Stallions Do it with Defense
By Jeremy Banks, Kansas City Kansan
Wed Sep 24, 2008
The F.L. Schlagle Stallions love their defense.
It’s fueled by an aggressive scheme that can also confuse the opponent. There’s speed and power. Schlagle has experience and playmaking ability.
Defensive back Matthew Carter already has four interceptions. He’s in love with his defensive unit. He smiles like a proud father when talking about his baby.
“We never give up. We’ve got heart,” he said. “We’re feeling good. They’re stepping up.
“We’ve got a strong line, strong linebackers and some shutdown defensive backs.”
The Stallions’ defensive unit is a good one. It’s been the team’s calling card this season. It has carried the Stallions. However, in a 35-32 loss in Week 3 to the Sumner Academy Sabres, the Stallions’ foundation became a liability. Schlagle’s defense—Carter’s pride and joy—gave up some big plays and made some big mistakes.
That’s when the offense stepped up. When they couldn’t rely on the reliable, the Stallions had to look to their offense to win the game. And they almost did. The Stallions’ spread offense could play at two different gears. They could mix it up in the trenches and play physical. Schlagle also showed an ability to score quickly and play with finesse. The Stallions needed big plays and they received them.
For most of the game, quarterback Herman Ming didn’t look like a sophomore. He was calm in the pocket and looked as though he had been playing in a zone read offense for most of his life.
Playing in an offense where the quarterback has to make quick decisions, Ming made the right moves under pressure. While diagnosing the defense, on zone read option plays, he knew when to give and keep the ball. Ming hurt Sumner with his arm and his legs. He threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Orlando Newton. He also had 23 and 37-yard touchdown runs.
“Our quarterback, he has great vision,” Schlagle running back Jeffrey Jones said. “He has been great
“Herman stepped in there and did his job.”
Said Sumner football coach Todd Wassman: “That Herman Ming is good. He’s the real deal.”
Jones and Roman Byers have become a good duo in the backfield. Jevon Williams was a weapon in the spread offense, catching passes and running the football. He also had a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Williams is a threat every time he touches the football.
Placed in a situation where it had to produce, the Stallions’ offense showed it could deliver. We learned something.
On a night where the strength became a weakness, the unknown gained an identity.
Schlagle Loses Season Opener in 4 Overtimes 12 - 6
The Schlagle Stallion defense played great throughout the game not allowing any points through 4 quarters. In the 4th overtime Central scored to come away with a 12-6 win.
Schlagle’s touchdown came on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Sophomore Quarterback Herman Ming to Senior Wide receiver Orlando Newton.
Central’s winning touchdown in the 4th overtime came on a 25-yard touchdown run.by Wayne Poole.
Schlagle aims to put opposing defenses at a disadvantage with its spread
by JAYSON JENKS KC Star Newspaper
Watch a West Virginia football game and the way players dart through open spaces on offense, and you’ll begin to see why Schlagle coach Steve Szczygiel is excited this season.
For the first time in his 16 years as head coach, Szczygiel will install a spread offense based out of the shotgun.
The purpose? To allow his quarterback, wide receivers and running backs to take advantage of holes created by spreading out the defense.
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“Teams normally fear our speed, so we’re going to try and get our playmakers out in the open,” Szczygiel said.
The quarterback will be either senior Reid Campbell (6-0, 180) or sophomore Herman Ming (6-3, 195).
While each brings something different to the equation, the two share an important trait: Both can run.
The Stallions’ athleticism doesn’t stop at quarterback.
Senior running back Roman Byers (6-1, 190) will share carries with his smaller counterpart, junior Jeff Jones (5-7, 175).
Another playmaker, senior Jevon Williams (5-7, 175) will return kicks. He had four special-teams touchdowns last year.
The team’s offensive speed will carry over to the defense, where the Stallions run a unique 3-3-5 base defense.
The defense — also run by West Virginia — is intended to cover the increased number of receivers created by the spread, while sowing confusion as defensive players blitz from any position.
“Everybody runs a shotgun now; everybody runs multiple receivers,” Szczygiel said. “You’ve got to cover them.”
After a 4-5 season last year, Szczygiel is hoping that his new offense will create coverage and matchup problems for opponents.
2008 Football Preview
from Kansas City Star Sunday August 24, 2008
Schlagle
Coach: Steve Szczygiel Outlook: With speed at most skill positions, the Stallions will install a new spread offense. Whether the goal — to get athletes running in open space — is successful will depend on the effectiveness of the offensive line’s zone blocking.
Washington
Coach: Todd Buttermore Outlook: Despite a lack of depth, the Wildcats return seven starters on offense and defense. The offense, which scored 20 or more points in six games last season, returns the senior triumvirate of quarterback Josh White (6-0, 185), running back Duone Maxwell (6-0, 175) and wide receiver Darious Dickerson (6-3, 205).
Wyandotte
Coach: C.J. Jones Outlook: A lack of experience hurt the Bulldogs a year ago, but that shouldn’t be a problem this season. Coach C.J. Jones returns multiple starters, including three all-league players on the offensive and defensive lines.
Sumner Academy
Coach: Todd Wassmann Outlook: With returners and depth at quarterback, wide receiver and running back, Sumner should be much faster than last season’s team that made the playoffs. The key, however, will be whether the offensive and defensive lines can match the success of last year’s lines.
Harmon
Coach: Terry Witherspoon Outlook: No, coach Terry Witherspoon doesn’t have an overflow of returning starters. But one thing the new coach has noticed is athleticism. If the Hawks are to have success, speed will play a lead role.
