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2011 KHQA BARNSTORM TOUR STOP #9 BPCA SPARTANS

2010 Record: 4-5

Projected 2011 Strengths: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Defensive Secondary

Question Marks: Offensive and Defensive Lines

LOOK! UP IN THE SKY...: Most Spartan fans - maybe even head coach John McCormick himself - aren't used to seeing an aerial attack when it comes to watching the BPCA offense tick. That should all change this year. The Spartans are still backloaded in the backfield (more on that below), but junior Seth Tolley is a quarterback who can flat out play. He learned the ropes from watching his older brother take the reigns of the team three years ago, but will be more than ready to shoulder the responsibility of running this offense. He has a skinny frame, but can move quick, providing another ground option. But he can certainly let the ball fly, which will likely prompt coach McCormick to call for more passes. It should be a great option to open up the playbook a bit, and should be a big plus entering week one.

WEAPONS-A-PLENTY: Tolley should have his options when it comes to the offensive attack planned. Second year player Kaleb Benge is a quick back that could also fit well into a slot position if needed. One of the better receivers on the team should also be Colton Tracey. Tall and lanky, can reach for a jump ball if need be, even Coach admitted he hasn't had a receiver like that in some time up in Bushnell.

BUT IT'S STILL MILLER TIME: Lest we forget, however, that the team and staff still looks toward James Miller to be the unstoppable force for this squad. Turns out he tweaked his hamstring two days prior to our Barnstorm Tour stop, so he is currently resting it for a week. Better safe than sorry with that though, considering he is the team's leading rusher, and even set a BPCA single game rushing record a year ago, which is no easy task considering the history of backs and how run-heavy the Spartan playbook has been. He can still burst to the edges as quick as anyone, and once he gets into the open field, watch out. Should be another fun season to watch this kid work.

FROM THE COACH: Playoff absences are pretty rare in this neck of the woods, especially over the recent Spartan years. After a strong start to last season, a dismal finish should have served as a good wake up call to most of these returning players that there are no gimmes in a nine game season. In effort to mix things up, John McCormick is ready to do that in exchange for more success. We've already established he's going to throw the ball more. Defensively, this unit will shift to a 3-5, thanks to the speed that can be provided in the middle of the field. The pass defense gave up less than 100 yards per game last year, so the plan now is to take that and move some parts around in order to keep from giving up the occasional big play, which could be a thorn in BPCA's side if it happens one time too many.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: Anthony Taylor. While Tolley will be looking for Tracey or handing it off to Miller or Benge, another great weapon on the other side of the field will be this receiver. He boasts the same size as Tracey, and maybe even better hands. He's another quick guy that can get downfield in a hurry, and that combined with Tolley's good field vision, he won't be underutilized.