By Jake Rosenberg
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 12:00 am
Two first-year coaches are taking over in Jefferson and Harrisburg, each with the goal of rebuilding programs that have struggled in recent years.
David Bailey will lead the Lions into their opening game with Blanchet at Willamette University on Friday, hoping to avenge last year's opening-week 27-0 loss. Bailey, Cottage Grove's defensive coordinator over the last three years, says that his team has what it takes to improve upon their 2007 record of 1-9
(0-6 in PacWest play).
"We are light on linemen so we are not going to be in position to play smash-mouth football," Bailey said. "But we've got lots of speed on this year's team. We have the ability to stretch people out to try and get more one-on-one situations."
The top targets in Bailey's run-and-shoot, pistol hybrid-offense will be two of the team's 12 upperclassmen: junior Jake Marlatt and 2007 PacWest first-team senior wideout Dan Hochspeier.
The rookie head coach hopes the tandem will keep opposing defenses on their toes and open up running lanes for Logan Idsinga.
While the Lions still lack numbers, with just over 30 players, Bailey says a successful season will help to increase that number in the future.
"As a first-year coach, my goal is to try and get our numbers up but (this year) our ultimate goal, obviously, is to get to the playoffs," Bailey said. "With only three playoff spots in the PacWest this year, you have to try and knock off those big dogs if you want to have a chance."
Harrisburg's Steve Luby inherits an improving Eagles squad that plans on being one of those PacWest big dogs in time.
The head baseball coach will do double-duty this year for Harrisburg, as the first-year football coach plans to keep the momentum going for an Eagles squad that improved to 3-7 (2-4 in PacWest) last year following an 0-9 performance in 2006.
Luby says that he is impressed with his team's ability to pick up his new singleback, spread offense, but it has only been achieved through hard work in their preseason practices.
"The kids are doing a great job of working hard and coming to work every day to get better," Luby said after a late Tuesday night in the office. "We've got some kids who have a bit of speed and some that can move on the o-line, so we have got some potential."
Senior quarterback Brian Richardson will be a pivotal player within the new scheme but Luby says his only expectation is that his team continues to show up and improve.
"How good we will be, you can never tell. We just worry about getting better every day and coming to compete. We have still got some work and we have to stay disciplined in what we do. Its just a day-by-day thing. As long as everybody continues to be unselfish and puts the team first, we will be alright," Luby said.
Harrisburg starts its season on Friday at 2A Knappa, whom the Eagles took down 19-6 in last years season opener.