SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE Montezuma-Cortez High School varsity football team climbed Sheep Mountain (13,183 feet above sea level). They were (back row, left to right): Devin Sena, Derique Duran, Travis Spruell, Andrew Duncan, P.J. James, Jason Lindhorst, Colin Tansey, Richard Berger, Morgan Oliver, Keve Goodall, A.J. Herrmann; (front row): Gabe Evans, Kevin Wayman, Elias Lehi, Kyle Doudy, Carlos Martinez, Levi Hill, coach Roger Andreason, coach Doug LaMunyon; (up front) head coach Karl McGee, coach Chuck Cotter; (not pictured) Mike LaCompte, Daniel Gonzales, and Neil Padilla.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

He had an inauspicious start as a head coach at a high school in McPhearson, Kan., going zero-for-the-season before turning things around his second and third years there. He had an inauspicious start as head coach at Montezuma-Cortez High School, also going 0-fer. But second-year head football coach Karl McGee feels this year’s team will be a good one.

Look for the Panthers to run multiple sets on offense this fall. Defenders will likely see many formations, featuring veer, I, slot-I, Pro, single-back, and full-house backfields.

Returnees include senior quarterback (6-foot-1, 210) Kevin Wayman, fullback Devin Sena, senior (All-Western Slope) lineman (guard) Derique Duran (6-3, 260), part-time starter Brad Phillips (6-1, 225) at center, returner senior tackle Colin Tansey (6-2, 240) (coming off an ACL injury), part-time starter Keve Goodall (6-0, 220), starter Jason Lindhorst (6-2, 230) will move from tackle to guard. Cade Fox (6-2, 190) started several games at tight end and Gabe Evans will see time there. Richard Berger (6-4, 280) and senior Elias Lehi (5-10, 280) will also see time on the line.

The wideout position will feature an eight-to-10 man rotation, at least early in the season, according to McGee. Some of the kids who have caught the eye of the coaches include seniors Travis Spruell, Levi Hill, junior Richard Yake, junior Mike Rivas is out, junior transfer Kris Hooten (from Virginia), and speedy senior newcomer Morgan Oliver.

McGee feels Wayman has matured and will read defenses better. He will not try to force the ball to make things happen. He feels his accurary throwing is much improved. If the primary or secondary receivers are not there, he will keep it.

New in the backfield is sophomore tailback Stephon Lovato. He was impressive at the full-contact camp this summer in Durango. Wayman may move to tailback at times while soph Ron Johnson will come at quarterback. Soph transfer (from Mancos) Travis Knight will play some at tailback. Connery Benally, a junior, will run the ball. Wayman and Lovato are the fastest players on the team. Look for Duran to carry the ball from a fullback spot when tough yardage is needed.

Carlos Martinez has been working at punter. Lehi will be a long snapper. Tansey will be placekicker with Waymon doing the holding. Tansey will also handle kickoff duties. Denmark exchange student Lars Wilkinson, a soccer player, could do some placekicking. Lovato will handle kickoff returns.

The Panthers could have a much better defense than a year ago, according to McGee. Doug LaMunyon is the new defensive coordinator and has put together a Chicago Bear package with a general 4-6 look with a nose guard. Sometimes they will have a five-man front or even just a three-man.

Wayman will play at a monster and will move up or back depending on situations. Lehi is the nose guard. Duran moves from defensive tackle to defensive end. Lindhorst and Phillips are battling for the other tackle spot. Goodall and Tansey will be at the other end.

Sena will return at a linebacker spot, moving from weak side to strong side. Carlos Martinez will be the weak side backer. Preston Cornett has been impressing coaches as an outside linebacker (strong) with Wayman as the anchor. Yake and Hill will likely be at the corners. Fox and Kyle Doudy will see time there as well. Rivas will be a safety.

"Our numbers are excellent (more than 80 in the whole program). I feel good about our kids who have spent time in the weightroom all summer. We had a great camp at Fort Lewis College. I really like this group of kids," McGee added.

The Panthers open the season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Panther Stadium in Cortez. They travel to Farmington for a game on Sept. 8 against New Mexico Class 4A State Runnerup Piedra Vista. Arch-rival Durango comes to town on Sept. 14.

The Panthers then turn their heads to the Class 3A Western Slope League race by visiting preseason favorite Rifle on Sept. 21. They host Glenwood Springs for Homecoming on Sept. 28. They travel to Delta on Oct. 5 and then host perennially strong Palisade on Oct. 12. MCHS takes on Steamboat Springs in Rifle on Oct. 20. The Panthers host Battle Mountain on Oct. 27 and visit Moffat County Nov. 3. The first round of the State Playoffs is Nov. 10.