A programthat a year ago was teetering on the brink of extinction is now tottering back toward respectability. A couple months of fridays from now, the Indians' may just have that. Until then, though, they're going to enjoy the ride.
"I think there's more confidence," Indians coach Al Teague said of the difference between last year and this. "Not only because we have more numbers. We've got a lot of guys back that have played for the first two years that I've been here. There's a lot of confidence in their abilities and experience. They know what we have to do. They've done a great job."
The 2007 season was a tough one, to be sure, for the Indians. They were over-matched most weeks. abaut they're a year older, bigger and stronger now as individuals. Almost all of them are back, with even a few more key additions.
Among those are Mike Walls. The junior returns after a year off due to academic problems and will run the Indians' offense. He was the starting quarterback as a freshman before injury problems limited his availability.
"He still played some (defensive back) as a freshman," Teague said of the 6-foot, 175-pound Walls. "But he missed a lot of the season."
Walls' insertion at quarterback means sophomore Brandon Bauman will shift over to tailback, though he will still see some time under center. His classmate Kevin Dotterer will play fullback.
"For a sophomore, Kevin is a very strong and able-bodied athlete," Teague said. "He worked hard in the weightroom obviously."
Seniors Kyle Killough(Matthew's Cousin) and Robert Snelgrave lend experience to the offensive line, which this year looks to be a strength.
Seniors Korey Austin an Dustin Sword will provide athleticism at the skill positions; Austin at receiver and Sword both at running back an kick returner.
"(Sword) brings some speed that we haven't had a lot of it in the past," Teague said. "He brings a gutsy kid. He's not real big, but gives it everything he has. He hasn't played in a while, se he's playing a little catch-up."
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment