Christian Liberty's transition continues

Some aspects will be easier and others will be tougher for Christian Liberty in its second year of organized football.

Last year the school had only two weeks to prepare for its inaugural season. This year the Chargers had a full off-season and summer to get ready.

"It's a huge difference between this year and last year," said CLA coach Jim Kaulkins. "I don't think we're going to be struggling with some of the basic things we were last year.

"I've got a lot more confidence in the kids and I'm really proud of them. I'm happy to be working with them."

Work was one of the main themes as Christian Liberty is now a full member of the IHSA and will play a full nine-game schedule in the new Northeastern Athletic Conference. Last year it lost three games against varsity teams.

"We weren't really in the best of shape and it was a learning experience and a good experience," Kaulkins said. "A lot of kids realized how much work this is and it motivated them a lot."

The Chargers lost only two players from last year and freshmen make up one-third of the 24-man roster. The coaching staff has increased from two to five with longtime Conant assistant Ken Johnson coming in to help run the offense.

The Chargers have experience at quarterback with Nathan Elleson, one of five seniors on the roster.

"He's progressed over the year and learned a lot," Kaulkins said. "He's gotten a little stronger and he's always been waiting for football season to roll around."

Senior Zach Cavanaugh is back to lead the running game behind senior lineman Dan Calloway (6-feet-4, 285 pounds).

"We have to run the ball and a lot depends on our running backs," Kaulkins said. "We have a variety of different ones to try to spread the load out a lot more this year. Our team is so small we have to spread the load out."

Especially since the numbers will require a lot of two-way players such as Cavanaugh, Calloway, Elleson, Will Garcia, Miguel Mondragon, Jon Sherwell, David Sotomayor and Dan Glad.

But it's all part of the new and exciting challenge.

"They're really confident and they've been waiting for this for awhile," Kaulkins said. "It's been a work in progress for awhile."

Now the Chargers hope to see progress from their work.