Satanta Leans on Line

The Satanta Indians don’t have a lot of guys from which to pick. They have 22 players out for football at the 2A school. They return five starters on both sides of the ball. But most of those returning players are linemen. Former Hofstra lineman and fourth year Satanta head coach Jeremy Hazen begins his fourth year with an experienced line. Senior lineman include Clint Shepard, Shylo Evans, Eric Essix, David Loewen, and Rance Rankin. Evans says the line is a strength. “I think our offensive line is the strong point of the team,” Evans said. “I think we’re going to get a lot of good push on the ball for our skill players in the backfield.” Hazen says this team is green behind the ears. “I think this year we’re going to be a pretty young team,” Hazen said. “Of course we do have an O-line with some seniors on it. I’m looking for some good leadership out of them. Those guys should know their calls and be the base of our offense this year.” Hazen enters his fourth year after going 3-6 last year, 4-5 in 2007, and 1-8 in 2006.

Senior quarterback Michael Young says the Indians are running more mis-direction plays on offense and trying to take advantage of their senior oriented line. Young says he likes what he sees. “It’s looking pretty good,” Young said of the Satanta offense. “I’m starting to really like the new offense. There are a lot of plays we can run out of it. The skill players in the backfield are doing a great job of working their hearts out and learning the new plays.”

The key skill players include: junior rb/lb Kurtis Clawson, junior wr/db Shaune Bauer, sophomore wr/db Alan Caro, and sophomore lineman Eli Stalker. Senior lineman Clint Shepard says this team will be better if they attitude stays upbeat. “We need to come out with the leadership we’ve been lacking the last couple of years,” Shepard said. “Don’t get down on ourselves after a bad play. I think just sticking together is the biggest key. We can be good if we want to be.”

Senior lineman Eric Essix says Satanta will be improved. “We’ve got a good group of guys out their right now,” Essix said. “Even our experience is mostly gone, I believe we can still go out there and win.”

Satanta opens at home against Leoti. The game has come down to the final play the past two years with the road team winning the game. Hazen and the Indians will be featured during the Sportsguys Tuesday morning between 7:37 and 9:00 on Talkradio 1270 and kscb.net.

2009 Schedule

Sep. 4- Leoti

Sep. 11- at Cimarron

Sep. 18- Ness City Dighton (102.7 FM)

Sep. 25- at Syracuse

Oct. 2- Southwestern Heights

Oct. 9- Kinsley

Oct. 16- at Stanton County

Oct. 23- Elkhart

Oct. 29- at Sublette