DEFENDING STATE CHAMPIONS SET TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS AA TITLE… AND RESPECT AROUND THE RMFL

 

Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier

 

MISSOULA – Nobody injected spirit and class into the RMFL ever… like the first year Missoula Raptors in 2005.

 

This franchise set new standards in player recruitment and fan and community support in its first season… a pretty tough act to follow.

 

However, even with all of the many successes of the Raptors, there were still plenty of on-field disappointments. After devastating losses to the Wasatch Wildcats at home and the Idaho Falls Mustangs on the road, the Raptors were kept humble and directed as they negotiated their way through the 2005 regular season, past the Helena Titans for two nail-biting wins and to the Montana state title.

 

The Raptors ended their 2005 campaign with a play-off road loss to the Boise Roughriders, a game, which many will forget was tied after 3 quarters before Boise pulled away and into the semi-final round.

 

Yet despite so much success, the Raptors have yet to garner the full on-field respect of the rest of the league.  Many have chosen to look at their losses to Idaho Falls and Wasatch as the true litmus test of where this team really stood.

 

All that having been said, however, 2006 will be a “new season” in more ways than one.

 

Having undergone a certain amount of roster “purging” in the off-season, the Raptors took recognizable hits by losing their starting quarterback and star linebackers to the expansion, Bitterroot Blaze in the off-season.  And, although a handful of others also left for  the Blaze, with the Raptors roster of 80+ , and more coming, it is hard to become too concerned with the loss of a few.

 

Head coach, Matt Softich believes the team has significantly improved in a number of ways. He says, “The competition to make the 60-man roster this season has been very positive. Overall talent, two deep wise, is much better than last year.  We are more athletic at each position. Our coaching staff is improved. However, the team chemistry and focus may be the biggest improvement over our initial season. That is a natural progression for an expansion team headed in the right direction…”

 

The Raptors are happy to welcome not only the vast experience of Shane Jurasek at quarterback, newly arriving after many great years with the Helena Titans, but also his size and field vision, something former quarterback, Buckie Brawley, may have lacked.

 

Other additions that the Raptors are particularly excited about are wide receiver, Frank Russo out of the University of Montana and former All-Big Sky selection, also from the University of Montana, Johnnie Peoples who will provide “shut-down” corner skills allowing the Raptor defense to focus more on run support.

 

So, the Raptors will be back at. Competing to defend their state title… but truly chasing something more… According to Softich, “We look forward to defending our Montana Division  title and to finishing what we began in the playoffs last year.”

 

KEY ADDITIONS

 

Fred Russo – Wide Receiver

Shane Jurasek – Quarterback

Johnnie Peoples – Defensive Back

 

OFFENSE:

 

When I reviewed the Raptors offensive line-up for the first time, the first thing that struck me was not the addition of Jurasek at quarterback, or Gavin Johnson being promoted to full-time starting tailback or even Russo at receiver. It was Rajiem Seabrook flipping over from defensive to offensive line.  Seabrook is a talent, a gentleman, a scholar and a big part of the Raptors success and I believe has “seen a need.. and is filling a need.”  I only say this because my experience with defensive linemen is that they generally HATE to go to the “o” side… if they can help it.  I think this signals a nice upgrade, but more importantly a new focus.  Shane Jurasek will be Shane Jurasek.  If he gets time, he will make teams pay, if not, he will make little difference or upgrade from last season.  Having Nick Lumpkin back and healthy AND having a top-notch book-end in Russo will give Jurasek the options at wide-out he will need to be ultimately effective; the makings of an explosive offense.  Rich Fillie returns to give solid support at the tight end position and Derek Azure returns to play fullback.  I was able to see Gavin Johnson play most of the game when the Raptors played the Mustangs last season and after watching Johnson, I was prone to ask the question, “Justin Nixon who?”   Nixon, you may recall, was the Raptors star running back last season who became slowed by injuries late in the season.  Nixon joins Brawley as another boltee to the Bitterroot Blaze and is expected to start.   Johnson, as  I noted, is no slouch and will provide helpful explosion out of the Raptor backfield.  But… what about this line?  2005 all star, Brian Smith returns to anchor the line with both size and leadership and will be joined by Seabrook and returning starter, Nick Adams.  Last year’s Raptor line finished ranked 17th in the RMFL out of 21 teams, yielding an amazing 36 sacks over 8 games.  This is why you are seeing one of the team leaders and proud defensive linemen in Seabrook switching over.  Joining Smith, Seabrook and Adams will be newcomers, Eric Wright and Trevor O’Neil, a former High School All-Conference selection.  Improving on the quarterback protection as well as helping the running game bounce back from a meager 2.95 average rush in 2006 will be high on the Raptor offensive agenda.  Raphael Roberts returns as the teams solid place-kicker. Roberts connected on a 48-yard field goal in 2005, so he will have the leg to be the difference in close games.  They also picked up ex-University of Montana punter, Mark Spencer, so when it comes to a game of field position, the Raptors may gain an added edge there as well.  According to Softich, “they are bigger, younger, and better coached this season.  Once they get a little game experience they will become a formidable group. I am very excited about what this group is capable of accomplishing.” For the sake of the Raptors, improving on a 4+ sack per game performance may just be the key to vaulting the Raptors to the top of the AA Division.   Projected Offensive Rank: 5th

