War Eagles getting acquainted
Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2008
ROGERS - Heritage head football coach Perry Escalante and his staff welcomed 97 players to the War Eagles' first-ever spring football camp this week and more could be on the way this summer.
With the 65-70 freshmen that are expected to come out for football as well, the War Eagles are expecting around 175 kids - freshmen, sophomores and juniors - to participate in the football program this summer.
"Now what shows up in August is a different story," Escalante said.
So far so good for Heritage considering the circumstances, Escalante added.
The War Eagles are sharing Gates Stadium and Blackie Bond Fieldhouse with Rogers while construction continues on a new fieldhouse and stadium for the Mounties at RHS campus on Dixieland.
"Having to share facilities and a field, it's as good as could be expected at this point," said Escalante, a former RHS assistant who was hired in January as the War Eagles' football coach. "It's a good thing me and (Rogers ) coach (Ronnie ) Peacock are friends or there would be some serious tension."
The transition from assistant to head coach as been a smooth one for Escalante, though he admits all the administrative work hasn't been his favorite.
Instead he's enjoyed getting to know his new team and getting an idea of who's going to play where.
The War Eagles are going to operate out of a hurry-up, no-huddle Spread offense and line up in a 4-3 defensively.
A competition is brewing at quarterback, Escalante said, between junior Casey Wilbur and sophomores Reed Brown and Jimmy Britton.
Wilbur, at 6-foot-3, has a quarterback's build. He made quite an impression during the RHS spring game last year throwing for four touchdowns.
Escalante said Wilbur will definitely play on defense at outside linebacker and could play quarterback or a slot receiver position.
"Wilbur is pretty athletic, too, " Escalante said. "He's got that big frame. He throws the ball well. Runs pretty good. He's going to have to be on the field somewhere all the time. "
Brown (5-foot-7 ) quarterbacked Oakdale Junior High and Britton (5-foot-10 ) was the starter at Elmwood.
"Reed probably will just stick to quarterback," Escalante said. "Britton will be a quarterback and probably something else on offense and a corner on defense. "
Several candidates are expected to line up at running back for the War Eagles, including junior Jacob Barrett and sophomores Zac Stewart and Stefan Reed.
"(Stewart's ) a good little running back," Escalante said. "He's got good moves and good vision. He had two or three really good runs (Tuesday ) outside. He'll probably play a little defense, too."
The War Eagles inherited a weapon from Rogers in junior wide receiver Jordan Snoderly. Snoderly caught nine passes for 154 yards and four touchdowns last fall for the Mounties.
"Snoderly's a big-play guy," Escalante said.
Sophomore Reid Schatzman (6-2, 220 ), who's injured with a high ankle sprain, also will figure in the War Eagles' plans as a tight end and a defensive lineman. Schatzman's older brother Ryan is a three-year starter at wide receiver for the Mounties.
The War Eagles also are expecting to fare well on the offensive line, led by junior center Allen Whitlow (6-foot-1, 235 pounds ). Escalante also was impressed with junior tackles Evan Zupan (6-2, 210 ) and Brian Nelson (6-4, 256 ). Jeff Couch, Corbin Hulsizer, Derek Garcia and Spanky Purdy also figure in the mix.
"We've got some big linemen," Escalante said. "By the time they're seniors we're hoping they'll be real big and very talented. " The War Eagles will hold a scrimmage to close spring practice on Friday at 3: 30 p.m. at Gates Stadium.
• • • Escalante has to hire one more high school coach to complete the varsity staff. The open position is for a ninth-grade assistant. Former Mountie lineman Jason Upton will be the head ninth-grade coach. Both will join the varsity on Friday nights.
Heritage has nine coaches, including the two ninth-grade positions, and will bump up to 10 positions next year with a senior class.
Former Mountie assistants Chad Harbison (offensive coordinator ), Jerrod Blockburger (defensive coordinator ) and Paul Wilson were the first hired.
Willie Johnson joined the staff from Oakdale and Darren Hotelling was hired from Siloam Springs.
Longtime Rogers assistant coach Bo Black, who coached under Blackie Bond and Charlie Cooper, also will be on staff.
"All of my coaches have been a big help," Escalante said.
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