stunt the Bears’ growth? Will Truman flourish under new head coach Jeff Floyd, a former college coach?

Some of the answers are inside, and some we won’t know until the end of the season. Take a look inside, though, and see what the area teams have in store for this season.

This edition is a labor of love for us, but we got a lot of help along the way. I’d like to thank Brock Stubbs of pec-sports.com for providing the team photos for the Lee’s Summit schools. We hope you enjoy!

MY VIEW

INSIDE PREVIEW: 4 8 13 16 17 18 20 26 28 32 36 37 39 40 44 46 50+

Blue Springs team preview Blue Springs South team preview Fort Osage team preview Dick’s Picks: 2010 season prediction Grain Valley team preview Lee’s Summit team preview Lee’s Summit North team preview Lee’s Summit West team preview Oak Grove team preview Cover story: Fort Osage linemen Raytown team preview Raytown South team preview St. Mary’s team preview Truman team preview Van Horn team preview William Chrisman team preview All local team photos

On the cover ...

A special thanks to Fort Osage all-state linemen Juan Saucedo and Tony Tanumai for posing for our cover shot taken by photo editor Adam Vogler. See their story on page 32 and 33.

Thanks to Adam for going all over Eastern Jackson County to get most of the photos.

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 3

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Page 4 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ BLUE SPRINGS WILDCATS

Wildcat facts: Head coach: Kelly Donohoe (11th season; 97-21 at Blue Springs, 122-28 overall).

Assistant coaches: Marc Hines, Tim Dade, Matt Marble, Damon Alsup, Joe Cusack, Dave Podjenski, Nolan Hochgrebe, Eric Neff, Tim McElligott, Brett Anwander, Ryan Luethje.

2009 record: 12-2, first place Suburban Big Seven at 6-0; Class 6 district champion, Class 6 state runnerup.

Returning letter winners: 20 Returning offensive starters (3): Darrian Miller, 5-11, 185, sr., RB; Cory Phillips, 6-5, 305, sr., OL; Jordan Nubine, 6-3, 215, sr., WR. Returning defensive starters (6): Mike McHenry, sr., 6-1, 205, LB; Lewis Foutz, 6-2, 215, sr., LB; Jon Trocosso, 6-1, 200, sr., LB; Bernard Thomas, 5-11, 185, sr., DB; Justin Middleton, 6-1, 215, sr., DL; Myles Hicks, 5-11, 245, sr., DL. Others to watch: Kyle Brown, 6-3, 200, jr., QB.

2010 schedule

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER

Aug. 27 — at Rockhurst Sept. 3 — Staley Sept. 10 — Truman Sept. 17 — at Fort Osage Sept. 24 — Lee’s Summit Oct. 1 — at Raymore-Peculiar Oct. 8 — at Lee’s Summit North Oct. 15 — at Blue Springs South Oct. 22 — Liberty Oct. 29 — Columbia Rock Bridge

Blue Springs High School’s Justin Middleton, back left, Jon Trocosso, Lewis Foutz, Jordan Nubine, Cory Phillips, Bernard Thomas, Miles Hicks, front left, Darrian Miller, Jonathan Williams, Tyshaan Alleyne, Aaron Peola and Tim Supplee.

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2009 results

W-L/Opponent BS-Opp W-Lee’s Summit West 48-13 W-St. Joseph Central 42-13 L-Rockhurst 3-17 W-Raymore-Peculiar 54-17 W-Park Hill South 42-14 W-Lee’s Summit North 45-14 W-Blue Springs South 42-0 W-Liberty 51-21 W-Rock Bridge 49-14 W-Lee’s Summit* 51-12 W-Rockhurst** 22-21 W-St. Louis DeSmet*** 35-5 L-Hazelwood Central**** 24-35

The list of quarterbacks who have enjoyed great success at Blue Springs High School is endless – Jeff Handy, Jeff Moreland, Nick Caldrone, Jared Lanpher and state champions Nate Minnis, Jordan Whitworth and Stinson Dean.

Will Kyle Brown, this year’s starter, join the ranks of the greats?

“If hard work has anything to do with it, he will,” said senior wide out and one of the top recruits in the state, Jordan Nubine. “Kyle will do anything it takes to get better. He’s one of the hardest workers on the team and you can see him improve every day at practice.”

Brown takes over from Lanpher, a threeyear starter who played a key role in the 2009 team’s march to the Class 6 state championship game.

“Jordan worked hard, too,” Nubine said.

“After three years, he knew everything about our offense and he had some big time weapons with Keeston (Terry, who is now at the University of Kansas) and Darrian (Miller, the reigning Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year who is back for his senior year with the Wildcats).

“Darrian is going to make life a lot easier for all of us,” Nubine added of the highly recruited running back, who rushed for just less than 2,800 yards last season. “When teams put eight guys in the box to stop Darrian, Kyle is going to do some damage.”

Nubine, Miller and offensive lineman Cory Phillips are the lone returnees from last year’s 12-2 squad that torched most opponents.

And it’s not going to take coach Kelly Donohoe long to find out where his team stands as the Wildcats travel to Rockhurst in Week 1 to face the archrival Hawklets.

See WILDCATS / 15

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 5

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

Blue Springs picked to repeat in Big Six

By DICK PUHR The Examiner

Suburban Big Six Coaches Preseason Poll

What goes around comes School around is the case sometimes.

1. Blue Springs An exception is 2. Raymore-Peculiar the Blue Springs 3. Liberty football program.

4. Blue Springs South The Wildcats, 5. Lee’s Summit North in The Examiner’s poll of the coaches, 6. Lee’s Summit are a solid choice to claim a repeat championship in the revised Suburban Big Six. Raymore-Peculiar placed second. Then came Liberty, Blue Springs South, Lee’s Summit North and Lee’s Summit. A coach couldn’t rank his own team. The championship has gone to Blue Springs or Blue Springs South since 2000. The two shared the title with Raymore-Peculiar in 2008.

Senior Darrian Miller is a big reason Blue Springs is the favorite. He rushed for 2,798 yards

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and scored 40 touchdowns as the Wildcats went12-2 and placed second in the state Class 6 meet.

Eight other starters also return.

“We will be inexperienced on offense,” Blue Springs coach Kelly Donohue said. “The defense has to play well early until the offense catches

RAYMORE-PECULIAR

Standout quarterback Cameron Coffman returns from an 8-4 Panther team that advanced to the state Class 5 quarterfinals.

“We will be a young football team,” coach Tom Kruse said. “Our strength will be our skilled guys. We are very inexperienced in

the offensive and defensive lines. Jumping to Class 6 will be a big change for us at district time but competition will still be tough throughout the year.”

LIBERTY

Despite the split with the new Liberty North, the Blue Jays figure to remain potent.

“We have some experience and talent along our offensive and defensive lines,” coach Joel Wells said. “We have many skill positions to replace.”

Liberty went 8-3 last season.

BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH

The Jaguars likely will rebound from a rare 4-6 losing season.

“We have seven returning starters back on offense,” coach Greg Oder said. “We have a pretty large senior class. We return 22 lettermen from last year because we played a lot of young players. A weak point is we have only four starters back on defense.”

LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH

Prospects of an improvement of a 3-7 season are bright.

“We are very excited about the returning lettermen,” second-year coach Ty Kohl said. “We are more experienced and looking forward to an exciting year.”

LEE’S SUMMIT

Eric Daniels, who is the conference’s only new coach, didn’t inherit a bare cupboard.

Quarterback Corbin Berkstresser, who has committed to the University of Missouri-Columbia, will lead the Tigers for the third consecutive year.

“The Tigers have a lot of work to do to be prepared fro the upcoming season,” Daniels said. “This year’s success will be determined by how fast the Tigers can adjust and learn a new system. The Tigers are very excited about the prospects of a very large senior class and many returning starters.”

“Where success is measured not merely by the number of medals around their necks, but just as importantly by the smile on their face and excitement in their heart.”

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Page 6 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

Kearney picked unanimously to win Suburban Small Six

By DICK PUHR The Examiner

They’ll be chasing Kearney in the Suburban Small Six. The Bulldogs are a solid choice to claim the title despite losing some key players from a a 13-2 team that claimed the state Class 4 championship.

Defending champion Staley finished second in The Examiner’s poll of coaches followed by Oak Park and Platte County. Grandview and the new Liberty North tied for fifth. A coach wasn’t allowed to rank his own team.

“We have a lot of linemen back on both sides of the ball,” coach Greg Jones said.

“We feel we will be strong up front but we have several questions about our running back situation.

Suburban Small Six Coaches Preseason Poll School 1. Kearney 2. Staley 3. Oak Park 4. Platte County 5. Grandview 6. Liberty North “We graduated our entire fleet of running backs, so we will have to reload there.

We feel our receivers will be plenty solid and having our quarterback back from last year will help.

“We will rely on our depth and depth to push us to improve throughout the season.”

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The Bulldogs will be led by 21 lettermen.

STALEY

Staley comes off a banner 11-1 second season with the lone loss to Kearney.

“Staley moves into Class 5 after two district championships in Class 4,” coach Fred Bouchard said. “The entire

offensive backfield returns but the defense must replace six starters, who will be playing on college fields this fall.”

Staley defeated Kearney in conference play and then bowed to the Bulldogs in the second round of the playoffs.

OAK PARK

For the first time the Northmen compete in the Small Six. “We will still be young with not a lot of size,” coach

Keith Ross said. “The young players gained experience from last year. We need to find more depth.”

Seventeen lettermen return from a 3-7 team.

PLATTE COUNTY

The Pirates are hopeful of improving upon a 4-6 season.

“We were very young last year,” coach Bill Utz said. “We are still going to be young in several positions. The kids have responded well in off-

season conditioning and have grown more confident in themselves. We are in a very competitive conference that should prepare us for district play.”

The Pirates will be guided by 17 lettermen.

GRANDVIEW

New coach Andy Leech takes over the Grandview program.

“We will have very strong

See SMALL SIX / 15

Players The Examiner’s

of the

year

* Co-Players of the Year

YEAR offense

SCHOOL defense

1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

2001 2002

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Raytown Raytown Raytown South Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit Raytown Lee’s Summit Raytown South Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit Blue Springs Blue Springs Raytown Raytown South Oak Grove Van Horn Blue Springs Blue Springs Blue Springs Blue Springs LS North Fort Osage

Blue Springs Grain Valley

Blue Springs Chrisman LS West Fort Osage Grain Valley BS South Blue Springs

Mike Ingle Jeff Mann Todd Scheerer Brad White Dalton Vann Mike Hunter Craig Phillips Mike Scott Chris Works Todd Spurck Jeff Handy Jeff Moreland Tyrone Douglas Maurice Daniels Ryan Fry Kevin Hunt Ladell Betts Ladell Betts Jamar Mozee Jamar Mozee Kegan Coleman Jeremy Braden

Andrew Tuggle Seth Williams

Stinson Dean Ben Kisner La’Darrian Page Dalton Krysa Cody Fogle Blaine Dalton Darrian Miller

Alan Lange Pat Connor Phil Forte Mark Smith Gary Allin Mike Young Jim Bebee Jeff Summers Roy McFarland Tim Alvarado Ben Andes Scott McKee Ryan Reid Nathan Fulk Joseph Haynes Tory Schwope Jon Oyler Andy Sims Damon Dombrowski Matt VerDught Justin McClain Earl Jack* Mike Mendenhall* Bruce Ringwood Bruce Ringwood* Jamie Scully* Mike LoPorto Jaron Baston Jeff Julian Brian Hertzog Donte Strickland Gus Toca E.J. Gaines

SCHOOL Raytown South Blue Springs Raytown South Lee’s Summit Raytown South Raytown South Truman Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit Blue Springs Blue Springs Truman Blue Springs Blue Springs Van Horn Blue Springs BS South Fort Osage Truman BS South BS South Blue Springs BS South Blue Springs Blue Springs Grain Valley BS South Blue Springs BS South LS West BS South Blue Springs Fort Osage

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 7

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

Page 8 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH JAGUARS

Moving along Jaguars looking to erase sting of losing season

By BILL ALTHAUS bill.althaus@examiner.net

Greg Oder and his Blue Springs South High School football team experienced a first last season.

And the veteran coach doesn’t want to experience a second.

For the first time in his nine-year career, Oder suffered through a losing season.

Coming off one of the most dramatic seasons in school history, in which the underdog Jaguars fought and clawed their way to the Class 6 state championship game and a state runner-up finish, South suffered through an injuryplagued 4-6 campaign that still stings.

“It wasn’t fun,” said Oder, who has a state championship ring and 72 wins over the past nine years. “It wasn’t

fun for the kids or the coaches and I’m pretty sure our fans didn’t have much fun either.

“But that was last year, and this is a new year. We have seven guys back on offense, which is good. But we only have three back on defense so we’re going to have to have some new guys step up. And I think they will. I really like what we’ve seen in practice so far.”

Last year’s starting quarterback, Calvin Jacobson, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, is back, and so are all five offensive linemen.

Two of his favorite offensive weapons, wide receivers Logan Moon and Dominique Wright, have graduated, but Jacobson says that’s no problem.

“I’m going to miss Dom and Logan but we have some new receivers who are really getting it done in practice,”

Jaguar facts: Head coach: Greg Oder (10th season, 72-25 at Blue Springs South).

Assistant coaches: Kelly Groom, Mike Moon, Dustin Spencer, Jamie Fournier, Mike Fansher, Ryan Gettings, Tim Michael, Adam Courter, Matt Reynolds, Andy Mayfield, Dan Sundberg.

2009 record: 4-6 (three-way tie for fourth place Suburban Big Seven at 2-4).

Returning letter winners: 22 Returning offensive starters (7): Logan Adkison, 6-3, 220, sr., OL; Chris Gilyard, 5-8, 175, sr., RB; Shelby Gray, 6-2, 255, sr., OL; Calvin Jacobson, 6-2, 200, sr., QB; James McDonald, 6-3, 250, sr., OL; Jacob Moore, 6-0, 255, sr., OL; Josh Sanderson, 6-0, 255, sr., OL. Returning defensive starters (3): Logan Adkison, 6-3, 220, sr., DL; Jake King, 6-1, 190, jr., LB; Max Williams, 5-10, 220, sr., DL. Others to watch: Donnell Alexander, 5-11, 200, sr., RB.

2010 schedule

Aug 27 — Raytown South at Raytown Sept. 3 — Park Hill South at Park Hill Sept. 10 — Rockhurst Sept. 17 — Lee’s Summit West Sept. 24 — at Raymore-Peculiar Oct. 1 — Lee’s Summit North Oct. 8 — at Lee’s Summit Oct. 15 — Blue Springs Oct. 22 — Rock Bridge Oct. 29 — Liberty at William Jewell

2009 results

W-L/Opponent BSS-Opp L-Rockhurst 13-35 W-Park Hill 21-14 W-Raymore-Peculiar 24-21 L-St. Joseph Central 28-35 W-Belton 35-0 L-Lee’s Summit North 12-28 W-Lee’s Summit 14-7 L-Blue Springs 0-42 L-Rock Bridge 34-41 L-Liberty 28-42

See JAGUARS / 11

FEEL THE Join Us! We invite everyone to our home opener for the 2010 season, Friday, September 10th.

Senior Night

Good Luck Jaguars!!!

Blue Springs South Football Booster Club

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 9

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

Ready to break out Now at full strength Jaguars QB Calvin Jacobson expecting big things in 2010

By BILL ALTHAUS bill.althaus@examiner.net

o player had bigger shoes to fill during the 2009 football season than Blue Springs South junior quarterback Calvin Jacobson.

He just happened to be the quarterback who succeeded Simone Award winner Blaine Dalton, who led the Jaguars to a state title, a Class 6 championship game loss and a postseason loss to longtime rival Rockhurst over a brilliant three-year career.

“We were a mistake, here or there, from winning three state championships with Blaine at quarterback,” said Jacobson, a senior who is primed and ready for the season of his life.

“I never tried to be Blaine Dalton last season.

I just tried to be Calvin Jacobson, and I gave this team everything I had. It wasn’t enough, and last season left a real nasty taste in everyone’s mouth.

“But we’re back and we’re ready to go and from what I’ve seen in practice, this could be a good year.”

South was 4-6 last year, the first losing campaign in the head coaching career of Greg Oder.

But he refuses to point an accusing finger at any player.

“We weren’t very good last year, and it was no fault of Calvin,” Oder said. “He played hard every down of every game. We just didn’t have

the tools to get the job done.”

While Jacobson refused to talk about it in 2009, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound signal caller was never 100 percent during his first season as a starter.

“He tore his ACL and was cleared by the doctors to play the first day of practice,” Oder said.

“You look at him at this time this year, and at the same time last year, and it’s night and day.”

When asked about the 2009 injury, Jacobson just shakes his head.

“I was playing basketball and I went up for a layup and tore my ACL,” he explained. “We found out that I had partially torn it playing football. I was horse collared on a tackle and my leg just crumpled behind me.

“I really tore it playing basketball and I was told I’d be out six to eight months.”

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That prognosis would have meant that “No one’s working harder than Calvin,” Jacobson would have been on the sideOder said. “He’s got a great work ethic lines for his junior season, and that and he’s a great leader on this team. was just unacceptable.

He just leads by example.”

