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Georgetown-Ridge Farm football changing

Posted by: Fred Kroner

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 1:56 PM

GEORGETOWN — When the high school football season starts, Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman will have newcomers on the field as well as veterans in new positions.
It all means one thing.
Uncertainty.
The Buffaloes are optimistic, yet there are questions that can only be answered by playing the games.
What impact will the first-year football co-op with Chrisman have on the team?
How will three-year regular Alex Pratt handle a position shift as a senior? The top G-RF rusher last year, Pratt is now the quarterback.
Another veteran, Brandon Herrin, is shifting from guard to running back.
Aside from those questions, there’s sufficient reason to feel good about the 2009 season, which will start on Aug. 28 at home against Villa Grove.
Seven starters return on offense. Seven starters return on defense.
“I see a lot of enthusiasm and people practicing hard,” said senior Ross Olson, a returning regular on the defensive line. “That’s a good sign for things to come. We want to be the best we can be.”
At the outset of practice, one of fifth-year coach Jason Baccadutre’s quests had been reached.
“I’ve been trying to get the co-op in since I’ve been here,” Baccadutre said. “There’s not a Chrisman/Georgetown co-op that’s not successful.
“Seeing how it went in baseball, how the kids got along, I knew they could contribute.”
Eight Chrisman athletes are participating in football, part of the reason the roster features more players than at any time in Baccadutre’s tenure. He’s working with 50 squad members, 17 of whom are freshmen.
Receivers Cody Owen and Derrick McCormick could be in the lineup for Game 1 though Tyler Dill, Ryan Dieu, Tanner Kelley and Korie Vire help create strong depth at the position.
“We have 10 or 11 receivers and four or five could be the No. 1 receiver on any team in the County,” Herrin said.
Dill was the No. 1 receiver on last year’s team. Pratt led the 2008 squad in rushing, scoring and tackling.
McCormick, who golfed last fall, played youth football as a fifth-grader. The transition to the varsity brand, he said, “is more complicated than I expected, but I’m asking questions, getting more help and it’s getting easier every day.”
The challenges are ones he welcomes.
“Hitting is fun,” he said.
Because Chrisman and Georgetown-Ridge Farm have formed a co-op in track and field for years, McCormick knew many of his current teammates. That helped him feel more comfortable.
“They’re real friendly,” he said.
The returning G-RF players are impressed by the attitude of the newcomers.
“They’ve surprised me,” Olson said. “They’re committed to playing. They’re not there to mess around.”
Herrin doesn’t even look at Owen and McCormick as rookies.
“They’d never touched a football, but they’re looking like they’ve been receivers a few years.”
As for Pratt, he started his high school career catching passes from his brother, Andrew.
“Most of my life, I’ve played quarterback and I thought when my brother left, I’d step up,” Alex Pratt said. “I’m finally fulfilling the family legacy of being quarterback.
“We have so many talented receivers, they’re making me look good.”
Baccadutre said he “altered the offense a little,” to compensate for Pratt’s recent inexperience at the position, but he’s not concerned.
“He’s very football savvy and we’re lucky enough to have good receivers and a solid line,” he said.
Depending who’s on the field, the lightest offensive lineman could be center Kyle Greene (200 pounds). Brothers Cody and Dylan Seilhymer bring a combined 500 pounds of bulk to the line. Mike Puckett (250) will be at one guard.
Olson (300) could see time on the offensive front as could James Dailey (160) and Dallas English (180).
Defensively, Greene and Herrin are holdovers at end and Olson and Puckett are back at tackles.
Others who played regularly last year were linebackers Pratt and Vire as well as Dill at cornerback.
“We’ll build off that nucleus, fill in the gaps and go,” Baccadutre said. “We’re pretty excited.”
McCormick and Trevor Williams are contending for the other cornerback slot. Dieu and Owen are the top candidates at free safety. Among the other linebacking candidates are Kelley, Owen and A.J. Pitmon.
“We want to be competitive and finish in the upper echelon in the conference,” Baccadutre said, “and we’ll strive to get there.”
The Buffaloes’ coaching staff includes Ron Bolen, Dale Brooks, Dave Hughes, Ryan McFarland and Chad Steinbaugh.