FOOTBALL 2001

Steve Bloom/The Olympian
Rochester's Mike Davis, an all-league tight end, will get more opportunities this season to add to his reception total as the Warriors hope to spread things out with their passing attack.

A new look for Warriors

Warriors want to make pass game part of attack

CHARLES DYE, THE OLYMPIAN

ROCHESTER -- Warriors head coach Bob Wollan has found the secret to making his multiple-set wishbone option offense click.

The line.

Not the offensive line, but the line of scrimmage. Wollan plans to spread defenses out with multiple formations and the passing game.

"We gotta get a push somehow. If we can throw the football and get defenses to spread out a little bit, we're going to have some success. If we can't then we're going to have to grind things out," Rochester's sixth-year coach said.

Still, the key will be whether the Warriors can establish ownership at the point of attack on running plays.

"I say this every year, but we need to throw the ball more. Running is our thing here, though. We're not real big up front, but we've got some experience and we've got a pretty quick line," Wollan said.

That much is music to the ears of all-league tight end Michael Davis, who also plays defensive end.

"I like pasting somebody, but I like making a catch too," Davis said. "I just want to work on everything, making the block, catching passes, stopping the run on defense."

On defense, Rochester will stick with the 4-3 scheme it has relied on with some success in Wollan's tenure.

"For it to be a successful season, we have to make it to the playoffs," Luke Erwin said.

"I think offensively we should be pretty solid. Our big question is defensively, we have to replace our front seven," Wollan said.

All-league senior offensive guard Bob Starkey moves from defensive line to linebacker.

"I like it. I think it's a great spot to play, right there in the action," Starkey said of his central roles on both sides of the ball.

The faces will be a bit more familiar on offense. Senior running back Erwin is back to key the running game after earning all-league honors at free safety last year. Kyle Hawes is the other halfback.

"Our two halfbacks, they have a lot of experience," Wollan said.

Davis will be counted on to block pursuing defenders from defending the option after quarterback John Holman reads the defensive end.

"Davis is a very exceptional athlete," Wollan said.

Holman, a senior, and junior Adam Nichols both return with experience at quarterback.

"John brings a lot of experience back. He runs the option well. He can throw the ball pretty well," Wollan said. "He's being pushed right now by Adam, who showed some progress at the end of last year and worked hard all summer. I feel that quarterback is going to be one of our strengths."

The skill players' experience with the wishbone dating back to their days in junior high has smoothed the Achilles' heel of option offenses -- the risk of fumbles.

"That hasn't been a real big issue, putting it on the ground," Wollan said. "It's not anything we worry about. You're going to put the ball on the ground a little bit."

Another scoring threat lies in kicker Josh Hatwan's leg. He hit three field goals from 35-plus last year.

"I would say that if the conditions are right, 45-50 yards is something that we would attempt. It's not very often that you have a kid, at least at the 2A level that's capable of doing that. We're not afraid to use him," Wollan said.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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Rochester Warriors

-COACH: Bob Wollan (6th year).

-2000 RECORD: 6-3.

-RETURNING STARTERS: 6/5.

-OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE SET: Wishbone, multiple sets; 4-3.

-KEY RETURNERS: Luke Erwin, HB/FS, sr., 5-9, 160; Michael Davis, TE/DE, sr., 6-2, 200; Bob Starkey, G/LB, sr., 6-0, 200; John Holman, QB/CB, sr., 5-11, 180; Adam Nichols, QB, jr., 6-1, 170.

-STRENGTHS: Experience at quarterback, versatile offense, quick linemen. Rochester has been to the playoffs twice in the seniors' three previous seasons.

-WEAKNESSES: Must replace front seven on defense, young players will need to step up.

-WHAT TO EXPECT: This year's talented, experienced senior class replaced 11 starters last year from a 1999 team that went 9-0. Rochester will fight for playoff berth after postseason runs in 1998 and 1999.

Schedule

Fri., Sept. 7 MARK MORRIS*

Fri., Sept. 14 at Ridgefield

Fri., Sept. 21 WOODLAND

Fri., Sept. 28 ELMA

Fri., Oct. 5 HOQUIAM

Fri., Oct. 12 at Montesano

Fri., Oct. 19 at Forks

Fri., Oct. 26 at Tenino

Fri., Nov. 2 League Playoff

*non-league

Home games in CAPITALS.

All games at 7:30 p.m.