Football Bluejays young but talented, new coach says

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TOM STOPPEL
Fall signals a change of seasons. It also signals a key change in the Tabor College football program as Mike Gardner takes over as head coach after a five-year reign by Tim McCarty.

Along with a new man at the helm, the Bluejays on the field will barely resemble last season’s 9-2.

But don’t be surprised if Gardner and the new-look Bluejays surprise folks around the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and challenge for a title again.

“We’re going to be exciting to watch, and we want to continue to do things that have been laid here in previous years,” Gardner said. “I’m looking forward to the season and seeing what we’ve got.”

What Gardner has is an 86-man roster that features 48 first-year Bluejays.

“Having the 9-2 season was great, and we really had a lot of interest in Tabor College,” Gardner said of his reception on the recruiting trail. “We feel confident last season helped us sign players from within the area as well as Oklahoma and Texas, because kids obviously read the papers.”

Gardner said specific needs were addressed during the off season.

“We went out looking for help in the secondary, the defensive line and at the running back position,” he said. “Did we fill them? We’ll find out.”

Offense

Back to lead the offense will be first-team All-KCAC quarterback Ricky Ishida, a sophomore from Shafter, Calif. Ishida (5-feet, 11-inch, 210 pounds) will direct a balanced offense under new offensive coordinator Dustin Miller, who enjoyed success in a similar role with KCAC rival Bethany.

Last season, Ishida stepped in for injured starter David Hernandez in the third game and never relinquished the role, throwing for 2,144 yards and rushing for 259.

He completed 134 of 259 passes (52 percent) while throwing 14 touchdowns and averaging 195 passing yards per contest.

“Unless he has a sophomore slump, Ricky will have a great year,” Gardner said. “Some quarterbacks need great players around them to make them better, but Ricky makes the players around him better.

“Having an experienced quarterback this season with all the new faces was absolutely critical.”

In order for Ishida to have a chance of matching his numbers from last season and for the Bluejays to have a respectable running attack, Gardner knows the guys in the trenches have to step up.

“We’ll find out who can do the job,” Gardner said.

As with all positions, the offensive line was decimated by graduation, but Gardner said the cupboard wasn’t bare and the shelves have been restocked.

Bobby Hurd (6-5, 325) returns after contributing as a sophomore and joins Cody Dick (6-1, 265) and Dan Rains (6-1, 290).

“Cody will get to play and Dan need to become more physical, but he has the tools to play,” Gardner said. “It’s just a matter of him being mentally and physically tough enough to do it.”

Also competing for playing time will be several new players.

Andy Curtis (6-4, 270) is a freshman from Altus, Okla., who Gardner thinks will become a star.

“He has the best feet of any offensive lineman I’ve been around since we had an All-American at Lindwood College when I was there,” he said. “I think he’ll be a great one as long as he keeps his focus.”

Curtis participated in the prestigious Oil Bowl all-star game as well as the Shrine game in Oklahoma.

Another promising newcomer is James Piezano (6-2, 330), a sophomore from Bakersfield, Calif.

“He was Ricky Ishida’s center in an all-star game and Ricky absolutely swears by him,” Gardner said. “According to Ishida, Piezano is every bit as good as any center in the KCAC.”

Gardner said it’s too soon to tell who might fill the vacated positions on the line, but hopes the cast of characters arrives soon.

“Any offense line needs to be a cohesive unit,” he said. “They need to love each other and love what they’re doing.”

Whoever earns the job of blocking up front will be paving the way for a number of new running backs.

Trevor Thiessen (5-10, 190) comes to Tabor after amassing more than 2,000 yards at Remington High School and Kendrick Campbell, a familiar face in 2001, returns.

“If Kendrick can come back and get into playing shape, he’ll compete for time,” Gardner said.

Ben Brown (6-1, 220) a junior from Los Banos, Calif., hopes to do the same.

“Ben has been pretty impressive,” Gardner said. “He’s older and I hope he lives up to the expectations we have for him.”

Redshirt freshman Justin Gibson (6-0, 205) will also figure into the mix.

In order to take advantage of the skills of a strong-armed quarterback like Ishida, the Bluejays will need a talented receiving corps. Gardner said he has one.

“Coach Miller said he feels like the guys we have coming back are every bit as good as those he had at Bethany,” Gardner said. “When he said that, I was floored-but these receivers are good.”

Leading the way is a talented trio that includes Hillsboro native Layne Frick (6-4, 195), Matt Rorabaugh (5-11, 195) and Mike Beach (6-2, 200).

“Layne should have a great year,” Gardner said. “Moving him off the line should help free him up and let him make plays.”

Multi-talented Tim Jones (6-0, 175), Jeff MacKinnon (6-2, 200), and Hillsboro native Steven Chisholm (6-4, 205) will vie for playing time on the outside.

“Tim is just so athletic that we don’t know which side of the ball he’ll be used on,” Gardner said. “Jeff is also a factor because he can play the tight slot, tight end or the H-back. He’s a wild card out there.

“Steven was a receiver in high school and I think he can help us out,” Gardner added. “I feel good about moving Steven and he’s the type of kid who can make plays.”

Caleb Marsh, a Hillsboro High School standout last season, looks to continue the family tradition of excellence at Tabor that was forged by brother Tyler at wide receiver.