“I worked hard in rehab Jacobson had his moments last — real hard — and I was back in four year – like a 25-of-36 night with four months,” he said. “I worked at rehab touchdowns and 338 yards against Libfor three to four hours a day and I erty. But the end result was a seasonnever let up. I wanted to be healthy ending 42-28 loss to the Blue Jays. and ready.

“We want to forget last season, “When I was cleared to play, it was but we don’t want to forget it,” one of the happiest days of my life.

Jacobson said. “Do you know what But I hadn’t been able to do a lot with I mean? Last year, was last year.

Calvin the team and I was behind.”

It wasn’t a fun season for anyone Jacobson This year is a totally different story.

– but it makes us work that much He led the Jaguars to an undefeated harder this year because none of 7-on-7 season (there were two ties) and Oder said us ever want to experience anything like he’s been a regular in the weight room. that again.”

Page 10 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

By BILL ALTHAUS bill.althaus@examiner.net

A new quarterback.

A lot of new faces on the offensive line.

But senior wide receiver Jordan Nubine said the Blue Springs Wildcats will take the same approach into this season that has made them so successful in the past.

“There are always going to be changes in high school sports because of graduation. I was so lucky the past couple of years to have a quarterback like Jordan Lanpher,” Nubine said, of the three-year starter who is now at the University of Northern Iowa.

“We knew a lot about each other and he could kind of read what I was thinking. Since we had Keeston (Terry, a three-time allstate wide receiver who is now at the University of Kansas), I was never his No. 1 go-to guy – for good reason.

“But Keeston is gone and Jordan is gone. So this year, I’m going to get the chance to prove what I can do as a wide receiver and I’ve

got a great young quarterback to work with.”

That young quarterback is junior Kyle Brown, a former AllAmerican wrestler who is now dedicating his time to football.

“Jordan worked hard, and Kyle is working just as hard to be a good quarterback,” said Nubine, who stands 6-foot-3 and checks in at 213 pounds. “We spend a lot of time after practice throwing the ball and working on routs.

“We’re going to miss Jordan a lot, but Kyle is going to step in and do a great job. I know a lot of people are questioning our line, but the new guys are working hard, too.

“And we have one of the best running backs in the country with Darrian (Miller, the Missouri Offensive Player of the Year in 2009). When they put eight guys in the box to stop Darrian, Kyle’s going to hurt some teams. They better not overlook Kyle because I tell you, he’s going to be a special quarterback.”

For the past two seasons,

See NUBINE / 15

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 11

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

Blue Springs South’s James McDonald, left, Logan Adkison, Shelby Gray, Jacob Moore, Calvin Jacobson, Maxwell Williams, Chris Gilyard.

The Examiner/ ADAM VOGLER

Blue Springs South building off of strong 7-on-7 summer campaign ▲

JAGUARS l From 8

Jacobson said. “Connor Bloss, Jesse Gray, Blake Horne, LeLand Anderson, Pat Martin and Owen McGraw can really go out and catch the football.”

That was evident when the Jaguars went without a defeat in 7-on-7 this past summer.

“We tied a couple of games, but didn’t lose any,” Oder said. “You can’t read too much into 7-on-7, but I’d rather win most of them than lose most of them. You’re looking for things to build on following a season like we had last year and we can build on that.

“Plus, our kids always work hard. We worked hard last year and just didn’t get it done. I know all the guys have a real bad taste in their mouth and they want to get rid of it — and winning is the only way to do it.”

The Jaguars have an exciting newcomer in 5-foot-11 senior running back Donnell Alexander, a transfer from Grandview High School.

“He was a little dinged up early but is healthy now and he’s looked good in practice,” Oder said. “We’re eager to see what he does.”

So is Jacobson.

“Donnell is pretty special,” the senior quarterback said. “We haven’t played a game, but he just seems to have a different gear in practice.

He could be a great back and a big part of our

offense.”

Linemen Logan Adkison and Max Williams and linebacker Jake King return to anchor the defense.

Oder has always stressed the importance of defense – and this year will be no different.

“If the other team doesn’t score, you’re going to win a lot of games,” Oder joked. “We need some kids to step it up, and they know that. We need to make some big strides before the season starts.”

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Page 12 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 13

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ FORT OSAGE INDIANS

Indian facts: Head coach: Ryan Schartz (sixth season: 41-17 at Fort Osage).

Assistant coaches: Jon Oyler, Rick Ammons, Lance Barrett, Brock Bult, Joel Mathews, J.T. Carlson, Zack Dudley.

2009 record: 13-1 (Suburban Middle Six champion at 5-0, district champion, state Class runnerup).

Returning letter winners: 20 Returning offensive starters (3): Dillon Taff, 6-0, 235, jr., OL; Shayne Parsons, 6-3, 235, sr., OL; Juan Saucedo, 5-10, 235, sr., OL. Returning defensive starters (5): Tony Tanumai, 5-10, 255, jr., DL; Jesse Peery, 6-1, 185, sr., LB; Zach Wharton, 5-9, 165, sr., LB; Ryan Stick, 5-9, 185, jr., LB; Spencer Gearhart, 5-9, 165, sr., DB. Others to watch: Steven McBee, 6-1, 175, so., QB; Jaleel Gordon, 5-10, 200, jr., RB; Ian Bailey, 5-9, 205, sr., FB.

2010 schedule

2009 results

W-L/Opponent FO-Opp W-Park Hill South 34-7 W-Kearney 13-7 W-Lee’s Summit West 31-14 W-Belton 35-14 W-Grandview 49-6 W-Raytown South 21-14 W-Raytown 49-0 W-Winnetonka 27-6 W-William Chrisman 42-0 W-North Kansas City 44-8 W-Park Hill* 29-7 W-Raymore-Peculiar** 30-19 W-Raytown South*** 13-7 L-Webster Groves**** 14-31

Aug. 27 — Lee’s Summit North Sept. 3 — Oak Park at Staley Sept. 10 — at Raytown Sept. 17 — Blue Springs Sept. 24 — Raytown South at Raytown Oct. 1 — Belton Oct. 8 — at William Chrisman Oct. 15 — Winnetonka Oct. 22 — North Kansas City Oct. 29 — Park Hill South at Park Hill

Fort Osage High School’s Zach Johnson, back left, Shayne Parsons, Juan Saucedo, Jesse Peere, front left, Zach Wharton, Spencer Gearhart, and Jared Te’o.

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER

Happy days

* – Class 6 state sectionals ** – Class 6 state quarterfinals *** – Class 6 state semifinals **** – Class 6 state final

Indians excited after coming off incredible season

By BILL ALTHAUS bill.althaus@examiner.net

The mood is upbeat and positive at a recent Fort Osage High School football practice.

And no one seems to be having quite as

much fun as head coach Ryan Schartz, who has turned a comatose program into one of the best in the state.

He inherited a winless team and last year led the Indians to a perfect 10-0 regular-season

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Page 14 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

Osage narrowly picked over Raytown South in Mid Seven

By DICK PUHR The Examiner

The conference championship beat will continue for Fort Osage.

The Indians, in The Examiner’s poll of the coaches, are a slim choice over Raytown South to claim the title of the Suburban Middle Six that has gone from six to seven teams.

Park Hill South finished third followed by Winnetonka, Raytown, Belton and William Chrisman. A coach couldn’t rank his own team.

Fort Osage shared the 2006, 2007 and 2008 conference titles and was the 2009 undisputed champion.

And despite key graduation losses from a 131 team — the only loss was to Webster Groves 31-14 in the state Class 5 finals — Fort Osage remains the team to beat.

“With the two-year conference and district realignment the 2010 season looks to be very competitive,” coach Ryan Schartz said. “We welcome Winnetonka, William Chrisman and Park Hill South to the White (Middle Seven) division.

“We return four offensive and four defensive starters. There will be some young untested and inexperienced players on the field. The

squad will have to grow up fast considering the strength of our schedule but I have no doubt they will be up to the challenge.”

RAYTOWN SOUTH

The Cardinals also have been a conference power the past several years.

Coach David Allie, however, has to rebuild a 10-4 team that advanced to the state Class 4 semifinals before falling to Fort Osage 13-6.

“Inexperience will be the theme of the 2010 Cardinals,” Allie said. “On the offensive side, four starters return with any starting time and for the first time in three years the Cardinals will be led by a new quarterback. Defensively, the Cardinals return four starters and two with significant playing time.”

PARK HILL SOUTH

Mark Simcox moves from Chrisman to Park Hill South as the head coach.

“We have a strong senior class that has considerable game experience,” Simcox said. “We have good depth at the skill positions on both sides of the ball but are relatively thin in the offensive and defensive lines.

“On offense we return most of our skill players. Defensively, our best asset will be team speed.”

WINNETONKA

Former Blue Springs assistant Sterling Edwards is the new Winnetonka coach.

“We are a relatively young team having graduated a quality senior class from last year,” Edwards said.

“We have a small senior class with most all of them being counted on to contribute at a high level this season.”

Twenty-six lettermen return from a strong 8-4 team.

BELTON

Suburban Mid Seven Coaches Preseason Poll School 1. Fort Osage 2. Raytown South 3. Park Hill South 4. Winnetonka 5. Raytown 6. Belton 7. William Chrisman

Seventeen lettermen boost Belton’s chances of improving upon a 3-7 season.

“We made a real commitment to the weightroom and to off-season workouts,” said coach Kevin Keeton. “I am expecting big improvements from the Pirates this year.”

RAYTOWN

This could be an improved season for the Blue Jays.

Twenty-six lettermen return from a 3-8 team that advanced to the state Class 5 playoffs.

“We have a lot of returners,” coach Kevin

1 5 2 0 0 0 0 0

2 1 4 1 0 1 0 0

3 0 0 3 3 1 0 0

4 0 0 1 0 1 3 2

5 0 0 0 3 1 2 1

6 TP 0 7 0 10 1 21 0 24 2 26 1 28 3 31

Page said. “Hopefully, it will be a good year for the Blue Jays.”

WILLIAM CHRISMAN

John Crutcher takes over a Chrisman team coming off a 4-6 season.

“We have a great group of seniors who are willing to put in the work to be great leaders and deserve to win football games,” Crutcher said. “The kids are buying into the new ways of doing things and they are excited about the new systems we are running both offensively and defensively.”

Despite loss of standouts, players are confident program will be just fine ▲

INDIANS l From 13

record and Class 5 state runner-up finish.

Fort Osage didn’t win state, but the program proved it deserves to be with the big boys. Schartz was named The Examiner’s Coach of the Year and standout running back/ defensive back E.J. Gaines was The Examiner’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Many of the standouts from that team graduated, including Gaines — who is now playing football at the University of Missouri — but that’s life in the prep ranks.

And a couple of returning allstate linemen believe the Indians are going to be just fine.

“Players graduate, that’s just life,” said Juan Saucedo, an all-stater who will anchor the offensive line. “We’re going to be successful as long as we have our great coaching staff.

“Coach Schartz is an inspiration

and he and his staff give us 110 per- streak by winning his first game as a cent so we’re always going to give head coach. That team went 1-9, but them 110 percent, too.” the foundation was set for a team that Tony Tanumai, an all-state junior has gone 40-17 with four conference defensive lineman, agreed with his championships, three district titles teammate. and two state-semifinal appearances.

“The coaches work us hard, but “I’m proud of how far this prothey work as hard or harder than we do,” Tanumai said. “It was such an honor last year to play with (allstate defensive backs) E.J. and Nathan (Hancock). We can’t let down this year, even though we have a lot of new players, because we were the first team in school history to go Tony Tanumai undefeated in the regular All-state junior defensive lineman season last year and we want to come back strong this year and show we’re still a good gram has come and I’m so proud team.” of my coaching staff,” Schartz said.

Over the past five years, Indian “You don’t accomplish something fans have had plenty to cheer about. like that without great coaches and Schartz ended a two-season losing I think I have the best staff in the

“The coaches work us hard, but they work as hard or harder than we do.”

state.

“We’re really going to challenge our kids with three tough non-conference opponents in Lee’s Summit North, Oak Park and Blue Springs.”

Fort Osage activities director Brandon Hart is a graduate of Blue Springs and he’s eager to see how his Indians stack up against the Class 6 team that finished second at state last year the same weekend the Class 5 Indians also finished in second place.

“To be the best, you have to play the best,” Hart said. “I know Ryan and his coaches and the kids want to play the best and we’re giving them that opportunity with teams like Blue Springs, Oak Park and Lee’s Summit North on the schedule.”

Saucedo can’t wait to see how the Indians fare against the bigger schools.

“They’re great programs, especial-

ly Blue Springs,” the senior lineman said, “but when they play us, they’re going to know they’ve played a tough opponent. We’re looking forward to all our games this year, because we have so many new players no one knows what to expect from us.”

The Indians have huge numbers this year with 85 varsity players, 50 ninth graders and 60 eighth graders.

“When you win, people want to be a part of the program,” Schartz said.

“These are the type of numbers we dreamed about when we first took over six years ago. Now, it’s become a reality.”

Schartz loves his team’s 2010 schedule. Saying, “Our kids are going to have to grow up fast when you look at our schedule.

“Our kids are taught to play hard, and when they make a mistake, they make it at full speed. When young people play at Fort Osage, no one will ever question our work ethic, enthusiasm and toughness.”

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 15

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

LS West and Park Hill on equal ground in Suburban Mid Six

By DICK PUHR The Examiner

Two perennial powers will battle it out for the revised Suburban Middle Six championship.

The Examiner’s poll of the coaches revealed Lee’s Summit West and Park Hill are the co-favorites. Then came St. Joseph Central, North Kansas City, Truman and Ruskin.

A coach couldn’t rank his own team.

West is in the conference’s second tier for the first time. So is Ruskin after combining with now-closed Hickman Mills.

West comes off a 7-4 season, including 4-1 in the old Suburban Middle Six. Twenty-seven lettermen will lead the Titans bid for a fifth consecutive winning season and state playoff berth.

PARK HILL

Park Hill rebuilds with only two returning

offensive and defensive starters. But at Park Hill rebuilding usually means reloading.

“We will be very inexperienced,” coach Greg Reynolds said. “The offensive line led by senior Adam Vanderpool must develop quickly for backfield of Trace Norfleet, quarterback Nathan Wilson and Jordan Wang to function. The same with the defensive line.”

The Trojans come off a banner 9-2 season and third consecutive conference title.

ST. JOSEPH CENTRAL

Central could be the darkhorse, returning six starters on offense and defense.

“Our entire backfield is back,” new coach Jeff Wallace said. “We had a very productive group in the Big Seven last year and this year we are down to the Middle Six. “We have a lot of speed and should be difficult to defend. We graduated four of five offensive linemen, but we have our best back in junior Mike Meinert. We also graduated

three of four defensive backs.”

Ryan Wallace should be one of the conference’s title quarterbacks. He will lead a potent backfield of Malkaam Muhammad, Alex Ray and Corey Jackson.

Central was 3-7 in the tough Big Seven last year.

NORTH KANSAS CITY

The Hornets move up a league to the Middle Six. “Several changes in coaching staff and a new level of dedication by athletes will bring us back to a competitive level this fall,” said coach Chad Valadez.

The Hornets expect to improve upon a 1-9 season.

TRUMAN

The Patriots have a new coach in Jeff Floyd. Athletic director Eric Holm is the offensive coordinator.

Six starters return, including junior quar-

Suburban Mid Six Coaches Preseason Poll School 1 1. Lee’s Summit West 3 Park Hill 3 3. St. Joseph Central 0 4. North Kansas City 0 5. Truman 0 6. Ruskin 0

2 2 2 2 0 0 0

3 0 0 1 3 2 0

4 0 0 2 2 1 1

5 TP 0 7 0 7 0 15 0 17 2 20 4 24

terback David Franklin.

RUSKIN

Greg Valenzuela takes off a Ruskin program that should improve because of the incoming talent from Hickman Mills.

Ruskin will have more numbers and experience. Speed also will be an asset.

▲

Liberty North Nubine looking to be a leader and a star for the Wildcats NUBINE l From 10 continues to make progress in Small Six ▲

SMALL SIX l From 6

senior leadership mixed with some very talented underclassmen,” Leech said.

The Bulldogs went 2-9 last season. Both wins came in district play, qualifying the Bulldogs for the Class 4 playoffs.

LIBERTY NORTH

winning.”

The Wildcats finished last season with a 12-2 record and a berth in the state championship game.

“We came up short at state, and we’re all still thinking about that,” Nubine said. “I think that loss makes us work that much harder. And we better be working hard because we’ve got the Rock in Week 1.”

The Wildcats travel to Rockhurst for the season opener Aug. 27, and Nubine and his teammates have been counting down

the days until that big rivalry matchup.

“They beat us last year when we played them the first time and we came back and beat them in the playoffs (on a last-second Cody Best field goal), so we’re all ready for that big game.

“I’ve been a role player for this team, and I’ll happily accept any role Coach (Donohoe) has planned for me. Like I said, winning is what it’s all about at Blue Springs. If we win, everything takes care of itself.”

Blue Springs plans to be ready for rival Rockhurst ▲

North opened with some 700 students freshmen to juniors.

Ken Clemens, who formerly coached at Raytown and Winnetonka, is the Eagles coach.

“We are making progress,” he said. “Our goal is to field a competitive team. This is within our reach this year.”

The Eagles will be young and inexperienced. Junior running back/linebacker Zach Miller, who played at Liberty, is the only letter winner.

