Calvary Chapel enters season with lofty expectations
Defense was rarely a problem for the Calvary Chapel football team last season as it played at the 11-man level for the first time.
Excluding a 73-26 loss at Lincoln County in their season finale, the Lions allowed an average of only 17.9 points per game.
But Calvary Chapel struggled offensively, mustering double-digit scoring only three times on the way to a 3-6 finish.
With seven starters returning on both sides of the ball and a full summer to continue to learn the spread offense installed by second-year coach Cliff Frazier last season, the Lions expect to compete for a spot in the Class 2A Southern League playoffs.
And maybe more.
“We’re going to state,” said junior Cody Taylor, who will start at quarterback and outside linebacker. “That’s what we’re looking for this year.”
Calvary Chapel opens the season at 7 p.m. Friday at Rite of Passage.
Taylor’s lofty goals are shared by junior wide receiver/safety Cody Moreno.
“We’re ready,” Moreno said. “We’ve been practicing all summer. We just want to go out there and hit and play hard and score touchdowns.
“We want to go to state and come together more as a team.”
Calvary Chapel had a shot at reaching the postseason last year, when it opened 3-2. But the offense never truly took off, and the defense took a step back after losing star safety Dario Rahming to a season-ending wrist injury during a Week 5 win against West Wendover.
Frazier said a summer spent at various passing leagues allowed Taylor and backup quarterback Hunter Rodriguez to progress in learning the spread.
“It wasn’t like starting all over again,” Frazier said. “We got involved in some passing league stuff this year that really helped us out, so I think it’s really going to be a big plus for us this year.
“(Taylor) is going to be a physical kid. He throws the ball a lot better than he did last year. He has better mechanics than he did last year. That’s going to be a big plus. He knows the offense a lot better.”
Taylor agreed.
“Last year was my first year at quarterback, so I was still feeling it out and getting comfortable with it,” he said. “We’ve done a lot this summer with passing leagues and working one on one with coaches, so I think this year our passing game’s going to step up a lot.”
The Lions also welcome back offensive tackle/defensive end Bryan McKenzie, running back/outside linebacker Justin Cox, receiver/middle linebacker Luke Bilbao, offensive/defensive tackle Steven Shigley and nose guard/offensive lineman Ethan Davis.
It’s added up to high expectations.
“We want to get deep into the playoffs,” Frazier said. “Our No. 1 goal is to win the first game. If we can do that, then we can start channeling our energies where we really want to go.
“We’ve got to come out and win our first game. That would leave a good taste in their mouths about the rest of the season.”
Frazier said the Lions have been working on containing speed to match up against a fast Rite of Passage team that also runs the spread.
“Our kids are really fired up,” he said. “We had a really good offseason, and they’re looking forward to our first game and just really laying it out.”
And while their offense has made strides, the Lions know defense must play a key role again if they are to make a run at the postseason.
“We’ve got a really strong defense,” Taylor said. “We come out to hit. It’s what we’re known for.”
