Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports
Vandercook Lake Jayhawks
Last season’s record: 8-2
Returning starters: 1 on offense, 1 on defense
First Game: Aug. 26 vs. Springport 7 p.m.
Offensive keys:
Chase Pierce is the lone returning starter on offense, and that’s where the challenge for coach Steve Wolvin and his group begins.
That’s also where the potential sits with the Jayhawks.
“We have some guys who had an opportunity to play last year, and I think they are ready to shine now,” Wolvin said. “With so many new guys starting, how quickly the offensive line comes together is key. There is plenty of potential to be good. In fact, they will be good, we just hope it’s sooner than later.”
Vandercook Lake averaged nearly 35 points per game last year, and did so with a number of big-play guys in a number of positions.
Malik Wilks and Zaithon Allen were the explosive duo that played such a big part in the eight-win season.
Those times with the ball will fall to Chris Poe and Logan Lefaive now.
“This is still an offense that can score some points,” Wolvin said. “We’re running the same system we have for five years now. These guys understand what they have to do. Our offense goes as our quarterback goes, and having Chase back is key. He’s a great leader for us.”
Defensive keys:
Pierce is also the lone starter to return on the defensive side of the ball, but Wolvin doesn’t expect much drop off from a group that allowed roughly 22 points per game during the regular season.
“We expect to be very sound,” Wolvin said. “It may take some time, but we have the guys we need. They just have to play and get that experience.”
With so many new starters, Wolvin said a solid start to the year would do wonders for confidence.
“It’s important we get off to a good start and build,” he added. “We have to keep the confidence level up. If we can do that, we have the coaching and the players to be successful.”
Coach’s outlook
The goals it to improve
“The goal is to improve each week,” Wolvin said. “The goal for this team is the playoffs. With 22 guys on the roster, we also have to stay healthy. But if we do that, we’re going to be in good position to have a good year.”
Something to think about:
Last year’s playoff appearance was the first for Vandercook since 1996.
Duplicating that success won’t be easy with so many new starters on both sides of the ball.
But, after going 5-4 in 2014, the Jayhawks had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1996 and 1997.
The program hasn’t had three winning seasons in succession since the 1958 through 1972 teams all finished with more wins than losses.
