high school football JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT/ThE ZONE12 TuESdAy, AuguST 24, 2010

f r i day n i g h t s i g h t s

CITIZEN PATRIOT fIlE PhOTO

East Jackson running back Tyler levy carries the ball during a game against Napoleon last season. levy, a junior fullback, returns to the Trojans’ backfield in 2010.

East Jackson trojans Date Opponent 2009 Last10Aug. 27 at Leslie W 20-12 3-7Sept. 2 ADDISON L 41-21 0-10Sept. 10 at Hanover-Horton W 30-7 3-7Sept. 17 NAPOLEON W 47-13 2-8Sept. 24 VANDERCOOK LAKE W 9-6 7-3Oct. 1 at Grass Lake L 22-12 0-10Oct. 8 MICHIGAN CENTER L 21-6 4-6Oct. 15 at Manchester L 28-12 0-10Oct. 22 STOCKBRIDGE L 54-14 0-1

“Nine of our 23 guys did not play football last year. With just 23 guys, there’s not much you can really see in practice. We’re very inexperienced.”

East Jackson has one of the top quarterbacks in the Cascades Conference. But unless a few receivers step up and become threats, points will be tough to come by, even with the high-powered spread offense that worked so well last year.

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thE sChEDULE

COaCh’S QUOtE

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• lAsT yEAR: 4-5, 3-4 Cascades• COACh: Cory hunt (3rd season, 4-14)

• CAsCAdEs TITlEs: 3 (league member since 1954)

• lAsT lEAguE TITlE: 1986 (Cascades)• All-TImE PlAyOff RECORd: 0-1• lONgEsT PlAyOff RuN: None

East Jackson opened things up last year with the spread offense and turned around a team that was winless in 2008 to go 4-5 last year. The Trojans were the surprise team of the first half of the Jackson-area high school football season, winning four of their first five games. East Jackson then closed out the season with losses to four playoff teams — grass Lake, Michigan Center, Manchester and Stockbridge.

a LOOK At 2009

The spread is back at East Jackson, but there will be a new cast of characters carrying out the high-powered offense.

Quarterback Nick Neuland was honorable mention all-conference last year after passing for 876 yards and 11 touchdowns. he was also the team’s leading ground gainer with more than 400 yards. he'll be the focal point.

The biggest issues for the Trojans are finding receivers who can develop into big-play threats and linemen. Terry Calagon, a big junior tight end with 18 receptions a year ago, is the top receiver coming back. Fullback Tyler Levy caught

nine passes. No offensive linemen return.

n The quarterback: Neuland (6-0, 180, sr.) will enter his third season at the helm for the Trojans. Zach Riske (6-1, 165, jr.) will be the back-up.

n The one to watch: Neuland.

n Other returning starters: FB Levy (6-0, 200, jr.), TE Calagon (6-2, 185, jr.).

n Other top returning letterwinners: T Tyler gibson (6-2, 185, jr.), g david Phelps (5-9, 165, jr.), RB Ryan Shew (5-10, 165, jr.), TB Jake Alexander (6-5, 170, sr.), RB Colin Buckland (6-0, 180, sr.), T Kyle Niceswander (5-10, 210, jr.).

Just three defensive starters return, and like the offense, no starters return along the line.

Size, or lack of, could be a factor on the defense as just two players in the projected starting lineup tip the scales at 200 pounds (Niceswander is listed at 210 pounds and Levy is 200).

Calagon, a linebacker, is the top returning tackler. he was in on 51 stops a year ago.

Neuland, who should start at safety, had one interception last year. Linebacker Levy was in on 16 stops a year ago and will be expected to be one of the leaders this year.

Jacob Alexander could be a find in the defensive backfield. he’s a 6-5 safety who has had a nice summer, coach Cory hunt said.

Last year, the defense allowed 22.6 points per game, which kept the Trojans in nearly every game.

East Jackson lost just two games in 2009 by more than two touchdowns.

n The one to watch: T gibson. “he’s got a nose for the football,” hunt said.

n Other returning starters: LB Levy, LB Calagon, S Neuland.

n Other top returning letterwinners: LB Phelps, CB Shew, LB Buckland, T Niceswander, S Alexander.

thE OFFENsE thE DEFENsE

high school football TuESdAy, AuguST 24, 2010 13JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT/ThE ZONE

S E n i O r t O W A t C h

EAST JACKSON — Quarterback

Nick NeulaNdT he East Jackson high School football

team went to the air last season, and Nick Neuland was the point man on

an explosive spread offense that turned the Trojans from basement dwellers in the Cascades Conference into one of the most improved teams in the area.

Neuland rushed for 406 yards and five touchdowns, was 74-for-178 passing for 876 yards and 10 touchdowns, and East Jackson turned a winless 2008 campaign into a competitive 4-5 season in 2009.

For his efforts, Neuland was named to the all-Cascades Conference team.

Neuland was also a standout in baseball and helped the Trojans to their first district title in that sport since 1979.

n favorite high school sports memory so far? “Last year when Owen (dubiel) kicked a 41-yard field goal to win the game.” East Jackson defeated Vandercook Lake 9-6 after dubiel kicked the game winner with 2:18 left in the game.

n hobbies away from football? “hanging out with friends and family. I love to go out on the boat in the summer and play soccer down by Nixon Park.”

n What number do you wear, and why did you choose that number? “9 — my brother always wore it, and he inspired me. I wear it in baseball and football.” Nick’s brother, Ryan, graduated from East Jackson in 2006.

n favorite pro football player? “(New Orleans Saints QB) drew Brees. I just think he’s the best quarterback, and it’s great what he does for the city of New Orleans.”

n favorite college football team? “I’ve always been a Michigan fan. I haven’t been to a game, but I want to try to make it this year.”

n do you have any sports superstitions? “I’m not really superstitious, but I listen to the song ‘Boiler’ by Limp Bizkit before every game.”

n What’s your team’s key to having a successful season? “Probably our speed. We’re kind of small, so we need to use our athleticism.”

n What’s the best pregame meal for football? “honestly, I don’t eat before a game. I’m too nervous.”

n favorite part of friday night under the lights? “Just the whole vibe — the crowd, the band and the feeling you get in your stomach just before the game.”

n favorite sports movie? “ ‘Remember the Titans.’ ”

n Plans for next year? “I don’t know for sure. I’d like to go to Western Michigan or Kalamazoo Valley Community College.” CITIZEN PATRIOT • kATIE RAusCh