2009 PREP
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Rejuvenated Rocks
aim
for return to glory days
for return to glory days
BY ED WRIGHT
Leave it to a former Rock to pump some program-altering adrenaline into
a once-dominant Salem football program.Not long (probably just a matter of minutes) after Salem graduate and former football player Kurt Britnell was hired to replace Parker Salowich this past spring, he hit the ground running, installing new schemes and strategies.
The most important thing Britnell has done, however, is change something that can't be found in a playbook, senior Blake Abbey stressed.
"From last season to this season, the change in attitude has been amazing," said Abbey, the Rocks' starting center. "Everybody is thinking positive and we're enjoying the sport more than we ever have."
Turning a high school football program around takes hard work and long hours -- two things Britnell has embraced.
"The attitude of the kids has been great," said Britnell, the former offensive coordinator at Plymouth. "They've been very coachable. They listen to everything we have to say because they're hungry to start winning.
"It's been a lot of hard work so far, but not harder than I thought it would be. We're trying to do everything right and in a positive way, and it seems to be paying off so far.
"We've had a few lulls in the two-a-days, but every team goes through that."
'Hire' expectations
Britnell received some positive off-the-field news last week when he found out he had secured a teaching job at the Plymouth Canton Educational Park. Salowich was hampered by not being on the campus during the day to build the program.
"Salem's football program has gone from having no coaches who were teachers at the Park to having five in one year," said Britnell, who will teach special education at Plymouth High School. "The presence of coaches in the buildings is huge and we will have coverage in all three schools."
The Rocks' offense promises to be improved this season thanks in large part to a mammoth, athletic offensive line that will be anchored by Abbey, who is the smallest of the bunch at 205 pounds. He'll be joined by Ed Merhi (6-foot-4, 325 pounds) and Dana Baltazar (6-4, 285); and guards A.J. Smith (6-1,2 260) and the relatively small Devin Burke (6-1, 215).
QB battle
As of Wednesday, a battle for the starting quarterback spot was being waged by senior captains Jake Peterson, who stands 6-7, and Brian Maksimovic.
"We have quite a few position battles going on," revealed Britnell, "but that's a good thing. We want to create competition among positions. The only position that has been settled so far is offensive line."
Peterson and/or Maksimovic will be throwing to a receiving corps that includes senior Alex King ("He's been doing a great job out there," Britnell said), Drew Thompson, Maksimovic (if he's not the quarterback), Derek Draplin and Kyle Middleditch.
In addition to kicking and punting, Ethan Walsh will man the starting tight end spot to begin the season.
Leading the race for the starting running back slots are Devon Mullins and Aronde Watkins.
Most of the starting offensive linemen will also see stints on the defensive side of the ball, Britnell said.
"We're going to have our best 11 football players on the field as much as possible," he added. "Mike Guido and Colin Gross will also be rotating in there."
Linebacker should be a strength for the Rocks, thanks to the presence of Austin Root, Aronde Watkins and Walsh.
The defensive backfield, which is still a work in progress, will include Mullins, King and Nick Giannini.
Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 578-2767.
The Salem football
team's leadership committee consists of (from left) seniors Jake
Peterson, A.J. Smith, Blake Abbey and Brian Maksimovic.
