Seniors will lead Westminster Christian
Westminster Christian football is about to experience something new: a wealth of senior leadership.
The Warriors enter their third season of varsity competition, but this is their first year with more than a sprinkling of seniors dotting the roster. There were four seniors on the inaugural team in 2013, two on last year's squad.
A total of 10 seniors - most with two years of varsity playing time under their belts - lead the way in 2015. The team also has nine juniors and three sophomores.
"This is the first time we've been almost all seniors and juniors," third-year coach John Davis said. "Normally, we're the young team. Now, hopefully, we're on an even playing field with the teams we play. In previous years we were young, we were the new program, we were this and that. Now we've got to go out and make it happen. We don't have any excuses this year."
The program continues to add veteran football minds to its coaching staff. Last year Westminster added longtime area coach Terry Schabert as defensive coordinator. Former Hampshire head coach Dan Cavanaugh joins the staff this fall.
Cavanaugh retired as Hampshire's head coach in 2013 with a record of 121-122. His 25-year run included a Class 2A state championship in 1995. He is helping with the defensive line and the offense, Davis said.
The Warriors lost a key player in the off-season when junior Isaac Hawn, a 6-foot-6, 270-pound, two-way starter for the last two seasons, transferred to St. Charles North. Illinois State made him a scholarship offer in July.
However, the loss of Hawn is ameliorated by the gain of two incoming transfers. Junior Tannor Park (6-0, 155), a move-in from Arizona, is a mobile quarterback who can run the ball. Slot back Bobby Scott last played for South Elgin. Both are getting comfortable in an offense that will attempt to be balanced between the run and pass.
Scott joins a backfield that includes versatile junior Xavier Brown and senior Noah Anderson. Brown led the Warriors last season with 763 yards and 10 touchdowns in 101 attempts (7.6 avg.). He also led the team in receptions (29) and receiving yards (396) and caught 3 touchdown passes, though his priority this season is on the defensive side of the ball. Anderson carried 37 times for 129 yards and caught 18 balls for 147 yards and a score.
Junior Scotty Graziano, a 2013 all-Northeastern Conference pick, runs precise routes, possesses great football instincts, has great hands and gains yards after the catch. The coaching staff plans to make use of his elusiveness by playing the three-year varsity starter at wingback in addition to tight end. Graziano rushed last season for 89 yards and a touchdown in 37 attempts, and he hauled in 27 receptions for 267 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Connor James Albrecht is another veteran receiver Park can target. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound senior finished last season with 25 catches for 394 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Davis calls his offensive line the "Zach attack" because it features seniors Zach Anderson (6-0, 200), Zach Aters (6-2, 320) and Zach Gallante (6-3, 215). Rounding out the line are junior John John Davis (6-0, 190), an elite-level long snapper, and senior David Bloom, who returns to football after sitting out his junior season.
Defensively, the Warriors are led by Brown at strong safety and senior Nick DeMaira (5-9, 160) at middle linebacker, bookended by senior Marcus Grasemann and junior Keaton Frens at outside linebacker.
"Xavier will call the defense from over the top and DiMaira pretty much has the middle on lockdown," Davis said. "I have a lot of faith in what Terry Schabert is doing in his second year with the defense."