National Championship Game:
To be completely honest with you, as exciting as it was to watch the Bearcats win a fourth National Championship game, and become only the second team to have two 15-0 seasons, the actual game itself was kind of anti-climactic to me. Northwest just went out there and imposed their will on the LR Bears. I mean NW jumped out to a 17-0 lead, and then pretty much the game was never in doubt. In fact, when you look at the LR scoring drives, they really only had one decent drive. There first scoring dive was their only one that was respectable. After that, the second score was somehow not intercepted and then the WR bobbled the ball for about 10 yards before he managed to bring it in, their third score was off of a trick play, and their final score was against the second string. Second string in the National Championship game! The thing that impressed me the most about LR was that they never gave up. Which I would have been very disappointed had the #2 team in the nation given up – but they didn’t. But like I said, it was kind of anti-climactic: there wasn’t that dramatic revenge game in the play-offs, there wasn’t that last minute win (other than the UCM game at the beginning of the season), or that close final game. The game was rather representative of the entire season – they just went out there and won – hands down easily the best team in the country.
There were a couple of really bad calls in the game – particularly the targeting call against Jared Fox. That was not targeting on his role. In fact it was a picture perfect example of what isn’t targeting. The AFCA put out a list of indicators of what is and what isn’t targeting under the new rules:
Risk of a foul is high with one or more of these:
- Launch—a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make contact in the head or neck area
- A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with contact at the head or neck area—even though one or both feet are still on the ground
- Leading with helmet, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with contact at the head or neck area
- Lowering the head before attacking by initiating contact with the crown of the helmet
These indicate less risk of a foul:
- Heads-up tackle in which the crown of the helmet does not strike above the shoulders
- Wrap-up tackle
- Head is to the side rather than being used to initiate contact
- Incidental helmet contact that is not part of targeting but is due to the players changing position during the course of play
As you can see from the list, Fox was not targeting during that play. In fact, every one of the bullet points of what is not a foul, took place during that play.
I am sure that a lot of people want to hear me talk about Trevor Adams. I have said it before, and I will say it again – I was completely wrong – and glad that I was. I never thought that Northwest would be able to win a National Championship with Trevor Adams as the QB. I thought that his inconsistency would ultimately cost the team a win in the PO’s. And it was his inconstancy that was my biggest knock on TA. When he was good – he was really good, and vice versa. Thank goodness Coach AD found a workaround – in the form of the best working two QB system I think that I’ve ever seen. Yes – I will say it again: I am glad I was wrong about TA!
2014 Season Preview
I remember telling friends last year that I thought that 2014 was going to be the year of the next National Championship team – I guess I was a year early. But I still think that the 2014 Bearcats will be the odds on favorites to be in the National Championship in Kansas City. I honestly think that they will be a better team than they were last year. They are returning 22 seniors – including like six 6-year seniors.
On offense the biggest question mark will be the OL. The Bearcats lose 3 seniors: Cody Carlson, John Petroff, and Jake Scarbo. But there is definitely some talent coming back and the past few recruiting classes I think that they got some really good Olinemen – it will be interesting to see if they can live up to their potential. The WR corps is almost entirely intact. Clint Utter was the go to guy last year in pressure situations, but with the depth there, between Jason Jozaites, Korey Jackson, Reuben Thomas, Bryce Young, and Haden Bryant - I’m sure that somebody will step up to fill that role. I am really very excited to see how Charlie Flohr uses the TE this season. I think that there are some very good athletes there that if used correctly can be amazingly effective. Marcus Wright is from the new style of TE – kind of a cross between HB and TE – think Josh Baker. I don’t know if he is as gifted at Baker, but that is the style of player that he is. Alex Visk is more of your standard type of TE, and I’ve heard really good things about TJ Schieber and Brock Behrndt. The backfield will be lots of fun to watch. Look for the tag team between Phil Jackson II (PJ2) and Bobby Burton (RB3) not to mention Justin Fulks. I am really looking forward to see if Brady Bolles is able to live up to his potential. I think that we have seen glimpses of that potential at times – as well we have seen that he is a young QB and has made bad decisions at times. I think that it is going to be a very fun time to watch Bearcat offense.
I believe that the 2014 defense has the potential to be one of the absolute best defenses that the Bearcats have ever put together. It all starts up front with Zach Williams, Brandon Yost, and Collin Bevins – and then with the returning D2football.com Defensive player of the Year Matt Longacre at DE and Kevin Arnold at the other DE that is a darn good Dline. Of course losing the Dixon brothers at CB hurts, but I think that Tyshaan Alleyne and Bryce Enyard will fill those roles nicely. Manning will be back at safety so I think that Coach Gordon will have plenty of talent there to fill out a darn good secondary. Northwest always has a great stable of LB’s and this year will be no exception – between 2 sixth year seniors DJ Gnader and Cody Matthewson as well as Eric Reimer, Jayron Robinson they will headline the crew; but there will be some others that will impress. I’ve heard really good things about Brock Sherman. Overall, like I said this team has the potential to be very good!
