ESU football making systematic gains
Hornets keep local talent
By Jeff Deters
Friday, February 3, 2012
By Jeff Deters
Deters@emporiagazette.com
Emporia State football coach Garin Higgins has been trying to build up his team’s depth and athleticism for years. Last year the Hornets saw some of that finally come to fruition.
And with the 2012 recruiting class, Higgins has added another key piece to the puzzle.
“We’re to the point now where we can definitely recruit to our system on both offense and defense,” Higgins said. “We feel comfortable about what we’re doing package-wise on both sides of the football. So we recruit players to fit those needs. I think we’ve done that.”
Last year the Hornets endured a roller-coaster ride that eventually ended with a 5-6 record. But inside that record, there was a transformational shift on both sides of the ball.
Bucking recent trends, the ESU offense was played more through the air than it did on the ground. That change also was a result of improved play from quarterback Tyler Eckenrode. And on defense, ESU switched from a traditional 4-3 to a 3-4 early in the season.
Those are two strategic plans that likely won’t change anytime soon, but in order to ensure that Higgins had to address some needs on the line of scrimmage.
“We had a lot of seniors last year and I felt like we brought in a lot of guys up front,” he said. “And we needed to address those needs. I also feel like at this level you want to be able to address your needs but also get the best possible athletes you can at that position. And I thought we did that as well.”
Higgins also was able to keep some local talent. The Hornets were able to get commitments out of Emporia High’s Derek Gifford (RB), Nick Vega (DL), Madison’s Kole Schankie (WR), Collin Kile (QB) and Bubba Smith (LB), Lebo’s Thadd Barker (RB/TE) and Council Grove’s Derron Reddick (RB).
“I think that’s very important,” Higgins said of keeping local talent. “In any college football program you have to be able to get the best players in your own backyard and keep them here. And I thought this was a good group locally this year. I feel like all of those players are good players, but they also can get it done in the classroom as well.”
Higgins said a few members of his 2012 class could see time on the field next year, and he added that his class isn’t full just yet. He is looking to add players at running back and in the secondary.
“This is a solid class,” Higgins said. “We’re happy about it. Of course, you’re never going to know how good it is until the proof is on the field and that will be in due time. And there’s a possibility that some of these guys might play as true freshman, but probably the majority of them will redshirt. So we’ll find out down the road how good the class is. But we’re really excited about it.”
ESU will begin spring practice on March 11. The spring game will be at 5 p.m. on April 21.