Preview 2010: Russell's Zachman a force to be reckoned with
By RANDY GONZALES
Ryan Zachman can be a game-changer for the Russell prep football team.
But opponents likely will do their best to not let that happen.
Last season, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Zachman led Russell in rushing in its wishbone offense. He piled up 771 yards and ran for 10 touchdowns as the right halfback.
"Ryan is just a real hard-nosed football player," Russell coach David King said. "He's got real good quickness and a knack for playing the game."
Zachman, now a senior, also has the knack for making big plays on special teams. Last year, he averaged 49 yards per kickoff return, with five touchdowns, and averaged 13.2 yards on punt returns, with one TD.
"A lot of people have tried to kick away from him, keep the ball out of his hands," King said.
When teams do that, it often gives Russell good field position. And the wishbone has a short field to churn out yards.
"It's an offense that really focuses on execution," King said. "We're not going to run a lot of different plays, but the plays we do run, run well."
King said it helps to return an experienced quarterback; senior Danny Oste took snaps last year. King also is counting on senior Brady Ruggels, a tight end on offense and a defensive end on the other side of the ball. Russell also returns junior defensive end Brennan Walter, an all-league selection last season.
King hopes the first part of the season will get his team ready for district play.
"We're going to do everything we can to improve the first six weeks of the season," King said. "Hopefully enough to compete in our district."