D’Evelyn wide receivers Anthony Baldassari and Jordan Kehoe know one thing for certain when they step to the line of scrimmage, whether side by side or across the field from each other.
It will be the opposing defense that is playing on its heels, not the Jaguars’ offense.
“It’s a fun offense,” Kehoe said. “We are always attacking.”
Kehoe and Baldassari both racked up more than 1,000 yards receiving last season, benefiting from the athletic play of quarterback Mark Shaffer. Shaffer, since graduated, became the first 11-man player in state history to throw for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 in a single season.
The Jaguars will introduce a new quarterback, junior Garret Griffith, but coach Jeremy Bennett’s free-wheeling offense remains the same. After the Jaguars finished last season 7-3 and missed a wild-card playoff berth by the narrowest of margins, expectations are nearly as high as the level of excitement.
“We definitely fell short of our goals last season,” Baldassari said. “That disappointment drives us to work that much harder.”
Opposing defensive backs will have their work cut out as well.
Baldassari, at 6 feet and 170 pounds, is a converted middle linebacker who likes nothing more than to lower his helmet and plow through would-be tacklers.
The senior hauled in 56 catches for 1,089 yards last season and also returned seven kicks/punts for touchdowns.
“Anytime Anthony touches the ball, he is a threat,” Bennett said. “On top of that, he is a physical downfield blocker and a pretty strong kid. He can squat nearly 500 pounds.”
Kehoe, also a senior and checking in at 5-11 and 175 pounds, is more of a finesse receiver, preferring to use his speed and quick feet to leave defenders in his wake. Kehoe needs only to be near the ball to make a catch.
“You don’t even hear the ball hit his hands,” Bennett said. “They are a two-headed monster.”
Add a third head to that monster. Tight end James Holland, a load at 6-4, 230, has good speed and long arms, making him an easy target for a young quarterback.
The Jaguars, members of the soon-to-be defunct Class 3A Central Metro League, employ an offensive scheme that can drive defensive coordinators batty.
Highlighted by layered routes and crisscross patterns, the offense often has defenders covering the wrong receiver, or sometimes no receiver at all.
“We definitely intimidate a defensive backfield,” Baldassari said. “We all know this offense so well and the game so well, and now the coaches are teaching us how to read defenses.”
Baldassari said his favorite play is one called “vert stretch,” where, as it sounds, all the receivers run vertical routes and stretch the defense. He likes it for an obvious reason.
“Someone is always open,” he said. “If I’m not open, Jordan is. If neither of us are open, the tight end will be.”
But any cornerback taking a mental note of that play should listen to Kehoe’s favorite first. That route is called Z drop.
“I’m singled out on right against the cornerback, one-on- one,” Kehoe said. “I get him going full speed and put the brakes on and break to the outside. That usually drops them.”
Top 10
1. Pueblo County
The Hornets lost some key players, but the team’s upbeat attitude and smashmouth style give it as good a shot at the title as any team.
2. Florence
This will be the first time in eight seasons that coach Mark Buderus won’t have one of his sons on the roster, but as he put it, “All those kids on the roster are my sons.”
3. Palisade
An always-powerful running game puts the Bulldogs in prime position for another run at the state title. Tailback and linebacker Jesse Kirstatter is a force to be reckoned with.
4. Steamboat Springs
The defense will have to replace some studs lost to graduation, but running back Jay Hanley will have the offense clicking.
5. Alamosa
The explosive offensive weapons from a year ago are mostly gone, but the defense, with its linebacker corps, is prepared to step out of the shadows.
6. Berthoud
The Spartans run an offensive scheme that can control the clock. After winning the school’s first league title in 20 years, Berthoud wants a deeper playoff run this season.
7. Summit
After surprising everyone by going undefeated en route to the state semifinals, the Tigers tasted success and want more of it.
8. Rifle
Coach Damon Wells says any top-10 ranking is based on the program’s tradition, which is true. However, despite declining numbers, the Bears always manage to contend.
9. Sterling
Few starters return, but coach Mark Bauder has plenty of athletes ready to step in and follow up on a 9-1 record.
10. Englewood
With tailback Bryce Penn leading the charge, another quality season should be on tap.
20 to watch
Anthony Baldassari, D’Evelyn, Sr., WR: Baldassari snared 56 passes for 1,089 yards and returned seven kicks/punts for touchdowns last season.
Mitch Johnson, Elizabeth, Sr., RB: Johnson finished his junior season with more than 1,600 yards rushing. He’s not the biggest back, but he will put a defender on his back.
