Friday, Sep. 04, 2009

2009 preview: Liberty Christian Patriots

By the Herald staff

Here is the 2009 season preview, which includes the roster.

Coach: Mike Olson (3rd year, 6-14).

Last league title: Never.

Last playoff berth: 2002.

Home field: Hanford HS.

Projected starters (returners in bold)

OFFENSE POS YR HT WT8

Mike Olson QB Fr. 5-8 175

Evan Crawford FB So. 6-0 165

Zach Simpkins TB Jr. 6-4 205

Brian Daniels WR Jr. 6-1 180

Tyler Koglin WR So. 5-8 150

Bryan Corrigan TE Jr. 6-5 210

Corbin Steele C Fr. 5-11 210

Timmy Koglin G Fr. 5-9 185

Alec Keelean G So. 5-10 175

Pete Roberts T Sr. 6-2 190

Nathan Taylor T Jr. 6-1 185

DEFENSE POS YR HT WT

Timmy Koglin NG Fr. 5-9 185

Pete Roberts DE Sr. 6-2 190

Bryan Corrigan DE Jr. 6-5 210

Nathan Taylor ILB Jr. 6-1 185

Zach Simpkins ILB Jr. 6-4 205

Seth Rosser LB So. 5-10 165

Evan Crawford OLB So. 6-0 165

Reace Howard OLB Fr. 5-9 165

Tyler Koglin S So. 5-8 150

Tyler Morris CB Fr. 5-7 130

Brian Daniels CB Jr. 6-1 180

Other to watch: WR Brandon Peterson, fr. (5-6, 130).

The Patriots struggled in their first year of 11-man football, but Olson is optimistic that the team's improvement in the latter half of 2008 -- including its first-ever victory as a 2B program over Dayton -- was more than a blip on the radar.

He's also confident in the overall potential of the incoming freshmen.

"The freshman kids are really good," he said. "They had a really successful middle school career and only lost one game by one point last year."

One of those freshmen is Olson's son, Mike Jr., who takes over at quarterback. Simpkins becomes the featured back with the graduation of Beau Nichols, and Simpkins also anchors a defense that returns six starters.

With a turnout of 18 players, each Patriot will log significant playing time.