<strong>2011</strong> Football <strong>Preview</strong> 8 Thursday, September 1, <strong>2011</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hutchinson</strong> <strong>News</strong> Sterling heading in right direction after doubling win total BY GENE SCHINZEL <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hutchinson</strong> <strong>News</strong> gschinzel@hutchnews.com <strong>The</strong> strides the Sterling High football team made between Matt Hendricks’ first season as head coach and the second were apparent. <strong>The</strong> Black Bears averaged nearly 11 more points per game last season than they did in Hendricks’ first season in 2009. But more importantly, Sterling doubled its win total, going 6-4 last season. “We built a lot of confidence last year, had some success,” Hendricks said. “<strong>The</strong> guys started to realize we could play with anyone on our schedule.” And with a strong nucleus returning this season, the Black Bears look to continue that trend. Sterling enters the <strong>2011</strong> season with six offensive and seven defensive returning starters. “We have some guys back who have a couple of years of experience and they know what it takes to be competitive and what it takes to be successful,” Hendricks said. That has been developed over the past few years. Hendricks said he saw the difference in his team from that first season as coach to 2010. “A lot of it was just understanding the system. <strong>The</strong> first year, we weren’t playing football, we were thinking too much – trying to remember where they should be, what they should do,” Hendricks said. “Now we’re at the point where we know the system, understand the system. We could play free.” Sterling’s skill players hope to run free again this season. <strong>The</strong> entire starting backfield returns for the Black Bears. Bryant Patterson rushed for 758 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the way last season, while quarterback Seth Humphreys (565 yards), Alex Burgess (450) and Chad Bennett (431) weren’t far behind. All four of the backs enter their senior years. “Our backs are our biggest strengths on both sides of the ball,” said Hendricks, who also has three starters back in the secondary. Patterson averaged 10 tackles per game. On the flip side, Sterling returns only one starting lineman. But while the Black Bears lack starting experience, Hendricks said upperclassmen could fill those roles. “We have juniors and seniors who have paid their dues. It’s neat for those guys to get the opportunity,” Hendricks said. “If you tell any coach that you’re going to lose all but one of your linemen, they’d be pretty apprehensive. We have juniors and seniors that can step in there right away.” Another facet in Sterling’s factor is better depth – the Black Bears have 35 players out this season compared to 28 last year. With depth and solid upperclassmen, the Black Bears are ready to take the next step. “<strong>The</strong> games we lost last year, we really weren’t in those games because of the mistakes we made,” said Hendricks, referring to his team’s five turnovers in a 28-6 playoff loss to Smith Center. “This year, I feel we’re going to be more composed, more competitive in those games. We want an opportunity to win those games, not just be there.” Travis Morisse/<strong>The</strong> <strong>Hutchinson</strong> <strong>News</strong> Trinity Catholic’s Joe Schrock, left, sacks Sedgwick quarterback Trent Stucky during their game last October. Schrock recorded eight sacks from the defensive line last season. Celtics aren’t expecting dropoff BY BRAD HALLIER <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hutchinson</strong> <strong>News</strong> bhallier@hutchnews.com <strong>The</strong> players and coaches within the Trinity Catholic football team know what others are saying about them. No Derek Racette. No Michael Mesh. A great senior class gone. Trinity’s going to be ripe for a few beatings this year. “Everyone thinks we’ll be down,” fourth-year coach Sean Racette said. “But these kids don’t think that way.” <strong>The</strong> Celtics aren’t naïve. <strong>The</strong>y know how good some of those seniors last year were. Derek Racette, a three-year starting quarterback, threw for 2,656 yards and 34 touchdowns while running for 568 yards and nine scores. Mesh, who was also one of the top kickers in Class 3A, caught 40 passes for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns. It wasn’t just those two, however. Will Bothwell had 11 touchdown catches. Brandon Koenigsman and Tyler Dyer combined to rush for more than 450 yards while scoring six touchdowns. But to think the Celtics have nothing left also is naïve. “We like people to think that we’re down,” junior linebacker Tom Mailloux said. “People are doubting us, but we’re all stepping up. We like to be the underdog and surprise people.” Trinity hasn’t been an underdog lately. Trinity has become a state power the last three years, reaching See CELTICS / 28
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