Football Preview 2010: New Eaglecrest era takes flight
Coach Mike Schmitt, a former Overland assistant, looks for different ways to take advantage of Raptors’ resources in first season at helm
Posted: Saturday, September 4, 201012:00 am
By COURTNEY OAKES
In a span of a few weeks last December, the Eaglecrest football program lost a second round Class 5A state playoff game and its head coach.
Shortly after the Raptors’ snowbound 49-0 defeat at the hands of Regis Jesuit — which came on the heels of the biggest upset in the history of the current 32-team playoff format when 28th-seeded Eaglecrest won at No. 6 Fort Collins — Tom Doherty resigned the head coaching post he held for six seasons.
Following a 26-36 stretch under Doherty, Eaglecrest heads into the 2010 season under the direction of Mike Schmitt, who had two stints as an assistant coach at Overland under Aurora and Colorado coaching legend Tony Manfredi.
Schmitt has previously been a head coach at Live Oak High School in Livingston Parrish, La., but relished the chance to take over a program he’s been able to watch from the opposing sideline.
“Things have been great at Eaglecrest and I’m really looking forward to the season,” said Schmitt, who was hired in February.
“The administration has been great; they’ve been really supportive and really clear about what they expect,” he added. “They’ve given me the things I need.”
Aside from some 7-on-7 work at Regis Jesuit, Schmitt passed on taking his team all over for camps, choosing to spend a lot of time getting to know his players with team scrimmages and work in the weight room. He feels that time has given him a good grasp for how best to make use of his talent.
“We focused on ourselves and my comfort level with the kids is right where it needs to be,” he said.
Schmitt’s time at both schools showed him how effective the split back veer offense can be, so he’ll be bringing elements of the run-heavy attack to give a facelift to the run-and-shoot system Eaglecrest’s employed the past two seasons.
The Raptors return their best all-around weapon on offense in senior Marquise Coleman, a first team All-Centennial League performer as an athlete in 2009 in his first season at Eaglecrest after transferring from Montbello.
The elusive 6-foot, 185-pounder played a variety of roles for the Raptors, passing for 474 yards in a handful of games at quarterback, while also rushing for 368 yards and catching 143 yards worth of passes.
Coleman will play primarily wide receiver, but he should also be able to shine in Eaglecrest’s version of the wildcat, known as the “Dirty Bird,” as his ability to run, throw and keep plays alive with his legs can break games open.
“I’m looking forward to a good year, I think we’ve got it down pat now,” Coleman said of the offense, which will also use a heavy dose of senior Avery Cash.
The Eaglecrest skill players and line have begun to really grasp the techniques of the new offense — which includes some of the big line splits Overland is known for — but the key to its effectiveness lies in the quarterback position.
Before the season opener on Sept. 3 against Denver East, Schmitt was still trying to decide on a starter. Juniors Tyler Hamil and Ryan Dernocoeur lead the competition, although neither has risen above the other as the clear starter.
“All our guys have skills, they are just continuing to learn the new offense; we haven’t seen anybody really emerge yet,” Schmitt said.
Whoever wins the job under center will have some big targets to throw to in 6-6 senior wide receiver Steven Wroblewski — whose 47-yard catch helped set up a late win against Grandview last season — and 6-5, 230-pound junior tight end Zech Green.
On the other side of the ball, the Raptors should be very aggressive unit behind a line keyed by the imposing Green, along with seniors Kendall Irvin, Jelani Perkins and Will Greer.
“It’s a war every down against these teams, so my goal is to go hard every play,” Green said. “Our goal is to win this league and the line is a big part of that.”
Senior linebacker Armani Jackson and ballhawks Cooper and Cash in the defensive backfield could have big years.
Place kicker Juan Casillas has the leg to be a difference maker on special teams.