Kickoff '08: St. Michael's Prep Pioneers

August 29, 2008 3:00 AM

By DAN ALBANO

OCVarsity.com

:
OCVarsity previews football teams for the 2008-09 season.

St. Michael's Prep

Last season: 5-3, 1-1 (2nd Express League)

Postseason: 2007, lost to Windward, 70-18, in Division I 8-man playoffs

Coach: Jon Barber (1st year)

Outlook: Former coach Aaron Meschuk guided the Pioneers to playoff berths in each of his
two seasons but is now the coach at Crean Lutheran South in Irvine. Barber was a late hire in
August but he isn't a stranger at St. Michael's. He has coached the Pioneers previously. Barber
will run the single-wing offense with returners John Covey and Chibuzor Ejiaga among the key rushers.
Barber said '08 will be a rebuilding season but he has a 25-man roster, so the growth could come fast.

Home stadium: St. Michael's Prep

Factoid: Barber also has coached baseball at St. Michael's.

Strongest: John Covey

Fastest: John Covey

Players to watch
	John Covey The senior will start at tailback in the single-wing offense		Chibuzor Ejiaga Pioneers hope the senior forms a strong ground attack with Covey

Offsense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
TB	John Covey	5-9	160	Sr.
FB	Chibuzor Ejiaga	5-8	155	Sr.
WB	Joseph Rivero	5-8	160	Jr.
WR	Joseph Stack	5-8	160	Jr.
TE	Thomas Ford	6-2	190	Sr.
G	Michael Forsyth	6-0	200	Sr.
C	Khoi Pham	5-7	160	Sr.
T	Joshua Tractenberg	6-0	220	Sr.
KOR	John Covey	5-9	160	Sr.
KOR	Chibuzor Ejiaga	5-8	155	Sr.

Defense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	Luke Holbach	6-2	190	Sr.
NT	Jeff Childs	6-2	250	Jr.
DE	Joshua Tractenberg	6-0	220	Sr.
ILB	Thomas Ford	6-2	190	Sr.
ILB	Michael Forsyth	6-0	200	Sr.
CB	Blaise Inman	5-6	150	Fr.
S	Sylvester Ani	5-6	160	Fr.
CB	Brooks Matthew	5-6	150	Fr.
P	John Covey	5-9	160	Sr.
PR	John Covey	5-9	160	Sr.
PR	Chibuzor Ejiaga	508	155	Sr.