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It is often debated in football whether it is better to have talent or experience. Luckily for the Glenelg Gladiators and head coach Butch Shaffer, the Gladiators have both this season.
The Gladiators return many of their players from a 6-4 season last year, a season that saw the Gladiators run the table with six wins after starting out 0-4. It's that experience of success that Shaffer is counting on during the 2008 season.
When asked what will be the team strength this year, Shaffer said, "I think it's our experience. Most of the guys have played last year."
"I think we'll go as far as our seniors will take us."
The Gladiators return four seniors on the offensive line, a line that paved the way to scoring 20-plus points in five straight games last season. Seniors John Mullinix (6-foot, 215 pounds), Garret Abadoms (6-0, 235), Victor Abadoms (6-0, 235), Billy Hall (6-1, 270) and junior Nathan Coe (6-0, 270) hope to open up big holes for the Gladiators this season.
"It's pretty much important to have experience everywhere," said Shaffer, noting that most of the lineman of played together for four years.
Behind the line, junior Gage Trawick (6-1, 180) will call the plays for the Gladiators. Shaffer said his offense consists of multiple sets and is counting on Trawick to be a leader on the field.
Trawick will be responsible for getting the ball to junior tailback Shannon Maura (5-9, 170) and senior fullback Tyler Brittain (6-0, 205), as well as sophomore wide receiver Colin Osborne (5-9, 170) and senior wide receivers Tyler Sones (6-1, 170) and Ricky Dubois (5-10, 170).
On the defensive side, the Gladiators will play a 5-2 alignment. Mullinix, Garret Abadoms, Victor Abadoms, Hall and Coe will also make up the defensive line.
Shaffer said he expects his linebacking core of Brittain and Maura to be one of the strengths of the defense this season.
Osborne, Sones, Dubois and junior Jimmy Zito (5-9, 170) make up the Gladiators defensive backfield. Senior A.J. Rosenthal (6-1, 270) will handle all punting and kicking duties.
Last season, after winning six straight games to close the season, Glenelg finished 1.1 points behind Forestville for the fourth spot in the 1A South playoffs.
Shaffer hopes a schedule against opponents from larger schools 3A and 2A schools will help his team in the 1A playoffs.
"I think we'll be competitive size wise with most of the schools we play…but we'll play 3A schools all year long, so we won't see any 1A schools until the playoffs," said Shaffer.