The 2004 edition of the Shelby Whippets will have a different look than the 2003 team. Gone is the league's leading rusher in Robbie Lash and a good number of his offensive linemen. "We have a lot of people competing for every position on offense and that will make us a better team," said second year head coach Chris Solis. Though coach Solis employ's his Power-I offense the success of this years Whippet team could fall on the arm and feet of talented junior quarterback Josh Calver. Calver was making a push for the starting job last summer before suffering a broken foot during 2-a-days and coach Solis has added a new wrinkle in his offense to better-fit Calver's style. "We'll be running a little option this year as well", said Solis, "as Josh ran it at the junior high level and as a freshmen." Shelby will be thin on the Defensive line on experience, but return a good number of skilled players on that side of the ball. Pete Champer who finished second in the league in tackles a season ago returns to man his linebacker position and looks to wreck havoc on opposing NOL tailbacks. The secondary will have a good nucleus returning with Gurney, Aldouls and Wechter returning though they will miss Lash's league leading 8 interceptions. "Offensively we have to eliminate turnovers", said Solis, whose team was a lofty minus 16 in the giveaway/takeaway margin. Though young on talent and inexperienced at a number of positions, this is not a Shelby team that should be taken lightly. How long can a town rich in tradition be kept down much longer? Could this be the year where Shelby rises to the upper half of the NOL? These questions will all begin to be answered this Friday night as the Whippets host Mansfield Madison.

Media's 2004 Predicted League Finish :
6th

Passing: Josh Calver
7 com. 10 att., 77 yds., 0 tds. 0 ints.

Rushing: No one returning

Receiving: Kyle Hipsher
4 rec., 48 yds., 1 tds

Scoring: Kyle Hipsher
2 tds, 12 pts.

Punting: Emily Aldefer,
1 att. 32 avg.

Kicking: Pete Champer,
8 pts

Tackles: Pete Champer
104 tackles

Sacks: Pete Champer
3 sacks

Interceptions: Hipsher, Gurney and Hummel each with
1 int

Kickoff returns: Brad Wechter
7 ret., 19.6 avg.

Punt returns: Jon Gurney
8 ret. 12.1 avg.

Written by XBellevueplayar

Defensive line: Not one returning starter is back from a defensive line that gave up an average of 220 yards rushing a game last season. The Whippet defensive line will be huge this year but inexperienced with Josh Rice (6'0" 260), Zach Friebel (6'1" 265) and (5'9" 210) sophomore B.J. Taylor leading the way. Senior Cody Martinez and junior Kevin Ross should also see action this fall.

Linebackers: The linebacker position is another that is lacking experience but the overall lack of experience is made up by the return of hard-hitting middle linebacker Pete Champer. Champer who weights in at (6'3" 195) was only a sophomore last season when he finished second in the league with 104 tackles while also chipping in with 3 quarterback sacks and 3 interceptions. Patrolling the remaining three positions will be Ty Coleman at the other middle spot, seniors Brain Nutter (5'10" 180) and Frank Schroeder at the outside backer positions. Senior Cory Booth will also compete for playing time.

Secondary: Defensive-back is probably the deepest of all positions on the Shelby roster. Jon Gurney returns as the teams starting safety after collecting 65 tackles and an interception a season ago. Brad Wechter will man the other safety position while josh Calver and Garrett Hummel look to lock on receivers as the starting cornerbacks. Brennan Aldous and Dane Fichter should be the primary backups at corner.

Special teams: Pete Champer should fill double duties as both the kicker and punter for the Whippets. Champer connected on 8 extra point attempts in 2003. Jon Gurney will return punts and kickoffs again this season as will Garrett Hummel. Last seasons speed in the return game might be lacking some pop without Lash but Hummel and Gurney should fill the void adequately.