2003 Preseason Football Scrimages: Clark at Lowell, Crown Point at Highland

NW Indiana High School Football

2003 Preseason Scrimages: Clark at LOWELL

CROWN POINT at Highland

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

LOWELL (8-16-2003) - There was nothing you saw in either Crown Point's Friday night scrimmage at Highland or Lowell's Saturday scrimmage with Clark that changed your mind about them.

Crown Point's supposed to be offensively adept but defensively challenged and that's what you saw Friday as Highland senior quarterback Kris Boyd tossed four TD passes. Lowell was supposed to be light but quick with running skill in abundance. That's what you saw in the Saturday sunshine against overmatched Clark down on Route 2.

Both teams are going to be different Friday when Crown Point visits Lowell for the 2003 season opener at 7 p.m.

"I thought our back seven on defense had problems," said CP coach Chip Pettit. "I'm glad we had the scrimmage. We had that 'deer in the headlights' look."

"Other than that, I thought we got out of it what we wanted to. We're a team that runs our quarterback a lot. You're not going to do that in a scrimmage. Our other big running threat, No. 44 (Dave Swenson) was held out tonight. I thought it was good to get under the lights."

"First series we had two fumbles," said Lowell coach Kirk Kennedy, whose team allowed Clark only two TDs. "The talent level for us is a constant but the attitude towards each game is where we're going to fluctuate. We can't take a play off."

Lowell star Justin Henley, who gained over 1,300 yards last year, left Saturday's scrimmage early but he was not injured. He simply fell ill in the 90 degree heat and 90 percent humidity.

But sophomore running back Scott Gray (5-8, 170) filled in and ran well. Barring an extended series of injuries, halfback simply won't be a problem for Lowell this season.

"Nobody's going to replace Henley but hopefully, if we have to, we can put somebody in there who can move the ball for us."

Crown Point scored twice on their first series of 15 plays at Highland with Cowan running 28 yards for one TD and hitting end Donny Kaiser for a 70-yard TD. In scrimmage plays from the 10-yard line, Highland scored four times and Crown Point tallied twice.

Gray scored on a 32-yard run for Lowell and back-up QB Scott Schulz threw two short TDs. Senior Ed Overdorf, junior Clayton Miller and good-looking sophomore Jeff Clemens all caught TD tosses. Returning starter at QB, Chuck Thompson's 28-yard pass-run connection to Clemens might have been the best of the three air raids.

"They're both very athletic," said Kennedy of Thompson and Schulz. "They're both similar in athletic ability. Whoever plays, the other will be a receiver and they both play defense."

Crown Point showed a new weapon in tall senior wide receiver Aaron Miller (6-2, 180), a 400 meter track man, who figures to develop into the number one option for Cowan at QB.

"We needed a skilled player to step up and Aaron did that," said Pettit. "He showed he could make plays. He showed he could catch the ball and gain yards after the catch. I though he was outstanding tonight."

Miller will also be playing the corner on defense and running back kicks. He says, don't worry about CP. "We've got a lot more than we showed tonight," he said after the game. "I know I do and I think everybody else does, too. I just don't think we got 'up' for the scrimmage. We'll be ready next week."

Clemons (5-11, 162), who came off Lowell's undefeated freshman team to start at safety in the state tournament last year, looked good at wide receiver. "He made two good catches and two nice runs after the catch," said Kennedy."

Other than those things, both scrimmages lacked excitement. Scrimmage football in 90-degree heat is hard to take in a lot of respects. Scrimmages normally rival NFL exhibition games as the dullest athletic events in all of organized sports and players have problems getting excited about the quirky format and constant stoppages in the play. But the goal isn't our entertainment or the players excitement.

"I really like the scrimmage," said Pettit. "It's so much better than the O'Rama. It gives you a chance to get a good tape against another opponent. We're tired of hitting ourselves. If they (the IHSAA) wanted to play a 10th game, that would be okay. But not the O'Rama, definitely not the O'Rama."

"I'll tell you what I would like instead of a 10th game is to start the season a week later. Start when Illinois does and give the kids another week of summer."

SCRIMMAGE NOTES: Crown Point coach Pettit was impressed with Highland, which was only 3-7 last fall. "I thought (Kris) Boyd looked good. I thought (Brett) Bach looked good. Their offense is strong."