Nubine has been a quiet part of one of the best offenses in the state.

“We’re going to get Jordan involved a lot more in the offense this year,” Wildcats coach Kelly Donohoe said. “He’s a big target for Kyle. And he has good hands.

There’s a reason a lot of schools are looking at him.”

Last season Nubine caught 13 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns and was perfectly

happy to let Terry and Miller stand center stage.

“I was a junior and Keeston was a senior,” Nubine said.

“They’d have been crazy to not throw the ball to him. And I’ve played with Darrian since the fourth grade, and we all know he does things no other back can come close to.

“Now, I’m a senior and this might be my year to shine. I want to be a leader on this team and I want to be a go-to guy. But all I really care about right now is

WILDCATS l From 4

“It’s a good way to start the season,” Donohoe said. “Last year, I thought we were ready to play them in Week 3 and they beat us (17-3). We were able to come back and beat them in the playoffs (2221 on Cody Best’s last-second field goal), but I’m still confused by our first game with them.

“We were so prepared, so ready

to play that maybe we were overprepared. I know we didn’t lose a regrular-season game after that and the team really responded well to that loss. It served as motivation and all that stuff.

“It’s kind of funny – you look at Rockhurst and say it doesn’t mean anything and it’s a non-conference game and all that stuff – but it does mean something and we want to go into our first

game this year and make a good showing.”

Starting his first game against Rockhurst doesn’t intimidate Brown, a former All-American wrestler who has never backed down from a challenge.

“I’ll be ready and the team will be ready,” Brown said. “I know people think, ‘How is the team going to play without Jared Lanpher and most of the guys on the

offensive line?’ I think we’re going to be okay.

“I learned a lot last year from watching Jared and Coach Donohoe is a great coach. He has us all fired up and ready to go.”

The defense has six starters returning, including all-state defensive back Bernard Thomas and a strong linebacker corps anchored by Jon Trocosso and Lewis Foutz.

Page 16 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

New coaches calling the shots for many area schools High school football 2010 is here.

Who will be the season’s big surprises, the disappointments, the conference champions? What teams will qualify for the playoff?

The next 10 weeks will tell.

This writer comes out of hiding with his annual forecasts. Some teams will be happy with them, others not. Remember, though, a game has never been won or lost in print.

But one thing is assured before the first kickoff Friday night. There are more head coaches making their area debuts then ever before. Lee’s Summit’s Eric Thomas, St. Mary’s Jason Fenstermaker, Truman’s Jeff Floyd and William Chrisman’s John Crutcher may be more nervous than the players.

And don’t forget former Blue Springs assistant Sterling Edwards is the new coach at Winnetonka.

So, let’s get with it. The first order of business is the finishes of the conferences involving area schools.

Suburban Big Six: 1. Blue Springs; 2. Raymore-Peculiar; 3. Blue Springs South; 4. Liberty; 5. Lee’s Summit; 6. Lee’s Summit North. Blue Springs and Raymore-Peculiar may share the title.

Suburban Middle Six: 1. Park Hill; 2. St. Joseph Central. 3. Lee’s Summit West; 4. Truman; 5. North Kansas City; 6. Ruskin.

Suburban Middle Seven: 1.

Park Hill South; 2. Fort Osage; 3.

Raytown South; 4. William Chrisman; 5. Raytown; 6. Winnetonka; 7. Belton.

Suburban Small Six: 1. Kearney; 2. Staley; 3. Oak Park; 4. Platte County; 5. Grandview; 6. Liberty North.

Missouri River Valley Conference West: 1. Harrisonville; 2. Grain Valley; 3. Pleasant Hill; 4. Excelsior Springs; 5. Oak Grove; 6. Odessa.

Crossroads Conference: 1. Sherwood; 2. Butler; 3. Van Horn; 4. St. Mary’s’ 5. Renaissance Academy.

And now what you have been awaiting for, providing you haven’t looked ahead in the story, the likely won- lost record of the area’s 14 schools.

BLUE SPRINGS Some key players, including

three-year quarterback Jared Lanpher and wide receiver Keeston Terry were among the 41 seniors who graduated from a strong 12-2 team that lost in the state Class 6 finals.

“We have a lot of holes to fill and play a tough schedule,” Blue Springs coach Kelly Donohoe said.

That’s true. But at Blue Springs its a matter of reloading around Darrian Miller, who is one of the state’s most exciting runners.

Perhaps the Wildcats will not go as Miller goes but as new quarterback Kyle Brown goes.

The passing game may not be as strong as in the past.

Blue Springs’ opening opponent is Rockhurst. The Hawklets reportedly will be as strong as ever. The Wildcats will find out quickly how good they are.

Blue Springs will win eight, Staley, Truman, Fort Osage, Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit North, Blue Springs South, Liberty, Columbia Rock Bridge, and lose two, Rockhurst and Raymore-Peculiar.

BS SOUTH “We’ll be better

than last year,” said South coach Greg Order. “I like what we have going on.”

The Jaguars went 4-6 last year.

It’s difficult to imagine a second consecutive losing season despite a tougher schedule.

The offense should be improved because of seven returning starters. And 13 seniors will provide more leadership.

Oder didn’t say what the season holds. But with a break here or there the Jaguars perhaps could go 7-3 or even 8-2.

As of now, South will win six, Raytown South, Park Hill South, Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit North, Rock Bridge and Liberty, and lose four, Rockhurst, Lee’s Summit West, RaymorePeculiar and Blue Springs.

FORT OSAGE The Indians come off their

greatest season at 13-1 with the only loss in the state Class 5 finals.

Repeat success isn’t likely.

There were serious graduation losses.

“We are lacking speed and play a more difficult schedule,” coach Ryan Schartz said. “We have lots of young kids but a little more size.”

There’s no avoiding the fact the schedule is tougher with Lee’s Summit North and Blue Springs in the opening four weeks.

The talent level isn’t as great for one of the area’s most successful programs over the last four years.

Still, success breeds success.

Fort Osage will win seven, Oak Park, Raytown, Raytown South, Belton, William Chrisman, Winnetonka, and North Kansas City and lose three, Lee’s Summit North, Blue Springs and Park Hill South.

DICK’S PICKS

Dick Puhr DICK’S PICKS

Dick Puhr is a sportswriter for The Examiner. Reach him at 816-350-6315.

GRAIN VALLEY Graduation also hurt

the Eagles, especially at quarterback. But nine starters return on defense. And last year’s junior varsity went undefeated.

“The defense will have to carry us,” Grain Valley coach Forrest Rovello said. “We have some good skill kids. Our expectations are high.”

The Eagles again will go with the two-platoon system. The performances of a new quarterback will be a key.

Grain Valley will win eight, Platte County, Cameron, Excelsior Springs, Pleasant Hill, Oak Grove, Odessa, Center and Grandview and lose two, Jefferson City Blair Oaks and Harrisonvile.

LEE’S SUMMIT Reportedly, Thomas

has brought renewed excitement, energy and focus to Tiger land.

There‘s a large senior class.

Quarterback Corbin Berkstresser, who has committed to the University of Missouri, may be the area’s top quarterback. He’s big and strong and also can run the ball. He’s a great place to start an offense.

An easier district schedule and the momentum from qualifying for the playoffs are other Tiger plusses.

Lee’s Summit will win six, William Chrisman, Raytown South, Lee’s Summit North, Lee’s Summit West, Belton and Ruskin and lose four, Raymore-Peculiar, Blue Springs, Liberty, and Blue Springs South.

LSSecond NORTH year coach Ty Kohl is looking forward to the season.

An excellent group of lettermen return from a 3-7 team,

2009 Results Last year’s records (regular season only)

SCHOOL PICK REAL Blue Springs 9-1 9-1 Blue Springs 9-1 9-1 BS South 6-4 4-6 Fort Osage 8-2 10-0 Grain Valley 8-2 8-2 Lee’s Summit 5-5 4-6 LS North 4-6 3-7 LS West 8-2 7-3 Oak Grove 6-4 0-10 Raytown 3-7 3-7 Raytown South 7-3 7-3 including running back Montereal Robinson.

A good start could be the key to what the season holds. The first two games are winnable.

But the last half of the schedule is brutal.

North will win three, Fort Osage, Raytown and Joplin, and lose seven, St. Joseph Central, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Blue Springs South, Blue Springs, Rockhurst and Raymore-Peculiar.

LSTheWEST numbers

are a little down. But at West that’s not a concern. The defense, as usual, should be solid and may be the team’s strong point.

The coach’s son, Evan Boehm, who is his 6-foot, 4-inches, 300pounds, should be a force.

Even though I can’t get a good read on West, a sixth consecutive winning season is likely because of 28 lettermen.

The Titans will win six, North Kansas City, Blue Springs South, Winnetonka, Truman, Ruskin and Belton, and lose four, St. Joseph Central, Raymore-Peculiar, Park Hill and Lee’s Summit.

OAK GROVE

The Panthers will not go 0-10 again. You can bet the family car on it.

“Our senior class is a pretty good group,” Oak Grove coach Pete Carpino said.

The Panthers will be more experienced, the injury bug hopefully will not be as prevalent and the overall schedule is easier.

Oak Grove will win five, Lexington, Holden, Renaissance Academy, Van Horn and Odessa and qualify for the playoffs and lose five, Pleasant Hill, Excelsior

Springs, Grain Valley, Harrisonville and Richmond.

RAYTOWN Raytown has not enjoyed a

winning season since 1991. The streak may not end this season.

But rumor has it the Blue Jays will be improved. A repeat state qualifying playoff berth may be reachable.

Some twenty-five lettermen is a solid corps to tackle a tougher schedule featured by playing in the expanded Suburban Middle Seven.

Raytown will three Belton, Winnetonka, and Liberty North, and lose seven, Staley, Lee’s Summit North, Fort Osage, Park Hill South, Raytown South, Truman and William Chrisman.

athlete at St. Mary’s.

And there’s only a handful of returning starters.

But the Patriots are set at quarterback in junior David Franklin. He will be a key figure in the Patriots success.

There obviously there will be new schemes offensively and defensively. It could be an interesting season.

“The kids are hungry and receptive,” Floyd said. “Our good classes are the sophomore and juniors. We need early success.”

Truman will win five, Ruskin, Belton, North Kansas City, William Chrisman and Raytown and lose five, Blue Springs, Park Hill, St. Joseph Central, Lee’s Summit West, and Raytown South.

HORN RAYTOWN SOUTH VAN Two years of frustration in Only eight starters _ four on both sides of the ball — return from a strong 10-4 team. Graduation losses include the quarterback and a fleet set of running backs and receivers.

South was fun to watch last season and advanced to the state Class 5 semifinals.

I’m not buying what I’ve heard this could be a down year for the Cardinals. As usual, South will have speed and be very athletic.

South will win six, Grandview, Winnetonka, Belton, Raytown, William Chrisman and Truman, and lose four, Blue Springs South, Lee’s Summit, Fort Osage and Park Hill South.

ST. MARY’S There’s a new coach and the

numbers are down to 25.

But the schedule is slightly easier and the attack will be led

by Henry Handley, who will be one of the area’s top runners.

Obviously, the Trojans can ill afford any serious injuries. A good start is vital.

St. Mary’s will win four, Polo, Windsor, Renaissance Academy and Wentworth Military Academy, and lose six, Butler, Rock Port, Van Horn, Sherwood, Orrick and Wellington-Napoleon.

TRUMAN Just about everything is new

at Truman. The head coach is new. The new offensive coordinator is athletic director Eric Holm, who played his high school football at Truman.

A new assistant coach is Mark Monheiser, who has a dental practice in Blue Springs and whose son was an outstanding

terms of victories will end this fall for Van Horn.

A 20-game losing streak likely will end in the season opener against Renaissance Academy.

Game No. 2 against Kansas City (Kan.) Wyandotte appears winnable.

The numbers are decent and the Falcons have the added incentive from playing in a conference (Crossroads) and on a new turf field. But the district games will be tough.

“We are better than last year,” coach Jeff Tolbert said.

“We are continuing to improve.

An obsession is to win that first game and end the losing streak.”

Van Horn will win four, Renaissance Academy, Wyandotte., St. Mary’s and Maranatha Academy, and lose six, East Buchanan, Butler, Sherwood and Oak Grove, Odessa and Richmond.

CHRISMAN All the reports out of Chris-

man are encouraging as to what the season holds. There’s renewed hope and interest.

The numbers are good.

“The kids are excited about the season,” Crutcher said.

“They are taking more responsibility. But we need success early.”

As usual, the Bears will have great size. The schedule, though is tough. Can the offense with a new quarterback deliver?

Chrisman will win five, Winnetonka, Liberty North, Belton, Nevada and Raytown, and lose five, Lee’s Summit, Park Hill South, Fort Osage, Truman and Raytown South.

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 17

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ GRAIN VALLEY EAGLES

Eagle facts: Head coach: Forrest Rovello (18th season: 128-60 at Grain Valley).

Assistant coaches: Marc Cleveland, Tony Ward, Chris Cochran, David Allen, Erik Stone.

2009 record: 9-3, second place Missouri River Valley Conference West at 4-1, district champion, state Class 4 quarterfinals).

Returning letter winners: 9 Returning offensive starters (3): Kole Vittetoe, 6-2, 235, jr., OL; Riley Williams, 5-11, 200, sr., RB; Ryan Nace, 5-10, 180, jr., RB. Returning defensive starters (8): Tyler Hedrick, 5-11, 170, sr., DB; Joey Lierman, 5-9, 168, sr., DB; Tyler Fuhrman, 6-1, 190, sr., LB; D’Andre Davis, 5-9, 165, sr., DB; LB; Austin Earley, 6-1, 185, sr., DE; Dallas Welch, 6-1, 200, sr., DL; Mitch Buck, 5-11, 265, sr., DL; Tucker Pauley, 5-8, 170, jr., LB. Others to watch: Jeremy Maynard, 6-2, 185, jr., QB; David Muncy, 5-10, 170, jr., DB; Austin Childress, 6-0, 185, so., DB; Dakota Kilgore, 6-2, 235, so., OL; Michael Carpio, 5-8, 175, jr., LB.

2010 schedule

Aug. 27 — at Platte County Sept. 3 — Blair Oaks Sept. 10 — Cameron Sept. 17 — at Excelsior Springs Sept. 24 — Pleasant Hill Oct. 1 — at Oak Grove Oct 9 — Odessa Oct. 15 — at Center Oct. 22 — Grandview Oct. 28 — Harrisonville * – Class 6 state sectionals

2009 results

W-L/Opponent W-Lincoln Prep W-Marshall L-Chillicothe W-Excelsior Springs W-Odessa W-Oak Grove W-Pleasat Hill W-Warrensburg W-Smith-Cotton L-Harrisonville W-Hickman Mills L-Harrisonville*

GV-Opp 37-6 38-35 21-49 49-7 38-14 38-16 62-35 49-21 56-49 12-37 51-34 12-14

Smells like new Upgraded facilities kick off fresh start for the Eagles in 2010

By BILL ALTHAUS bill.althaus@examiner.net

There aren’t just a lot of new faces in the football locker room at Grain Valley High School.

There’s also a new locker room, training room, on-site athletic trainer and football storage area.

“Compared to what we had before, this is the Taj Mahal,” joked veteran head coach Forrest Rovello, who enters this season with guarded optimism, despite losing Division I quarterback Austin Gouldsmith, two-way standout Trace Goade and three-year starter on the offensive line Drew Liddle.

“That’s the nature of the beast,”

said Rovello, whose team was 9-3 last season, “You lose great players and great young men like Austin, Trace and Drew, and you hope to develop more great players.

“We have just four starters back on offense, so the defense is going to have to carry the team early on.

That’s kind of a flip flop from last year, where we had so many guys back on offense and not many back on defense.

“But you know what? I really like the way the kids are working. We’re going to stub our toe here and there, but we should be fine.”

When he wasn’t talking about his new team, he was giving a tour of the new facilities that came about as the

result of a recent bond issue.

Instead of the cramped quarters in which coaches were basically sitting on top of each other, each coach on Rovello’s staff now has his own work station.

There is a film room, that comfortably seats 35 to 40 players and the locker room has space for 134 players.

It’s all painted in Eagle blue and has been a big hit with the players and Rovello’s staff.

“It’s just amazing,” Rovello said, as he showed off the spacious storage area that replaces a ramshackle building south of the high school. “I don’t know what they have at other

See EAGLES / 19

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER Grain Valley’s Dallas Welch, back left, Zac Hoover, Tyler Hedrick, Riley Williams, Tyler Fuhrman, bottom left, Ryan Nace, Alec Velasquez and Austin Earley.

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Page 18 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ LEE’S SUMMIT TIGERS

Thomas hits ground running New Tigers coach started commuting from Columbia in February to get a jump start with his program

By SHAWN RONEY The Examiner

Eric Thomas has hit the ground running as Lee’s Summit’s new head football coach.

Hired in January, Thomas began working with the Tigers in February. Living with his family in Columbia, where he had served for two seasons as the offensive coordinator and as an assistant coach at Columbia Hickman, he commuted two and three days a week to work with the Tigers.

“We started in February on the strength and conditioning realm and really trying to get the program off the ground and get things going and get everybody on the same page (in terms) of what we were looking for within our program,” he said.

