By Bryan Bloodworth
Today we visit the camps of El Paso-Gridley and Olympia high schools in this edition of Countdown to Kickoff.
The Titans from El Paso-Gridley have made the playoffs two straight years, but this year’s team wants more, according to fifth-year coach Stephen Rigsby.
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“I feel like if we can find our way into the playoffs this could be the year we could maybe break through,” said Rigsby, whose team has lost in the opening round the last two years. “We played two pretty good games, but we couldn’t find a way to get it done.
“We want to take the next step in what we’re trying to accomplish here. Getting to the playoffs would be great, but we really would like to win a playoff game. That’s really our goal.”
Rigsby, who has a 23-17 career record, has four-fifths of the offensive and defensive line returning in seniors Zach Puck, an all-Heart of Illinois Conference performer last year on both sides of the ball, at guard, along with Nathan Clark at center and Ethan Jenkins and Jared Faulk at tackles.
“We feel good about those guys up front,” said Rigsby.
As experienced as the Titans are up front, they must replace all their skill position players on offense with the exception of senior running back Tyler Russell. Rigsby said that will change the Titans’ offensive attack.
“We’ve been a spread team the last two or three years,” he said. “We’re probably going to get back into some tight end sets this year and grind it out a little bit more. We’re going to have to run the ball effectively, especially early in the season.”
Rigsby also said ball control will be important
“Taking care of the football early is going to be a real big key for us,” he added. “We’re going to have to grind it out more than in the past. We don’t have those dynamic, athletic kids that we’ve had in the past couple of years, so we’re going to have to sustain some drives.”
The Titans open the season Aug. 26 at Heyworth before beginning Heart of Illinois Big School Conference play the following week at home against Fieldcrest.
At Olympia High School, a return to the playoffs after a disappointing 3-6 season a year ago is what the Spartans have on their minds.
But, according to sixth-year coach Mike Rathbun, his team is going to have to grow up in a hurry as just three full-time starters return last year in linemen Keaton Fogler and Dalton Spencer, along with wide receiver/free safety Calvin Byrd.
“We’re going to be young, not from an age standpoint, but from a playing experience standpoint” said Rathbun. “We have a whole lot of new people coming in, but from a work ethic standpoint this is as good as I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”
With so many players stepping up to the varsity level, Rathbun admits it’s a concern.
“The thing that concerns me most is the speed of the game, the adjustment from the speed of the game from junior varsity to varsity is substantial,” added Rathbun. “We have to be able to adapt real quick if we’re going to have a chance.”
Rathbun said the size of the offensive line will allow the Spartans to be more of a power team this year under the direction of new offensive coordinator Mike Castleman, the long-time Lexington head coach.
“Our size is a big positive this year,” he added. “This is probably the biggest front line that I’ve had since I’ve been here. It’s definitely going to be possession football.”
Concerning a return to the playoffs, Rathbun thinks it’s a real possibility.
“Honestly, yes,” said Rathbun. “Again it all hinges back on how fast we can adjust. If the adjustment to the speed is quick, we’ve got potential. I don’t feel the playoffs are out of touch by any stretch at all.”
The Spartans begin the season Aug. 26 at home against Champaign Thomas More before opening Corn Belt Conference play the following week at Fairbury against Prairie Central.
Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at [email protected]
