By Doug Chapin

dchapin@vindy.com

CHAMPION

Besieged a year ago by injuries to key players, Champion appears more ready to absorb that kind of loss in 2014. Those key players — backs Jacob Rasey, Brandon McFarland and Mike Cyrus — accounted for about 90 percent of the Golden Flashes’ offense despite the injuries, and all are gone to graduation.

“We thought if we could stay healthy we would be better,” sixth-year head coach Terry Howell said about the 3-7 campaign in 2013. “We thought we had a really great group of seniors, but not much depth. We just couldn’t get injured and we did. When that happened we were in trouble.”

What Champion does have in 2014 that it didn’t a year ago is depth.

“Our numbers are up, we have 53 out compared to 34 last year. We have a freshman class that is a real nice group of kids,” Howell said. “If they stay together and work hard I think they’re going to be something special.”

OFFENSE

Junior Bailey Slyk replaces Rasey at quarterback as the Flashes switch to an option veer attack.

“Bailey was our starting quarterback in the opener and unfortunately, on the first series, he broke his hand and was out for six weeks. We felt really comfortable with him before the injury,” Howell said.

Senior Mason Brown is back for his third year as a starter. He will play fullback with support from Eric Fenstermaker. The wingbacks primarily will be junior Cody Cykon and sophomore Will Kovach with sophomore Logan Brown and freshman Nate Stahlman in reserve.

The wideouts will be returning starter Joe Batcho, a senior; junior Matt Callahan, who started at tight end last year; and sophomore Jerry Sabo.

The Flashes expect to throw more.

“The philosophy going in this year is actually for every 10 plays we want to have at least four passes in there,” Howell said.

Up front Champion returns seniors Matt Gorrell, Kyle Schneider and Blade Walters at the interior positions. The competition at the tackle spots includes Zack Page, Bobby Holloway, Jake Walters and Chris Chaney.

“Matt Gorrell is a great kid, really high intensity, he works extremely hard,” Howell said. “He’s one of the guys that is first in the weight room, the last to come out. We look to Matt for leadership, the other guys follow his lead.”

Adding depth up front are senior Corey Cortel, who was injured last year, and junior Nick Armstrong, who did not play a year ago.

DEFENSE

The Golden Flashes return three starters to their secondary, Cykon, Kovach and Batcho.

At linebacker, Mason Brown returns with Fenstermaker at the other spot and freshman Griffin Howell providing depth.

Gorrell is the only returning starter on the defensive line, though Callahan, who will play end, started last year at strong safety. Others competing on the line are Kenny Brady, Brandon Allen and Ryan Douglas.

OUTLOOK

“I really do like where we’re at right now. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this year, we had some big holes to fill,” Howell said. “But so far this year you really have to be impressed. We’ve got some good size up front and they move pretty decent for big guys.

“And with our numbers situation this year we can give them a break. We don’t have to have guys go both ways. When you’ve only got 34 you’ve got kids who never come off the field. They’re on the punting and return teams, they’re doing it all.”

A situation the Flashes can avoid in 2014.