Prep Football Preview: Chaminade Embraces Underdog Status

Program sales should be brisk early this fall at football games.

The roster is filled with unfamiliar names as the Red Devils have to rebuild after losing some of the best skill position players in the St. Louis area.

Gone to Boston College is quarterback , who was a three-year starter with a couple of starts in his freshman season.

Also gone is record-setting running back , a three-year starter who is now at Iowa State University.

"We had a senior laden group last year with an experienced quarterback and the best rusher in St. Louis history," Red Devil coach Doug Taylor said. "We will have a lot of guys who people don't know. Hopefully, they will know them by the time the season is over.

"We have a lot of seniors who are getting their shot this season after playing key backup roles in previous seasons. They know how to play within the system."

Offense

The offense returns just three starters, although all three seniors have started since they were sophomores.

Harry Ott (6-3, 245) returns at center and Peter Hull (6-1, 195) is back at guard.

Wide receiver Matt Greer (5-10, 185) is the only other returning offensive starter for the Red Devils, who finished 8-3 last season, losing in the second round of the playoffs to Hazelwood East, 60-49.

Senior Logan Hutson (6-3, 210) will open the season at quarterback.

"Logan is a big kid who learned a lot under Christian," Taylor said. "I think we will step up and do a good job."

Senior Dixon Anthon (5-7, 180), who started at tight end last year, has to fill the shoes of Standard, who rushed for 2,355 yards and 27 touchdowns last seaon.

"Dixon is in a lot of ways a lot like Rob in that he is a very tough runner although he does not have quite the speed that Rob has," Taylor said.

Defense

The defense returns a handful of starters, including their top two tacklers in linebacker Andrew Still (5-7, 165) and Brandon Minor (6-2, 235). Still, a senior, led the team in tackles while Minor, a junior, was second on the team last year after leading the team in tackles as a freshman.

Tackle Justin Johnson (5-9, 200) and safety Spencer Byrne (5-10, 180) return for their third year as starters. End Charlie Hackett (6-2, 215) is the other returning senior starter.

"The defense has given up more points than we would like the last few years," Taylor said. "They will need to step it up. I think overall we are more athletic and more aggressive on that side of the ball this year."

Taylor looks forward to seeing how his inexperienced team will develop this fall.

"We have been one of the favorites the last five or six years and now we are definitely the underdog," he said. "We play six of the top 10 teams in the area. I think we have a chance to be a good football team although it might not show in the won-loss column because of the schedule."

Week One: The 2011 campaign begins Saturday as Chaminade travels to Riverview Gardens for a 1 p.m. contest.