Scouting the Waubonsie Valley Warriors
One is the prime number at Waubonsie Valley.
The Warriors pledged not to finish one game back in the Upstate Eight Conference... or to lose their playoff opener by a point. That's two big "ones" from 2009.
When on Aug. 8 senior defensive back Adnaan Rahman died in a car accident, his uniform number transcended coincidence to carry the theme of "1," which will be memorialized on his teammates' helmet stickers.
"I don't know if this is an omen or not, you guys," Warriors coach Paul Murphy recalled telling his players, "but now you have something to throw you closer together."
Murphy hopes Rahman's drive - "one more extra rep, one more extra sprint," Murphy said - continues to inspire a team that returns three starters to its spread offense and six to a base 4-3 defense.
Tommy Kolzow, a senior who battled graduated All-Area quarterback Kenny Clay for the job in 2009, now has it. Kolzow, not afraid to lower a shoulder, commands a team strength at receiver led by Joey Storto, Eric Josupait and Northwestern-bound tight end Mark Szott, who caught 27 passes for 333 yards, 2 touchdowns. A challenge is rebuilding an offensive line around returning starting center Brian Nicolls, but Murphy likes candidates such as Shadeed Williford and Chris Weaver.
Defensively there is more experience even without linebacker Owen Saldana, the Warriors' top tackler in 2009 who chose to pursue a blossoming discus and shot put career.
Waubonsie returns defensive lineman Devon Morgan - also a starting running back - linebacker David Brown and lockdown cornerback Jakobi Johnson, one of three starters back in the secondary.
Murphy said Rahman sought more time in the secondary his senior year. By extension, he will get it.
"Put his spirit on your shoulder," Murphy told his boys, "and take it on the field with you every night."
The breakdown
Coach: Paul Murphy (sixth year, 29-20; 21st overall, 117-81).
2009 record: 6-4, 5-2, third in the Upstate Eight Conference.
Top players: David Brown (LB, 5-7, 170, sr.), Johnny Giba (DB, 6-1, 160, sr.), Jakobi Johnson (DB, 5-9, 170, sr.), Eric Josupait (WR, 6-0, 160, sr.), Tom Kolzow (QB, 6-1, 185, sr.), Derek Mickelson (LB, 5-9, 185, sr.), Devon Morgan (RB-DL, 6-3, 215, sr.), Brian Nicolls (OL, 6-3, 215, sr.), Joey Storto (WR, 6-0, 175, sr.), Mark Szott (TE, 6-4, 230, sr.), Trey Waldman (DB, 6-0, 170, sr.).