Rounding out the offense at tight end will be either John Garcia (6-1, 255) or Sonny Kaesbauer (6-1, 220).

“John needs a good camp and Sonny was looking for a small school with good academics,” said Gardner. “He’s going to be a dandy.”

Gardner said balance will be the key to a successful offense.

“We’ll have enough weapons on offense that we’ll be able to distribute the ball around and I guarantee you Coach Miller will do a great job of evaluating and utilizing our talents.”

Defense

After establishing itself as a top 10 defensive club in the NAIA the past two seasons, the Bluejay defense will face its share of rebuilding with just two starters returning. Jake Schenk (5-9, 195), a two-time all-conference performer returns at linebacker and Hillsboro’s C.J. Hill in the secondary.

Gardner said both players will be counted upon heavily to anchor a defense that’s earned a reputation for being stingy.

“Ever since I’ve been coaching, I’ve kept a list of what I call my dream team, and Jake is on it,” Gardner said. “He’s every bit as good as any small-college linebacker in the nation.

“C.J. knows how to lead,” Gardner said. “He proved that last year in the playoffs-he played brilliantly. He plays with an attitude and I love that.”

The linebacking corps will be a strength for Tabor, Gardner said.

“Caleb Mason (6-0, 220) will hopefully be a playmaker and Carson Greenhaw (6-1, 185) returns from knee surgery and is very intelligent,” Gardner said.

Another player battling back from knee surgery is Brian Durowaiye (6-0, 245). “Brian has gone through more adversity than any other players,” Gardner said. “He’s come through it great and we expect great things from him.”

Independence juco transfer Brent Overmiller (6-2, 230) is a leading candidate to replace Eli Kennedy in the middle.

Tyler McKim (6-1, 225) will also seek playing time.

Helping Hill in the secondary will be Caleb Stanton (6-0, 180) and Tim Stevens (5-11, 175).

“Caleb needs to work but he’ll be all right,” Gardner said. “Tim has enough attitude to help us back there, too.”

Gardner said Joe Fenske (5-8, 195), Tim Jones, and Phillip Aitken (5-10, 180) will also push for playing time.

“Joe isn’t that physically imposing, but he’s very smart,” he said. “Tim is also a wild card, and Phillip should be able to help us out back there, too.”

John Mark Phelps (6-1, 180), younger brother of former Tabor All-American Jason Phelps, impresses Gardner, too.

“He’s more athletic, bigger and faster than Jason was,” Gardner said. “I’m looking forward to working with John Mark.”

Luke Wiebe (5-10, 190) rounds out the secondary candidates.

“We’ll have some issues back there, but I’m sure we’ll find some chemistry and get things straightened out.”

Perhaps Gardner’s most formidable task will be revamping the defensive line, which lost its top nine players.

“That probably scares me more than anything,” Gardner said. “But coach (Sean) Spoonts is our defensive line coach and he knows the techniques.”

Leading the way will be Justin Mathias (5-11, 255), a Hutchinson juco transfer and former Shrine Bowl player. “We’re looking for Justin to be a playmaker,” Gardner said. “He’s a bulldog and he’ll surprise a lot of folks this year.”

Chris Cook (6-2, 250) added 40 pounds this spring and also increased his speed. “He reminds me of a young Chad Duerksen, but just not as strong,” Gardner said.

Jesse Lira (6-0, 230) also hopes to contribute. “Our defense will be run to the ball, run to the ball, and don’t run your mouth,” Gardner said. “We won’t be quite as fast as last year, but we won’t be turtles.”

Special teams

All-KCAC punter Brian Kimsey (6-1, 210) returns with hopes of pinning opponents deep-much like he did last season.

Kimsey averaged 39 yards on 57 attempts. He downed 29 of those kicks inside the 20-yard line with 11 inside the 10-yard line.

“Brian needs a focused senior season because he’s had interest from several professional teams,” Gardner said. “Whether he has a shot at the NFL or not, I don’t know. But I do know there are people who know who he is and are keeping an eye on him.”

Gardner faces the task of replacing Keenan Morris, last year’s place kicker who opted to transfer to Kansas State to try out for the KSU baseball team.

Kevin Carroll (5-11, 180) and Marcus Manny (5-9, 175) will battle for the position.

“They’re both raw, but we’ll get them ready,” Gardner said.

Handling the critical long-snapping duties will be either Jeff MacKinnon, Caleb Marsh or Ben Schmidt (5-9, 175).

Fielding punts and kickoff will be either Marsh or Garrett Bryant (5-6, 150).

“Returning punts is one of the most difficult things there is,” Gardner said.

He and his staff are anxiously awaiting Sept. 11, when Southwestern Assemblies of God University comes to Reimer Field.

“I’m ready to get that first head-coaching experience under my belt,” Gardner said. “I’m really thankful for the people at Tabor College and the administration for believing in me enough to hire me and trust me with this program.

“The people in Hillsboro have been very supportive and my family loves it here,” he added. “Football has been a very positive experience.

“I want people in Hillsboro to know how much we appreciate them and the support they’ve shown me and this team so far,” he said. “We’re looking forward to proving what we can do this season.”

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