By Doug Chapin

dchapin@vindy.com

CHAMPION

It’s what’s up front that counts for the Champion football team in 2013 as the Golden Flashes boast plenty of depth on the offensive and defensive lines.

“In the five years I’ve been here, this is going to be our strongest offensive line across the board and we have some great skill coming back,” fifth-year head coach Terry Howell said. “We are extremely blessed with our front seven on defense. It is one of the best I’ve seen since we’ve been here. Last year we played very well against the run and I think we will be better this year.”

Key graduation losses from a 5-5 team are quarterback James Naylor, receiver Robert Douglas, defensive back Jason Cyrus and lineman Alex Klejka. The Flashes return nine starters including two who started in 2011 and did not play last year.

“We had a couple close games that we lost where one or two plays determined the outcome,” Howell said of the 2012 season. “We’ve tried to tell the kids all winter that we could have easily been 7-3 or 8-2 had a couple plays gone our way.”

OFFENSE

Up front on offense, Champion returns Brennan Grace (6-foot, 230 pounds, Sr.) and Blade Walters (5-10, 190, Jr.) plus the two who did not play last season, Silas Thomas (5-11, 210, Sr.) and Justin Kenney (6-0, 225, Sr.).

Another starter on the line, Mason Brown (5-11, 190, Jr.), will move to fullback this season.

“With some guys coming back it is allowing us to play kids in positions they should play,” Howell said. “Last year we were playing some kids out of position but we didn’t have a choice.”

Brown will share the fullback spot with Brandon McFarland (5-7, 185, Sr.) in front of returning tailback Mike Cyrus (5-8, 175, Sr.), a 1,000-yard rusher in 2012. The quarterback is Jacob Rasey (5-5, 160, Sr.) who played fullback a year ago.

“We will run a lot of triple option out of the two-back set and also from the wishbone,” Howell said. “We also will run some wing-T.”

DEFENSE

Brown moves from a down tackle to linebacker to team with Rasey. Grace and McFarland return at end in the 50 defense with Matt Gorrell (5-7, 182, Jr.) back at nose. The Flashes have enough depth to go eight or nine deep on the defensive line. Cyrus is the only returning starter in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Flashes, who also lost kicker John Rable to graduation, are looking for a new kicker with John Mahan and Kenney competing. Cyrus and Cody Cykon are expected to handle the return game.

OUTLOOK

“We talk to the kids on a daily basis about gaining respect in our conference. I think we did that a little bit last year,” Howell said. “Game over, win or lose, they knew had a battle on their hands.

“We look at the other teams in our conference and think we can compete for a title. We really believe that and ultimately, if we do that, we can be playing in Week 11.”