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KHQA/ADVANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY BARNSTORM TOUR

STOP #11: BUSHNELL PRAIRIE CITY-AVON SPARTANS

2009 RECORD: 7-3, WPT Champs, IHSA Playoff Qualifier

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 on Offense, 2 on Defense

STRENGTHS: Incredible speed in the backfield, good speed on the lines

CONCERNS: Breaking in 17 new starters, linebacker

THE WEDDING BELLS ARE PUT AWAY: In just a few weeks, the Spartans will be back on the field in Bushnell ready to attack with that ever-potent ground game. It will be the first time the field has been used perhaps since this summer, when head coach John McCormick was married on the 50 yard line. Fabulous way to spend a wedding day, made even better with a tailgate party rather than a reception afterward. Well done, sir.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Upon arriving at camp, this year's BPCA team will have a bit of a different feel than the Spartans of years past that won back-to-back West Prairie Trails conference titles in 2008 and 2009. Coach John McCormick admits his team has come back down back to earth, at least size-wise, and will look more like a Class 1A squad for the 2010 campaign. Nevertheless, the team will pack some heavy hitters in Dallas Stranger and Austin Allen, who both check in at 230 pounds, and will make their starting debuts on the offensive and defensive lines.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: The Spartans are in need of some leaders to step up in crunch time this year, and in order to be a threat to three-peat as West Prairie Trails champs, said leader(s) will need to show themselves quickly. It's never simple to just "ease in" 17 starters, but the Spartan coaching staff will be forced to do so come the end of August. Senior Jake Vancil should be a force at linebacker, and after the first week of camp has showed great promise for that unit. He will also step up with Cain Fayhee and Bronson Tatham on the offensive line, which will be equally important to make room for their speedy backs.

NEW CALLER, SAME SIGNALS: Senior Zach Kipling steps over from the wideout spot a year ago to quarterback this young group for his final season. He's no stranger to the position, having played QB at the lower level and putting in time at backup duty in the past as well. He also has some good size (6'4" 17 lb.) for the position. But again, it's no secret, the Spartans mantra of running the ball down the defender's throat. BPCA only averaged barely more than 35 yards a game passing last year, but combine that with more than 320 yards on the ground, and things don't look so bad for the offense after all. It's just a matter of what kind of encore this backfield puts on.

THE PLAYER YOU ALREADY KNOW: Zach Ebbert. The senior running back will be the number one option in the backfield this season. You've heard that speed is a big thing hyped with this year's Spartans, so just how quick is Ebbert? Quick enough to be clocked at running a 4.4 40-yard dash earlier this summer. Coach McCormick admits to this particular run being as simple as one coach holding a stopwatch, but even if the time isn't that low, it should give you a good sense of what kind of burst he will be able to provide for his team right off the snap.

THE PLAYER YOU NEED TO KNOW BETTER: It will be Ebbert's partner in crime in the backfield shouldering the load when Zach isn't: James Miller. This back provides that second burst of speed in the backfield...in a similar timed race, Miller was clocked at running a 4.6. Again, unofficial timing done here, but it still drives home the fact that these kids will be quick. If Kipling can get out there to wing the ball every now and then, don't be surprised to see Miller use that speed to be a passing option coming out of the backfield, either.

THE PLAYER WE DISCOVERED THIS MORNING: Pretty simple to spot OL/DL Austin Allen. The 230-pound junior should easily fill the spot in the trenches on offensive to help out the aforementioned backs, along with giving his quarterback some adequate time. The man packs some size should also help create some trouble for opposing offenses if they try to counter with a similar ground game.