2014 Recruiting Class (Alphabetical)
Ben Althoff LB 6-1 210 Palmyra, Mo. (Palmyra HS)
Althoff earned all-state honors as a junior … was an all-conference performer … first-team all-district … second-team all-area … led Palmyra to the district championship game past two seasons … team advanced to the quarterfinals in 2013 … coached by Kevin Miles … parents are Joe and Brenda Althoff.
Shawn Bane Jr. WR 5-11 165 Sarasota, Fla. (Sarasota HS)
Bane Jr. was a two-time all-state performer at Sarasota High School … named to the all-area team as a junior and again as a senior … caught 49 passes for 890 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013 after catching 57 passes for 1,129 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012 … played in the Blue/Grey National All-Star game … voted team captain and team MVP as a senior … named to the honor roll … voted team offensive MVP as a junior … coached by Ed Volz … parents are Gretta Saunders and Shawn Bane Sr.
Connor Besancenez OL 6-4 275 St. Louis, Mo. (Mehlville HS)
Besancenez was a first-team All-Suburban West Conference performer … voted Offensive Lineman of the Year … coached by Kent Heinemann … parents are Todd and Kim Besancenez.
Emmai Brown LB 6-0 186 University City, Mo. (University City HS)
Brown was a team captain for University City High School … coached by Carl Reed … mother is Tiffany Brown.
Jacob Chapple TE 6-5 212 O’Fallon, Ill. (O’Fallon Township HS)
Chapple was coached by Brandon Joggerst at O’Fallon Township High School … parents are Trevelle Chapple and Melody BoJang.
Austen Eskew TE 6-4 220 Lawson, Mo. (Lawson HS)
Eskew was a first-team all-state, first-team all-district and a first-team all-district performer as a senior … earned all-conference and all-district honors as a defensive end as a junior … holds school record for reception yards in a season (790) and single game reception yards (103) … also an accomplished wrestler … three-time conference champion at three different weight classes .. 2013 state champion at 195 lbs. … 2013 District Wrestler of the Year … holds school records for pins in a season (40), wins in a season (50) and career wins (150+) … coached by Todd Dunn … mother is Brandy Eskew.
Zach Flott OL 6-5 295 Ralston, Neb. (Ralston HS)
Flott lettered all four seasons at Ralston High School … named All-State Class B as a senior … earned all-metro honors … named Super-State and All-Nebraska on offense as a senior … lettered three years in basketball and track … earned academic honor roll … coached by Tyler Zahn … parents are Eric and Christy Flott.
Kenneth Harrell DE 6-3 205 St. Louis, Mo. (Vashon HS)
Harrel was a first-team all-conference performer as a senior … invited to the Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star game … second-team all-conference performer as a junior … named honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore … coached by Reginald Ferguson … mother is Glenda Williams.
Mikey Henson WR 6-2 190 Blue Valley, Kan. (Blue Valley HS)
Henson was a first-team All-EKL performer and earned all-state honorable mention accolades as a senior, leading the Tigers to a Kansas state championship … second-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior … led team in receiving as a junior and as a senior … lettered in basketball and track … qualified for state track in the high jump, long jump and triple jump … coached by Eric Driskell … parents are Mike and Faye Henson.
Najeem Hosein DB 6-1 175 Orlando, Fla. (Oak Ridge HS)
Hosein was a team captain and a three-year starter at Oak Ridge High School … named first-team all-metro as a senior … named All-Osceola County as a junior … coached by Elijah Williams … parents are Latiff and Derika Hosein.
Devin Houston LB 6-2 216 Liberty, Mo. (Liberty HS)
Houston was a first-team all-conference performer at Liberty High School … earned second-team all-state honors … was the co-defensive player of the year … coached by Chad Frigon … parents are Toni and Fieldon Houston.
Emanuel Jones RB 5-11 200 Mundelein, Ill. (Mundelein HS)
Jones was named Chicago Area MVP by the Daily Herald … was an all-state honorable mention … coached by George Kaider … parents are Vince and Dietra Jones.
Trey Kothe OL 6-7 260 Macon, Mo. (Macon Senior HS)
Kothe was a three-sport athlete at Macon Senior High School … first-team all-conference, first-team all-district performer as a senior … earned second-team all-district honors as a junior … was an all-conference center in 2012 … named all-district in 2012 in the shot put … earned all-conference honors in the discus in 2013 and was a state qualifier … coached by Pete Claas … parents are Paul and Marcia Kothe.
