Klamath Crusaders - Semi - Pro Football

Publication:Herald and News (Klamath Falls);

Date:Mar 22, 2008;

 

Chomping at the bit

H&N photos by Todd E. Swenson
Get loud: The Klamath Crusaders offense gets excited in a huddle during practice.

Klamath Crusaders offensive line anxiously awaiting upcoming season

By JOSH PETRIE
H&N Sports Writer

Saturday, March 22, 2008 12:14 AM PDT
 

With all the new faces on the Klamath Crusaders offense this season, it would be wise for fans to pick up a program to figure out what names match them.
The players believe that despite the new look, the results should be similar.
“We’re switching up a little more, with the backs and receivers that we’ve got,” tackle Chris Vercellotti said

after a March 8 practice. “We’re not going to have a problem with either of them.”
Vercellotti, a 2007 Butte Valley High graduate and Crusader rookie, now finds himself as one of the offensive veterans on a team that returns 15 players from a roster of more than 40. And, only six of the returning players are linemen on either side of the ball.

There is plenty of youth on the O-line, including current Bonanza senior Jason Rogers, and Vercellotti said the group has worked well together since practice began in October.
“We’ve got a bunch of new guys on the team, but I’m very impressed with what we’ve got,” Vercellotti said. “We’ve got a couple returners that are coming back, and we’re doing excellent.”

New man under center


Behind the linemen, this season will mark the first time since 2002 that Matt Miles is not the Crusader quarterback. Miles left the team after accepting the head baseball coaching position at Oregon Tech.

In his place is Craig Schofield, a former Brigham Young player who saw part-time action as a Crusader rookie last season. Schofield has immediately made an impact with his leadership, something that appeared to be a question mark after Miles’ departure.

“We don’t have to look for a leader,” Rogers said. “Someone stepped up and did it. It has definitely helped us.”

Schofield will have some new, and some familiar, targets to find. Second-year receiver Chad Evans should see an increased role, as will Nick Ferraro, who will step in for the departed Landon Trammell as the featured running back.

Also gone from the backfield is two-way player Kent Taylor, who joined this year’s coaching staff as the defensive coordinator.

One of the newcomers is 5-foot-9, 152-pound speedster Sirgeo Jefferson, who was a part of Klamath Union’s 2006 state playoff team.

“This year, we’re going to have much more successful passing, because a lot of our stuff is going to be short-yardage,” linebacker Rocky Nelson said. “We’re not going for the long bomb. I think it’s going to be quicker, with better linemen.”

Finally playing
After nearly five months of practice against each other, the Crusaders finally will get to line up against somebody else March 29, when they face the High Desert Lightning at Redmond High School. Vercellotti and the rest of the team wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m chomping at the bit right now, absolutely salivating,” Vercellotti said. “Practice, getting out here and getting to hit, leads to something, and I’m ready for that something to be here.”
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Klamath Crusaders right tackle Chris Vercellotti         watches his team mates after running a drill