Football Preview: McCluer North Concerned About Depth

There is a friendly battle brewing in the football camp for the starting quarterback position, and this comes as a welcome surprise for veteran coach Jim Schottmueller.

Seniors Galen Brown and Bryan Herd are locked in a competitive fight for the job.

But the other surprise for the Stars’ 2011 season is a football coach’s nightmare.

For the first time in Schottmueller's long career at North, only five sophomores took part in an offseason workout program. That translates into little, if any, depth for the football program, and it has Schottmueller worried about the season.

"We're going to have trouble developing depth at all positions," Schottmueller said. "This is the smallest group of sophomores we've ever had here working out over the summer. It's disappointing for our program, and it means that other players are going to have to step up this season."

Depth will impact the linebacker position the most. Senior LaQuane Young (25 tackles) is the lone returner with experience. Josh Hulsey, another senior, has limited experience at linebacker.

The running back position has talent, but is another area with a depth problem.

Senior back Keith Smith (79 carries, 401 yards, two touchdowns) returns, as does Young, who did not play much last season as a running back. Terrance Holliam, another back with good speed, will also see time in the backfield.

"Keith is a strong, straight-ahead runner who takes people on," Schottmueller said. "Young has outstanding speed, and he runs hard. I think we will have a running back-by-committee this season. We have four or five kids that could all play."

Brown and Herd’s contest in training camp has been the best news for Schottmueller.

"I was surprised the way this is playing out," Schottmueller said. "We have a nice little competition going on. It's always good to have something like this. Both Brown and Herd are playing very well."

Brown had a fantastic junior season. He completed 81-of-139 passes for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdown passes. He rushed for 474 yards on 109 carries and had 11 TDs. Herd had one rushing score last season.

"Herd worked very hard in the offseason and it shows," Schottmueller said. "I think we're going to be fine at quarterback."

The Stars have enough experience to protect the quarterback. Three-year starter senior Keith Jones (6 feet, 2 inches, 285 pounds) is experienced at both offensive and defensive tackle. Other returners on the line include senior guard Demecho Crawford (6 feet, 3 inches, 220 pounds), senior guard Jordan Harold (6 feet, 3 inches, 240 pounds) and junior tackle Myles McIntyre (6 foot, 4 inches, 300 pounds).

Senior guard Jason Allen (6 foot, 3 inches, 280 pounds) will return at midseason after suffering a broken ankle in gym class last year.

The Stars were 7-3 last season, and they finished second in the Suburban North Conference at 6-1. With a little luck, North should be one of the top teams in the conference again.

"People are going to have to stay healthy, and some are going to have to step up and back up the starters," Schottmueller said. "We need to find a few linebackers and a few defensive backs to step it up. The conference will be better. I know , Hazelwood East and Hazelwood West have all improved.

" is always tough, and I think Pattonville is 1,000 times better than last year," Schottmueller said.