Albert Gallatin Preview
When Chuck Colborn was interviewed before taking the Albert Gallatin coaching job in 2001, he told his new bosses that there wouldn’t be any miracles. He was right.
While the team did end its two-year winless skid, Albert Gallatin could manage only two wins.
“When you lose for so many years, nothing’s going to happen overnight,” Colborn said. “Now, I’m not expecting to go from 0-10 to 2-8 to 10-0. We’ve just got to compete with teams, then learn how to win. Once we get over the hump, I feel the talent here is equal to that of the teams we’re going to play. We just have to believe we can win.”
Albert Gallatin could compete with most teams last year, but to get over the hump and win it first must successfully replace running back Maurice Jackson. Colborn believes he has a nice variety from which to choose in juniors Vaughn Jones, Scott Piper and Jaques Newberry .
“All three played last year, so we’re going to a two-back set,” Colborn said. “Vaughn’s come a long way and has some good experience; Scott’s more of a power kid; Jaques is a smaller, scat-back type.”
Three-year starter Logan Bowers is the top wide receiver out of a talented bunch. Seniors Billy Boni and Eddie Robinson (6-1, 190) will also catch plenty of passes.
The quarterback derby is a three-way battle between senior Zach Dawson, junior B.J. Strimel and junior Greg Moore.
Dawson was the starter last year, but Colborn has added more options to the running game and may use Strimel or Moore at quarterback.
“It gets tighter every day,” Colborn said. “After our scrimmage with Waynesburg, they all graded very closely and somewhat high, so we’re very pleased with that.”
The line will be anchored by left tackle Steve Kassimer (5-11, 252). The three other returning line starters are left guard Drew Dindl (5-8, 266), right guard Ryan Martelli (5-11, 280) and right tackle Marc Berry (5-9, 212). Center Rob Renaldi (6-3, 245) also played in every game last year.
“We feel pretty solid with those guys,” Colborn said. “These are the kids who really hit the weights hard.”
A backup with plenty of potential is sophomore Darnell Austin (6-0, 270).
Colborn is attempting to use as many fresh starters on defense as he can. He believes the secondary will be the unit’s strength and feels confident using any of the following players: Jones, Newberry, Eddie Robinson and Chris VanMeter at cornerback, and returning safeties Bowers and Boni.
Returning to start up front are Mark Walters (6-1, 188) at defensive end and Martelli at tackle. The other starting end will be Ryan Benninger (6-0, 203), who moves in from outside linebacker.
Two of last year’s linebackers return, including middle linebacker Tyler Gacek (5-9, 191). Dennis Alexander (5-10, 202) returns to start at strongside linebacker, while Clayton Knox (6-1, 175) takes over the open linebacker job on the weak side.
“Our attitude has definitely changed,” Colborn said in summation. “But we won’t know how that will pay off until we get game-tested. There’s no question the kids have gotten stronger. And their attitudes have changed 100 percent. But until we get in games, we won’t know if we’ve turned the corner.”