 

DEFENSE:

 

Last season, I had the expansion Missoula defense pegged fairly closely. I had projected the unit to finish 9th overall and they actually ended up finishing 8th, including 6th in the entire league against the pass. Pretty good effort considering the team’s first year status. Of course, it didn’t hurt to have 4 games against two of the leagues worst pass attacks in Glacier and Great Falls… and thus the story goes for this defending state champion team, recognition without the respect.   Although the Raptors may have come to terms with the respect shortage as they build towards a AAA entry in 2007, they have not stopped building towards a better defense in 2006. Unfortunately, they will have to do so without the following players: Tad Sheridan, Jamie Jones, Greg Graham and Nathan Stevens.  Who are those guys, you might ask?  They are simply the Raptors top 4 tacklers from 2005.  In fact, they accounted for 50% of all of the Raptors tackles in 2005, including special teams. Pat Clark, a high school All-State defensive lineman and Curtis Learned join returning starter, James Jacobson along the defensive front in the Raptors base 3-4 defense.  With the departures at linebacker, new faces will abound.  Joining the only returning starter, Chris Lee (who was a strong safety in 2005, recording 6-1/2 tackles and no interceptions) will be promoted 2nd year veterans Scott Wik and Ben Adams along with fast newcomer, Zack Renner.  A highly tested and unknown group… for now.  University of Montana’s, Johnnie Peoples is a big pick up for the team at cornerback (as mentioned before) and will join returning veteran, Mike Hardenburgh.  Hardenburgh, with 18-1/2 tackles and two picks is the leading  tackler actually returning to the Raptors in ’06.  The Raptors safeties are not only solid but talented.  Tony Sanderson returns along with Dave DeCoite, an all-Big Sky Conference selection himself in college. Sanderson lead the Raptors with 4 interceptions in 2005. According to coach Softich, “what our linebacker corps lost during the off-season in terms of experience, they have more than made up for with enthusiasm and athleticism.  This is a young, hungry, aggressive bunch who are very disciplined. The competition for starting spots will be intense and the entire defense will benefit as they continue to improve.”  For the record, it would seem as if this group will have the opportunity to improve as the team starts with Glacier, then Great Falls, before seeing Bitterroot and Helena, the most likely difficult battles for this rebuilt defense.  Projected Defensive Rank: 7th

 

                        NOTE:  Scott Wik was seriously injured in an exhibition game. All hope is extended

                    for a speedy recovery.

 

 

COACHING AND INTANGIBLES:

 

The Missoula Raptors are a team that certainly does not lack for leadership, both among its players, Managing Board, and players.  This team will continue to build on the success and enthusiasm built up in their inaugural season.  The splintering of key players in the off-season, no doubt had an effect, but likely that effect over time has been dulled by the continued development of a new team behind a new quarterback… and, with new hope.  The Raptors have a team of coaches and are more likely to suffer from the problem of too many chiefs, not enough Indians than they are to have problems with guys not stepping up.  Guys will step up for this special team that has ignited the spirit of football throughout the state of Montana and, once again, this team will be a team to contend with in June.  Question marks surrounding a re-built offensive line and a re-built linebacking corps, the two most critical groups for each unit, however, keep me from picking them #1 again.

 

OVERALL PROJECTION:  5th