2011 preview: Indians ready to 'bring the storm'
By CONOR NICHOLL
Third-year Hays High School football coach Ryan Cornelsen likens his squad to an approaching storm.
In his first two years, Cornelsen led a longtime .500 program to back-to-back 7-2 seasons. Hays High received acclaim throughout the state for the quick turnaround, but the Indians still didn't make the playoffs in either year, including a close miss last fall.
"The first two years, we were kind of like the tornado sirens," Cornelsen said. "Everybody hears it, kind of know about it."
This season, Cornelsen looks for Hays High to break through. Cornelsen's team motto for 2011 is "Bring the Storm," a foundation that could lead HHS to the school's first playoff berth since 1995.
"Hopefully the first two years, it was kind of a warning, a 'Here we come,' " Cornelsen said. "Now we are here. We tell kids that when the storm hits and damage is done, then people start respecting storms. We want to be the same way. We don't want to be just the siren. We want to kick the door in."
Last year, the Indians had multiple injuries to quarterbacks in the second half of the season, but nearly made the playoffs. In Week 9, they had to beat Salina Central by at least 12 points. In the final seconds, HHS drove for the playoff-clinching touchdown. However, Salina Central intercepted a pass in the end zone. Hays High won the game, 21-14, but lost out on a playoff spot because of the points tiebreaker.
This year, Hays High returns four offensive linemen, all of whom have earned all-WAC honors. A trio of players -- senior lineman Zach Binder, junior lineman Cade Sharp and senior cornerback Brad Desbien -- return after they collected first team all-conference recognition. Senior quarterback Austin Unrein is healthy.
"We don't believe a perfect season is just possible," Binder said. "We expect that. Anything less than 9-0 would be a disappointment for us. We have worked hard for it, and we believe we can do it."
Hays High graduated its top two running backs in Josh Balman and Casey Sedbrook, a Shrine Bowl selection, from an offense that scored 244 points, most in the program since 2000. Seniors David Cardinal (four rushing touchdowns) and Mark Mathis will step into the backfield. While Sedbrook was more of a lateral runner who relied on his vision, Cardinal and Mathis are bigger backs who mostly make one cut and lower their shoulder.
Junior Adam Deterding will be one of the wideouts, while junior Chandler Rule takes over at tight end. Rule had played center as a freshman before he was the backup tight end as a sophomore. Cornelsen likes Rule's athleticism and ability to catch the ball in the open field. The speedy Desbien will play slotback.
"We are putting in a lot of plays for him that will give him room to run," Unrein said.
The Indians' defense, which has allowed 18.6 points per game and 104 rushing yards and 3.2 yards a carry per contest since Cornelsen took over, will have several holes to fill.
"It's going to take longer to get to the level that we want to play at than it has in years past," Cornelsen said. "But I think once we get there, we have got good enough kids in each position to be as good or better than what we have been."
Mathis and Binder will likely start at defensive end, while Sharp returns on the defensive line after he collected a team-high eight tackles for loss. The linebackers, all new, include juniors Ross Hoffman and Kyler Meyers and senior Emilio Mitchell, a transfer from Oakland, Calif. Cardinal will likely be the nickelback. Cornelsen calls Desbien "the one sure bet" in the secondary that features four cornerbacks and four safeties battling for four starting spots.
The expectation will be the same for whoever starts.
"Seven and two both years and being close has been a good start," Cornelsen said. "But I really do feel like until you get to the next level, you are not going to have people's respect."