Bartow HS Football Preview

[E.T.]

Published Thursday, August 26, 2004

Jackets Will Run for Glory

By EVAN GIBSON

Ledger Correspondent

BARTOW

For Bartow, the upcoming football season will fall solely on the shoulders of its offensive line. Of course, that's the case for many teams in the county.

For Bartow, however, it's different. It is not like the Yellow Jackets do not have talent. But after losing 19 seniors following a 6-4 season, running the football is what will make or break the Yellow Jackets this year.

Second-year coach Shawn Killets will focus on running the football behind an experienced offensive line that is the heart and soul of the team.

"You have to go with your strengths, and until these younger guys get going, this is what we will be doing (running the ball)," Killets said.

Getting the ball will be senior T.J. Jackson, who saw playing time last year behind Dadrien Grier. Sophomore Carl Edler will also get time, but no matter who is running the ball, he will find the holes behind the highly touted offensive line.

Danny Franks, Brad Hiers, M.J. Wilson, Miles White and Thomas Felsmaier are all experienced players who can move a pile and open big holes for Bartow's talented backfield.

"We return all five guys up front, and they are all pretty good, so we are really excited," added Killets, whose offensive line averages 254 pounds.

At quarterback will be Roland Stephens, who is a pocket passer and won the starting job about halfway through last season. He has just enough experience to stabilize the offense and the play-action game.

On defense, Bartow has plenty of athletes and returns seven starters. The leader of the defense is senior defensive end Geno Johnson.

Johnson (6-2, 210) terrorizes opponents with his size and speed and was part of the 2004 Bartow weightlifting team that finished second in the state.

"He is a great leader on and off the field, an outstanding athlete," Killets said.

Junior defensive end Steven Wesley started last year as a sophomore and senior defensive back Todd Sims is a real shutdown corner, giving Bartow a solid overall defense. More importantly, the Yellow Jacket defense could be good enough to keep the offensive line on the field more often and wear out their opponents.

The schedule is a concern for Bartow, with tough road games at Lake Wales and Celebration. Plus, a home visit from Kathleen on Oct. 1 will be a tough test.

"We got a pretty tough road to hoe," Killets said. "No margin for error. You've got to beat two of those teams to get in and those are some pretty good football teams. Kathleen was undefeated last year (district) so they are the team to beat."

YELLOW JACKETS

Coach: Shawn Killets (2nd year, 6-4)

2003 record: 6-4.

Last time in playoffs: 2002, lost to Zephyrhills, 15-14, in regional quarterfinals.

School colors: Orange, white and blue.

Class, District: Class 3A, District 14.

Homefield: Bartow Memorial Stadium.

Coaching staff: Brian McCrae (OC), Glenn A. (OL), Bobby Dan McGlohorn (WR), Danny Williams (RB), Gary Cagiano (DL), Robert Miller (LB), Thomas Berry (DB), Carl Howell (DC).

Returning offensive starters: QB Roland Stevens (5-9, 170, Sr.), OT Danny Franks (6-3, 300, Sr.), OT Brad Hiers (6-6, 270, Sr.), OG M.J. Wilson (6-2, 260, Sr.), C Thomas Felsmaier (5-11, 240, Sr.), RB T.J. Jackson (5-7, 180, Sr.), FB Alfredrick Jones (6-0, 210, So.).

Returning defensive starters: DE Steven Wesley (6-2, 220, Jr.), DB Todd Sims (5-10, 170, Sr.), DE Geno Johnson (6-2, 210, Sr.), LB Wallace Bell (5-10, 210, Sr.), LB Brandon Bridges (5-9, 180, Jr.), NG Angel Rivera (5-8, 175, Sr.), LB Miles White (5-11, 200, Sr.).

Remaining roster: WR Grant Glover (5-10, 145, Jr.), RB/DB Carl Edler (5-10, 175, So.), WR/DB LeCharles Coakley (5-9, 162, Sr.), WR/DB Phillip Jackson (5-8, 150, Jr.), QB/DB Devarius Cook (5-10, 165, So.), DB Jameson Young (6-0, 150, Sr.), K/P Brandon Pickard (5-11, 140, Sr.), DB Lamar Reese (5-11, 181, Jr.), LB T.J. Nettles (6-0, 185, Jr.), DB Jack Edmund (5-10, 145, Jr.), RB/DL Ryan Colson (5-6, 156, Jr.), RB/LB William Rupp (5-11, 155, Jr.), LB Matt Timmons (6-0, 220, So.), LB Kenny Harold (5-9, 155, Fr.), LB Justin Edmund (5-11, 150, So.), DL Eddie Everson (5-9, 245, Jr.), DL Oscar Watson (6-0, 237, Sr.), DL Martin Carter (6-1, 260, Sr.), OL/DL Tejon Washington (6-3, 250, Jr.), OL Cortney Chunn (5-10, 235, Jr.), OL James Austin (5-9, 278, Sr.), TE/DE Tyrone Berry (6-0, 205, Jr.), WR Justin Clay (6-0, 160, Sr.), DL Marquis Byrd (5-9, 284, So.).

Key game: Oct. 29 vs. Lake Wales.

Forecast: 7-3.

2003 Results (5-6)

Opponent Score

Haines City W, 25-0

Winter Haven W, 34-28

Umatilla W, 10-6

Gulf Coast L, 10-24

Kathleen L, 0-21

Lake Placid W, 10-7

Celebration W, 60-0

Mulberry W, 35-14

Lake Wales L, 0-17

Lake Region L, 16-21

[smazza]

they are improving