Under second-year head coach Andrew Stoner the Rockets are going with the Wing-T offense to take advantage of their deepest position, running back. No matter what the offense does in the new system, the defense has to find a way to slow down the opposition. In 2012, James Buchanan surrendered more than 40 points a game. This is their Countdown to Kickoff preview.
School Name: James Buchanan Rockets
Coach: Andrew Stoner
Last Year: 0-10, 0-7 Colonial
Last 5 Years: 3-45
Returning Starters: 8 on offense; 7 on defense
Key Players: RB-LB Brady Hornbaker; OT-DE Sloane Bendell; RB-FS Hunter Brown; RB-DB Shamar Pates; OT-DT Brady Glass; OG-DE Nick Leturgey; C-DT Dustin Walker; OG-ILB Casey Glunt; TE-ILB Brandon Hann; TE-FS Blake Egolf.
Offense Overview: In head coach Andrew Stoner’s second chapter, the Rockets are headed for the Wing-T. A year ago JB averaged only 56 yards a game on the ground. Stoner and his staff feel they have the horses go run-based with the offense. Hunter Brown, Shamar Pates and Brady Hornbaker combined for more than 100 carries last season by those totes yielded fewer than 400 yards. Hornbaker, at 5-11, 208 pounds, will be the fullback. He was lost to injury early last season and will be counted on big in 2013. The Rockets still need a quarterback to guide the engine. The offensive line has plenty of experience, but simply needs to be better. Run blocking requires more hard work than pass blocking to be effective. Trying to slow the game down and stretch the clock is a wise move for this group.
Defense Overview: There are seven starters back, most of them going both ways, from a team that surrendered 454 points in 2012. No matter what strides the offense makes, 45.4 points a game surrendered will make for another long season. The Rockets have a little more size than in recent years, so up front that beef needs to set the tempo for the other seven behind them. The first step to staying in games is getting to the football. That's all about attitude and hustle. Winning even one game is nearly impossible surrendering that many points a game.
Biggest Game: Aug. 30 vs. Biglerville
More School Name: 2013 Schedule | Tentative 2013 Roster
Shay’s Crystal Ball: Except for the 10 opponents on the Rockets’ schedule, how can you not hope this season holds win No. 1 for coach Stoner? The Rockets have only three victories over the last five seasons. The Wing-T offense certainly makes sense based on the three backs and the defense surrendering so many points last season. The numbers in terms of returning starters is a positive. What that translates to on the scoreboard on the upcoming 10 Friday night’s is the big question that needs answered. Bottom line is this team is all about the run – being able to do it and stop it.
More: Complete Countdown to Kickoff coverage
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