Thomas, a former head coach at Cameron, likes the program’s progress since he has taken charge.

“Everything we’ve wanted to do has been accepted,” he said. “The kids have really bought in and worked extremely hard.”

Still, Thomas understands there’s much work to do.

“I told some people the other night, ‘We’re undefeated right now, so everything’s going to be good,’ ” he said. “We’ve got to get off to a good start, get things going and get some belief put into what we’re doing.”

Thomas does have one advantage coming in – he has a Division I recruit at quarterback, University of Missouri commit Corbin Berkstresser.

Based on Lee’s Summit’s participation in the preseason jamboree, Thomas has pinpointed some issues the Tigers must address to “get off to a good start.”

“Offensively, we’ve got to clean up some pass protection issues,” he said. “(There are) still some (pass) route errors, just some little things.”

The Tigers also had some “snap issues” and “ball security issues” during the jamboree, Thomas said.

Defensively, Lee’s Summit’s secondary also made a few “alignment errors,” Thomas said, including one that resulted in the Tigers giving up a touchdown. Lee’s Summit’s linemen must clean up “some little technique things inside,” he added.

“We just need to more sure that we’ve got everything cleaned up, scheme-wise — both schematically and making sure that our kids line up correctly,” he said.

The Tigers will get to gauge their progress in cleaning up those glitches Friday when they’ll open at William Chrisman.

They aren’t looking beyond that.

“As we get done with them, we’ll look down the road,” Thomas commented. “But we’ve got a lot of work to do this week just to prepare for them.”

But even while taking the game-at-atime approach, Thomas has noticed the Tigers’ other opponents. Though the Tigers will drop from Class 6 to the smaller Class 5 this season, the coach doesn’t see it as a break.

“Our schedule has got to be one of the toughest schedules in the state,” Thomas said. “We play in the best conference in the state (the Suburban Big Seven) – I don’t think there’s any doubt about that – and then, our non-conference schedule is extremely difficult.”

Believing that great programs are built from playing great competition, Thomas is pleased with Lee’s Summit’s schedule. He’s also pleased to be a part of the Kansas City area’s high school football scene. “(There’s) great football around this area,” he said. “I’ve seen some pretty good high school football through the years. I actually played at Jeff City under coach (Pete) Adkins and played on some great football teams there. It’s a great state (Missouri) for the game of football.”

Tiger facts: Head coach: Eric Thomas (first season).

Assistant coaches:Ron Downs; Chris Dziuracwiec; Jim Giokaris; Craig Lewis; John Linmark; Tim Mincher; Shannon Moore; Ed Morse; Manning Williams; Dave McCanless.

2009 record: 4-7 (three-way tie for fourth place in Suburban Big Seven at 2-4).

Returning letter winners: 17 Returning offensive starters (5): King Frazier, 6-0, 195, jr., RB; Alex Howdeshell, 6-0, 250, sr., OL; Adam Madaris, 6-0, 260, sr., OL; Same Sealer, 6-0, 185, sr., WR; Blake Stancil, 6-1, 175, sr., WR. Returning defensive starters (3): Steven Kingsolver, 6-0, 215, sr. LB; Blake Stancil, 6-1, 175, sr., OLB/DB; Montrae Strickland, 6-4, 200, sr., DL/OL. Others to watch: Corbin Berkstresser, 6-4, 225, sr., QB; Lukas Corbitt, 6-0, 205, sr., WR; Cullen Duke, 5-11, 180, jr., OL; Taylor Pinnel, 6-2, 185, sr., DE; Jared Simmons, 6-4, 195, sr. WR; Tyler Wigger, 6-3, 240, sr., OL.

2010 schedule Aug. 27 — at William Chrisman Sept. 3 — at Raymore-Peculiar Sept. 10 — Raytown South Sept. 17— at Lee’s Summit North Sept. 24 — at Blue Springs Oct. 1 — Liberty Oct. 8 — Blue Springs South Oct. 15 — at Lee’s Summit West Oct. 22 — Belton Oct. 28 — Ruskin

2009 results

W-L/Opponent W-Oak Park L-Park Hill South L-Liberty L-Blue Springs W-St. Joseph Central L-Raymore-Peculiar L-Blue Springs South L-Rockhurst W-Joplin W-Lee’s Summit North L-Blue Springs

LS-Opp 23-0 10-17 3-37 17-54 30-15 14-34 7-14 20-41 31-16 24-21 12-51

Lee’s Summit’s Corbin Berkstresser rolls out against Blue Springs.

Berkstresser, a Division I recruit, will lead the Tigers offense in 2010.

Examiner file photo

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 19

Eagles football taking steps against concussions with new technology ▲

EAGLES l From 17

schools, but it couldn’t be much nicer than this.

“When I came here 18 years ago, I couldn’t imagine we’d need space for 134 kids. The program has really grown.”

Rovello said the girls also have new coaches offices and locker rooms and that wrestling and track will share the area his football team now occupies.

While he has new players and a new locker room, his team is also taking part in a new study that will play a big role in determining if a student/athlete has a concussion.

“The kids are all taking a 30-minute, online test from Centerpoint (Medical Center) where they answer questions and determine visual acuity,” the coach said. Then, if a player happens to get what we believe is a concussion, he can go to Centerpoint, take that same test, see how he grades out, and have instant feedback.

“It’s all high tech and pretty fascinating.”

Jeremy Maynard, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound junior could be the Eagles new quarterback.

He’ll hand the ball off to returnee Ryan Nace, a 5-10, 180 pound junior, and 5-11, 200-pound senior Riley Williams.

Rovello said Williams is also being looked as a quarterback.

“We haven’t made a decision,” Rovello said. “Maynard has a cannon for an arm, and we like Williams at running back. Those are the decisions we’ll have to make before the season starts.

“We have a lot of decisions to make. We’re going with the 4-3 Penn State defense and we’re platooning for the second season. That just makes everyone’s life easier because they have to learn half as much in twice the amount of time.

“Trace (fullback and linebacker) was a two-way guy last year, but he was just a special athlete and he knew everything about our program. We feel like we’re giving the guys the most opportunity to succeed this year with the platoon system.”

A look at area independents A quick glance at some of the area’s independent teams: ROCKHURST:Rockhurst hasn’t experienced a losing football season since 1964. It’s overall record is an impressive 647-216-35.

And as might be expected, the Hawklets will continue to roll this fall as one of the country’s top prep programs.

“We have experience and speed but play a tough schedule,” Rockhurst coach Tony Severino said. “We hope to be a factor come playoff time.”

Fourteen starters return from a 9-3 team, including quarterback Frank Arbanas and standout end Dan Tapko.

Sizing up the other independents: HOGAN PREP: Hogan Prep comes off a banner 11-2 season.

No letdown is likely.

“We will be young,” coach Phil Lascuola said. “We graduated an awesome group.

We will have speed. But what we do with it will be determined by the off season.”

O’HARA: O’Hara comes off a banner 12-2 season and advanced to the state Class 3 semifinals.

“We lost a ton of key players that have

started for us the last three years,” coach Jim DeMarea said. “We need to replace the offensive line, quarterback and some receivers. We return two strong linebackers but need to replace almost the rest with younger players, who got little playing time.”

PEMBROKE HILL: The Red Raiders could improve upon a 5-5 season.

“The varsity squad returns a tremendous amount of experience,” coach Sam Knopik said. “We anticipate significant contributions from as many as 25 experienced players.”

Defense could be the strong point with the return of nine starters. Offensively, quarterback Jacob Gerson returns.

“With the full slate of returning experience and talent, 2010 looks to be a strong one for the Raiders,” Knopik said.

ST. PIUS X: The Warriors come off a rare 4-7 losing record.

This season appears brighter.

“Most of the offensive line is back and all seniors,” coach Rick Byers said. “We have three good quarterbacks to choose form. We have to fill lots of spots on defense.”

The Warriors are a member of the West Central Conference.

Page 20 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH BRONCOS

High expectations Coach Ty Kohl wants to turn team around from losing season to a state championship one, but knows the work it will take

By SHAWN RONEY The Examiner

Lee’s Summit North coach Ty Kohl wants to go from 3-7 in 2009 to a state championship this season – and he knows it’ll be difficult to do it.

“We (coaches) keep preaching (to our players), ‘Success does not come easy, it takes hard work,’” Kohl said during a recent telephone interview. “We’ve said, ‘If it were easy, everyone would be successful.’ ” The Broncos must slog their way through a tough regular-season schedule to qualify for the postseason, let alone play for a state title. They’ll open Aug. 27 on

the road against Fort Osage, the Class 5 state runner-up. “(Fort Osage) coach (Ryan) Schartz has done an incredible job with that program,” Kohl said.

Kohl believes a key part of Fort Osage’s success has been Schartz’s ability “to get the kids to believe in their program.”

“He was able to tap into the tradition they’ve had there at Fort Osage and bring that back alive,” Kohl said. “He’s been able to hire

some very good coaches, and that’s a big part of it as well.”

After Fort Osage, North will face schools that have repeatedly contended for and/or won state titles, including Rockhurst and Suburban Big Seven rivals Blue Springs South, Blue Springs and RaymorePeculiar.

“There is no question – we are in the toughest conference in the state of Missouri,” Kohl said.

“Every game, you’d better be ready

Bronco facts: Head coach: Ty Kohl (second season: 3-7 at Lee’s Summit North).

Assistant coaches: Ed Brill, Tim Collins, Jeff Diekmann, Richard Dilligram, Brian Glenski, Mike Westacott, Tim Harmon, Jerry Skakal, Richard Villigram, Aaron Wilson, Joe Johnson, Jeff Mumaw.

2009 record: 3-7 (seventh place in Suburban Big Seven at 1-5).

Returning letter winners: 14 Returning offensive starters (3): Michael Hopfinger, 6-2, 185, sr., WR; Montereal Robinson, 5-8, 190, sr., TB; T.J. Semke, 6-2, 215, sr., WR. Returning defensive starters (5): Anthony Eller, 6-2, 200, sr., S; Cole Giannola, 6-3, 220, sr., DE; Will Harrington, 6-2, 205, jr., FS; Nick Johnson, 5-11, 200, sr., LB; Chris Mershon, 5-11, 205, sr., LB. Others to watch: Pete Haggard, 6-1, 185, sr., QB; Ben Pascal, 6-2, 220, sr., NG.

2010 schedule Aug. 17— at Fort Osage Sept. 3 — Raytown Sept. 10 — at St. Joseph Central Sept. 17 — Lee’s Summit Sept. 24 — Liberty at William Jewell Oct. 1 — at Blue Springs South Oct. 8 — Blue Springs Oct. 15 — Joplin Oct. 22 — Rockhurst Oct. 29 — at Raymore-Peculiar

to play.”

As with other rebuilding programs, North likes having to play tough opponents each week.

“To be the best, you have to beat the best – and we’re playing the best every single week,” Kohl said.

A few factors might help

2009 results

W-L/Opponent LSN-Opp L-Rock Bridge 13-22 W-William Chrisman 24-15 L-St. Joseph Central 19-24 L-Raymore-Peculiar 16-21 L-Liberty 28-48 W-Blue Springs South 28-12 L-Blue Springs 14-45 L-Rockhurst 14-46 L-Lee’s Summit 21-24

North’s chances of turning around its program. For one, the players are more familiar with the team’s offensive and defensive systems than they were in 2009.

“Last year was a new offense, was a new defense (for us),” Kohl said. “(The coaching) staff was

See BRONCOS / 21

Sherwood the favorite to take Crossroads Conference

By DICK PUHR The Examiner

A new season, new hopes and a new conference for Van Horn.

But the Falcons, in The Examiner’s poll of the coaches, aren’t expected to contend for the Crossroads Conference title.

Van Horn was pegged for fourth.

Defending champion Sherwood is the favorite followed by Butler and St. Mary’s. Another newcomer, Renaissance Academy, was fifth.

As of now, Sherwood, is the team to beat despite losing 10 seniors off an 8-3 team that gained the first round of the state playoffs.

“It’s tough to project how we’ll do because of losing the 10 seniors,” coach Tanner Lawson said.

Only five lettermen return.

BUTLER

The Bears could be the team to beat because of the return of seven defensive starters from a 4-6 team.

“I like this team,” new coach KIrk Hannah said. “I think they are a committed group that is willing to work and do whatever it takes to be successful. We do not have one or two dominant players that we will rely on, but we have a bunch of pretty good players willing to work hard. We have some new faces at some key positions, especially quarterback.”

ST. MARY’S

The Trojans also have a new coach in Jason Fenstermaker, who played high school football at Grain Valley.

“New offensive and defensive schemes will be a challenge,” Fenstermaker said. “But with the experi-

ence we have we are planning to be competitive in all of our games. Our goal is to get better in every game.”

The Trojans return 13 lettermen from a 5-5 team, including standout running back Henry Handley.

The lack of numbers, as usual, is a concern. The Trojans will field a team of 25-30 players.

VAN HORN

The Falcons have suffered through two 0-10 seasons. But more returning experience and an easier schedule other than the district opponents should result in some wins this fall.

“We will continue to improve as our team becomes more experienced,” coach Jeff Tolbert said. “Our points of emphasis will be improving our leadership, executing on offense and tackling on defense.”

RENAISSANCE Crossroads Conf.

It’s the first varsity Coaches Poll

season for Renaissance after a 2-4-1 junior varsity record.

School 1 2 3 4 TP “I have a very young 1. Sherwood 3 1 0 0 5 team,” coach Terry 2. Butler 2 1 1 0 7 McCray said. “”The 3.

St. Mary’s 0 3 1 0 9 strength of my team is 4.

Van Horn 0 0 3 1 13 that we will be really fast, but we lack size and expe- 5. Renaissance 0 0 0 4 16 rience. Even though we have a lot of juniors and “Our main goal this year is to have seniors 90 percent of the team had a winning record and get better in never played football until last year. each game, so we have a chance of “We will take our bumps and being successful when districts arrive bruises this upcoming season but as in week 8,” McCray said. you know it’s not how you start but Maranatha Academy of Shawnee how you finish.

Mission (Kan.) also is a member of Running back Shaquille Pryor, the conference but will play an abbrewho scored 12 touchdowns last year, is viated schedule including an Oct. 9 expected to be one of the Renaissance game at Van Horn. standouts

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 21

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

MRVC West three-peat possible for Harrisonville GRAIN VALLEY

By DICK PUHR The Examiner

Some things never seem to change in Missouri high school football.

Such as Harrisonville remaining one of the state’s elite Class 4 teams.

Whether the Wildcats can match last season’s 11-2 success and advancement to the state quarterfinals remains to be seen. But for now the Wildcats are a solid favorite to claim a third consecutive Missouri River Valley Conference West title.

Grain Valley finished second in The Examiner’s poll of the coaches.

Then came Pleasant Hill, Odessa, Oak Grove and Excelsior Springs.

“We must replace the quarterback position and build depth on the offensive and defensive lines,” Harrisonville coach Chuck Lliteras said. “We have talented skill people on both sides of the ball and must improve in the kicking game.”

The perennially strong Eagles again expect to challenge Harrisonville for the title.

“We lost a Division I quarterback in Austin Gouldsmith, only two returning starters on the offensive line and lost two three-year starters in Trace Goade and Drew Liddle,” Grain Valley coach Forrest Rovello said.

“A new backfield will be young but talented, there is good overall team speed at the skill positions, return eight starters on defense and the players and coaches have adjusted to the second year platoon system.”

Twenty-one lettermen return from a 9-3 team that fell to Harrisonville in the second round of the state playoffs.

PLEASANT HILL

Pleasant Hill is another confer-

ence power.

Ten lettermen return from an 8-5 team that fell to O’Hara 50-49 in a wild game in the state Class 3 quarterfinals.

“We have many question marks concerning skill positions,” coach Kyle Roach said. “Our young ones will have to step up for us to competitive.”

ODESSA

Former Park Hill South assistant Dan Joiner is the new Odessa coach.

“We have a hard-working group with good leadership skills,” Joiner said. “We are looking for the younger kids to step up.”

Odessa returns nine lettermen from a 4-7 team.

OAK GROVE

The Panthers have only one way to go after experiencing a tough 0-10 season.

Thirty lettermen should greatly abet the rebuilding process.

“We have many starters returning but will still be a young team,” Oak Grove coach Pete Carpino said.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

MRVC West Coaches Preseason Poll School 1. Harrisonville 2. Grain Valley 3. Pleasant Hill 4. Odessa 5. Oak Grove 6. Excelsior Springs

Andy Sims moves from assistant coach at Liberty to head coach at Excelsior Springs. The Tigers were 2-8 last season.

“The 2010 Tigers will enter this season with new hope and renewed optimism as they begin their attempt to climb out of the bottom of the MRVC West and back to prominence,” he said.

Sims has installed new schemes

Broncos plan to run spread ▲

BRONCOS l From 20

trying to get used to each other.”

As they did last season, the Broncos will run the spread offense, a departure from North’s tradition of an optionoriented running game.

“It takes a little bit (of time) to learn and get used to,” Kohl explained.

But the biggest factor in turning around the program will be the team’s offseason work ethic, particularly its weight training program, according to Kohl. North’s offseason work ethic “has been great,” he said.

“The kids are starting to understand the concept of committing to our program and believing in what we’re trying to do,” Kohl said.

