(Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
ENGLEWOOD — Grandview coach John Schultz made no bones about the fact that he has no desire to change a formula that has worked so well for the Wolves for 13 years.
Sitting in front of reporters during the first Denver Broncos high school football media day, Schultz was asked if he plans to change anything offensively and go away from a run-first approach.
He didn’t hesitate for a second.
“That’s still our strength,” Schultz said. “The quarterback position for us last year was a young and inexperienced position even though he was a senior. It was his first starting experience. This year will be the same thing. We will start the season as a run-dominant team.”
And there’s no reason they shouldn’t.
The Wolves return plenty of beef on the offensive line. They also return the playmaker that the o-linemen spent the season creating holes for.
Jordan Billingsley finished fifth in the state in rushing yards in 2017. That’s across all classes, not just Class 5A. Heading into his senior year, Billingsley has high ambitions for what he can do and, more importantly, what he can help the team accomplish.
“Playing football period, I have a lot of motivation,” Billingsley said. “Going into this year it’s better because I have guys like Hayden (Isenhart) coming back, I have Mason (Schultz) coming back blocking for me. Coming into this year, it’s a lot of help.”
(Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
The Wolves made it to the 5A state semifinals last year. That run included a 28-16 upset win over No. 1 Valor Christian in the quarterfinals. Billinglsey played a huge role in that win, running for 109 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
With the start of the 2018 kicking off Thursday for Grandview, Billingsley has done everything possible since the start of practice to ensure he can maintain his production not just from one playoff game, but from his entire junior year.
“It’s awesome,” Schultz said. “Jordan is so much more comfortable this year practicing and practicing hard. He’s finishing every play to the end zone and he’s been a great leader on our offense so far.”
Early production will be key for the Wolves. As of last Friday, Schultz had yet to name a starting quarterback for his team. He had earlier referenced that the quarterback situation in 2017 was similar to what it will look like this year.
That’s why moving the ball early and often will be so essential for Grandview to sustain offensive production.
“If we’re not good on first and second down, it could be a long season,” Schultz said. “We’re going to work on moving the ball early and try to be effective.”
And he’ll have to do it against a quality slate of teams. To start the year, five of the first six opponents on the schedule made the playoffs in 2017. And that’s before they even jump into league play.
“You don’t get better playing weak opponents,” Schultz said. “You might stay healthier but we have a great challenge in front of us and we’re playing in a great league.”
The league schedule includes state runner-up Eaglecrest and preseason No. 1 Cherry Creek. With leagues altered heading into the new athletic cycle, it gives the kids a chance to return to more neighborhood rivalries, which is something they’re looking forward to.
“It makes it more heartfelt, playing against those guys you grew up playing against,” Mason Schultz said.
Grandview kicks off its 2018 season Thursday night when it hosts Chaparral at Legacy Stadium.
(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)