Summit Christian poised for more success
By Dave McQueen
dmcqueen@demo-mo.comAugust 5, 201
2016-08-03T21:58:35Z
By Dave McQueen
Summit Christian Academy assistant football coach Keith Painter leads players through a drill during practice Aug. 3. The Eagles have 33 players on their roster, the most in the program’s history.
Standing in the middle of a practice field on a hot August morning, Summit Christian Academy football coach Dalton Vann could see the signs of a program on the rise all around him.
Vann could look toward the Eagles’ game field and see the post holes being dug and the equipment being assembled for the lights that will bring Friday night football to the school for the first time. As he watched his players work out, he could see the largest squad in the program’s history and the fruits of its first winning season and playoff run.
Considering all he had five years ago was a junior-varsity team he started from scratch, Vann is still a little amazed and largely appreciative at how far he and the Eagles have come. And he sees no reason why that progress couldn’t continue.
As long as he and his players don’t let it all go to their heads.
“It doesn’t affect me; what I have to do now is to keep that from them,” Vann said. “They have to go on knowing each day is a new day. Just like in your life and everything else you have to have steps. We’re now on that first step, and you can’t get to a state championship until you’ve gone through day one.”
SCA had 33 players on its roster for day one, the most in four seasons of varsity football. That number includes 13 seniors, the most Vann has ever had and a reflection of the biggest senior class in the school’s history. And it also includes a wealth of talent and experience back from last year’s 10-2 squad that won the Crossroads Conference championship and reached the Class 2 District 4 final.
SCA is set at quarterback with Sam Huckabee, a senior who racked up more than 2,300 passing yards and 26 touchdowns last season. The Eagles’ backfield is crowded with proven ground-gainers in Jon Scire, Brett Campbell, Josh McConnell and Malek Looney as well.
What the Eagles don’t have yet is a proven playmaker like Ross Parke, who had over 1,200 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior last season. Parke also had two rushing TDS and returned kicks and interceptions for scores as well.
“Ross Parke was great Class 2 high school football player,” Vann said. “You could count on him for everything. So maybe it’s two or three guys now instead making that big play.”
That, Vann said, could work to SCA’s advantage this season. Rather than relying on one big-play threat, the Eagles could have several players step up and share the load. And that could make the Eagles less predictable.
“What it’s going to do is it’s going to force Sam to be a better quarterback,” Vann said. “You’ve got to spread it out now. I think what it forces teams to do now is they don’t know who our No. 1 is. And I hope it’s a different guy every game.”
Vann will spend the next couple of weeks sorting out who those scoring threats will be. SCA will open its season Aug. 19 with a trip to Wisconsin to take on St. Croix Central. On Aug. 26, the Eagles will play University Academy in their first home game under the lights.
It may be early, but Vann already likes the direction the Eagles are heading.
“I love this team,” Vann said. “I love their attitude; they’re close with one another. It’s just fun.”
By Dave McQueen
dmcqueen@demo-mo.comAugust 5, 201
2016-08-03T21:58:35Z
By Dave McQueen
Summit Christian Academy assistant football coach Keith Painter leads players through a drill during practice Aug. 3. The Eagles have 33 players on their roster, the most in the program’s history.
Standing in the middle of a practice field on a hot August morning, Summit Christian Academy football coach Dalton Vann could see the signs of a program on the rise all around him.
Vann could look toward the Eagles’ game field and see the post holes being dug and the equipment being assembled for the lights that will bring Friday night football to the school for the first time. As he watched his players work out, he could see the largest squad in the program’s history and the fruits of its first winning season and playoff run.
Considering all he had five years ago was a junior-varsity team he started from scratch, Vann is still a little amazed and largely appreciative at how far he and the Eagles have come. And he sees no reason why that progress couldn’t continue.
As long as he and his players don’t let it all go to their heads.
“It doesn’t affect me; what I have to do now is to keep that from them,” Vann said. “They have to go on knowing each day is a new day. Just like in your life and everything else you have to have steps. We’re now on that first step, and you can’t get to a state championship until you’ve gone through day one.”
SCA had 33 players on its roster for day one, the most in four seasons of varsity football. That number includes 13 seniors, the most Vann has ever had and a reflection of the biggest senior class in the school’s history. And it also includes a wealth of talent and experience back from last year’s 10-2 squad that won the Crossroads Conference championship and reached the Class 2 District 4 final.
SCA is set at quarterback with Sam Huckabee, a senior who racked up more than 2,300 passing yards and 26 touchdowns last season. The Eagles’ backfield is crowded with proven ground-gainers in Jon Scire, Brett Campbell, Josh McConnell and Malek Looney as well.
What the Eagles don’t have yet is a proven playmaker like Ross Parke, who had over 1,200 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior last season. Parke also had two rushing TDS and returned kicks and interceptions for scores as well.
“Ross Parke was great Class 2 high school football player,” Vann said. “You could count on him for everything. So maybe it’s two or three guys now instead making that big play.”
That, Vann said, could work to SCA’s advantage this season. Rather than relying on one big-play threat, the Eagles could have several players step up and share the load. And that could make the Eagles less predictable.
“What it’s going to do is it’s going to force Sam to be a better quarterback,” Vann said. “You’ve got to spread it out now. I think what it forces teams to do now is they don’t know who our No. 1 is. And I hope it’s a different guy every game.”
Vann will spend the next couple of weeks sorting out who those scoring threats will be. SCA will open its season Aug. 19 with a trip to Wisconsin to take on St. Croix Central. On Aug. 26, the Eagles will play University Academy in their first home game under the lights.
It may be early, but Vann already likes the direction the Eagles are heading.
“I love this team,” Vann said. “I love their attitude; they’re close with one another. It’s just fun.”
