Independent school capsules

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003 | 9:46 a.m.

Liberty Patriots

Coach: Lou Markouzis (1st year)

2002 Record: N/A

Returning starters: N/A

Key players: Shonn Trajkovski, OL, Jr.; Paul Pullman, OL/LB, Jr.; Jason Gross, OL/LB, Jr.

Breakout player: Not specified

Outlook: Not much is ever expected of a first-year football program, and it is no different at Liberty. Markouzis is setting realistic goals for his team. "We know there's going to be lumps going with it," Markouzis said. "We have a lot of young kids learning a new system. We know we're not going to go undefeated. This is a program and we're going to build, doing it the right way."

Liberty is not pulling its students from schools with great football tradition, and the (Patriots) will likely struggle more than first-year counterpart Shadow Ridge. Markouzis is focusing his core of juniors (Liberty has no seniors this year) on the offensive line -- Trajkovski, Pullman, and Gross should develop and anchor next year's team. It could be a bumpy road in 2003, though.

Shadow Ridge Mustangs

Coach: J.D. Johnson (1st year)

2002 Record: N/A

Returning starters: N/A

Key players: Chris Berkeley, QB, Jr.; Beau Backman, WR, Jr.; Rickey Snodgrass, RB, Jr.; Jared Tate, RB, Jr.; Mark Egbert, OT, Jr.; Alex Blank, OL/DL, Jr.; Anthony Lewis, OL/DL, So.; Klay Dodds, TE/LB, So.

Breakout player: Jared Walters, LB/WR, So.

Walters is one of the best young players for the Mustangs, who are stacked at the lower levels.

Said Johnson: "He's built well, he's fast, and he's an all-around hard worker. He's a great kid to coach."

Outlook: It might not be quite as dire as one might expect for first-year Shadow Ridge. The Mustangs drew most of their new students from Centennial, whose freshman, JV, and varsity programs combined for just one loss in 2002. "Most of these kids were significant factors in Centennial's program," Johnson said. "They came over here with a winning attitude, but they've built their own identity."

Benefitting from an independent schedule, Shadow Ridge should at least get a sniff of its goal of finishing at .500 in its opening season. This program is primed to do as Palo Verde, Foothill, and Desert Pines have done is recent years -- building from scratch to a top-flight level within four to five years.

Boulder City Eagles

Coach: Jeff Knutson (3rd year)

2002 Record: 6-4 (Lost to Moapa Valley in play-in game)

Returning starters (O/D): 7 (6/1)

Key returners: Tranell Wilkinson, QB, Sr.; Shane Stemmer, WR, Sr.; Tom Wood, G, Sr.; Jimmy Koust, OT, Sr.; John Armstrong, TE, Sr.; Jimmy Aquino, C, Sr.

Breakout player: Mitch Barlow, RB, Jr.

Formerly a star on the Eagles' soccer team, Barlow moves to another kind of football in 2003.

Said Knutson: "He's a perfect halfback. He's going to be great. He has extremely strong legs, and is very quick and very elusive. He's the whole package."

Outlook: Coming off a very solid season, Boulder City comes into 2003 with high hopes in the 3A Southern region. Unlike many teams at this time of year, Knutson feels that his loaded offense will have to carry some weight for his defense. "We're going to have to develop our defense because we are inexperience, but we have talent," Knutson said.

The major addition to this team is Barlow, who will add a needed speed dimension to the offense. With a veteran offensive line to open holes for him, Barlow could make a big difference. The Eagles should find themselves right in the playoff mix at the end of the season.

Faith Lutheran Crusaders

Coach: Jacob Kothe (3rd year)

2002 Record: 8-3 (Lost to West Wendover in 2A semifinals)

Returning starters (O/D): 11 (5/6)

Key returners: Matt Anderson, RB/LB, Sr.; John Nixon, RB/LB, Jr.; David Keavin, OL/DL, Sr.; Dairus Barres, OL/DL, Sr.

Breakout player: Elliot Schneiderman, RB/LB, Jr.

A surprise player who began to emerge as an option in offseason workouts.

Said Kothe: "He worked really hard this summer and he's a good football player."

Outlook: What a difference a year made for the Crusaders. After many years of playing second fiddle in town to rival Meadows, Faith Lutheran stepped forward and had one of its best seasons ever. They hope to continue that success now that they've enjoyed it. "Once we get to league, the bar is set pretty high," Kothe said.

The strength of the Crusaders lies in their depth and versatility. "We've got quite a few options offensively to go with," Kothe said. "They can't key on one player." Nixon and Anderson give Faith Lutheran effective work in the backfield, and Schneiderman is expected to contribute as well. Though younger than a year ago, the Crusaders should still be contenders.

Meadows Mustangs

Coach: Chris Lounsbery (2nd year)

2002 Record: 2-7

Returning starters (O/D): 16 (8/8)

Key returners: Jordan Kelly, QB, Jr.; Greg Maggiore, WR, Jr.; Mike Barson, TE/ LB, Sr.; Adam Schnurstein, RB, Jr.; Fred Tarantino, RB/LB, Sr.; Joe Bohan, OL/ DL, So.

Breakout player: Keeton Tomlin, WR/DB, Sr.

After seeing limited action in the past, Tomlin could be a two-way surprise for the Mustangs.

Said Lounsbery: "He could be a real big surprise in the defensive secondary."

Outlook: More experienced than last year's group heavy on sophomores and juniors, the Mustangs should be a better squad than last season. Lounsbery feels that his team could be great, but must work for it. "We're kind of teetering on the edge," Lounsbery said. "We could be a strong competitive team or we could fold up."

Barson and Tarantino will help provide senior leadership and Kelly has a smooth delivery at quarterback. Lounsbery said the program is built on taking pride in excellence, and folks around Meadows are used to just that. Look for the Mustangs to climb back toward the playoffs.