Scouting report: Crean Lutheran

By John Scafetta | Orange County Register

August 26, 2014 at 10:40 p.m.

CREAN LUTHERAN SAINTS

Coach: Brett Mertens (second year, 1-9)

Last season’s record: 1-9 overall, 1-3 league

Scouting report: The Saints went from a five-win season in 2012 to winning just one game last season, but Coach Brett Mertens is optimistic his discourse on executing mistake-free football in early practices will help turn the tide. “Last year we were really young and very inexperienced, so it was basically trying to teach football to a lot of kids,” Mertens said. “This year we’re a year in, and I think the kids feel a little bit more comfortable.” After starting 10 new players on defense in 2013, the Saints will march out an athletic secondary and a solid linebacking corps led by senior Matt Frisbee (26.5 tackles) and sophomore Tanner Atkinson. The team’s greatest concerns, though, loom on offense. The Saints lost their option quarterback and main running back to graduation, so finding big play options will be a work in progress, Mertens said. Paul Sardo will call the plays behind center after focusing on baseball his junior season. Mertens said the option will remain a part of the offense but balancing the run with an improved passing game will be key. To open up the air attack, the Saints will institute a running back-by-committee, which will include four different backs lined up in the I-formation behind a veteran offensive line. If Mertens’ vision of the run game prospers and the defense pans out, the Saints should vastly improve.

Players to watch: Tanner Atkins, So.; Nick Ellwein, Jr.; Luke Hamilton, Sr.; Andrew Ryan, Jr.; Paul Sardo, Sr.; Mark Sharp, Sr.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Offense

QB: Paul Sardo, Sr.

RB: Mark Sharp, Sr.

RB: Tanner Atkinson, So.

WR: Nick Ellwein, Jr.

WR: Matt Frisbee, Sr.

TE: Sam Fluegge, Sr.

T: Luke Hamilton, Sr.

G: Luke Walcher, Jr.

C: Reagan Schmidt, Jr.