Fall Preview: Depth, experience are new features of Fairfield squad

The growing pains suffered one year ago are hopefully headed toward growing gains.

As the 2008 Trojans skidded to six losses in their final seven games, the defeats were a tough pill to swallow, but several people around the program are hoping that the experience gained is about to pay off. After starting as many as nine sophomores a year ago, experience takes the form of 21 of last year?s starters, plus several others, returning for the upcoming season.

Along with a season under their belts comes a deeper, more talented team after losing just four seniors to graduation. The added depth has that head coach Mike Schenck enjoys this season has increased competition for playing time across the board and have pushed several of last year?s starters off the first string.

However, keeping his spot on the first team is junior quarterback Jordan Leazer who carried more than his fair share of the offensive load last season. In addition to being the primary passer, Leazer had more rushing attempts than the rest of the team combined ? a stat that will change this year due in large part to a crowded field at the runningback position.

?We just think that we have a lot more depth and some capable people this year that can handle that part of the game,? Schenck said. ?It doesn?t mean that Jordan is never going to run, but we?re certainly going to try to take some of the load off and let him concentrate on passing.?

While playing underclassmen was done out of necessity last season, Schenck can?t ignore the talent he has in this year?s sophomore class as Zach Vivier and Tanner Metcalf will platoon with junior starter Michael Hammes and senior Austin Atwood in the backfield. Atwood, Hammes and Viver all possess plenty of speed while Metcalf will enter for short yardage situations. Atwood rushed for 382 yards last year and also caught 13 passes out of the backfield.

Leading the way up front will be one of the district?s biggest lines averaging nearly 270 pounds with Michael Smithburg, Matt Hotek, Jerred Leonard, Greg Smithburg and Logan Metcalf playing left to right. Those five hope to open running lanes and protect Leazer as he leads a spread-style offense, which was implemented before last season. The passing game had troubles taking flight last season, but Schenck has liked what he has seen so far from his quarterback, who now has one year of the system behind him.

?Jordan is head and shoulders better this year, and the year of experience has really done a lot for his confidence,? he said. ?I think it has done a lot for how he sees the game and how he reads defenses, and the fact that our receivers have improved both physically and mentally has also made him better.?

Leading the receiving corps will be top playmaker Jake Dunbar returning for his senior season followed by Josh Hyde, Lani Eversage and Alex Greiner.

Defensively, the Trojans will rotate as many as nine players in and out of the five-man front including Ryan Reid and MacGyver McCarty at the end positions with many of the offensive linemen holding down the interior.

?We?re going to do a lot of rotating on the defensive line,? said Schenck. ?We feel good about the rotation and would like to keep people fresh. Several sophomores could step up and get some playing time for us.?

Tanner Metcalf?s physical play has already earned him playing time on the offensive side, and he also claims a spot at linebacker alongside junior Jeff Guttry. Last year?s leading tackler Colton Smith waits in the wings as a backup linebacker.

Ryan Brewington and Austin Atwood will start at cornerback and Cody Moran and Grant Curran will play the two safety positions leading an improved secondary that had troubles defending the pass at times last season.

?With [Leazer?s] experience and having him back there in practice going against our secondary has forced our secondary to step up and be better as well,? said Schenck. ?There will be a couple of new faces back there because some kids have shown us they want to be starters and play ? it?s a good situation to have.?

The much improved Trojan squad figures to end with a much better finish than last year?s seventh-place finish in District 5 with their lone league victory coming against winless Fort Madison. Still, last year?s top two teams, Mount Pleasant and Williamsburg, will keep the target on their back with several top players returning.

"I still think those are probably the two teams to beat in the district, but there may be some teams that may overlook us as well,? Schenck said. ?If we can get some things going and play up to what I think our potential is, I think we could be in the mix for a district championship.?

Fairfield will begin its season Friday with a non-district match-up at home against Albia.