St. John’s Military preview: Numbers not a problem for ‘Skinners
9/2/2010
By BRIAN BAY | Salina Journal
Another year at St. John’s Military School for coach Roy Lawrence brings together a new crew of football players to the parade ground on the north end of the Muleskinners’ campus.
Lawrence is in his third year as football coach for the Cadets after a 3-6 record in 2009.
The Cadets are loaded with numbers this season with 43 on the roster after the first week of practices.
“I ran out of equipment, I had to go buy some more,” Lawrence said as he was checking out to start the year. “I thought some would drop off after the first week, but they have been giving it their all.”
With the squad of 43, only four starters return for the Muleskinners.
Junior quarterback Christopher Whitehead passed for five touchdowns and ran for five scores last season. Whitehead will lead the power-I offense for St. John’s.
Also in the backfield is junior Gregory Saville who is nursing a knee ailment. Saville ran for 335 yards and two touchdowns last year.
Senior offensive lineman Gary Stone and senior linebacker Duncan Aron round out the returners for St. John’s. Stone had 15 tackles and Aron 30 a year ago.
“We plan on running a 3-4 defense and smash mouth football on offense,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence is counting on four newcomers to step in and contribute.
Seniors Zach Bennisek and Nicholas Nelson, juniors Stefan Roberts and Jake Ellis are in Lawrence’s plans to play for the Cadets.
The players showed their commitment during the preseason, rising at 6 a.m., running a mile, eating breakfast at 7 a.m. practicing at 8 a.m.
“We had to show some how to put pads on and the correct way of tackling,” Lawrence said. “We are teaching kids here that wouldn’t have an opportunity to play at their hometown school.”
St. John’s will only play eight games this season with an open date in week one. As an independent in a two-year rotation, Lawrence takes whatever he can get for opponents.
“We were building good relationships with Burrton and Lucas-Luray,” Lawrence said. “We had to start all over.”
The Cadets start their season with a home game on Sept. 10 with Kickapoo Nation. Other home contests are with Topeka Cair Paravel, Manhattan Flint Hills and Central Christian. Road contests for St. John’s will be White City, Tescott, Lawrence Veritas and Goessel.
“I think we have the possibility of going 5-3, if everybody stays healthy,” Lawrence said.