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER Lee’s Summit North High School’s T.J. Semke, left, Cole Giannola, Montereal Robinson, Anthony Eller and Chris Mershon.

1 5 1 0 0 0 0

2 0 3 3 0 0 0

3 0 1 1 3 1 0

4 0 0 1 2 1 2

5 TP 0 5 0 10 0 13 0 17 3 22 3 23

defensively, offensively and in the kicking game.

“We are going to be relying heavily upon some key returners but we are also very excited about our newcomers,” Sims said. “I want to see a team that is very physical, plays with great enthusiasm and loves to compete. If we do those things, then everything else will begin to fall into place.”

Page 22 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 23

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Page 24 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

Home sweet Home New stadium gives Van Horn Falcons a place to call their own

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

Talk about feeling like a part of something new.

Van Horn has been a part of the Independence School District for nearly three years and finally — finally — the Falcons have a new athletic home to call their own.

Since April, construction crews have been hard at work installing a new track and a new artificial turf field on school grounds and the excitement level is gearing up for the completion of the project.

Weather delays kept the new stadium from being completely built before the beginning of the new school year, but come Oct. 9, the Falcons’ football team will usher in a new era at Van Horn.

“The plan is to play the Homecoming game (against Maranatha Academy) Saturday, Oct. 9 at noon,”

Van Horn Activities Director John Ihm said. “All soccer games will be played here and we may play three J.V. football games there at the end of the (season).”

Independence voters passed last November an $85 million dollar bond issue that – among other things – approved a new, lighted track and artificial turf field at what was the Falcons’ football practice field.

Mounds of lumpy dirt and spotted grass has now been replaced with smooth, green artificial turf, a standard rubberized track and the Van Horn logo on the 50-yardline. Numbers and yard markers are also already laid on the field and two bright, yellow goal posts are affixed in the back of each end zone.

“You can see it when you’re coming over the viaduct (on Truman Road),” Ihm said. “It’s a sight to see.”

Falcons football head coach Jeff Tolbert and his players are excited about the prospects of a Homecoming game on school grounds. As it is, Van Horn will play the rest of their scheduled home games at Independence All-School Stadium.

“I just think it’s one of those situations that continues to bring our community closer together,” Tolbert said of the new track and football field. “It’s a source of pride, and I think my excitement mirrors everyone else’s excitement, which is fun. It feels good.”

Senior quarterback Brendon

Jones hinted he was almost disappointed he would only get the chance to play one game on the new field. Nevertheless, the field will plant the seed for a new day of Van Horn athletics, he said.

“This will give the guys after us more of a reason to feel a part of something,” Jones said.

“I wish I had another year.”

Van Horn soccer coach Chris Corrie and his program’s excitement may trump the football program’s excitement level. As Ihm said, the soccer team will play all of their home games on the new turf. The Falcons spent the first two years as members of

the Independence School District playing their home games at AllSchool Stadium.

“We’re playing all of our home games on this field,” Corrie said.

“All of them. I mean, Chrisman was a great host. They went above and beyond everything that they could do to help us. I’m very proud of what our district did to help us, but this field here – it’s going to be awesome to have our home games here.

“It’s going to be very special for our student body, western Independence and Sugar Creek to have this facility. It’s going to be fun — Monday through Friday nights are going to be a lot of fun for soccer and football.

“It’s beautiful. To my eyes, it’s beautiful. We’re spoiled rotten now.

All I can do is thank the District, western Independence and Sugar Creek for helping us out with this.

It’s gorgeous.”

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 25

Page 26 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ LEE’S SUMMIT WEST TITANS

Team mentality

Titan facts:

‘Play every down for the man next to you’ motto leads Titans into 2010 season

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER Lee’s Summit West High School’s Chris Wiseman, Spencer Brown, Ben Poeschl, Luke Knott, Ryan Hillier, Adam Klausing and Evan Boehm.

By SHAWN RONEY The Examiner

Lee’s Summit West coach Royce Boehm feels a sense of familiarity about his football program, yet he feels a sense of uncertainty about the upcoming season.

“We’re hitting one another right now (in practice),” Boehm said. “You

A

don’t know how good you are until you go and play somebody else.”

As with most area schools, the Titans played in a jamboree before they open the season Friday night against Raymore-Peculiar. But it won’t allow them to gauge themselves, Boehm said.

“Those teams are not going to show (us) anything,” he said. “They’re just

going to be real basic. We’re going to be real basic.”

For the Titans, Ray-Pec will provide an excellent test because of RayPec’s history – specifically its history against West. “(In) the six years we’ve been open, that’s one of the schools that we’ve never beaten in football,” said Boehm, whose club lost to Ray-Pec 17-14 in 2009. “So that is a big thing (for us).”

Another “big thing” is for the Titans to maintain the closeness they’ve had since the program began.

As with many sports, the Titans see themselves as a family. In keeping with that, their motto this season is “play every down for the man next to you.”

“What does that (motto) do? That takes the ‘I’-(oriented) player out of it,” Boehm said. “You’re playing every down for the man next to you. You’re playing every down for that family member.”

Boehm said that sense of family has existed among his coaches. Most of them have been with him since the school opened. Recent additions such as Mike Spiegel, Sam Shouse and Chris Miller have strengthened “this family atmosphere that we have

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Head coach: Royce Boehm (seventh season: 55-21 at Lee’s Summit West).

Assistant coaches: Chris Barrows, Vinny Careswell, Derek Howard, Jereme Hubbard, Mike Spiegel, Chris Miller, Joe Oswald, Limbo Parks, Sam Shouse, Joel Staponski, Bret Wagner, Buddy Spurck, Jeff Driskill, Jesse Dziurawiec, Shane Morris, Doug Wendel.

2009 record: 7-4 (Second place Suburban Middle Six at 4-1, district champion).

Returning letter winners: 28 Returning offensive starters (8): Evan Boehm, 6-4, 300, jr., T; Caleb Foster, 6-1, 245, jr., C; Matt Hall, 6-1, 185, jr., WR; Adam Klausing, 6-0, 200, sr., TE; Brandon Klewer, 6-4, 265, LT, sr.; Luke Knott, 6-2, 185, jr., QB; Donnell Minnifield, 6-6, 330, sr., RT; Drew Padget, 6-4, 245, sr., RG. Returning defensive starters (9): Spencer Brown, 6-0, 190, jr., MLB; Demarcus Edwards, 5-10, 175, sr., CB; Ryan Hillier, 6-1, 200, sr., OLB; Togai McCauley, 6-0, 300, NT; Ben Poeschl, 6-2, 220, sr., DE; Cole Prstojevich, 5-11, 165, sr., CB; Nick Rameriz, 6-2, 215, soph., MLB; Chris Wiseman, 6-4, 225, jr., DE; Boston Woodworth, 6-0, 190, jr., OLB. Others to watch: Connor Cordes, 6-4, 190, sr., WR; Shaq Harrison, 6-2, 180, jr., WR; Cam Johnson, 6-2, 185, sr., FS; Connor Kelley, 6-3, 180, jr., WR; Keith Marks, 6-1, 190, sr., WR; Brandon Smith, 6-4, 185, jr., WR; Austin Panko, 6-1, 175, jr., WR; Ryan Piersee, 6-0, 190, sr., FB; Darnay Sessions, 511, 170, sr., RB; Marcus Strickland, 6-0, 180, jr., RB; Travis Stroupe, 6-1, 180, jr., WR.

2010 schedule

2009 results

W-L/Opponent LSW-Opp L-Blue Springs 13-48 W-Truman 19-0 L-Fort Osage 14-35 W-Raytown 52-26 W-Raytown South 21-19 W-Grandview 38-8 W-North Kansas City 42-6 W-Belton 27-0 L-Raymore-Peculiar 14-17 W-Springfield Central 35-6 L-Raytown South 14-30

Aug. 17 — Raymore-Peculiar Sept. 3 — St. Joseph Central Sept. 10 — at North Kansas City Sept. 17 — at Blue Springs South Sept. 24 — Winnetonka Oct. 1 — at Truman Oct. 8 — Park Hill Oct. 15 — Lee’s Summit Oct. 22 — at Ruskin Oct. 28 — at Belton

out here among the coaching staff,” he stated.

Someone who’s part of the Titans’ family atmosphere is Boehm’s son Evan, a returning offensive lineman.

“It’s a dream to be able to have a relationship on the field with your son and then go home and have a different

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relationship,” the elder Boehm said.

“It’s got its ups and downs also.”

However, Boehm doesn’t coach his son directly. Assistant coach Chris Barrows does.

“I get to sit back and get to watch that take place,” Boehm said. “Being a part of it is pretty special.”

The

Examiner Your 24/7 Local News Source

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 27

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ 2010 AREA HIGH SCHOOL COMPOSITE SCHEDULE FRIDAY, AUG. 27 Blue Springs at Rockhurst Blue Springs South at Raytown South Grain Valley at Platte County Lee’s Summit at William Chrisman Lee’s Summit North at Fort Osage Oak Grove at Lexington Truman at Ruskin Raymore-Peculiar at Lee’s Summit West Raytown at Staley Van Horn vs. Renaissance Academy at Truman SATURDAY AUG. 28 St. Mary’s vs. Polo at Independence All-School Stadium/Norm James Field THURSDAY, SEPT. 2 Butler vs. St. Mary’s at Independence All-School Stadium/Norm James Field FRIDAY, SEPT. 3 Belton at Truman Blue Springs South vs. Park Hill South at Park Hill Fort Osage vs. Oak Park at Staley Grandview at Raytown South Holden at Oak Grove Jefferson City Blair Oaks at Grain Valley Lee’s Summit at RaymorePeculiar Raytown at Lee’s Summit North St. Joseph Central at Lee’s Summit West Staley at Blue Springs Van Horn vs. KCK Wyandotte at Truman William Chrisman vs. Winnetonka at North Kansas City High School

FRIDAY, SEPT. 10 Cameron at Grain Valley Fort Osage at Raytown Lee’s Summit North at St. Joseph Central Lee’s Summit West at North Kansas City Liberty North at William Chrisman Raytown South at Lee’s Summit Rockhurst at Blue Springs South St. Mary’s at Windsor Truman at Blue Springs Van Horn at East Buchanan FRIDAY, SEPT. 17 Belton at Raytown Blue Springs at Fort Osage Grain Valley at Excelsior Springs Lee’s Summit west at Blue Springs South Lee’s Summit at Lee’s Summit North Oak Grove at Pleasant Hill Park Hill at Truman Raytown South vs. Winnetonka at North Kansas City High School Van Horn vs. Butler at Truman William Chrisman vs. Park Hill South at Park Hill SATURDAY, SEPT. 18 St. Mary’s vs. Renaissance Academy at Truman FRIDAY, SEPT. 24 Belton at William Chrisman Blue Springs South at Raymore-Peculiar Fort Osage at Raytown South Lee’s Summit at Blue Springs Lee’s Summit North at Liberty Oak Grove at Excelsior

Springs Pleasant Hill at Grain Valley Raytown vs. Park Hill South at Park Hill Truman at St. Joseph Central Van Horn vs. Sherwood at Truman Winnetonka at Lee’s Summit West SATURDAY, SEPT. 25 1 p.m. — St. Mary’s vs. Rock Port at Independence AllSchool Stadium/Norm James Field FRIDAY, OCT. 1 Blue Springs at RaymorePeculiar Grain Valley at Oak Grove Lee’s Summit North at Blue Springs South Lee’s Summit West at Truman Liberty at Lee’s Summit Park Hill South at Raytown South Raytown vs. Winnetonka at North Kansas City High School St. Mary’s vs. Van Horn at Truman William Chrisman at Nevada FRIDAY, OCT. 8 Blue Springs at Lee’s Summit North Blue Springs South at Lee’s Summit Fort Osage at William Chrisman Liberty North at Raytown Oak Grove at Harrisonville Park Hill at Lee’s Summit West Raytown South at Belton St. Mary’s at Sherwood Truman at North Kansas City

SATURDAY, OCT. 9 Noon — Maranatha Academy at Van Horn 1 p.m. — Odessa at Grain Valley FRIDAY, OCT. 15 Blue Springs at Blue Springs South Grain Valley at Center Joplin at Lee’s Summit North Lee’s Summit at Lee’s Summit West Raytown South at Raytown St. Mary’s vs. Wentworth Military Academy at Truman Truman at William Chrisman Van Horn at Oak Grove Winnetonka at Fort Osage FRIDAY, OCT. 22 Belton at Lee’s Summit Columbia Rock Bridge at Blue Springs South Grandview at Grain Valley Liberty at Blue Springs Lee’s Summit West at Ruskin North Kansas City at Fort Osage Raytown at Truman Richmond at Oak Grove Rockhurst Lee’s Summit North Van Horn at Odessa William Chrisman at Raytown SATURDAY, OCT. 23 1 p.m. — St. Mary’s vs.

Orrick at Independence AllSchool Stadium/Norm James Field THURSDAY, OCT. 28 Fort Osage vs. Park Hill South at Park Hill Harrisonville at Grain Valley Lee’s Summit West at Ray-

more-Peculiar Oak Grove at Odessa Raytown South at Truman St. Mary’s at WellingtonNapoleon Van Horn vs. Richmond at Truman William Chrisman at Raytown FRIDAY, OCT. 29 Blue Springs South vs. Liberty at William Jewell College Columbia Rock Bridge at Blue Springs Lee’s Summit North at Raymore-Peculiar Ruskin at Lee’s Summit WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3 Class 1-5 regional games FRIDAY, NOV. 5 Class 6 sectional games 8-man quarterfinal games MONDAY, NOV. 8 Class 1-5 sectional games FRIDAY, NOV. 12 8-man semifinal games SATURDAY, NOV. 13 Class 1-5 quarterfinal games FRIDAY, NOV. 19 Class 5-6 semifinal games SATURDAY, NOV. 20 Class 1-4 semifinal games FRIDAY, NOV. 26 8-man Show-Me Bowl Class 1, 3, 5 Show-Me Bowl SATURDAY, NOV. 27 Class 2, 4, 6, Show-Me Bowl Notes: (All times at 7 p.m. unless noted. Raytown South plays home games at Ted Chittwood Stadium at Raytown High School; Truman at Independence AllSchool Stadium/Norm James Field at William Chrisman).

Page 28 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ OAK GROVE PANTHERS

A clean slate

Panthers ready to start 2010 season, erase winless 2009

By BILL ALTHAUS bill.althaus@examiner.net

No coach wants to get the 2010 football season under way more than Oak Grove’s Pete Carpino.

His 2009 team was devastated by injuries — both before, and during a forgettable 0-10 season — and never recovered.

Landon Grego, an outstanding two-way starter, broke his ankle on the first play of the Orange and Black Scrimmage and quarterback Caleb Barnhill went down early in the season.

From there, the season spiraled out of control.

And now, the Panthers have the opportunity to wipe that bad taste out of their mouths.

“Last year was tough – tough on the kids, tough on my staff and tough on me,” Carpino said. “And now, we have the chance to start fresh, to get back out on the field and play some football and we’re all very excited about that.”

Thirty lettermen return from last year’s team, including quarterback Zach Taylor and running backs Brycen Mackison and Chase

Tryon.

“We have a lot of kids back, but we’re still going to be a young team because of the injuries last year, a lot of young kids got to play, got some experience and that should help us,” Carpino said.

“Zach was going to be a wide receiver last year and when Caleb got hurt he came in and did a good job at quarterback and we’re happy to have him back this year.

“And we have some new guys who could really make an impact.”

Panther facts: Head coach: Pete Carpino (fourth season, 14-16 at Oak Grove, 29-61 overall).

Assistant coaches: Jared Barge, Cody Buford, Dan Cahill, Jeff Troy, Mike Riley, George Pirch, Kyle Cahill.

2009 record: 0-10, sixth place in Missouri River Valley Conference West at 06.Returning letter winners: 30 Returning offensive starters (5): Zach Taylor, 6-2, 180, sr., QB; Nate O’Neill, 6-4, 270, sr., OL/DL; Brycen Mackison, 6-0, 210, jr., RB; Derrick Dow, 6-3, 165, so, WR; Austin Latshaw, 6-1, 175, jr., QB. Returning defensive starters (5): Caleb Titus, 6-3, 170, sr., LB; Jackson Schneiders, 5-11, 165, sr., CB; Sam Bischoff, 6-3, 175, sr., DE; Jacob Cline, 6-4, 250, sr, DL; Cory Stattleman, 5-10, 215, so., DL. Others to watch: Levi Harmon, 6-1, 180, so., WR.

2010 schedule Aug. 27 — at Lexington Sept. 3 — Holden Sept. 10 — Renaissance Sept. 17 — At Pleasant Hill Sept. 24 — At Excelsior Springs Oct. 1 — Grain Valley Oct. 8 — at Harrisonville Oct. 15 — Van Horn Oct. 22 — Richmond Oct. 28 — at Odessa

See PANTHERS / 29

2009 results

W-L/Opponent L-Warrensburg L-O’Hara L-Raytown L-Odessa L-Excelsior Springs L-Grain Valley L-Harrisonville L-Pleasant Hill L—Clinton L-Holden

OG-Opp 3-17 14-35 12-41 15-39 28-38 16-38 7-49 3-24 16-21 6-56

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 29

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER Oak Grove High School’s Caleb Titus, back left, Zach Taylor, Chase Tryon, Nate O’Neill, Kyle Jones, Jacob Cline, Sam Bischoff and Jackson Schnieders, front.

