GORDON SHEPHERD shows the offensive players how he wants them to lineup in a huddle during an early-season preseason workout at the Mancos High School practice field. Shepherd takes over the reins — at least for one year anyway — of varsity head football coach from Terry Newlin who resigned at the end of last season.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

Mancos High School waited until the last minute to hire a new head football coach. Gordon Shepherd agreed to take the position for one year when several other applicants withdrew or were rejected. Shepherd also said he would take the position if they hired two assistants (Larry Russell and Kevin Dimmick). Shepherd, who was volunteer assistant last year, replaces eight-year head coach Terry Newlin who resigned at the end of last season. He also has coached most of this year’s team in the middle school ranks as well.

Shepherd, who was okayed at the July school board meeting, had to decide what kind offense and defense to run.

Several senior lettermen are back for the 2001 season. They include quarterback Kelley Smith, fullback Scott Koppenhafer, backup fullback Victor Rosales, tailback Nick Rubino, tight end Ryan Shepherd, linebacker-wing Travis Clark, nose guard Rowdy Thompson, safety and wingback Jakob Tallent, and lineman J.W. Maberry.

"We have good group of kids who are leaders. We had real good participation in the weightroom this summer. We didn’t get to do a camp, but we did do some seven-on-seven. Quarterbacks and receivers did some extra work. Smith made a lot of progress over the summer," Shepherd commented.

With some good runners back, Mancos will run the ball. The Blue Jays will use a wing I right and several other formations. Smith is a good option quarterback. However, a good running game will set up the pass.

"We have some good runningbacks who have decent speed. We have some big lineman for lead blocking. Hopefully, we can move some people out of the way and keep the ball under control and march the ball down field. We believe with our line will be much more consistent this year," he commented.

The junior class is a little thin in numbers. But there are several good ones in Josh Seymour who is a big lineman, Kevin Schlemmer another big lineman (tackle) and Randon Matthews is a long snapper and defensive back. Travis Clark is wingback and linebacker. Kelly Mitchell is a tailback who will see a lot of playing time.

"But we have some real good sophomores who we expect will contribute a lot," he added.

Matt Shepherd, Tory Clark, and Kent Russell will flush out some spots.

The Blue Jays will use a 52 Monster and shift into a 53 or a 43 on defense. Thompson, Schlemmer and Seymour are all big linemen.

Travis Clark will once again handle kickoff and field goal kicking chores. Scott Hallam will doing the punting. Shepherd was going to work on finding some deep returners and punt returners and special teams as well this week going into the first game of the season. Shepherd is still looking to plug some kids into some holes.

"We have a good senior class and a solid sophomore class. We will have veterans in some positions and have youngsters in others. It will be interesting to watch them come along this season," he added.

"Our league (Class A San Juan Basin League) will be very well balanced this season. I think every team has a lot of good kids coming back. A lot of these kids know each other and they know what they can do. I think Dolores County has got to be the team beat and everyone else will be fighting it out. I believe we can finish among the top three teams," he said.

The Blue Jays will host AA Ignacio at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Mancos Field. They travel to always-tough Sargent Sept. 8 and then host Del Norte Sept. 14. They go to Bayfield Sept. 22. The Blue Jays face defending San Juan Basin League and Class A state champ Nucla on the road Sept. 29 and then return home Oct. 6 to host San Juan High JVs (Blanding, Utah). They complete the regular season by hosting Norwood Oct. 13, visiting Dolores County Oct. 20, and hosting Dolores Oct. 26. The state playoffs begin Nov. 3.