Friday, September 01, 2000
Huber shakes up Mount St. Joseph
New coach wants a 10-0 record
By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Rod Huber has been an assistant football coach for 18 years at the high school and college levels. Now he gets to run the show, and he's eager to put his stamp on the College of Mount St. Joseph program.
The Lions had one winning season during their first decade of football. That came in 1995 (5-4). Here is how Huber hopes to change the pattern:
• Offense: He wants to open it up. First-down passes, screens, draw plays, reverses. “We've been very predictable in the past,” the first-year head coach said. “We weren't as talented, so we were first-down run, second-down run and third-down throw.” Ten starters return, including a veteran line and quarterback Joe Sparhawk.
• Defense: Only four starters are back. The team will be especially young at linebacker and in the secondary. You know what Huber has to say about that? “In the past, we've been a very vanilla, zone-coverage-type, sound defense. This year, we're going to pin our ears back and we're going to blitz you. We're going to be very aggressive.”
• Goals: The Mount was 5-15 over the past two seasons, and a .500 record would seem a reasonable hope. “We want to go 10-0,” Huber said. “I know you've got to walk before you run, but we're going to raise the bar. We're not going to talk about being a 5-5 team. Our goal will always be, as long as I'm here, to win the (Heartland Collegiate Athletic) conference.”
“I'm looking for some respect for our program and for our kids,” Huber said. “This is no secret: We are always the underdog. I was here (as an assistant coach) the first day they rolled a football out on the field, and for 10 years we have always been the underdog.”
The roster is chock full of local products.
The coaching staff includes two former NFL players: Mount Healthy graduate Jeff Hill (Bengals) and C.A.P.E. graduate David Pool (Chargers, Bills, Patriots, Dolphins).
Sparhawk had a disappointing junior year, but he is expected to be the starting QB. Huber said Sparhawk has added 10 pounds of muscle, is throwing the ball well and is a solid team leader. He also is working with new quarterbacks coach John Paul Case, the former Thomas More QB.
“Joe's paid his dues,” Huber said. “I'm looking for this kid to really shine this year. He's a proven product in our program ... and the kids love him because of his work ethic.”
Senior Mark Schorsch, who threw for 385 yards and three TDs as a quarterback last year, will start at wide receiver. Schorsch (Western Hills) also rushed for 85 yards and caught 24 passes for 443 yards in '99.
Senior Doug Anderson (822 yards rushing, seven TDs), from Amelia, leads the ground attack. Junior Nick Jackson (329 yards rushing, 1 TD), from Loveland, will be the fullback. Huber said redshirt freshman Nick Papania (Elder) and freshman Doug Fortune (Oak Hills) also will carry the ball.
“I'm kind of like the kids — I'm learning on the run,” Huber said. “I feel like I've prepared myself for this. ... I really have a passion for what I do, and I have a passion for the game.”
Mount St. Joseph scouting report
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