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2010 MARTINSVILLE PREVIEW
POSTED: 6/16/10
By: Donnie Smith |
Preview of the 2010 season
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The Artesians turned things in the right direction in 2009, posting their first winning season in eight years and sharing the Mid-State Conference championship. The cupboard is loaded for coach Fred Kutruff’s squad, with 15 offensive and defensive starters returning from an 8-2 squad.
The Artesians employ a spread offense, with 6-3, 170-pound junior Hayden Northern back at the controls. A year ago, the Artesians totaled 378 yards per game offensively – nearly evenly-split between running and passing. Northern completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,993 yards and 22 touchdowns, and was an All-Mid-State pick. He also has two All-Conference receivers to throw to, seniors Michael Callon (6-1, 180) and Zach Clark (6-2, 200). Callon led the Artesians with 859 receiving yards, 12 TDs and 21.0 ypc. Junior Beau Shields (6-2, 205) is also a returning All-Mid-State selection at tight end. Joe Schoolcraft (5-10, 175, Jr.) returns at running back, where he ran for 706 yards (5.1 ypc) and 9 TDs as a sophomore. Up front, the Artesians have a veteran line anchored by three-year starter Quinton Terrell Terrill (6-2, 240, Sr.) at tackle. Senior Luke Knox (6-1, 240) is the other returning starter at tackle. Senior guard Zach Thacker (5-10, 250) and junior center Dillon Spencer (5-10, 255) also started in 2009. Guards Nate Byrne (5-10, 235, Jr.) and Connor Spencer (5-11, 200, Jr.) join tackle Jeremy Millis (6-1, 230, So.) in contributing up front.
While the Artesians are loaded on offense, their defense is also a veteran unit. Seven starters return from a squad that allowed 215 yards per game in 2009. Martinsville employs a “3-3 Stack” system, with much of the experience in the secondary. Clark, Callon and senior Brandon Hatton (5-9, 185) are all returning for their third year as starters in the secondary. Shields, Schoolcraft and 6-3, 190-pound senior Cody Hopkins are all returning starters at linebacker. Up front is where the Artesians will be a bit inexperienced, as the lone returning starter is defensive end Devon Hogan (5-11, 200, Jr.). Millis joins juniors Zach Woods (6-0, 210) and Nick Cornett (6-1, 200) in vying for some time up front, as well as sophomore tackle John Rappalo (6-0, 230) and junior tackle Hunter Smith (5-11, 220).
Junior kicker Ross Beck highlights the kicking game.
“We can be successful if we continue to improve physically and mentally,” Kutruff said. “We are not going to sneak up on anyone this year; teams are going to be ready for us this year.”
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