2009:
Coming off of a very disappointing season in 2008, the Graceland football team appears to be primed, retooled and ready to head back to the high level football that Head Coach Cris Welch and his program have become so known for. The Jackets finished 2008 at a dismal 2-8 struggling with a stagnant offense and an injury riddled defense. Immediately following the season however, the Yellowjacket football staff began recruiting in an effort to avoid a repeat of last season and the prospectus for 2009 is very promising. "The efforts made by the young men in our program provide a distinctly different direction for this team after our disappointing 2008," stated Coach Welch about the upcoming campaign. "The energy of a renewed drive to overcome this last season has been a daily motivator for the entire program. It has been through the off field efforts of every member of this team that we have reestablished the expectations of competing for a National Championship," concluded an excited Welch.
Offense
Despite the efforts to revamp the offense, there will be some returning faces back for the 2009 season that will provide a boost. Up front on the offensive line the Jackets will see the welcomed return of lineman Matt Lopez, and Brian Moore. Those two returning starters will provide much needed anchoring on the offensive line. Along with those two lineman returning, the Jackets have high expectations from three returning wide receivers. Jeremi Byrd returns after emerging late in the 2008 season as a go-to receiver for the Jackets. Besides him, two other receivers who were out due to injury in '08 return. Anthony Perez and Geoffrey Browning will both see a lot of action in 2009. Perez is a dynamic route runner with great hands and Browning has great explosiveness off the ball and showed the ability to get open and make difficult catches during spring practice. Browning will also see some time returning kicks and punts as he did so successfully during the 2007 season. Quarterback Zach Stuart will be back for his senior campaign and will be competing for the starting quarterback job again. Rounding out the returnees on offense are local products Keegan Smith and Billy Witham. Smith was named honorable mention all-conference for his performance at tight end and Witham will compete for time in the backfield at running back.
Along with the returning offensive players for next season, Graceland will have a large pool to go into of both transfers and incoming freshman for punch. Offensively it begins with the quarterback position and the Jacket coaching staff has brought in top tier athlete Scotty Roth in for next season to compete for the spot. Roth will be a key cog for the Jackets 2009. Roth is a quarterback trapped in a linebacker's body at 6'5" and 250 pounds. He displays a Clayton Braddock (former Jacket legend and current QB coach) type arm and is surprisingly mobile for his size. His leadership skills gained
him respect from his fellow players during spring practices. The quarterback race between returnee Zach Stuart and newcomer Scotty Roth should be an exciting one.
Beginning in the backfield, there are a number of other players expected to play key roles next year. Dirinna Uwakewe from Manteca, California redshirted last season and showed signs of greatness this spring with his tremendous acceleration and core strength. Jerome Messam returns after a year away from the team. Messam, at 6-4 240 pounds has an incredible combination of speed and size. He's been timed at a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash during his career. Wide Receiver Dwayne Melton has developed into a team leader coming off an ACL injury last season. Melton looks primed to make an impact both on and off the field with his tremendous work ethic. Jeremy Tarwater sets the standard for work ethic at receiver and defensive end turned tight end Simon Morefield had a great spring returning to his natural position. The Jacket coaching staff expects big things this fall from Morefield.
Returning from the 2005 team are Jason Gunter and Justin Wallace. Injury had thought to cut Gunter's career short but he has returned leaner and quicker and he will play some o-line. Along with his ability to play on the line, Gunter possess NFL type skills as a long snapper. Wallace was slated to be a starter in 2008 but injured his shoulder. He has been rehabbing since and is looking for a big '09 season.
Defense
Defense was supposed to be the anchor of the 2008 team but injuries riddled the Jackets during the campaign. 2009 is pointed in a much more positive direction as Graceland has a great group of newcomers who look to mold with the core of returnees. Most of the Jacket returnees are either in the secondary or are members of the linebacking crew. Returning up front is defensive end Simon Morefield who has been slated to see significant time at tight end (offense) but will play both ways as he will remain in certain sets at defensive end. Tackle Rahim Martin should also see significant playing time next year.
In the defensive secondary the Jackets will bring back starters Martin Ciccolini and Dane Soulds. Both are excellent cover players and will be the leaders of the secondary next season.
Aside from the returning starters, Graceland has many other players who they are expecting to make major impacts. Darrin Minor will add much needed support both in the return game and at defensive back. Reggie Foster started at safety last season before injury shortened his season. Foster is the nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and he started his college career at the University of Colorado before coming to Graceland. Cornerback James Andrews is a junior transfer from Antelope Valley Junior College and the cousin of former Jacket great, wide receiver Dante Johnson. Tyler Hosfield, Colton Adamson and Curtis Coleman all showed up to spring camp bigger, stronger
and faster and will fight for time at linebacker.
The defensive line will see more changes than any other spot on the defense next year as the Jackets look to improve on both their run defense and their pass rush in '09. Richard Ford is a defensive tackle who will provide size to plug up the middle. Xavier Hudson, a tight end in 2008, made the move to defensive line and will battle to be in the rotation. William Fisher Sims is a solid nose guard who is extremely strong and brings an intense level of commitment to the d-line. Also expect newcomers Hassan Kahlifa and Isaiah Williams (both from Iowa Central Community College) to make immediate impacts. Williams played football at storied Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama and was featured on MTV's "Two-A-Days" during his junior year in high school.
Going into the 2008 season and dealing with some of the issues they knew they had forth coming, the Jacket football coaching staff was well aware it had the potential to be a tough year. With a renewed sense of commitment and a healthy football team however, 2009 appears to have the potential to be one of Coach Welch and his staff's best.
