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Burlington Central football welcomes fresh approach
Updated: August 22, 2011 7:34PM
A new season brings a fresh outlook for Burlington Central’s football program, which enters the 2011 campaign eager to get back to its winning ways.
The Rockets haven’t reached the playoffs since 2007, but they have a new coach in Rich Crabel, who will try to help the team avoid its first four-year playoff drought since the early 1980s.
Crabel is no stranger to the program having served as Central’s defensive coordinator from 1999-2005 and then as a part-time assistant the past three years to former coach Aaron Wichman, who stepped down last spring and is now the head coach at Freeport. That familiarity should come in handy for Crabel, who looks to instill both a confident and humble approach.
“We’re going to be competitive and we’re going to believe we’re going to go out and win every game,” Crabel said. “We’re also going to step on the field believing that the team we’re playing that week is the best team we’ve faced all year.”
Junior Ryan Ritchie (5-11, 180) is back as the starting quarterback for his second varsity season and will lead an offense that will likely feature more of a passing attack than in years past.
Senior Zach Ranney (5-10, 155), who landed All-Big Northern East honors last year, headlines a big group of talented wide receivers. Junior Tyler Majewski (6-0, 175), senior Mikiel Thompson (6-2, 190) and junior Carter Muelling (6-5, 195) are also expected to contribute to the receiving corps.
While developing an aerial threat is a goal for the Rockets, they certainly won’t be abandoning their tried-and-true ground attack. Junior Joel Bouagnon (6-1, 205) and senior Al Willett (5-10, 190) will handle tailback duties while senior Chandler Crary (6-0, 200) is back at fullback after an All-BNC East junior campaign.
Senior Logan McFarlane (5-10, 260) returns to anchor the offensive line, and junior Paxton Cesaroni will also be a key contributor up front when he returns from a shoulder injury. Working in at tight end will be junior Andrew Yarwood (6-3, 185) and senior Troy Klingberg (6-3, 195).
While Central’s lineup is mostly set on offense, the same can’t be said of the defense.
“We’re very young and inexperienced on the defensive side of the ball,” Crabel said. “We’ve got a lot of guys working at a lot of different spots.”
Senior safety Johnny Major (5-10, 165) is one of the players Crabel will lean on to help lead the unit. Crary and Bouagnon will also play key roles as starting linebackers.
Yarwood and Klingberg will help anchor the defensive line for a Rockets squad that is giving Crabel plenty of reasons for optimism.
“Our work ethic is outstanding, we have good senior leadership and our numbers are pretty good with about 45 kids,” Crabel said. “I’ve definitely been encouraged.”
BURLINGTON CENTRAL ROCKETS
2010 record: 3-6
Coach: Rich Crabel (1st season at Burlington Central; 9-27 career)
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