Missing playoffs fuels Jacobs' fire

It didn't take much to motivate Jacobs in an off-season that began too soon for its liking.

Finishing 5-4 yet missing the postseason due to a lack of playoff points has a tendency to light a fire under football players determined to avoid a repeat.

"This team has a chip on its shoulder after going 5-4 and still being eliminated for the first time in many years since we've been here," said sixth-year coach Bill Mitz, whose streaks of 5 straight playoff appearances at Jacobs and 26 consecutive playoff appearances overall (21 at Stevenson) were interrupted last fall. "The kids remember that (terrible) feeling. We all remember it. That we couldn't play another game last year ... that hurt, I'm not going to lie. It was a stinger but that's history. We're excited to see the new product (Friday)."

Offensively, second-year quarterback Chris Katrenick will lead the Golden Eagles when take the field for their nonconference home opener against Prospect. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior has an offer from Virginia with more expected following a sophomore campaign in which he completed 90 of 172 attempts for 1,461 yards and 12 touchdowns and was intercepted 5 times. Mitz said his quarterback returns stronger, faster and more confident, the result of productive off-season weight training.

Katrenick will throw to senior receivers Kyle Copeland (6-1, 170) and Nate Meland (5-11, 165), among others. Copeland was the team's second-leading receiver in 2014 with 18 receptions for 265 yards and a touchdown. Meland, also a baseball player, has 4.6 speed and soft hands, according to his coach.

The Golden Eagles return experience in the backfield in twins Sean and Matt Barnes, who gained some seasoning in supporting roles as juniors behind leading rusher Josh Walker, now at West Point. Matt Barnes rushed for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns in 38 attempts (5.7 avg.) while Sean Barnes chipped in with 18 carries for 135 yards (7.5 avg.) and 2 scores.

Expect to see the twins in the same backfield. "They'll be together, just like they came out," Mitz said.

The offensive line returns two key players: senior center Jack Golnick (6-1, 225) and Jimmy Wormsley, a 6-2, 280-pound sophomore who acquitted himself well as a freshman. Wormsley is "developing into a good player," his coach said.

The defense is led by inside linebacker Casey Dennison (6-2, 205), a multisport athlete. He is flanked by fellow returning starter Bryce Pahl, who can play inside and outside, and the Barnes twins at outside linebackers.

Senior Mark Comstock (6-0, 175) is the only returnee along the defensive line and most of the secondary is inexperienced, but Jacobs' veteran coach is cautiously optimistic.

"I think we have a great group of kids who have dedicated a lot of time to this season," Mitz said, "but when you're (practicing) against yourselves, you don't know how physical you are or not. We have to play a football game to find out where we're at. We have to play well in the home opener."