During his four seasons as Fort Osage head football coach, Ryan Schartz has never had a two-way player take the football field on Friday nights before. But that could all change this fall.
With a need to find a capable replacement for Missouri big class all-time leading rusher Dalton Krysa, Schartz may start University of Missouri cornerback recruit E.J. Gaines on both sides of the line of scrimmage this fall.
“We are cross-training E.J.,” Schartz said. “He is a very gifted athlete. I wouldn’t say just any one player could go both ways like that.
“Right now I’m looking to put him on offense and defense depending on the development of our running backs and cornerbacks. If a cornerback steps up then he’ll play solely on offense and vice versa.”
Krysa, who is taking his game to Missouri Western in September, rushed for 6,341 yards and 81 touchdowns in his four seasons at Fort Osage. But it was his ability to hold on to the ball that Schartz said set the former all-stater apart from other running backs.
“I think we have kids that will be able to rush for as many yards,” Schartz said. “But I’ll bet you that they turn the ball over more than he did. It almost has to be expected.”
In addition to losing Krysa, Schartz will have to find replacements for five departed starters on offense and four graduated players on defense. However, the fifth-year Indian coach doesn’t appear to be too concerned.
With 15 letterwinners returning, including 14 players that earned at least honorable mention all-conference honors a year ago, Schartz has the depth to do battle in the rugged Suburban Mid 6 league.
“We have a lot of experience coming back from last year, and some from two years ago,” Schartz said of the 85 varsity players he will list on his varsity roster in 2009-10. “We should be pretty good at the skill positions and our defensive secondary will be very strong as well.”
The Indians will face a brutal non-conference schedule, which includes Park Hill South and Kearney, but Fort Osage has the physical game to get through it. The Indians thrive on playing rough.
Schartz, who owns a 27-16 record and three conference titles as head coach at Fort Osage, said that he’s confident that the coaches from around the league would vouch for the physical demeanor with which his teams take to the field each week.
“I think they would say we’re extremely physical, if not the most physical team on their schedule,” Schartz said. “We are extremely sound in fundamentals. We are gap sound.
“There are no weaknesses as far as our coaching staff goes. We work extremely hard to put the kids in position to make plays. Our football program is not a shoot-from-the-hip-type of deal.”
Schartz said his won-loss record isn’t his primary concern when he determines the success of his teams at seasons end. Instead, he and his coaching staff want Fort Osage athletes to play with character and toughness.
“If we do that, the wins and losses will take care of themselves," Schartz said.
Schartz and company are hoping to churn out at least 400 yards a game on offense, 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing, and back to get the push going up front are three returning starters.
Right tackle Matt Cooper (6-0, 230, Sr.), and center Shayne Parsons (6-3, 230, Jr.) return following honorable mention all-conference seasons a year ago, while second team all-conference left guard Juan Saucedo (5-10, 235, Jr.) returns for another year of Indian football.
Right guard Zach Beyer (6-0, 195, Sr.) and left tackle Zac Cowin (6-0, 225, Sr.) are set to fill in the slots of departed seniors from a year ago.
Joining Gaines (5-10, 185, Sr.) in the backfield will be fullback Clayton Stewart (5-9, 190, Sr.), another honorable mention all-conference returnee from a year ago. Schartz will rely on newcomer Gary Fisk (5-11, 175, Sr.) to fill in at tight end.
The Indian wide receiver positions will be manned by Kamryn Tilmon (5-10, 165, Sr.) and Dalton Whitworth (6-0, 175, Jr.). Back to play catch with the duo is honorable mention all-conference quarterback Edward Pearl (6-3, 195, Sr.).
Set to fill in at nose guard for Schartz’s 3-3 stack defense is Kalili Fuimaono (5-11, 275, Sr.). Also playing up front for the Indians are returning letterwinners Chris Hamilton (5-10, 210, Sr.) and Clayton Jessick (6-2, 190, Sr.).
Schartz will look to returning honorable mention all-conference linebackers Isaac Ankrom (6-0, 185, Sr.) and Zach Lane (5-11, 205, Sr.) to get the stops needed to win ball games. Zach Wharton (5-10, 190, Jr.) is also penciled in as a starting linebacker.
Joining Gaines in the defensive backfield are second team all-conference performers Steven Snyder (6-4, 215, Sr.) and Nathan Hancock (6-0, 175, Sr.). Spencer Gearhart (5-10, 165, Jr.) and Ian Mathis (5-9, 160, Sr.) should start at the remaining two spots following honorable mention all-conference seasons a year ago.
With the wealth of experience that Schartz returns this season, a run deep into the playoffs is a good bet. But can the Indians find a way to get into the Class 5 state title clash at St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome?
“We are working on that,” Schartz said. “We’ve had injuries to key players in the first quarter in losses to Belton (2007) and Raytown South (2008) that has kept us from moving on the past two seasons. This year I think we may have the capable backups.”