Oak Grove Panthers thinking of their future instead of focusing on the past ▲

PANTHERS l From 28

They are former soccer player Kyle Jones, who will play wingback and cornerback and wrestling standout Dylan Stiegemeyer, who will play inside linebacker. Both of

the newcomers are seniors.

“You know, we don’t talk about last year much,” the coach said.

“We’re looking forward to the future. A season like last year gives a team the opportunity to build some character, and we did that.

“Our guys never gave up, never quit working hard and never quit caring about one another. This year, a lot of young guys have a valuable year’s worth of experience under their belts and we’re hoping that pays big dividends this

year.”

Carpino said he’s not going to mix things up this season, despite the lack of success in 2009.

“We’ll run a set offense, with the quarterback under the center and we’re going to run the ball

– like all Oak Grove teams like to do. We’re going to get after people on defense and do our best to get off to a good start.

“It would be nice to get that monkey off our back early in the season.”

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Page 30 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 31

Page 32 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

O-lineman Juan Saucedo and D-lineman Tony Tanumai will the foundation of the Fort Osage football team in 2

By BILL ALTHAUS bill.althaus@examiner.net

The Rock

What happens when a rock meets an immovable object?

That question was put to Fort Osage coach Ryan Schartz, who happens to coach a rock, in all-state junior defensive lineman Tony Tanumai, and an immovable object, in all-state offensive lineman Juan Saucedo.

“Oh my goodness, when those two collide in practice, sparks fly,” Schartz said. “They really go after it. When our ones (varsity starters) go one-on-one, everything just stops when Tony and Juan go after each other. They are a couple of players who give it everything they have – whether it’s practice or a game – they’re out there going 110 percent.”

After a recent practice session, the Indians had to run a gasser up a hill because some team paperwork was not turned into the coaching staff on time.

While some members of the team grumbled under their breath, Saucedo (5-foot-10, 235 pounds) and Tanumai (5-10, 265) bolted up the hill without saying a thing.

That’s what leaders do.

“And those guys are two of our leaders,” Schartz said. “Juan is a senior, and we expect our seniors to be the guys everyone looks up to. And Tony is just a junior, but he’s a leader on this team, too.

“Do you realize he was all-state as a sophomore? This is my sixth year here at Fort and we’ve had two other sophomore allstate players – E.J. (Gaines, who is now playing football at the University of Missouri) and Dalton (Krysa, the all-time big-class rushing leader in the history of the state now at Missouri Western State University). That’s some pretty good company.”

Tanumai, who moved with his family from Hawaii when he was in the sixth grade, stands out for the Indians because of many different reasons – his ferocity on the field, his quickness and ability to run down an opponent from sideline to line.

And his hair.

“My hair?” he asks, repeating the question. “I have always had long hair. I had older relatives play football and they had long hair, so I have long hair, too.”

When asked if he was trying to capture the essence of veteran Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler Troy Polamalu, Tanumai just grinned.

“I’m not, I have long hair because of my cousins,” he said,

“But I think they started growing their hair long Troy Polamalu, so I guess in some ways, I do have because of him.”

His hair flows freely beneath his helmet and h ber on his practice jersey.

“A lot of players on teams pull my hair,” he sai all right. It just makes me mad, and I play better w up.”

Saucedo doesn’t have a long, flowing mane. In as much like a Marine Corps drill instructor as h school senior.

“We moved here when I was in the eighth grad that year the football team didn’t win a game,” Sa I didn’t have any great drea football at Fort Osage.

“But I knew that I was g and I wanted to help this te successful team. And look a done.”

The Indians have won th ence titles and made it all t Class 5 state championship season.

“That loss at state still h do said, “but it just makes us work that much har to go 110 percent every time I’m on the field. And plays the same way.”

When asked about their heralded matchups in Saucedo said, “We like to hit. He is a tough man to I do my best. And he does his best. Some days I wi days he wins – but playing against a player like To a better player because he is the best defensive lin ever faced. Thank goodness he is on our side.”

Tanumai feels the same about his teammate.

“When you try to rush against Juan, you becom player because he makes you work so hard,” Tanu “He’s a great lineman. The line was a big reason w great year last year, and even though we have a lo ers this year, we’re going to have a great season ag Saucedo and Tanumai were both members of er’s All-Area Team and were first-team All-Subur honorees.

“Every honor they received last year,” Scha “they deserved. They’re both two of the great ever been around. When you get to be around like Juan and Tony you know you picked the r sion.”

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 33

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview The Examiner’s 2010 Preseason

TOP 25 PLAYERS

Players Logan Adkison Scotty Cates Lewis Foutz Spencer Gearhart Chris Gilyard Jaleel Gordon Henry Handley Myles Hicks Calvin Jacobson Brycen Mackison Mike McHenry Darrian Miller Ryan Nace Jordan Nubine Nate O’Neill Shayne Parsons Devin Patrick Aaron Peola Cory Phillips Montereal Robinson Juan Saucedo Tony Tanumai Bernard Thomas Jon Trocosso Riley Williams

d be

2010

because of e long hair

hides the num-

id, “but that’s when I’m fired

fact, he looks he does a high

de and I think aucedo said, “so ams of playing

going to play, eam become a at what we’ve

hree conferthe way to the p game last

hurts,” Saucerder. I’m going I know Tony

artz said, test kids I’ve d young men right profes-

Hgt. 6-3 5-9 6-2 5-9 5-8 5-9 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-5 5-8 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-11

Wgt. 240 190 210 175 180 205 185 240 200 210 195 185 180 195 270 250 220 185 305 185 235 265 180 205 200

Yr. sr. sr. sr. sr. sr. jr. sr. sr. sr. jr. sr. sr. jr. sr. sr. sr. sr. sr. sr. sr. sr. jr. sr. sr. sr.

Pos. OL/DL TB/DB LB DB RB/DB RB RB/FS DL QB RB/LB LB QB/LB RB WR OL/DL OL FB/LB LB OL/DL RB OL DL DB LB RB

OTHERS TO WATCH:

n practice, o block, but in, and some Tony makes me neman I have

ome a better umai said. we had such a ot of new playgain this year.”

The Examinrban Middle Six

School Blue Springs South William Chrisman Blue Springs Fort Osage Blue Springs South Fort Osage St. Mary’s Blue Springs Blue Springs South Oak Grove Blue Springs Blue Springs Grain Valley Blue Springs Oak Grove Fort Osage William Chrisman Blue Springs Blue Springs Lee’s Summit North Fort Osage Fort Osage Blue Springs Blue Springs Grain Valley

The Wall

Blue Springs South: Blake Horne, WR/DB, 6-0, 185, sr.; Jake King, TE/LB, 6-1, 190, sr.

Fort Osage: Ryan Stick, LB, 5-10, 175, jr.; Jared Teo’, LB, 5-10,180, sr.

Grain Valley: Zach Hoover, WR, 5-11, 165, jr.; Tucker Paley, LB, 5-8. 170, jr.; Dallas Welch, OL, 6-1, 235, jr.

Oak Grove: Chase Wrisinger, NG, 180, jr.; Chase Tryon, OG/SS, 5-8, 170, sr.

St. Mary’s: Jack Salva, TE/LB, 6-2, 180, sr.; David Florido, DL, 5-10, 190, sr.; Scott Lehane, RB/ DE, 510, 160, jr.

Truman: David Franklin, QB, 6-3, 215, j4.

Van Horn: Tyler Sprague, RB/DE, 5-9, 185, sr.; Kendall Williams, WR/DB, 5-9, 160, jr.; Brendon Jones, QB/LB, 5-10, 190, sr.; Austin Mayfield, OL/DE, 5-11, 210, sr.; Denzel Strong, RB/LB, 5-10, 200, so.

William Chrisman: Pete Tanuvasa, NG, 5-10, 250, sr.; Nick Richardson, QB/DB, 5-11, 190, sr.; Konner Wales, OL/DL, 6-2, 240, sr.

Players nominated by team’s coaches and voted on by The Examiner staff. Top 25 players are listed in alphabetical order.

Page 34 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

Collegiate

Connection Truman football staff has played, coached or both in college

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

nothing else, Truman will be wellcoached on the gridiron this season as a pair of old adversaries in the college coaching ranks will hold down two of the top spots on the Patriots’ sidelines.

New at the helm for the Patriots this year is head coach Jeff Floyd and offensive coordinator Eric Holm, both former college head coaches.

Also on the staff is Clint Smith, formerly a defensive line coach at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark, T.J. Barnet, who played at Missouri Western State University, Mike Dickerson , who played at Southeast Missouri State University, Mark Monheiser, a dentist who played college ball at Mo. Western and William Jewell College, Pat Stidham, who played at Rice and Dillen Plunk, who also played at Jewell.

“The thing about our staff is everyone on our staff either played or coached — or both — college football,” Floyd said. “Not that that’s an end all, but we got guys with good experience — and we got for-

tunate with a couple of guys. The staff is really good — an excellent staff.”

Floyd was the head coach at William Jewell College from 1997-2000 after a 10-year stint as assistant coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Central Missouri, while Holm held the top spot at both Truman State University (1990-1994) and Northern Michigan University (1995-2002).

The two coaches competed for the same athletes in the same conference (MIAA) for many years, forming a competitive friendship that evolved into a personal relationship that led to Holm — the school’s activities director — luring Floyd back into highschool coaching after a layover as 8th-grade assistant coach last season at Derrick Thomas Academy in Kansas City.

In the mid-to-late 1980’s Floyd spent three years at alma mater Blue Springs High School as an assistant football and track coach, two years at Odessa High School as assistant football coach and head track coach, and three years at Osceola High School as head football and head track coach.

He noted the main difference in the college game

See FLOYD / 48

“The biggest difference right now at this point in time in the program is we’ll have a bunch of guys who’ll play both ways for us.”

Jeff Tolbert

Van Horn head coach

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 35

Page 36 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ RAYTOWN BLUE JAYS

Blue Jay facts: Head coach: Kevin Page (third season: 5-16 at Raytown).

Assistant coaches: Dallas Bryant, Jim Gulick, d Jon Heermann, Jason Jones, Greg MacDonald, Blaine Lewis; Anthony Hile, Josh Griffith.

2009 record: 3-8, sixth place in Suburban Middle Six at 0-5, state Class 5 qualifiers.

Returning letter winners: 22 Returning offensive starters (6): Da’Juan Burnett, 5-7, 210, jr., FB; Steven DeShazer, 6-3, 200, jr., OL; Justus McMullen, 6-1, 185, jr., QB; Conrrad Nicholls, 6-4, 220, sr., OL; Chris Scott, 6-1, 255, jr., OL; LaVance Taylor, 5-10, 170, sr., RB. Returning defensive starters (9): Raymond Beeks, 5-9, 200, sr., DL; Da’Juan Burnett, 5-7, 210, jr., LB; Henry Burns, 5-11, 170, jr., LB; Hassan Dean, 5-9, 150, sr., DB; Justin Hughley, 511, 195, jr., DB; Luc Niclas, 5-11, 165, sr., DB; Conrrad Nicholls, 6-4, 220, sr., DL; Andre Norles, 5-2, 125, jr., DB; Levi Walters, 5-11, 225, sr., DL.

2010 schedule Aug. 27 — at Staley Sept. 3 — at Lee’s Summit North Sept. 10 — Fort Osage Sept. 17— Belton Sept. 24 — Park Hill South at Park Hill Oct. 1 — Winnetonka at NKC High School Oct. 8 — Liberty North Oct. 15 — Raytown South Oct. 22 — at Truman Oct. 28 — William Chrisman

2009 results

W-L/Opponent L-Kearney L-Staley W-Oak Grove L-Lee’s Summit West L-North Kansas City L-Belton L-Fort Osage W-Northeast W-Truman L-Raytown South L-Nixa

Ray-Opp 12-68 0-34 41-12 26-51 17-20 20-41 0-49 34-12 20-16 6-56 12-48

Turning winning into a tradition Blue Jays working to make sure that 2009 playoff appearance was no fluke

By SHAWN RONEY The Examiner

Raytown coach Kevin Page wants to make sure Raytown’s 2009 Class 5 state playoff appearance wasn’t a fluke.

Team attitude will be a key factor in determining if the Blue Jays return to the playoffs this season — and playoff

appearances become a habit, Page suggested during a recent telephone interview.

“We can’t assume that, just because we made it last year, we’re going to make it this year,” he said.

Rather than assuming they’ll make the playoffs, the Blue Jays must build on 2009’s success, according to Page. That

means they’ll “have to work even harder” because their opponents want to make sure they don’t return to the playoffs, he said.

Another factor will be Raytown’s defense.

“The defense has to be the heart and soul of the team,” Page said. “And that’s the type of

See BLUE JAYS / 48

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 37

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ RAYTOWN SOUTH CARDINALS

The mystery is in the trenches Cardinals biggest question about the 2010 season regards their line

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

Certain things are known about the Raytown South Cardinals football team: The 2010 version will be athletic, quick and skilled, but the unknown variable will be the play of the interior lines.

Head coach David Allie has plenty of skill positions players ready to make their mark, but questions loom on both the offensive and defensive

lines.

“The question for the team is going to be upfront on both sides of the ball,” Allie said. “On offense we have one guy that started a couple of games due to injuries last year, but we’re kind of switching his position a little bit.

“On the defensive side — we don’t have really any returning starters on either line, so that’s where we’re going to be inexperienced the most.”

See CARDINALS / 43

Cardinal facts:

Head coach: Dave Allie (11th season, 59-42 at Raytown South).

Assistant coaches: Nick Adkins, Jimmy Barragan, Kevin Easley, Brett Greble, Taurean Rollins, Charles Washington, Don Montgomery, Jabali Johnson 2009 record: 10-4, third place in Suburban Middle Six at 3-2, district champion, state Class 5 semifinals Returning letter winners: 13 Returning offensive starters (3): Dennis Turner, 5-11, 170, sr., WR; Ishmail Wainwright, 65, 210, soph., WR; Trey Meyers, 6-4, 240, sr., OL. Returning defensive starters (5): Jameel Cox, 5-11, 225, jr., LB; Jamaal Cox, 5-11, 225, jr., LB; Turner, LB; Marquise Cushon, 5-11, 175, sr., DB; Wainwright, DB. Others to watch: Devin Hannah, 5-10, 150, soph., DB; DeJuan Blackman, 5-10, 155, soph., DB; Landon James-Wilson, 5-10, 160, soph., DB; James Wooten, 6-2, 240, jr., OL; Mustafa Rose, 5-10, 185, jr., LB.

2010 schedule Aug. 27 — Blue Springs South Sept. 3 — Grandview Sept. 10 —at Lee’s Summit Sept. 17 — Winnetonka at NKC High School Sept. 24 — Fort Osage Oct. 1 — Park Hill South Oct. 8 — at Belton Oct. 15 — at Raytown Oct. 22 — William Chrisman Oct. 28— at Truman * – Class 5 state sectionals; ** – Class 5 state quarterfinals; *** – Class 5 state semifinals

2009 results

W-L/Opponent L-Staley W-Platte County W-Hickman Mills W-North Kansas City L-Lee’s Summit West L-Fort Osage W-Belton W-Truman W-Northeast W-Raytown W-Lee’s Summit West W-Ozark* W-Nixa** L-Fort Osage***

Ray-Opp 13-15 43-0 33-0 38-0 19-21 14-21 47-21 33-21 42-0 56-6 30-14 35-13 21-15 6-13

Page 38 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ MISSOURI STATE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT ASSIGNMENTS CLASS 6 District 1: Eureka, FoxArnold, Northwest-Cedar Hill, Oakville.

District 2: St. Louis DeSmet, St. Louis Lindbergh, Mehlville, St. Louis University High.

District 3: St. Louis Christian Brothers College, Lafayette-Wildwood, Marquette, Parkway South.

District 4: Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood West, McCluer North, Ritenour.

District 5: Francis Howell Central, Francis Howell, Francis Howell North, Pattonville.

District 6: Fort Zumwalt, Columbia Hickman, Jefferson City, Troy Buchanan.

District 7: Blue Springs, Blue Springs South, Liberty, Columbia Rock Bridge.

District 8: Joplin, Lee’s Summit North, RaymorePeculiar, Rockhurst.

CLASS 5 District 1: Jackson, Poplar Bluff, Rockwood Summit, Imperial Seckman District 2: St. Louis Chaminade, Parkway Central, Parkway North, Webster Groves.

District 3: Hazelwood East, McCluer, Normandy, Riverview Gardens.

District 4: Fort Zumwalt East, Fort Zumwalt North, Fort Zumwalt South, Wentzville Holt, Wentzville Timberland.

District 5: Kirkwood, Parkway West, St. Louis Vianney, Washington.

District 6: Camdenton, Rolla, Sedalia Smith-Cotton, Waynesvlle.

District 7: Springfield Central, Springfield Glendale, Lebanon, Springfield Parkview, Willard.

District 8: Branson, Springfield Kickapoo, Neosho, Nixa, Ozark.

District 9: Belton, Lee’s

Summit, Lee’s Summit West, Hickman Mills-Ruskin.

District 10: Raytown, Raytown South, Truman, William Chrisman.

District 11: Fort Osage, North Kansas City, Park Hill South, Winnetonka.

