Football 2014: Southeast Buffaloes
Southeast used a linebacker to play quarterback last season, which spoke to the stability of both positions.
The Golden Buffaloes were overflowing with depth at linebacker, even in a 3-4 scheme that maximizes that depth. But Southeast couldn’t find a quality quarterback – at least one who naturally played the position.
Coach Chris Asmussen may have found the best of both worlds, as Southeast is still brimming with linebackers but has more playmakers in the backfield, including junior tailback Ira Hines and new quarterback Cameron Bond, a sophomore.
“People look at it as a negative that you don’t have the experience of his new-look offense,” Asmussen said. “But what we see is that, one, they’re very athletic. Two, they don’t come in with that notion that they already know what to do. They’re very coachable, so we can kind of bend them any way that we want to get the results that we want.”
The presence of Bond could make Hines more useful, since Southeast became predictable last season, rushing 400 times with 37 passes. Tre Griffin rushed for nearly 1,200 yards, but the Buffaloes couldn’t keep from overusing him, handing him the ball more than 23 times per game.
Bond, who saw time as a defensive back in 2013, will allow Southeast more versatility as a dual threat. He’ll also be aided by three returning senior offensive linemen.
“We’ve always had a harder time getting a throwing quarterback,” Asmussen said. “Last year we put a linebacker (Chandler Williamson) there. Great kid, he just didn’t understand the field. Cameron is a much better thrower, and we’re really looking at being a balanced throwing-and-running team.”
Southeast can also fall back on its defense, particularly a linebacking corps that includes seniors Michael Maxie, Dayvon Langham, Vernon Ross and Damon Gattis. Those four could help Southeast carry out Asmussen’s vision of having an aggressive, ball-hawking defense.
“We’re looking at our defense to kind of set the tone for us,” Asmussen said. “We’re going to kind of play dirty, nasty football with everybody. …The speed and the intensity they bring is good, but I would almost say their football sense and understanding of what we want from them is the key.”
A LOOK AT SOUTHEAST
Coach: Chris Asmussen, fourth season, 10-17
League: City League
Last season: 2-7
Last five seasons: 16-29
Projected 2014 playoff team? No
TOP SKILL PLAYERS
| Player | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. |
| Michael Maxie | 5-10 | 185 | LB | Sr. |
| Davyon Langham | 5-9 | 190 | LB | Sr. |
| Antonio Adams | 6-0 | 180 | DB | Sr. |
| Vernon Ross | 5-8 | 190 | LB | Sr. |
TOP LINEMEN
| Player | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. |
| Josiah Wilson | 5-11 | 220 | OL | Sr. |
| Kyle Klinginsmith | 6-1 | 245 | OL | Sr. |
| Torri Rush | 5-9 | 330 | OL | Sr. |
| Jalen Senones | 6-0 | 230 | OL | Sr. |
2013 RESULTS
| Opponent | Score |
| Dodge City | L,44-6 |
| Kapaun | L,27-3 |
| West | L,42-14 |
| Northwest | L,41-20 |
| North | W,14-0 |
| South | W,27-8 |
| Derby | L,76-13 |
| Heights | L,40-14 |
| East | L,14-7 |
2014 SCHEDULE
| Date | Opponent |
| Sept. 5 | at Heights |
| Sept. 12 | Dodge City (at South) |
| Sept. 19 | at South |
| Sept. 26 | at Northwest |
| Oct. 3 | Kapaun (at South) |
| Oct. 10 | at Carroll |
| Oct. 17 | Junction City (at South) |
| Oct. 24 | North (at NW) |
| Oct. 30 | East (at South) |
Damon Gettis on his team
What Southeast does well: “We’re definitely going to be able to score, I know that for a fact. We have a lot of speed in our backfield. Our defense, we have a lot of experience, especially at linebacker and at the corners.”
What has to improve: “Just remembering different play calls. On defense, we have over 60 different calls, and it’s hard to remember some of them. We constantly go over them, over and over, so we don’t mess up and we remember what we’re supposed to do.”