Cody Massey WR 6-3 175 St. Joseph, Mo. (Lafayette HS)
Massey was a two-year all-city performer at Lafayette High School … named all-conference and all-district … coached by Paul Woolard … parents are Mike and Tracy Massey.
Jackson Morrison OL 6-3 298 Maryville, Mo. (Maryville HS)
Morrison led Maryville High School to two consecutive state championships … three-time all-state honoree … three-time all-conference on offense and two-time all-conference on defense … earned honors twice from the St. Joseph News Press … three-time all-district performer … coached by Matt Webb … parents are Kirby and Angela Morrison.
Brent Morrow DL 6-2 282 St. Louis, Mo. (Ladue Horton Watkins HS)
Morrow was a first-team all-state performer as a senior after earning second-team honors as a junior and third-team honors as a sophomore … three-time all-conference performer … named conference lineman of the year three times … named first-team all-metro after earning second-team honors during junior and sophomore seasons … named team captain and team MVP as a senior … named in Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report 2013 … participant in the NFL sponsored Team USA in Arlington, Texas (Feb. 7, 2014) … named to the Detetrious Johnson All-America team as a junior … coached by Mike Tarpey … parents are Larisa Hairston and Jesse Morrow.
Trent Nally DB 6-3 190 Maryville, Mo. (Maryville HS)
Nally led Maryville High School to two consecutive state championships … Class three Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … first-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a junior and as a senior … earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore … coached by Matt Webb … parents are Chris and Amy Nally.
Ben Norgaard OL 6-4 320 Carroll, Iowa (Carroll HS)
Norgaard was a first-team all-state, first-team all-district and first-team All-Western Iowa as a senior … named team captain … earned second-team All-Western Iowa and honorable mention all-district honors … coached by Dennis McCartan … parents are Jay and Sue Norgaard.
Kory Poelker DL 6-3 240 O’Fallon, Ill. (O’Fallon Township HS)
Poelker was a second-team all-conference performer at O’Fallon Township High School … named all-area honorable mention … coached by Brandon Joggerst … parents are Randy and Kelly Poelker.
Hunter Ramirez WR 6-2 205 Grain Valley, Mo. (Grain Valley HS)
Ramirez was a first-team all-conference performer as a wide receiver and as a punter during his junior and senior seasons … named first-team all-district as a wide receiver and punter as a junior … first-team all-district and third-team all-state as a senior … won the Erick Roe (Top WR) Elite 81 award … named team MVP … Otis Taylor Award semifinalist (best KC area wide receiver) … two-time KMZU Dream Team … coached by Jimmy Tucker … parents are Ray and Stacie Ramirez.
Ernest Scott DB 6-0 180 Orlando, Fla. (Oak Ridge HS)
Scott earned honorable mentions from the Orlando Sentinel Super 60 … was the MVP of the Bright House Sports televised game … also a standout in track, earning the Early Trawick Newcomer award … coached by Elijah Williams … parents are Ernest and Brenda Scott.
Mike Sehl DL 6-3 220 Iowa City, Iowa (Regina HS)
Sehl was a first-team all-state and a first-team all-district performer at Regina High School … earned second-team all-state honors from the Des Moines Register … coached by Marv Cook … parents are George and Kara Sehl.
Marcus Stewart Jr. DL 6-2 240 Maryland Heights, Mo. (Pattonville Senior HS)
Stewart was a second-team all-state performer for Pattonville Senior High School … earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-district honors … coached by Steve Smith … parents are Marcus and Betty Stewart.
Noah Voss WR 6-3 195 Fremont, Neb. (Fremont Senior HS)
Voss was an all-conference performer at Fremont Senior High School … named honorable mention all-state from the Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Fremont Tribune … team captain as a senior … led team in receiving yards as a junior and as a senior … coached by Seth McClain … parents are Mark and Shawna Voss.
Chase White RB 6-0 195 Maize, Kan. (Maize HS)
White was named all-state Kansas 6A as a senior … first-team all-league … earned all-metro honors … coached by Gary Guzman … parents are Kenny White and Lisa Hanson.
Alex Wickert OL 6-3 270 Ralston, Neb. (Ralston HS)
Wickert was a Class B All-state performer on the offensive and defensive lines as a senior … named to the honor roll all four years … coached by Tyler Zahn … parents are Robert and Molly Wickert.
Quinza Witcher DB 5-10 180 Neptune Beach, Fla. (Duncan U. Fletcher HS)
Witcher was named an impact player at Duncan U. Fletcher High School … earned player of the week honors as a senior … coached by Josh Corey … mother is Nisa’a Knight.
Tom Young OL 6-3 290 Omaha, Neb. (Westside HS)
Young was an all-state performer at Westside High School … named Super State as a senior … earned first-team all-metro, all-conference and all-district honors … coached by Brett Froendt … parents are Harold and Beth Young.
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