District 12: St. Joseph Central, Oak Park, Park Hill, Staley.

CLASS 4 District 1: Cape Girardeau Central, Farmington, Perryville, Sikeston.

District 2: DeSoto, Hillsboro, North County, Potosi.

District 3: Afton, Bishop DuBourg, Festus, Imperial Windsor.

District 4: St. Louis Gateway, St. Louis Miller Career Academy, St. Louis Roosevelt, St. Mary’s-O’Fallon.

District 5: St. Louis Beaumont, St. Louis Soldan, St. Louis Sumner, St. Louis Vashon.

District 6: Clayton, Ladue Horton Watkins, St. Louis MICDS, University City.

District 7: St. Charles Duchesne, Jennings, St. Charles, St. Louis Westminister Christian Academy.

District 8: St. Charles West, St. Dominic-O’Fallon, Washington St. Francis Borgia, Warrenton.

District 9: Pacific, St. Clair, Sullivan, Union.

District 10: Springfield Hillcrest, Marshfield, Rolla, West Plains.

District 11: Carl Junction, Carthage, McDonald County, Webb City.

District 12: Bolivar, Jefferson City Helias, Marshall, Warrensburg.

District 13: Hannibal, Kirksville, Mexico, Moberly.

District 14: Center, Grain Valley, Grandview, Harrisonville.

District 15: Excelsior

Springs, Kearney, Liberty North, Smithville.

District 16: St. Joseph Benton, St. Joseph Lafayette, Platte County, Savannah.

CLASS 3 District 1: New Madrid County Central, Dexter, Fredricktown, Kennett.

District 2: Park Hills Central, St. Louis John F. Kennedy, Lutheran South, Ste. Genevieve.

District 3: Confluence Park Academy Charter, Imagine College Prep Charter, St. Louis John Burroughs, St. Louis Priory.

District 4: St. Louis Cardinal Ritter, Lutheran North, McCluer South-Berkley, Trinity Catholic.

District 5: Bowling Green, Orchard Farm, Winfield, Wright City.

District 6: Fulton, Missouri Military Academy-Mexico, North Callaway, Southern Boone County.

District 7: Osage, Owensville, Salem, St. James.

District 8: Boonville, California, Eldon, Versailles.

District 9: Ava, Buffalo, Logan-Rogersville, Mountain Grove.

District 10: Aurora, Mt. Vernon, Reeds Spring, Springfield Catholic.

District 11: Cassville, East Newton, Monnett, Seneca.

District 12: Clinton, Holden, Nevada, Pleasant Hill.

District 13: Kansas City Central, O’Hara, Pembroke Hill, Westport.

District 14: Kansas City East, Imagine Renaissance Academy, Lincoln Prep, Kansas City Northeast.

District 15: Oak Grove, Odessa, Richmond, Van Horn.

District 16: Cameron, Chillicothe, Maryville, Kansas City St. Pius X.

CLASS 2 District 1: Caruthersville, Charleston, East Prairie, Malden.

District 2: Crystal City, Herculaneum, Scott City, Festus St. Pius X. District 3: Barat Academy, Brentwood, Hillsboro Grandview, St. Louis Principia.

District 4: Carnahan, Life for Life Academy Charter, Maplewood-Richmond Heights, St. Louis Transportation and Law. District 5: Cuba, Houston, Mountain View Liberty, Willow Springs.

District 6: Ash Grove, Fair Grove, Hollister, Strafford.

District 7: Diamond, Lamar, Joplin McAuley Catholic, Sarcoxie.

District 8: El Dorado Springs, Pleasant Hope, Stockton, Warsaw.

District 9: Jefferson City Blair Oaks, Hermann, Montgomery County, South Callaway.

District 10: O’Fallon Christian, Clopton, St. Peters Lutheran, Mark Twain-Center.

District 11: Brookfield, Centralia, Hallsville, Macon.

District 12: Clark County, Highland-Ewing, Monroe City, Palmyra.

District 13: Adrian, Butler, Cole Camp, SherwoodCreighton.

District 14: Carrollton, Knob Noster, Higginsville, St. Paul’s Lutheran-Concordia.

District 15: Hogan Prep, Lathrop, Lawson, Lexington.

District 16: St. Joseph Bishop LeBllond, Penney-Hamilton, Plattsburg, Trenton.

CLASS 1 District 1: Cabool, Hayti, Portageville, Thayer.

District 2: Chaffee, St. Louis Cleveland NJROTC, St.

Vincent-Perryville, Ste. Genevieve Valle Catholic.

District 3: Marionville, Miller, Pierce City, SkylineUrbana.

District 4: Greenfield, Jasper, Liberal, Lockwood.

District 5: Lincoln, Sedalia Sacred Heart, Tipton, Windsor.

District 6: Concordia, Crest Ridge-Centerview, Santa FeAlma, Sweet Springs.

District 7: Appleton City, Archie, Osceola, Rich Hill.

District 8: Drexel, Lone Jack, Cass Midway, University Academy Charter.

District 9: Louisiana, Paris, South Shelby, Van-Far. District 10: Knox County, North Shelby, Schuyler County, Scotland County.

District 11: Fayette, Salisbury, Slater, Westran-Huntsville.

District 12: Marceline, Milan, Princeton, Putnam County.

District 13: Orrick, St. Mary’s, Wellington-Napoleon, Wentworth Military Academy-Lexington.

District 14: Braymer, Gallatin, Polo, South Harrison.

District 15: East Buchanan, Mid-Buchanan, North Platte, West Platte.

District 16: Albany, King City, Maysville, Rock Port.

EIGHT-MAN District 1: Craig, Mound City, Nodaway-Holt, South Holt, Tarkio.

District 2: North Nodaway, South Nodaway, Stanberry, West Nodaway, Worth County.

District 3: DeKalb, North Andrew, Southwest Livingston County, St. Joseph Christian, Stewartsville, Union.

District 4: Chilhowee, Hardin-Central, Miami-Amoret, Norborne, NorthwestHughesville.

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 39

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ ST. MARY’S TROJANS

Cupboard not bare Low numbers doesn’t translate into lack of talent for St. Mary’s Trojans

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

They may be low on numbers, but the cupboard isn’t bare at St. Mary’s.

The Trojans return Examiner All-Area second team running back Henry Handley and 12 other returning lettermen as they look to compete for the Crossroads Conference championship with a schedule loaded with small-school powers.

New coach Jason Fenstermaker

will lead the charge as he takes over for John Gresham, who stepped away from the job for personal reasons.

“We’re getting back to the basics with football — blocking and tackling,” Fenstermaker, the Trojans running backs and defensive backs coach a year ago, said. “We’ve simplified offense and defense and just getting everything ready to go.

“The kids have responded well.

We don’t have a big team — we have about 25 or 30 kids — but the kids we

do have are here to work.”

Back at work for the Trojans, who were 5-5 a season ago, are Handley, two-way linemen David Florido, Stephen Newberry, Kevin Gordan and Nick Pretti, quarterback/defensive back Ian Walter, tight end/linebacker Jack Salva and wide receiver/defensive back Jeff Studdard.

Two-way linemen Jordan LaScoula, Sam Kenney and Ozzy Litchfield, WR/DB Drew Huttinger and FB/DE Scott Lehane are also

See TROJANS / 43

Trojan facts: Head coach: Jason Fenstermaker (first year).

Assistant coaches: Dan Baker, Mike McClafferty, Chuck Vlasin.

2009 record: 5-5 (third place in Crossroads Conference at 0-2).

Returning letter winners: 13 Returning offensive starters (13): David Florido, 510, sr., OL; Nick Pretti, 6-2, sr., OL; Ian Walter, 6-0, sr., QB; Henry Handley 6-1, sr., RB; Jeff Studdard, 6-0, sr., WR; Jack Salva, 6-2, sr., LB; Kevin Gordan, 6-0, sr., OL; Stephen Newberry, 6-0, jr., OL; Cam Willms, 6-0, jr., OL; Scott Lehane, 6-0, jr., RB; Michael Thomason, 5-9, jr., DB; Brian Erstad, 5-9, jr. K; Andrew Graver, 6-0, sr., OL. Returning defensive starters (13): Florido, DL; Pretti, DL; Walter, DB; Handley, DB; Studdard, DB; Salva, LB; Gordon, DL; Newberry, DL; Willms, DL; Lehane, LB; Thomason, DB; Erstad, DB; Graver, LB. Others to watch: Jordan LaScoula, 6-1, jr., OL/DL; Drew Huttinger, 5-9, soph., WR/DB; Sam Kenney, 6-0, soph., OL/DL; Ozzy Litchfield, 5-11, soph., OL/DL.

2010 schedule Aug. 28 — Polo at William Chrisman Sept. 2 — Butler at William Chrisman Sept. 10 — at Windsor Sept. 18 — Renaissance at Truman Sept. 23 — Rock Port at William Chrisman Oct. 1 — Van Horn at Truman Oct. 8 — at Sherwood Oct. 15 — WMA atTruman Oct.23 — Orrick at William Chrisman Oct. 28 — at Wellington-Napoleon

2009 results

W-L/Opponent Ray-Opp L-Rock Port 20-47 W-Concordia St. Paul’s 46-13 W-Hughesville 48-8 L-Lone Jack 27-40 W-Sedalia Sacred Heart 41-0 W-Renaissance 42-22 L-Braymer 6-28 W-WMA 48-30 L-Orrick 0-50

Page 40 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ TRUMAN PATRIOTS

Twice as nice

Patriot facts:

Patriots will have Franklin, Hayes share duties at quarterback during the 2010 season

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

They may be young and short on experience, but expect a dualthreat quarterback situation at Truman High School.

The Patriots will use a combination of junior signal-caller David Franklin and super-duty sophomore J.T. Hayes to handle play-calling duties as they look to improve on last season’s 2-8 record.

“We’ve got two guys who have experience and who both did a

good job in (summer) camp,” firstyear head coach Jeff Floyd said of the quarterback duo. “They both played last year some. David is more of a drop back guy and J.T. is more of a runner — an athletictype quarterback.

“J.T. might have a stronger arm; David maybe throws a little bit better ball — they both have strengths and they both have some weaknesses — but they both will be in the hunt for us.”

Truman offensive coordinator Eric Holm said both players have

continued their progress into fall practice and Holm expects both to see the field, although Hayes will also play defensive back for the Patriots.

“They’re different types of quarterbacks — and J.T. may very well start on defense, too,” Holm said. “David is kind of the prototypical guy. He’s tall, he’s big, he’s smart, he has an excellent release — the ball comes out of his hands really well — he’s poised, he has a good relationship with the

Head coach: Jeff Floyd (first season).

Assistant coaches: Eric Holm, Mike Spotts, T.J. Barnet, Pat Stidham, Mike Dickerson, Dillen Plunk, Eric Sullins.

2009 record: 2-8, fifth place in Suburban Big Six at 1-4.

Returning letter winners: 6 Returning offensive starters (5): Austin Ford, 6-0, sr., WR; Zach Howard, 6-1, jr., OL; Tyler Adams, 6-0, sr., OL; David Franklin, 6-0, jr., QB; Adam Farrell, 6-1, sr., WR. Returning defensive starters (4): Ford, DB; Kale Odom, 5-11, sr., LB; Howard, DL; Adams, DL. Others to watch: J.T. Hayes, soph., QB/RB/DB; Jeremy Ioane, 6-0, sr., OL/DL; Tyler Frazier, 6-1, sr., RB/DB; Brandon Henningh, 6-0, jr., DB/WR; Demetric Dinwiddie, 6-0, soph., RB; Andrew Fansher, 5-9, OL, soph.

2010 schedule Aug. 27 — at Ruskin Sept. 3 — Belton Sept. 10 — at Blue Springs Sept. 17 — Park Hill Sept. 24 — at St. Joseph Central Oct. 1 — Lee’s Summit West Oct. 8 — at North Kansas City Oct. 15 —at William Chrisman Oct. 22 — Raytown Oct. 28 — Raytown South

See PATRIOTS / 42

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2009 results

W-L/Opponent LSN-Opp L-Raymore-Peculiar 7-28 L-Lee’s Summit West 0-19 W-Oak Park 17-14 L-Park Hill South 0-12 L-Park Hill 12-41 L-Winnetonka 6-21 L-William Chrisman 14-33 L-Raytown South 16-20 W-Northeast 45-12

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 41

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Page 42 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

New Pats coach getting acclimated ▲

PATRIOTS l From 40

other players and I think what we do kind of fits him to a degree, so he’s done really well so far.

“The same thing with J.T. — he’s a little bit more of a scrambler and a throw-on-therun guy. If we wanted to run the quarterback, we might need to go to J.T. Both of them have been very productive and I feel good about both of them as a varsity quarterback.”

Protecting the quarterbacks will be in the hands and feet of returning linemen Zach Howard and Tyler Adams. Seniors Austin Ford and Adam Farrell figure to be the Patriots’ top-two wide receivers and senior Blake Lopez and junior Cole Zehnder are front-runners in the backfield.

Newcomers Tyler Frazier, a senior, and sophomore Demetric Dinwiddie will also vie for playing time at running back. According to Floyd, another newcomer — junior wide receiver Brandon Henningh — has turned heads in preseason camp.

On defense senior linebacker Kale Odom, The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER junior defensive end Marcelus Corbin and Truman players back row from left, Marcellus Colbin, David Franklin, Austin Hayes will lead the unit.

Ford, Tyler Adams, front from left, Zac Howard, Blake Lopez, Eric Hunbel, Cole “(Odom) is not a real big ‘rah-rah’ guy,” Zehnder and Austin Lohman.

Floyd said. “He’s a real silent, kind of stoic

guy, but he’s always the first one to step up.

I think he is a player that has demonstrated he’ll be a good leader. “(Corbin) is a kid that has worked himself into — I think he is going to be a real impact player for us. He’s a lineman, he plays basketball — he’s 6-(foot)5, 265 (pounds), had a 26-inch vertical, (ran a) 4.9 40-(yard dash). He was here everyday for (off-season) conditioning. He’s going to be a real impact player for us.”

Floyd installed two summer camp sessions at Truman to get acclimated with his new team and said he felt like the players responded in a positive way to his coaching style.

“So far they (the Patriots) have exceeded my expectations,” Floyd said. “I was really pleased with how they responded at the first camp.

“I was pretty pleased with how they responded at the second camp — 7-on-7 we were 3-1. I liked the way the competed.

They’ve responded to what we’ve done coaching-wise and philosophy-wise.

“A lot of the little things that we’ve asked they’ve responded to. We’ll continue testing them and we’ll see how they respond to those.”

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 43

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

St. Mary’s will mix power game with option ▲

TROJANS l From 39

back for the Trojans.

“We run a multi-set, but we’re probably going to run the ball a little bit more,” Fenstermaker said of his offensive philosophy.

That would be wise, considering Handley had several big games last season, including 296 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 26 carries against Wentworth Military Academy.

“We’re going to have a mix of the power game and option,” Fenstermaker continued. “We’ll mix some passing in — we’ve got very good skill positions. The main thing is just keeping it simple. Keeping it simple for the offensive line. The more we can do without changing their blocking scheme, the more we’re able to do.

“Same thing with defense;

just line up and hit. We play gap sound, gap control defense. Truly, at this level, you’ve gotta take the thinking away from them and just make it simple so they can just play football.”

Fenstermaker said he is also high on newcomer Alex Edwards, a senior WR/FS, who will play football for the Trojans for the first time.

“He’s probably one of the more athletic kids at St. Mary’s,” Fenstermaker said, “and just never came out for football until this year. He’s truly turned it on. He’s a natural athlete and he’s picking up the game and seems to like it. He’s been a great asset.”

The Trojans face a brutal schedule with Polo and Windsor dotting the non-conference schedule and Butler and Sherwood, the defending Crossroads Conference

St. Mary’s High School’s Scott Lehane, Ian Walter, Henry Handley, Jack Salva and David Florido. champions who has defeated the Trojans seven consecutive times, on the conference slate with Van Horn and Imagine Renaissance Academy.

We l l i n g t o n - N a p o l e a n

replaces Braymer on the Trojans’ Class 1 District 13 schedule, a district that also includes Wentworth Military Academy and tradition rich small-school power Orrick.

“It was nice of the state

to move Braymer out and bring in Wellington-Napeollen, whose another topranked (Class 1) state team,” Fenstermaker said in jest.

“It was nice of them. Their doing us favors.

The Examiner /ADAM VOGLER “We’ve revamped our entire schedule. We’ve really upgraded our schedule immensely. It’s a lot tougher, but at the same time we’re definitely up to the challenge.”

Quarterback Tucker will take offensive lead for Raytown South in 2010 ▲

CARDINALS l From 37

The Cardinals, 10-4 and Class 5 state semifinalist a year ago, return 13 lettermen, including wide receiver/linebacker Dennis Turner, wide receiver/ defensive back Marquise Cushon, WR/ DB Ishmael Wainwright and identical twins Jameel and Jamaal Cox, both standout inside linebackers.

“We’ve been getting after it (since preseason practices began),” Allie said.

“We’re looking good. Obviously, we’ve got a lot of work to do — we’re nowhere where we need to be — but I think that we’re progressing.”

Taking over for departed starting quarterback Dennis Tanner will be senior Marc-Alan Tucker. The 6-foot-4, 180 pound Tucker spent the previous two years playing backup to Tanner.

