Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

Highland gets serious about making playoffs

HIGHLAND -- Highland football coach Ron Holt is not holding back any punches.

The second-year coach is trying to set a benchmark for who is serious about being a Bulldog and those who are taking up space.

"We have a year-round weight program and we ran off the kids that weren't real committed," said Holt, whose squad was 5-5 a year ago and lost 21-19 to Mattoon in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. "So (50 players) is not bad considering we ran off some of the dead weight.

"The varsity numbers are around 50, which it could have been a little higher, but we have a standard."

That standard is apparently helping Highland gain attention around the always competitive Mississippi Valley Conference. The Bulldogs open the season at 7 tonight at Belleville West.

With a postseason berth and a hunger to return to the playoffs in 2008 a goal for the Bulldogs, making a move up in the standings is the first order of business.

"Our goal every year is to make the playoffs," Holt said. "We're hoping to be competitive for the conference championship this year, but we know Triad and Mascoutah are the kings of the hill. We've got to get over those two.

"I think Triad is the frontrunner right now, but after that, it's going to be a battle."

For Highland to improve upon a 5-4 regular season, its strengths appear to be the on the offensive line and at linebacker on defense.

Leading the way will be two-year starters Cody Connor (6-3, 240, sr.) and Keith Lane (6-5, 210, sr.). Both have been in Highland's starting lineup since they were sophomores.

"Our offensive line -- if it stays healthy -- is a lot bigger and stronger than it was last year so I feel real good about that," Holt said.

The Bulldogs will implement a 3-5 defensive scheme that places heavy emphasis on the linebackers making plays. Leading the way are seniors Justin Knackstedt (60 tackles, two sacks), Tony Zajac (6-2, 190), Bobby Ostrander (48 tackles, one interception) and Hudson Seegers (35 tackles, one sack).

"We're going to send people pretty much every play," Holt said. "We're definitely an aggressive defense. Probably the strength of our defense is our linebackers. We have a lot of experience coming back there this year."

Moving the football will also be a key component, and returning senior quarterback Travis Becherer (6-2, 175) is where it all begins.

He completed 82-of-154 passes last season for 1,406 yards and 16 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.

"Our quarterback is a three-year starter and he's looking pretty good," Holt said. "He's a lot healthier. He's also 15 pounds heavier, so he's looking a lot better."

The question mark is at running back.

Ostrander (370 yards, seven touchdowns) should improve on those numbers at fullback, but Holt will take a look at several backs.

"It's going to be several guys running the football, but our power runner is Bobby Ostrander," Holt said. "He's a bull-type runner. He's probably not going to break a whole lot of long ones, but he'll pound away at you. That's his job."

Three key receivers from a year ago (Milwaukee Brewers minor-league pitcher Jake Odorizzi, Justin Shaw and Gary Kharibian) were lost to graduation.

Among the replacement hopefuls are Dylan Kurz (5-11, 160, jr.) and Seegers.

"We've got a lot of young receivers," Holt said. "That's going to be our challenge is to see if those kids can step up. And so far, they're looking pretty good. We're happy with where we're at."