Published: August 14, 2007 12:02 am            

Colby era means it’s back to the basics

If first-year Kokomo football coach Brett Colby could send one message to Red and Blue fans it would be a reminder that style points don’t count in his chosen sport.

Friday night, the Colby era opens at Walter Cross Field when defending Class 3A sectional champion Mount Vernon (Fortville) visits and Colby will be first to tell you that if the Kats are to be successful that or any night, it won’t be because of either razzle or dazzle.

Colby hopes to put a football team on the field that the late Ohio State coach Woody Hayes would have loved — one that embraces the most basics of football, running the ball with grit and determination and smothering opposing running backs in their tracks.

Just how long it might be that the Kats learn and successfully execute Colby’s style of play remains to be seen.

“We’re not close to where we need to be and the kids know that,” Colby said. “But we’re better than we were a week ago. We just have to keep our heads up and noses down and continue to get better.

“Our goal each game is to get off the football — block and tackle well and play until the whistle blows. We want to smash [an opponent] in the mouth, get up and then do it again and again. We want our kids excited about a four-yard gain. They need to understand we don’t need 80 yard runs to win games.”

That doesn’t mean Kokomo won’t throw the football.

“We just want to choose when we throw,” Colby said. “If we have to throw to win, or throw on third-and-10, we’ll be in trouble.”

The Kats got their first taste of competition Friday in a scrimmage at Peru and Colby figures it was a good teaching tool.

“We had five or six penalties and put the ball on the ground twice, and that’s something we simply can’t do,” he said. “Defensively we gave up one big play and then settled in and did a nice job. We definitely have things to work on.”

Colby and his staff have decent numbers, considering the coaching change and that Kokomo is coming off its sixth consecutive losing season. Colby, who turned around programs at South Newton and Frankfort with a 17-year won-lost record of 115-68, has a 54-player roster — 22 of whom are freshmen and sophomores. Of the 31 underclassmen who lettered last season, 23 are back in uniform.

In addition to learning a totally new scheme, Kokomo’s offense faces the uncertainty of being without two of its returning standouts.

Last season’s leading rusher Jairus Johnson (806 yards and a 4.7 per carry average) was injured in an accident last spring and has just gotten free of a leg cast. Johnson (5-foot-8, 160) has been at practice, but won’t get his first taste of contact until Monday.

Also, Bryce Robinson (5-11, 170), who has quarterbacked the Kats the last two seasons, will have his debut delayed because of an extended baseball season. He’ll attend his first workout Monday, but will miss the opener because of a lack of practices.

“Bryce just got back from California and he hasn’t practiced yet,” Colby said. “But Taylor Carpenter [6-2, 180] has done a nice job. He’s done all we’ve asked. He throws a good ball and runs the offense well.”

Speedy Alston Andrews (6-1, 185) and T.J. Weir (5-11, 165) have also taken snaps behind center.

In addition to Johnson, Kokomo offers outstanding speed in Justin Patterson (5-11, 185), who was last year’s offensive MVP after rushing for 583 yards (7.3) and catching 17 passes for 359 yards (17.1). Braxton Shelton (5-10, 185), who lettered as a freshman last season, will also be in the backfield and Dylan Green (5-8, 190) and Brock Butler (5-10, 235) will work as fullbacks, who in this offensive scheme will be primarily highly valued blockers.

Up front, tackle to tackle, Colby is looking at Cliff Burns (6-7, 340), Jerell Johnson (6-1, 230), Kegan Walker (5-10, 240), Craig Ryan (6-2, 220) and Doran Slater (6-0, 230). Colby likes his depth at tight end where four players are available — four-year performer Julian Bellamy (6-1, 230), Rico Duke (6-1, 190), Devin Schacht (6-1, 215) and move-in Cody Hibler (6-4, 210).

As with the offense, the defense will wear a new look as well this season.

“We have some very athletic defensive backs and linebackers and we’re getting better,” Colby said. “We’re playing a 4-3 scheme like last year, but there are different reads.”

Curt Hutchins (6-1, 215) spearheads the defense. Last season as a sophomore, Hutchins amassed a team-high 100 tackles. “He’s a leader with a nose for the football,” Colby said.

Duke and Jake Schick (5-11, 175), join Hutchins as linebackers and Burns, Walker, Johnson, Blake Bowley (6-4, 215) and Terence Hatchette (6-1, 265) are working up front.

An athletic, speedy secondary is headed by last year’s defensive MVP Alston Andrews, who led the Kats in solo tackles with 52 and had 78 total. Patterson, Larry Baker (5-10, 155) and Thaddeus Jefferson (6-1, 190) are also pegged for spots in the secondary.

Caleb Shockley (5-11, 160) is expected to handle all kicking/punting chores. Last season, he hit on 18 of 24 PAT kicks, added a pair of field goals and punted for an average of 34.9 yards.



Kokomo football at a glance:

• COACH: Brett Colby (first season at KHS, 115-68 career record in 17 seasons at South Newton and Frankfort)

• CONFERENCE: North Central

• SECTIONAL: Class 5A No. 4

• SECTIONAL OPPONENTS: Anderson, Anderson Highland, Carmel, Harrison, Lafayette Jeff, McCutcheon and Noblesville

• 2006 RECAP: The Wildkats went 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the NCC. First-year school Fishers smacked Kokomo 33-7 in the first round of sectional play.

Wildkats’ schedule

All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Friday Mt. Vernon (Fortville)

Aug. 24 at Carmel

Aug. 31 at Anderson

Sept. 7 at Muncie Central

Sept. 14 Huntington North

Sept. 21 at New Castle

Sept. 28 Richmond, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 Logansport

Oct. 12 at Marion

5-year trend

2006 4-6

2005 4-6

2004 1-9

2003 4-6

2002 3-7

Total 16-34 (.471)

        

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