“He’s done a terrific job of leading the offense so far and being the leader of the overall team,” Allie said of Tucker.

“He looks the same as Dennis — maybe a little taller but not as quick. We’re

going to ask him to do some of the things Dennis did, but in his own right.

He should be able to run our offense.”

Allie also likes the potential of his running backs, a stable he said is fivedeep with little separation between them.

“We have a little more depth at the running back position this year,” Allie said. “We only had a couple (of running backs last season) and they played defense and so forth. We have a variety of running backs, so this year running backs will be more of a feature in our offense and our quarterback will play off of that.”

Also high on Allie’s list is a couple of sophomore defensive backs who are vying for major minutes on the field.

Devin Hannah and Dante Hutton are the two and they join fellow sophomore Wainwright to form a young, but potentially dangerous unit.

“The sophomores are stepping up in the secondary,” Allie said. “We have Cushon and Turner returning and

they’re doing good, but we have a couple of sophomores who have stepped up in that secondary. They played well all summer and they continue(d) to play well in (fall) camp.”

Raytown South High School players back row from left, Jamall Cox, Dennis Turner, Marc-Alan Tucker, Trey Myers, Trace Hart, Jameel Cox, front row from left, Jamar Adair and Marquice Cushan.

The Examiner /ADAM VOGLER

Page 44 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▟ VAN HORN FALCONS

Falcon facts: Head coach: Jeff Tolbert (third season, 0-20) Assistant coaches: Danny Marshall, Michael Cobbins 2008 record: 0-10 overall.

Returning letter winners: 16 Returning offensive starters (4): Tyler Sprague, 5-9, 185, sr., RB; Lucas Hood, 5-10, 175, sr., WR; Brendon Jones, 5-10, 190, sr., QB; Denzel Strong, 5-10, 195, sr., RB. Returning defensive starters (3): Sprague, LB; Hood, DB; Jones, LB. Others to watch: Austin Mayfield, 5-11, 210, sr., OL/DE; Chadd Wheelington, 5-10, 180, soph., TE/LB; Dillon Myers, 6-0, 170, WR/DB.

2010 schedule

2009 results

Aug. 27 — Renaissance at Truman Sept. 3 — KCK Wyandotte at Truman Sept. 10 — At East Buchanan Sept. 17 — Butler at Truman Sept. 24 — Sherwood at Truman Oct. 1 — St. Mary’s at Truman Oct. 9 — Maranatha Academy at Van Horn OCt.15 — at Oak Grove Oct. 22 — at Odessa Oct. 28 — Richmond at Truman Home games at Truman High School

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Improving enough

The Van Horn Falcons are trying to end a two-year losing streak

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

The big elephant in the room at Van Horn High School is obvious.

The Falcons are 0-20 since joining the Independence School District two years ago, a record not lost on third-year head coach Jeff Tolbert. “You know as coaches, we have a little ego,� Tolbert said as he prepared the Falcons for their first season as a member of the Crossroads ConferJeff Tolbert ence. “That ego can Van Horn head coach be a little bruised at times. We’ve talked abut it as a staff. If we don’t put one on the ‘W’ side, it becomes a question of if we’ve improved enough. That’s what we’re focused on right now

“You know as coaches, we have a little ego. That ego can be a little bruised at times.�

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– improving enough.�

The Falcons will try to improve with a roster of nearly three dozen. Competing at the Class 3 level this season, optimism lies in the hands of nine returning lettermen, including senior quarterback/linebacker Brendon Jones and senior fullback/linebacker Tyler Sprague.

Both have been a part of back-toback winless seasons. “I know we’re making progress,�

Sprague said. “Senior year, we’ve been putting in the work, we definitely want to see that hard work pay off.�

Added Jones: “Coach has done a great job of making us work hard and yeah, we definitely get tired of the los-

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The Examiner/TORIANO L. PORTER Daniel Francis, front left, Tyler Sprague, front right, Kendall Williams, middle left, Eugene Wallace, middle right, and Devin Fields, back, will anchor the Falcons defense as Van Horn looks to stop a 20-game losing streak.

Coach feel team is improved from 2009 ▲

FALCONS l From 44

ing, but we can see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Tolbert is high on returning defensive back Lucas Hood, who severely injured an ankle this summer and is expected back after the first two weeks of the season. Tolbert also expects running back/linebacker Denzel Strong, WR/DB Eugene Wallace, RB/LB Dan Francis and defensive back

Kendall Williams to lead the Falcons as well.

Austin Mayfield (5-11, 210), Kapena Faitau (6-1, 200), Phillip Huerter (5-11, 260), and Sequoia Newland (5-9, 190) are expected to anchor both interior lines.

With a schedule that includes Imagine Renaissance Academy, Kansas City Central, Butler, Sherwood-Cass, St. Mary’s, Maranatha Academy, Oak Grove, Odessa and

Richmond, Tolbert would only say he is, “cautiously optimistic” about stopping the losing streak.

“There has been a standard that we have tried to set and we’ve worked real hard at it,” Tolbert said. “At times, we’ve seen success and at times we’ve not. I feel like we were better last year than we were the year before, and I feel like we’ll be better again this year.”

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Page 46 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ WILLIAM CHRISMAN BEARS

Success expected The Bears are on their third coach in three years but the latest, Crutcher, is not making excuses

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

William Chrisman has its third head coach in three years, but don’t think for a minute new coach John Crutcher doesn’t expect success.

The former assistant coach at Raytown South will lean on a mammoth offensive and defensive line and the running of senior Scott Cates to improve on the Bears’ 4-6 record from a year ago.

Jeff Ulberg (6-foot-4, 290

pounds), Konner Wales (6-3, 240), and Pete Tanuvasa (5-10, 250) return to anchor the interior line and Cates spent time last season as a backup at running back behind the departed Caleb Sims, who transferred to Park Hill South.

The 5-9, 180-pound Cates put up some decent numbers a year ago, including rushing for 201 yard yards and one touchdown on 29 carries in a 10-7 victory over Oak Park, the Bears’ first win against Oak Park since 2004.

“There’s a lot of kids that have really stepped up,” Crutcher said.

“Scotty Cates — he’s going to be our starting tailback — has really stepped up. He’s been kind of that guy that everybody watches. He’s not necessarily the vocal leader — he’s a guy that leads by example.”

Handling the yelling and screaming duties for the Bears will belong to starting quarterback Nick Richardson.

“Nick Richardson is kind of

See BEARS / 47

Bear facts: Head coach: John Crutcher (first season) Assistant coaches: Alen Supplee, Jim Pickett, Richard Smith, Jordan Worley, Mick Cronk.

2009 record: 4-6, fourth place in Suburban Big Six at 2-3 Returning letter winners: 8 Returning offensive starters (6): Scott Cates, 5-9, 180, sr. RB; Devin Patrick, 6-3, 220, sr., TE; Pete Tanuvasa, 5-10, 250, sr., OL; Jeff Ulberg, 6-4, 290, sr., OL; Konner Wales, 6-3, 240, sr., OL; Jordan Warner, 6-3, 180, WR. Returning defensive starters (4): Patrick, LB; Tanuvasa, DL; Ulberg, DL; Wales, DL. Others to watch: Joshua Gilliland, 5-11, 220, soph., OL/LB; Kreig Jarnagin, 6-0, 165, soph., QB; Trevor Key, 5-8, 175, soph. RB/DB; Johnatan Phan, 5-11, 215, jr., LB; McKay Paialii, 5-11, 180, sr., DB; William Soendker, 6-0, 190, jr., LB; Kakolosi Tuione, 6-5, 330, sr., OL; John Ulberg, 6-2, 280, jr., OL/DL.

2010 schedule Aug. 28 — Lee’s Summit Sept. 3 — Winnetonka at NKC High School Sept. 10 — Liberty North Sept. 17 — Park Hill South at Park Hill Sept. 24 — Belton Oct. 1 — at Nevada Oct. 8 — Fort Osage Oct. 15 — Truman Oct. 22 — at Raytown South Oct. 28 — at Raytown

2009 results

W-L/Opponent WC-Opp W-Ruskin 37-30 L-Lee’s Summit North 18-24 L-Staley 28-56 W-Oak Park 10-7 L-Park Hill South 0-42 L-Park Hill 0-46 W-Truman 33-14 W-North Kansas City 28-21 L-Fort Osage 0-42 L-Winnetonka 14-48

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 47

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

New William Chrisman football coach John Crutcher knows his ...

By TORIANO L. PORTER toriano.porter@examiner.net

John Crutcher believes football is football, no matter the level.

Crutcher, the new head football coach at William Chrisman, spent seven years coaching football at the college level, so he has a pretty good handle on the X’s and O’s of the game.

He has also coached at the high school level, including the previous two seasons as defensive coordinator at Raytown South and, before that, one season at Lawton (Okla.) High School.

In that aspect, Crutcher is familiar with the up-and-down emotional nature of the teenage athlete.

As he prepared for his first season as a head coach on any level, Crutcher expounded on what he has learned in previous stops.

“Personally, it’s the amount of time,” Crutcher said of the difference between the high school and college ranks. “I’m used to spending all day, everyday on football. When you come to high school, you’ve go that other job — the one that pays the bills.

“My first two years I spent a lot of time making sure I took care of business in the classroom, as well as I will do here. But, as far as football; football is football, man. It ain’t any different. We might get a little more technical — when I was in college — with certain things, but football’s

See CRUTCHER / 48

Mike Edinger and Allen Supplee also added to staff ▲

BEARS l From 46

our vocal leader,” Crutcher said. “(Richardson and Cates) have really stepped up, as well as others. I can’t just narrow it down to two or three people. So many of these kids are buying in and really giving it their all and trying to make this the best experience they’ve had.”

Helping Crutcher and the Bears make the most of the 2010 season will be first-year defensive assistant Mike Edinger and new offensive coordinator Allen Supplee.

“Mike Edinger — I think

he was (co-defensive coordinator) at O’Hara for about eight years — I got lucky I got to hire him,” Crutcher said. “It makes my job easier because now I’ve got a guy with a lot of experience defensively. Him and I can bounce ideas off of each other — it’s good cop, bad cop sometimes, which is great for us. “(Supplee) does a great job. I’m the most blessed coach in the city. I’ve got some great coaches with me.

I’m bias, but I think I’ve got the best coaching staff in the city.”

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER William Chrisman High School’s Devin Patrick, Justin Hudson, Nick Richardson, Ryan Cole, Scott Cater, McKay Paialii and Konner Wales.

Page 48 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview

New coach brings upbeat yet demanding style to Chrisman ▲

CRUTCHER l From 47

The Examiner/ADAM VOGLER Raytown High School’s Dajuan Burnett, left, Levi Walters, Conrrad Nicholls, Levance Taylor, Josh Hall, Dakota Davis Richard Dunfield and Raymond Beeks.

Raytown has tough regular-season schedule BLUE JAYS l From 36

▲

football. We’re running the same defense I ran at Dennison (Ohio) University. Same stuff, same calls, same everything. We’re going to line up and get after you, too.”

David Allie, head coach at Raytown South, said he thinks Crutcher will do a good job at Chrisman, adding he wishes his former assistant well in nine out of 10 ball games this season.

Crutcher’s former boss circled Oct. 22 as the only day he’s rooting against the Bears.

“He’s a tremendous individual,” Allie said of Crutcher.

“Great coach — I know they’re going to be taught well over there. We actually had a chance to scrimmage against them this summer and he had his boys ready to play.

“We hated to see him go because he’s such a great coach, but it’s a great opportunity for him to be a head coach. I think they’re going to do well this year — I hope they go 9-1.

“We’re in the (Suburban Middle Seven) conference together and it’s a district game, so not only is it a conference game, it’s a (district) game for all the marbles and it’s two brothers going at it. I love him and I wish him all of the success, but I’m going to hate him on that Friday.”

Crutcher, who coached collegiately at schools in New Mexico, Kentucky, Kansas and

Ohio, said the time was right for him to move to the high school game.

“I’ve coached for seven years in college — and I’ve pursued my dreams and stuff like that in college — and I got tired of chasing the next game and decided to come to high school and make it a career,” Crutcher said. “Make it so were I can have more impact on the kids and help all these kids become successful.

“As far as the head job here — when (Raytown South) played Truman last year, we got to looking at Truman film and I saw a lot of good things on film from the (Chrisman) kids. When it opened up, I thought it’d be something good and I thought it’d be a good situation. I think the socio-economic status here in Independence is something that fits me and fits my style of coaching.”

Crutcher’s style is upbeat, yet demanding, intense, yet caring and he believes he’s found the right match at William Chrisman.

“I just felt with the facilities — we’ve got one of the nicest weight rooms in the city and we’ve got one of the nicest fields, if not the nicest facility in the city — and we got the practice field out there. I mean, you can’t beat the facilities, you can’t beat the people here and the kids are great.”

attitude they’ve got to have going into the games. When adversity comes, you’ve got to have heart and soul.”

Much of Raytown’s strength on defense will come from its defensive line, which “has a lot of depth,” Page said.

Mental maturity might be another strong point.

“Collectively, our defense is starting to understand our philosophy of defensive linemen sacrificing themselves, playing hard, allowing those linebackers to run free and make those plays,” he said. “I think we’re starting to come together a little bit more there and understand everybody’s role — and the importance of (everybody) playing their role, over individualism.”

Offensively, the Blue Jays will need

their running game to be in top form if they want to reach the postseason.

“It’s our second year of running the option,” Page said. “I think we understand the expectation (for our offense), what it takes (to execute it). We’ve worked really hard in our camps to get good timing and really tie down the loose ends in the offense, so we hope that we can be a lot more multiple with what we do and a lot more explosive.”

In addition, the Blue Jays must handle a tough regular-season schedule before they can think about playing in the postseason. They’ll open with Staley, a team that shut them out in Week 2 in 2009.

“Staley has done a lot of things right since that program started,” Page stated.

“We’ve had (to play) them each of the previous two years, and the scores and the outcomes have not been what we

expect Raytown football to be. What we’re hoping for is that we can come out and we can re-establish ourselves.”

“There’s nothing better in doing a re-establishment than going out and playing very well against a team that has defeated you,” he added.

After facing Staley and then Lee’s Summit North, the Blue Jays will face conference opponents for six of their last eight games, including Belton, Raytown South and Fort Osage. All three teams have made a state finals appearance during the past three seasons.

The Blue Jays couldn’t be happier about their level of competition.

“You’re not going to be great unless you beat great teams,” Page said. “We’re fortunate to be in a conference with some of the best competition in Class 5 in the city.”

Floyd will juggled duties as athletic director as well as head football coach ▲

FLOYD l From 34

and the high school is time constraints that reduce the ability to teach the finer points of the game.

“The biggest difference right now at this point in time in the program is we’ll have a bunch of guys who’ll play both ways for us,” Floyd said. “So, practice time — we need to make sure we spend and schedule

adequate time for a kid to learn and offensive stuff and turn around and learn the defensive system too.

“At the college level, you’ve got two hours — two hours is plenty of time to get about everything that you need to get done installed in practice. If we were two-platooning, that would be the case, but right now we’re having to extend practice a little bit.”

Holm, too, has extended his hand in dual roles as AD and offensive coordinator.

He said the task has been daunting, but the coaching staff has held him down when push comes to shove.

“It’s been going really well,” Holm said of his return to the game. “I’m enjoying it very much — the kids have been great and it’s definitely been fun. The biggest difference (with

high school players) is the volume of information you can throw at them.

“For one they’re younger kids with less experience in football and then two: It’s new for everybody. Even the seniors, this is the first time they’ve done this stuff.

You’ve kind of got a twofold thing: Young kids who are getting to learn football itself and then kids who are seeing my stuff for the first

time “I don’t know if you can call (the dual roles) an adjustment or not — you’ve just got to bear down. I anticipated it this summer, so I tried to get ahead and get as many things done in advance as I good. I feel pretty good about that.

Honestly, if I’m going to let something go, I try to take care of my AD duties first and then do football second

because they’re are other people relying on me for the AD things.

“The football coaches understand what my role is...so far it’s been really good and the other coaches have been great. The biggest thrill for me has been the relationship with the kids on the football field.

When you coach, you get to know the kids on a different level.”

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 49

Page 50 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ BLUE SPRINGS WILDCATS

SEE TEAM PREVIEW ON PAGE 4

High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 51

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH JAGUARS

SEE TEAM PREVIEW ON PAGE 8

Page 52 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ FORT OSAGE INDIANS

SEE TEAM PREVIEW ON PAGE 13

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 53

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ GRAIN VALLEY EAGLES

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Page 54 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ LEE’S SUMMIT TIGERS

SEE TEAM PREVIEW ON PAGE 18

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 55

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH BRONCOS

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Page 56 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ LEE’S SUMMIT WEST TITANS

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 57

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Page 58 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ RAYTOWN BLUE JAYS

SEE TEAM PREVIEW ON PAGE 36

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 59

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ RAYTOWN SOUTH CARDINALS

SEE TEAM PREVIEW ON PAGE 37

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Page 60 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 61

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Page 62 — High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010 — The Examiner

The Examiner’s High School Sports Special Edition: 2010 Football Preview ▼ VAN HORN FALCONS

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High School Sports Football Preview — August 26, 2010— The Examiner — Page 63

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