Hampshire looks to avenge '07 with return to playoffs

Lousy playoff points.

That's all that separated Hampshire's varsity football team from making the postseason as a 5-4 team last fall.

The near miss, which snapped a string of three straight playoff appearances by the Whip-Purs, made for a long off-season for the returning members of the varsity football team. It also made for a productive one from a motivation standpoint.

"We're all mad about that," senior Ron Bronke said. "We wanted to make it last year, and this year we want to go all the way. We've been pushing each other. Even if we're down on the ground and ready to die, we'll get back up and keep going."

Said 19th-year coach Dan Cavanaugh: "We had a good off-season and a good summer, so things are real positive. We have a good group of senior leaders coming back this year and good numbers on the roster (32). It's the best number we've had in a few years, so we're looking for a lot of good things."

Many of those good things will occur in a completely new football atmosphere. Hampshire unveils its new football stadium for the first time tonight when the Whips host St. Edward at the village's newly occupied high school.

Any Hampshire football purists feeling unfamiliar with the new digs will be soothed by Cavanaugh's familiar offensive philosophy. The Whip-Purs expect to be able to run the ball better than they did a year ago behind an offensive line made up of returners who can pave the way for powerful senior fullback Joe Moore (5-foot-11, 195 pounds).

Last season Moore rushed 145 times for 732 yards and 15 touchdowns and made 6 receptions for 70 yards. Those numbers should improve behind a veteran offensive line comprised mainly of seniors.

Bronke (5-10, 200) enters his third year of varsity play. Mitch Vandedrink (5-11, 185) returns at left guard. Right guard Matt Kuefner (5-9, 185) saw plenty of action last season. Jerry Eckler (6-3, 190) started at right tackle last year. Center Lucas Meyer (6-0, 185) returns from a season-ending leg injury suffered in Week 1 last season against St. Edward. Junior Cooper Smith (6-2, 220) also gained experience last year.

"Joe knows he'll only go as far as his offensive line does, and we're looking for some good things out of those guys," Cavanaugh said. "We threw the ball a lot more last year out of necessity at some points. We'll see how it goes."

Playing quarterback will be senior Evan Brenner, who backed up Trace Teboda last year. In limited action as a signal-caller, Brenner completed 1-of-4 passes for 15 yards. His main responsibilities, however, were as a linebacker, kicker and receiver. He made 1 interception and 14 solo tackles (20 assists), converted 26 of 28 extra point attempts and caught 4 passes for 123 yards.

Moore will also anchor the defense as a middle linebacker. He was second on the team in tackles a year ago with 29 solo and 46 assists. Anchoring the secondary will be senior James Goebbert (6-3, 180), who led the team with 4 interceptions, 1 of which he returned for a touchdown, and senior Bo Price (5-11, 175). Brenner moves to safety this season.

Smith and Diego Bolanos (5-10, 180) started most of last season at defensive end positions.

One goal is to improve against the run. Hampshire allowed 197 yards rushing per game last season and 90 yards passing.

The Whip-Purs expect their experience will translate to contention for a title in the Big Northern East Conference and a return to the state playoffs. "That's definitely the goal," Cavanaugh said of reaching the postseason. "Last year kind of emphasized how important every game really is. That's definitely the goal, to get back to the playoffs."