Jay Hanley, Steamboat Springs, Sr., RB: A workhorse with a combined 2,600 rushing yards the past two seasons. Coach Aaron Finch wants to give Hanley the ball 30 times a game.
Jordan Mellott, Centaurus, Sr., OL: At left tackle, Mellott teams with left guard Chris Barron for one of the best offensive line tandems in the classification.
Hazen Moss, Rifle, Sr., RB-QB: A do-it-all player who hasn’t been able to do much because of untimely injuries. He has torn the same ACL twice, and as a result has played in only 3 1/2 games during his entire career.
Nick Nguyen, Alameda, Sr., QB: The offense has been adjusted in order to use the many talents Nguyen possesses. He will be the first four-year letterman at the school.
Bryce Penn, Englewood, Sr., TB: The shifty, deceptively powerful grandson of the Pirates’ longtime coach will be crucial to the success of the defending North Metro League champions. Take notice of his nearly 1,600 yards rushing and undeniable influence on defense and special teams.
Dakota Stonehouse, Glenwood Springs, Jr., QB: Stonehouse, called the best quarterback on the Western Slope by just about every coach in the league, threw for 1,200 yards and rushed for 900 more as a sophomore.
Tanner Wilcox, Florence, Sr., OL: Wilcox has the right combination of size and experience. Running back Garrett Wilson could put up big numbers running behind Wilcox.
Tyler Williamson, Fort Lupton, Jr., QB-WR-Spec.: Williamson was the Tri-Valley’s most valuable player on special teams and is competing for the starting quarterback position this season.
Scott Campbell, Summit, Sr., LB: Strong and athletic, Campbell led the team in tackles as a junior. He is a huge hitter with a no-fear mentality.
Abe Cazaras, Fort Lupton, Sr., DL: Cazaras is the elder statesman of a defensive line that features three players who weigh in at more than 270 pounds.
Alex Diffendaffer, Berthoud, Sr., MLB: The three-year starter is like a coach on the field. The undisputed defensive captain, Diffendaffer makes adjustments on the fly and puts his teammates in line.
Brian Ford, Alamosa, Jr., LB: Ford is the heart of a dynamic group of linebackers and the type of athlete who can run down wide receivers or go toe-to-toe with offensive linemen.
J.T. Haddan, Moffat County, Sr., MLB: Called a lineman who plays fullback by some opposing coaches, there is no doubt what Haddan’s position is on defense.
Jesse Kirstatter, Palisade, Sr., ILB: A three-year starter who is versatile enough to move from tight end to tailback on offense, handle the kicking and punting duties and provide big plays on defense.
Jarret Martinez, Pueblo County, Jr., DL: A force in the middle of the defensive line during the Hornets’ run to the state championship game, Martinez will contribute on both sides of the line.
Mike Philbin, Evergreen, Sr., CB: A shifty receiver on offense with the speed to keep up on defense, Philbin is a straight-A student and team leader.
Greg Rushing, Fossil Ridge, Sr., SS: Rushing can contain most receivers though he would prefer to meet them over the middle of the field where he does most of his damage.
Cody Yohn, Alamosa, Sr., LB: A state wrestling champion who brings a mat mentality to the gridiron, Yohn will help the Mean Moose defense seize the spotlight.
Best games
Here are 10 games you don’t want to miss:
SEPT. 7
Palisade at Steamboat Springs: The Western Slope powerhouses get an early look at each other.
SEPT. 21
Rifle at Glenwood Springs: QB Dakota Stonehouse will be challenged by a Rifle defense that can keep foes off the scoreboard.
SEPT. 22
Summit at D’Evelyn: With only one playoff spot guaranteed for these Central Metro League rivals, this is a pivotal showdown.
SEPT. 28
Centaurus at Elizabeth: These teams have playoff aspirations, but getting there could mean winning this game.
OCT. 5
Berthoud at Moffat County: A quality cross-league game that pits Moffat County’s size vs. Berthoud’s speed.
OCT. 19
Evergreen at Englewood: Evergreen won this matchup last season, but Englewood got the playoff berth.
OCT. 19
Pueblo County at Alamosa: Though it is a rematch of the 2006 state title game, fans should hope for a repeat of the schools’ regular-season nail-biter.
OCT. 19
Eagle Valley at Rifle: Every game counts in the brutal Western Slope, and one of the league’s playoff spots could be on the line.
OCT. 19
Alamosa at Florence: The regular-season finale could determine the league champion.
