Squires Enthused, Hope To Rebound
August 17, 2016 at 4:15 p.m.
By Mark [email protected]
According to head coach Greg Miller, the opposite is true.
“The kids have worked hard, they’ve had a great attitude. The summer’s been warm, but we’ve done nothing but work through it,” said Miller.
“I think our kids are really looking for a redemptive year after last year, and we’re feeling good about what we have and what we’re seeing in practice. From top to bottom, from freshmen to seniors, we’re enthused about having a great year.”
The quarterbacking duties are being taken over by junior Hayes Sturtsman, who showed considerable arm strength in pitching the baseball team into the regional semifinals last spring.
“We know he has an arm, but when you put an oblong ball in his hand, instead of a round one, it gets to be adventurous. But Hayes has done a great job; he really does throw a nice ball, and he’s doing a nice job of reading our option offense.
“He’s a big, physical kid, so we’ve moving him from one of our wide receivers, or a tight end, to quarterback. Part of it is he wanted to make that change. And from what we’ve seen of his leadership, we’re willing to put it in his hand. And we’re going to have him there for a couple of years now.
“Behind him we have (freshman) Devin Markham, so once Hayes is finished with his high school career, Devin will step right in and take that position over. They both spent a lot of time in the offseason with Coach (offensive coordinator Ron) Shewman, and watched film, and did all the hard, behind-the-scenes work. Now it’s time to show people that they have the ability to do it on the field.”
Last year the Squires gave up at least 27 points in every game but one, a 34-14 home win over Three Rivers Conference foe Rochester. Miller said he expects the players in the trenches to provide a spark for the Squires this season.
“I’m feeling really good about our offensive and defensive lines. I think that’s going to be our high point, and we have a lot of depth there,” said Miller. “You know if you have a good O-line, that’s half the battle to be able to control teams up front.
“We’re going to be a little bit younger in the back end, but hopefully some changes we’ve made defensively scheme-wise will help us out.”
While focused on what they have, Miller acknowledges the Squires might be one of the youngest teams in the state, with only five seniors on the 44-person roster.
“A lot of young kids are going to get some playing time, and we’re going to work them in early-on, so by playoff time we’re ready to go and hitting on all cylinders.”
The schedule doesn’t do Manchester any favors this season. After opening with two non-conference home games, the Squires will play only two TRC games at home; hosting Whitko and Tippecanoe Valley in back-to-back contests Sept. 23 and 30.
Manchester opens its season at 7 p.m. Friday by hosting Mississinewa.
According to head coach Greg Miller, the opposite is true.
“The kids have worked hard, they’ve had a great attitude. The summer’s been warm, but we’ve done nothing but work through it,” said Miller.
“I think our kids are really looking for a redemptive year after last year, and we’re feeling good about what we have and what we’re seeing in practice. From top to bottom, from freshmen to seniors, we’re enthused about having a great year.”
The quarterbacking duties are being taken over by junior Hayes Sturtsman, who showed considerable arm strength in pitching the baseball team into the regional semifinals last spring.
“We know he has an arm, but when you put an oblong ball in his hand, instead of a round one, it gets to be adventurous. But Hayes has done a great job; he really does throw a nice ball, and he’s doing a nice job of reading our option offense.
“He’s a big, physical kid, so we’ve moving him from one of our wide receivers, or a tight end, to quarterback. Part of it is he wanted to make that change. And from what we’ve seen of his leadership, we’re willing to put it in his hand. And we’re going to have him there for a couple of years now.
“Behind him we have (freshman) Devin Markham, so once Hayes is finished with his high school career, Devin will step right in and take that position over. They both spent a lot of time in the offseason with Coach (offensive coordinator Ron) Shewman, and watched film, and did all the hard, behind-the-scenes work. Now it’s time to show people that they have the ability to do it on the field.”
Last year the Squires gave up at least 27 points in every game but one, a 34-14 home win over Three Rivers Conference foe Rochester. Miller said he expects the players in the trenches to provide a spark for the Squires this season.
“I’m feeling really good about our offensive and defensive lines. I think that’s going to be our high point, and we have a lot of depth there,” said Miller. “You know if you have a good O-line, that’s half the battle to be able to control teams up front.
“We’re going to be a little bit younger in the back end, but hopefully some changes we’ve made defensively scheme-wise will help us out.”
While focused on what they have, Miller acknowledges the Squires might be one of the youngest teams in the state, with only five seniors on the 44-person roster.
“A lot of young kids are going to get some playing time, and we’re going to work them in early-on, so by playoff time we’re ready to go and hitting on all cylinders.”
The schedule doesn’t do Manchester any favors this season. After opening with two non-conference home games, the Squires will play only two TRC games at home; hosting Whitko and Tippecanoe Valley in back-to-back contests Sept. 23 and 30.
Manchester opens its season at 7 p.m. Friday by hosting Mississinewa.
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