New coach brings new look to SPASH By MIKE KEMMETER of The Gazette With four new coaches in the league, the Wisconsin Valley Conference may have a different look this season. The Stevens Point Area Senior High football team definitely will with new head coach Pete McAdams. One thing that won't change for the Panthers this year, though, is the site of running back Cory Flisakowski with the football. The senior, who led the Valley in rushing in his sophomore and junior seasons, is expected to see the football even more. "We're going to use Cory Flisakowski. Whether he gets it on the ground or in the air, we're going to get him the ball," McAdams said. Don't expect SPASH's offense to be just the Flisakowski show, though. "We feel we have good receivers and a good fullback. We're going to mix it up on offense to make sure we maximize the talents we do have," McAdams said. As one of four schools with new coaches and new systems - the others are Wisconsin Rapids (who will run the wishbone), Merrill and Rhinelander - McAdams realizes that there will be some adjustments. But that doesn't mean the Panthers can't challenge Marshfield and D.C. Everest for the conference title. "We have high expectations for these kids," McAdams said. "Throughout the first two weeks of practice we've been very critical of the little things. It's the little things that make a lot of difference. Our goal, as a staff, is to have these kids maximize their potential. "How well teams adjust to change will determine how they finish. Going in, you know there were going to be bumps in the road. They're a great group of players and they're adjusting very well and working hard." McAdams, who was an assistant defensive coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, said SPASH's defensive philosophy is two things. "We have a lot of guys going both ways. We'll keep it simple. Our main focus is to let these kids use their athletic ability to make plays. We don't want them to be thinking too much and then be tentative. "And we're going to be a very, very aggressive defense that flies to the football." The Panthers open their season Friday at Wausau East. Here's a look at the Panthers position by position: Quarterback Senior Kris Burclaw is the starter, replacing Ross Adamczak, and he'll be backed up by junior Jake Jahnke. "They're both coming along really well right now. Kris has more varsity experience and it's showing," McAdams said. "We're really excited about what we've seen from both quarterbacks. We don't see a big dropoff between our No. 1 and 2 quarterbacks and that's a positive." Running back Flisakowski isn't alone in SPASH's backfield. The starting fullback will be senior Tim Bartsch. "He played a lot last year. He's a big fullback and there's not going to be many fullbacks as big as him. We'll run a lot of traps and dives with our fullbacks. "Both will be catching the ball as well," said McAdams. "We have all the confidence in the world throwing to these guys." The backup halfback is senior Matt Barden. "We feel Matt Barden could be starting for at least half of the teams in the conference." Sophomore Ryan Kawski is the backup fullback. Wide receiver Senior Chase Kostichka and junior Nate Olson are SPASH's starting receivers. "Both are really good athletes with 30-inch vertical jumps. It's a nice combination with having that size out there and having that vertical threat with that speed," McAdams said. Juniors Chad Erspamer and Adam Evanoff will be the backups. Tight end Senior Kyle Bohm will be the starter for the Panthers. "Kyle Bohm is the best tight end in the conference. He's as good an athlete as they come playing that position," McAdams said. "Once he gets more consistent with his run-blocking scheme, he's going to be a big threat at the tight end position." The backup tight end is sophomore Dan Harke and he'll see time on the field in double tight end formations. Offensive line Senior center Adam Dow anchors the line, which includes guards Josh Beyerl (senior) and Jake Hubbard (junior), and tackles Adam Stannenas (senior) and Travis Mancl (senior). Seniors Travis Mews, Andrew Finn, and juniors Andy Sevenich, Justin Cieslewicz and Brandon Orlikowski will be backups on the line. "They're getting a lot better. They're starting to understand our system," McAdams said. "We're not the biggest line but we feel our offensive line can move really well. They have athletic ability - pulling and getting guys off-balance." Defensive line Cieslewicz and Mancl will start at defensive tackle while Beyerl and Bohm are the starting ends. "We feel we're pretty balanced. We have strength and speed there," McAdams said. Dow, Mews, senior B.J. Yach and junior Ben Lepak hold backup spots. Linebackers Bartsch is SPASH's middle linebacker and senior Jon Currier will also play inside at the "SAM" position. The backups inside are Harke and Kawski. On the outside, Flisakowski will play "Rover" and Evanoff will start at the "Hammer" slot. Juniors Nate Quick and Eric Napiwocki will backup on the outside. Secondary Kostichka is starting at free safety while the cornerbacks are Erspamer and Barden. "Barden is a returning starter at corner. He gives us a lot of speed. He has a great deal of toughness," McAdams said. "I'm really excited about Chase. With his athletic ability, I think quarterbacks will have a hard time dealing with him at free safety." Olson and junior Andrew Scherer will be backups in the secondary.