Depth no problem at Jefferson-Morgan
JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan High School coach Jan Haiden has a problem this year that most coaches would like to have. Some schools may have injury trouble, graduation problems or even individual player attitude problems but, the Rockets have the problem of what baseball prognosticator Yogi Berra would say, “They have deep depth”.
At any level of competition, or in any sport, this is the only problem a coach can enjoy. The players who don’t start offer excellent relief when needed, especially if the talent level is as close as what Haiden has to sort through.
Most teams talk about having a stable of running backs. The Rockets have a whole farm.
They have 10 running backs vying for three backfield spots. This is approximately a quarter of all the kids that are out for the team this year. This should provide some healthy competition in the Rockets camp and keep some fresh legs in the game for them as the season goes.
Last years starting fullback senior Eric Swinchock is the only one who has secured a spot in the race. He was a mainstay in the backfield with departing tailback Bryan Lorence, who graduated.
“They all are close in talent level,” noted Haiden. “We have no real big kids. They’re all the same size.”
“None of them are overly fast, but they’re all quick.”
The nine backs fighting for two spots include senior Chris Shaffer, junior Brian Taylor, junior Avery Pritchett, sophomore Dave Basinger, sophomore Jonathan Meyers, senior Alan Yanak, senior Joe Culp, sophomore Luke Lubich and freshman Jeremy Weaver.
“If the season started tomorrow, I’d have to use them all,” said Haiden. “It’s just that close.”
“We are looking for someone to step up. They’re all in a battle.”
Defensively the Rockets are in the same quandary. Swinchock and Taylor will start at middle linebacker and outside linebacker respectively, but the same group of players is competing for the defensive back spots.
One other spot, which is up for grabs, is the quarterback spot where juniors Matt Ferencek and Jimmy Basilone are competing. Again, Haiden says the competition is very close, “We’re still looking close at both of them. Neither one of them has a real edge.”
“The defensive backs and running backs are equal both ways,” said Haiden. “We going to need another week to know who is going where. We’re just not sure yet.”
Nonetheless the Rockets seem to have the problems this year that most teams would like to have. Especially for a Class A school. You can never have too much talent to get through a season.