MAY 23, 2012

2012, 57 – 2011, 35: Spring Falcons; Passing Tourney at Hamilton, Sat., 9 a.m.

CSHS – Head Coach Greg Davis is no rookie – far from it. He’s been in high school football coaching for 17 years. So when he told this writer by telephone (there is phone service here in Dadeville, Alabama), “Our Blue-White game last Friday was the perfect way to end the best Spring Practice I’ve ever been around. I’m really excited about the upcoming season!” I listened – encouraged after last season’s 2-8 disappointment, in which just about everything went wrong that could’ve gone wrong. But you never heard a whimper of complaint out of Coach Davis.

The comparative number, 57-35, of aspirants out for spring football tells you that for Cactus Shadows, “the worm is, indeed, turning.” You can catch a sneak offensive preview of these vowing-to-rebound Falcons this Saturday, May 26, Hamilton High School, when the 7-on-7 Passing League Tournament, this one sponsored by Under Armour, gets underway at 9 a.m. The next “home” opportunity will come Friday-Saturday, June 8-9, at ASU; play begins at 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday afternoon, June 19, 5:30 p.m. start, the Falcon 7s will be at Pinnacle High School, their regular season second opponent (at Falcon Stadium), Friday, August 31.

In Passing League action, under center (likely senior Kyle Hajek) will be the quarterback trio of Bryce Kinsler (fully recovered from his nicked up 2011): Mr. Do-It-All,” the versatile R.J. Anderson; and soph prospect, Payton Ringwald, who is also a probable starter at a safety spot. The Passing League receiving corps for the Falcs will be comprised of Matt Hartlen, showing strong senior leadership; Kyle Gladstone, recovered from the knee injury that sidelined him for all of last season; Taylor Wilson; R.J., of course; Mike Thompson, who also plays some pretty good linebacker; Mike Leonard, better known to this writer as “Mikey”; Connor Folts and Lance Puryear. This writer is “betting the house” on a big comeback season by Kinsler. He’s still my Bart Starr clone.

In the White’s 19-14 win, Coach Davis singled out Kinsler, Hartlen, defensive back Emeka Esemonu and linebacker Nathan Brockman. For the losing Blues, Coach Davis praised Anderson, Gladstone, Joe Kuhlmann, Tyler Pearson and Tanner Buchert. Cash Hasse and Ringwald each had an INT.

“Ask the man who owns one.” A thoughtful letter received on Monday from a knowledgeable football dad: “The talent on this team is much-improved over last year: bigger, faster, stronger, with a night-and-day difference in player synergy. The kids coming up also show some nice potential. I predict State Playoffs this year.”

Can hope be as close as the August 24 home opener against Boulder Creek? Stay tuned, fans.

~ Pete Mohr