While Chanute head coach Don Simmons anticipated having to replace one 1,000-yard running back this season, he didn’t expect to have to replace two.
Former Blue Comet standout Jared McComb has moved to Texas with his family where he will play his senior season at Coppell High School.
The news of McComb’s departure hit the Blue Comets hard.
"I learned about it right before our first practice,” said Simmons. “It was a sickening phone call. But we had a team meeting, and we told them that we put 11 guys on the field. We told them that it will give other guys more opportunities. We're still expecting good things this season."
McComb (6-0, 205), a true combination of power and speed, rushed for 1,398 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior in 2010 on just 154 carries. He exploded for 287 yards and seven touchdowns in a first-round playoff win against Southeast Kansas League rival Columbus.
He also excelled as a wrestler and as a track athlete.
The Blue Comets already faced the task of replacing 1,742 yards and 24 touchdowns out of their backfield with the graduation of Shrine Bowl participant Eric Bowman.
Coach Simmons indicated that there isn’t a clear-cut favorite to fill the void left in the Comet backfield.
”We've got five or six kids working hard back there now," he said. "It will be a bit of trial and error to see who can do it on Friday nights. We don't have the great backs like we did last year, but we're going to have some good kids running the ball."
Whoever gets the ball on Friday nights will have the luxury of running behind all-state lineman Quintin Schooley (6-4, 250).
Simmons believes the offensive line will be strength for Chanute this fall.
"Those guys were going to open holes for McComb, and now they're going to open holes for other guys. Hopefully, they'll be able to get out in the daylight."
As for how losing more than 3,000 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns changes an offensive game plan?
"We're probably going to throw the ball more than we would have, which I like. We'll be more balanced offensively.”
News & Notes:
· Olpe’s talented sophomore linebacker Parker Bass has transferred to Emporia where he is expected to transition to defensive end. Bass (6-2, 200) started at linebacker as a freshman last season for Chris Schmidt’s Eagles.
· Dodge City lost a key weapon at wide receiver as Rico Hogan moved to Norman, Oklahoma.
· Former Northern Valley quarterback Austin Herman (5-11, 160) has transferred to Thunder Ridge. Herman was a Kpreps All-District 8 selection last fall at defensive back after recording 128 tackles and two interceptions.
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