CP defensive coordinator Ryan Turley came down to watch Lowell scrimmage Clark Saturday and he talked to Lowell's coaches after the action. He hinted that CP's defense will improve dramatically from the first scrimmage. "We had a lot of guys who were starting for the first time ever last night," he reminded.

Clemens will punt for Lowell and he appears to have some potential at that position. Lowell broke in a new place-kicker in Korey Kildares, who was a soccer player and wrestler last year. Kildares will have accuracy issues but he has the leg to hit from 35-40 yards out.

"He shows a lot of leadership," said Kennedy of his first-time football senior. "He works out with the receivers in practice. He's only been kicking the football for about a month."

Clark had less than 30 players in uniform but they should be competitive in the small school Lake Athletic Conference (LAC) Blue Division.

Lowell believes that parking will not be a major problem for Friday night's game even though almost half of Lowell's parking lot space has been torn up for the school renovation. Cars will be led into grassy areas to the east of the field and, barring heavy rains, there should be room for everybody.

Crown Point lineman Corey Bush suffered a cut on his foot Friday night but he is expected to play against Lowell. Lowell sophomore Jeff Clemons had to leave Saturday's scrimmage because of the heat but he should be okay to face Crown Point.

Projected Starting Lineups

These starting lineups are prior to the final week of practice and, obviously, could change. Players who might frequently enter are also listed.

Lowell starters - Offense

C- Larin Childress (5-8, 232)      Jr               WR - Ed Overdorf (5-9, 145)       Sr.
G - Eric Raszewski (5-10, 181)   Sr.              WR - John Huseman (5-10, 158) Sr.
G - Randy Lukasik (5-8, 194)      Jr.               WR - Jeff Clemens (5-11, 162)   Soph
T - Justin Wiler (6-0, 244)          Sr.              QB - Chuck Thompson (5-9, 165) Sr.
T - Chris Marzotto (6-0, 212)       Sr.
T - Adam Holley   (6-0, 265)       Sr.              TB - Justin Henley (5-9, 183)       Sr.
TE - Jim Jeffries (6-3, 201)          Sr.              FB - Toby Goetz (6-0, 210)          Jr.

Crown Point starters - Offense

C- Joe Moskovich    (5-11, 200) Sr               WR - Mike Smith (5-11, 160)     Jr.
G - Steve Ellingsen   (6-4, 270)   Jr.               WR - Aaron Miller (6-2, 180)      Sr.
G - Mark McInerney   (6-2, 305)   Sr.
T - Corey Bush          (6-0, 220)   Sr.              QB - Matt Cowan   (5-11, 170)    Sr.
T - Riste Jakimoski    (6-1, 230)   Sr.              TB - Donny Kaiser (5-10, 185)   Soph
TE - Alex Derks        (6-0, 180)    Sr.              FB - Dave Swenson (6-2, 230)    Sr.

Lowell starters - Defense

DE - Jim Jeffries (6-3, 201)        Sr.              CB   -Ed Overdorf (5-9, 145)      Sr.
DE - Chris Marzotto (6-0, 212)     Sr.              CB - Justin Henley (5-9, 183)    Sr.
DT - Larin Childress (5-8, 232)     Jr.
DT -   Justin Wiler (6-0, 244)      Sr.

LB   - Toby Goetz (6-0, 210)          Jr.               S - Scott Schulz        (5-8, 148) Jr.
LB   - Randy Lukasik (5-7, 194)    Jr.               S -Charles Thompson (5-9 165) Sr.
LB   - Chris Garza (5-8, 183)       Sr.               S - Jeff Clemens   (5-11, 162) Soph

Crown Point starters - Defense

DE - Adam Hilliard (6-3, 210)        Sr.
DE - Dave Swenson (6-3, 230)       Sr.            CB - Aaron Miller (6-2, 180)      Sr.
DE - Justin Sprehe   (6-3, 190)       Jr.            CB - Curt Magurean (5-9, 170)    Jr.
DT - Chris Esala     (5-11, 275)      Sr.
DT - Jim Riddle      (5-10, 230)      Sr.

LB   - Will McInerney (6-0, 210)    Jr.               S - Mike Smith (5-11, 160) Jr.
LB   - Vince Lewis     (6-1, 200)   Soph.               S -Matt Jansen (6-2, 175) Soph
LB   - Dave Metsch (6-0, 195)     Sr.               S - Matt Cowan   (5-11, 170) Sr.