Depth still an issue for Thunderbirds

The 2009 Eastern Greene High School football team includes seniors Wes Carter, Jake Crites, Kyle Eads, Nathan Hamm, Jeremy Newman, Matthew Ogle, Gunnar Porter and Kenny Sterrett; juniors Tanner Bailey, Logan Hammock, Wes Summitt, Michael Love, Nate Higgins, Paul Hudson, Zach Ingram, Josh Jenness, Zach Johnson, Josh Johnson and sophomores Zach Burleson, Ezra Eads, Andrew Foster, Logan Glasscock, Jonah Thomas, Adam Parsley, Leland McGinn, Matthew McLaughlin, Sam Nalley, Tyler Lady, Stephan Lagenour; and freshmen Chris Combs, Aaron Corwin, Logan Frye, Joshua Reyes, Ronnie Schwartz, Eli Lawson, Jake Johnson, Skye Jones and Jarred Groomer. Luke Dean is again the head coach. He will be assisted by Greg Anderson, Paul Carter, Mike Adams and Trevor Shell. The managers Shawna Lagenour, Samantha Shipley, Kimberlynn Shipley, Jacie Anderson and Rebecca Schwartz. (By Travis David/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

We have about 14-15 kids that will be full-time varsity players, said second-year coach Luke Dean. Depth will again be an area of concern.

But we should have at least 20 kids on the JV, which will be good for them and the program. I was hoping for 40 kids but expecting 35. To have 38 is about right on target.

Dean said that they lost eight seniors to graduating, including leading rusher Miguel Olvera and Jon Davis.

We lost four players that started for us, he said. Even though that might not sound like a big number, those guys played key roles on both sides of the ball.

Dean said they had excellent attendance during their summer workouts.

We really had a pretty good summer, said Dean. The players have a really positive attitude and have been working hard.

Since this is my second season as head coach, we have been able to accomplish a lot more in a shorter period of time just because they know what to expect. The kids are more knowledgeable football.

Gunnar Porter returns at quarterback. The 6-2 senior will again direct the EG spread offense.

Gunnar has a year of experience running the offense, said Dean. He is more mature and we are expecting good things from him.

Junior Tanner Bailey will be making the move from slot to tailback.

Senior Jake Crites will be utilized as a receiver and a running back, Dean said.

Including Crites, Dean said that he has several kids with experience as receivers.

Michael Love, Crites and Zach Ingram are three big kids that caught passes for us last year, he said. We also have Zach Johnson who will see time in the slot. Nate Higgins and Ezra Eads also will play there as subs.

We have some experience at the skill positions. But as always, our success on offense will depend on the guys up front.

Senior Jeremy Newman and Nathan Hamm are returning letterman on the line, according to Dean.

They will anchor the line at tackle, he said. Junior Logan Hammock will play guard on offense and defensive tackle. Wes Crites has put on 20 pounds and he will move from cornerback to guard. Junior Paul Hudson also will get time at guard.

Tyler Lady and Stephan Lagenour are vying for time at center. We have some kids that are quick and athletic. We will be able to use those attributes in the spread offense to help us overcome our lack of size.

Last year, the Thunderbirds allowed 35 points per game. Dean said they played solid defense at times, but just had too many untimely breakdowns.

We were more solid on defense, but gave up the big play, he said. The big play killed us.

We were able to stop people for a while, but then bang, they would hit us with a big play. That-s the way it was when we played against Paoli. We have to avoid that this year if we want to continue to improve.

Hamm, Crites and Carter will play linebacker. Mann is moving from a defense end while Crites played cornerback in 2008.

Newman returns at defensive tackle and Ingram will play at defensive end, along with Johnson.

Hudson will play nose tackle, Hammock will line-up at defensive tackle, Higgins and Bailey will play cornerback and Eads is playing safety, according to Dean.

He added that Porter will play some in the secondary and that Love will be in the line-up at outside linebacker. Dean also said that junior Josh Jenness also will see time at cornerback.

At this time last year, there was still so much up in the air about the new field, the bleachers and getting the practice field ready, said Dean. All of that is taken care of this year and has not been a distraction.

They open on the road against defending Southwest Seven Conference champions Linton-Stockton at 7 p.m. Friday.

We know that we open the season against some very good teams, said Dean. The conference is going to be very tough again.

But the kids have a great attitude and I think they are ready for the challenges that lie ahead this season. Hopefully we can keep improving and pick up a couple of more wins this year.

2009

Eastern Greene Football Roster

No. Name Ht. Wt. Gr.

Head Coach: Luke Dean (second season, 2-8).

Defensive coordinator: Greg Anderson.

Managers: Shawna Lagenour, Samantha Shipley, Kimberlynn Shipley, Jacie Anderson and Rebecca Schwartz.