2011 Prep Football Preview: Christian High Eagles

In its first official season as a varsity football program, the Eagles took what some might characterize as more than their fair share of beatings last year.

Christian High played an eight-game schedule in 2010, and lost six times, allowing its opponents to score more than 50 points twice, and over 40 points four different times.

On the bright side though, the Eagles did win two games last year and gave competitive efforts in nearly all the others for what proved to be a pleasing season for head coach Andy Hare.

“I thought it was a good first year,” Hare said. “We play a tough schedule on purpose. We open with Jackson (MO) for a reason. They’ve got a wonderful program. The kind of program and tradition we aspire to have, and I want us and our players to know what it’s going to take for us to have that kind of program.”

And although it’s only year two for Christian High varsity football, Hare believes the Eagles can take some major steps toward reaching its program goals out on the field this year.

“It should be a lot of fun this year,” Hare said. “We’re kind of a young team, but we’ve still got a good core of seniors to help lead us. I expect us to play well.”

The primary leader on the field for Christian High this year will be returning senior quarterback Brendan Norwine.

A 6-foot-2, 175-pounder, Norwine proved himself a top passer last year, throwing for 1,744 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also leading the team in rushing with 386 yards and four more touchdowns.  

“Brendan’s a really good high school quarterback,” Hare said. “He’s got a good arm. He’s smart. And he doesn’t force his throws. He can run it too. Hopefully, we’ll be able to be a little more balanced with the run and pass this year.”

Last season, Christian High School was definitely one of the more pass-happy teams in the area, throwing the ball nearly 300 times, while rushing on barely 150 plays, which allowed opposing defenses to key on Norwine and his big throwing arm.

One of the reasons Hare and Norwine tend to get a little pass-happy is they’ve got a super-talented receiver on the other end catching those throws in returning sophomore Deantrell Prince (6’3, 180).

Last year, Prince had one of finest seasons of any freshman in the area, leading the Eagles in receiving (28 catches, 564 yards) and scoring 10 touchdowns.

“Deantrell’s just a special player,” Hare said. “He’s easily the fastest guy on the team. He does whatever we ask him to. He’s a tenacious hitter on defense. We’re looking for some big things from him this year.”

The Eagles also bring back several other talented players on offense including seniors Corey Light at wide receiver and Jackson Brook at left tackle, and juniors Logan Logsdon at fullback and Lance Lehmann at flanker.

Defensively, Christian High will be led by an impressive crew of linebackers, a group that could potentially rate among the best in the area.

Junior Charles Cofer (5’9, 210) will serve as the leader of the group, after starring as a defensive lineman for the Eagles last season.

“He’s looking real good at middle backer,” Hare said. “He’s definitely one of our leaders on defense. He just wants to hit all the time.”

Cofer will be joined in the linebacking corps by Logsdon, and big-hitting sophomore Frank Davis.  

Seniors Justin Findlay (defensive end) and Zach Julius (nose guard) are expected to anchor the defensive line this year, while Light, Prince, and Lehmann will all pull double-duty and work in the Eagles secondary as well.

“I feel like we learned a great deal last year,” Hare said.

And those rookie lessons will no doubt be tested on the field this year.

Christian High is slated to begin game action, next Friday, Aug. 26, when the Eagles will meet up with nemesis Jackson High, for a road game at 7 p.m.

Christian High’s first home game this season is Saturday, Sept. 3, when the Eagles will host Imagine College Prep at 1 p.m.

2011 CHRISTIAN HIGH EAGLES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

8/26 at Jackson                                                7 p.m.

9/3 vs. Imagine College Prep                            1 p.m.

9/10 vs. Wright City                                         1 p.m.

9/17 vs. Crystal City                                         2 p.m.

9/30 vs. Westminster Christian                         7 p.m.

10/8 vs. Lift for Life Academy                            1 p.m.

10/14 at Mark Twain                                        7 p.m.

10/21 at Clopton                                              7 p.m.

10/29 vs. Lutheran High                                    1 p.m.