Mead Coach Looking To Continue Tradition
Mead football
The coaching staff at Mead High School may be different, but don’t expect the results to change.
“We’re the defending champions,” said new coach Bob McCray. “This program was left in great shape. The staff’s role - they know it and I know it - is to continue.”
McCray, a former college assistant who also assisted at Mead, speaks with a missionary’s zeal reminiscent of track coach Gary Baskett.
Baskett, not surprisingly, is his line coach.
“We have an unbelievable staff,” said McCray, mentioning former baseball coach Wes Graham and a host of junior high additions.
“Don Beloved, John Barrington, Shawn Carty and Ken Russell are good football men,” said McCray. “They are young guys who played the game and love it.”
They inherit a dozen veteran and talented athletes, led by all-GSL quarterback Brandon Muzatko, third-year player Nate Adams, and such defensive stalwarts as Ossim Hatem and junior Kyle Ellenz.
Mead has gone to a Wing T formation and will play an eightman defensive front.
The backfield features Keith Stamps, Chris McCullough and speedy junior Kris Griffins, who transferred to Mead last spring. Additionally, Ellenz and Hatem will get offensive looks. Wingbacks are Zach Cassel, Josh Sicilia, and juniors Ben Sand and Nick Hansen.
Adams and Joe Zelinski, a transfer from Gonzaga Prep, are at wide receiver. Tight end is state javelin runner-up Chris Callahan.
Offensive line is sizable, if inexperienced.
“We should be able to move the football,” said McCray. “People don’t know how good a football coach Gary is. We go back 30 years. I do.”
Seniors Tony Perdue, Nick Slind and Kent Hibbard, and juniors Travis Smith and Sonny Langdon are at tackle.
Guards are Zach McGee, who with Hatem gives the team a formidable middle linebacker duo, and John Koski, Noah Vigil and defensive end Matt Beal. Joe Chimienti is at center.
On defense, Jake Senescall, Jake Sampson, Griffins, McCullough, Cassel and Jeremy Winant are outside linebackers.
They will be the key to the success of Mead’s aggressive scheme.
“They have to know how to drop, or else, when people score, it will happen in a hurry,” said McCray.
Chris Elo, Justin Robbins, Stamps and Smith provide linebacker depth.
Secondary people include Ellenz, Callahan, Adams, Zelinski, along with sophomore Dan Stucky, Chad Heuter, junior Jereme Riccelli, Ryan Carpenter, Jess Thomas, Keith Riddle, Ryan Pugh, Scott Cruess and Josh Porter.
Other linemen on defense are Kevin Gordon, juniors Tim Miller, Brian Nelson, Darick Attaway, Aaron Junes, senior newcomer Tom Castillo, John Koski, Aaron LeBlank, John Potter and Wes Urbat. Andy Zelinski is a sophomore kicker.
The Panthers play Rogers, Friday, 8:30 p.m. at Albi.
“We intend to contend.” said McCray.
, DataTimes