Home News Football Guide:

New head coach to carry on old Spartan traditions

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Cimarron-Memorial team page & schedule
Cimarron-Memorial roster
Colors: Maroon and silver
Coach: Rod Vollan, first year
Homecoming game: Sept. 19 against Shadow Ridge
Key players: RB Stephen Nixon, LB Triton Manumaleuna, DL Jordan Padgett, LB Aaron Garcia
Prediction: Cimarron’s season ends in unfamiliar fashion as it misses playoffs

The transition to a new head coach will hardly feel like a change for Cimarron-Memorial this season.

Rod Vollan has coached in the program since the school opened 18 years ago. Now, he takes over for Ron Smeltzer, who retired after last season.

“Everyone knows him,” senior lineman Jordan Padgett said. “He’s got everything real organized and he’s working us a lot more in conditioning. So I think he’s going to do well.”

Vollan learned from Smeltzer and the Spartans’ original coach, Greg Spencer, who led Cimarron to state championships in 1998 and ’99, and will continue a similar system.

“I totally embrace the tradition,” Vollan said. “I think that’s an obligation of any head coach. This is not a situation where I’m a new coach building a team from nothing. We have a very good football history at Cimarron. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

The Spartans return five offensive and three defensive players, including running back Stephen Nixon, who led the team with 114 carries and 1,173 yards.

Nixon, who is the two-time defending state track champion in the 100 meters, will be joined by Zach Barbara in the backfield.

Padgett said rushing success could come down to preparation of a young offensive line.

“As a senior, I feel like a lot of the pressure comes down to me,” he said. “Last year, Nixon had such a good year at running back in his first season with (varsity). I think if we keep learning we’ll be fine.”

The biggest change Vollan’s biggest change will be to put more focus on speed. Practices are moving quicker and are filled with conditioning.

“We want to play with more tempo this year,” Vollan said. “We need a sense of urgency when we play. It’s not going to be easy in our division if we come out sluggish.”

The Spartans qualified for the playoffs last season but lost their final four games.

“We have to improve throughout the season,” the coach said. “I think the main thing we learned for that game was how quickly the season can end. You need a sense of urgency to be successful, but the season can end at any moment.”

Sean Ammerman is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2661 or sean.ammerman@hbcpub.com.