Fall Preview: Saline Football Team Banks on Work Ethic, Offensive Skill

How do you follow up a historic football season that included Saline’s first ever appearance in the state championship game?

Saline football head coach Joe Palka’s answer isn’t going to stun anyone. There’s no “Ford Field or Bust” chant coming out of the Saline Hornets’ huddle a year after going 14-2, upsetting powerhouse Cass Tech in the semifinals and falling 33-25 in the state championship game.

“You can’t go from August to the state championship game,” said Palka, who is 35-6 since becoming football coach and assistant athletic director/high school principal in 2012. You have to focus on getting a little bit better each day. It starts in the winter with conditioning into the summer. Then camp. Then scrimmages. You can’t focus past game one.”

Last year the Hornets lost their first game, 31-28, to Mona Shores.

“So much can happen over the course of the season. We focus on the here and now and getting one-week better, so that we’re playing our best football at the end of the season,” Palka said. “If you get in the playoffs, a lot of things are pretty even. You need to have some luck and be healthy.”

Palka’s answers would seem trite if you didn’t know that his players believe the heck out of them.

The Hornets graduated a lot of talent – especially on defense, where linebackers like Chris Terech and Grant Ellis will be missed. But there are a lot of returning players. They understand the process and have seen where it leads.

“The kids who were there, they all know what the expectation is. They are doing everything in their power to get back there. They’ve experienced the pinnacle of high school football. They don’t want to settle for anything less,” Palka said. “Whether or not we’re physically good enough, our outlook, our work ethic and our approach will be good enough. Our younger players have been taught what to do by the older players.”

Before the Hornets even step on the field, Palka lists that ethos as the number one strength of the team.

On the field, Palka sees his skill players as strength of the team.

It starts, of course, with QB Josh Jackson. Last year, Jackson entered his junior year competing with established QB Trent Theisen for the starting job. Jackson won the job late in the playoff season with his ability to run over defenses. The dual-threat QB propelled Saline to the state championship game. In June, he committed to Virginia Tech. Over the summer, Jackson (6’2, 205) got bigger and stronger and he looks ready to bulldoze defenses. At the same time, he’s working on the little things and getting better with ball placement and steps. That dual-threat has been amplified on both sides of the equation.

“It’s all about honing his craft and becoming an expert at what he does. Last year, the bubbles he’d throw, placement was all over. This year the bubbles have been on the chest,” Palka said. “His physical presence is pretty impressive. We haven’t run him a lot in camp, he has become a legitimate run threat.”

“He’s made the kind physical and mental progress this year that we’re going to hang our hat on,” Palka said.

He threw for 1,863 yards and 16 touchdowns (127/190) while running for 783 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He’ll be backed up by junior Zach Schwartzenberger. Palka said the team is more than comfortable with Schwartzenberger behind center if Jackson is hurt.

Jackson’s number one target will be senior Jeb Palka, playing his third year on varsity. Last year he caught 77 passes for 939 yards and he rushed for 240 yards on 22 carries – many of those on the jet sweep. Palka’s great hands help him pull down tough catches in the end zone and along the sidelines. He’s also got the elusiveness and speed to gain big yards after the catch.

“We know we have to get the ball in his hands and we have to be creative to do it because he’s going to get double coverage,” Palka said. “He’s our number one target. He’s really smart and he and Josh have really great chemistry.”

Teams can’t focus too much on Palka. 6’4, 230-pound junior Bryce Wolma is an inviting target at tight end. He caught 21 passes for 313 yards and five touchdowns last year.

Stevie Kise and Mike Monahan should also catch plenty of passes. Watch for Will Stanley, Schwartzenberger, Robbie Felton and Ethan Deland to catch passes.

One skill position where the Hornets have questions is at running back. Deland (29 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD), Richard Hovde (15 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD) and junior Connor Hibbard have been taking hand-offs in camp and during the scrimmages.

“We like all three. They all bring something to the table. Ethan’s a little taller and we might him more as a half-back/receiver guy. We’re excited about Hibbard and Hovde,” Palka said.

Palka also likes the experience and size of his offensive line.

Tyler Schrzan (6’4, 250), Brandon Brown (6, 255) and Alex Bromley (6’5, 315) all return from last year’s team, proving Palka with an excellent nucleus. Mitch Hanson (5’7, 205) and Caleb Rufener (5’11, 230) are vying for the center’s job. Sophomore Zach Drevno (6, 200) also lines up at center. Sophomore Dimitri Douglas (6’4, 250) appears to have the inside track on the right tackle position.

“He’s going to be a great player once we get him up to speed,” Palka said.

The Hornets aren’t nearly as experienced on defense,

On the defensive line, Palka is counting on defensive ends senior John Raupp (5’11, 175) and junior Sean O’Keefe (6’5, 230) to lead the charge.

“John Raupp is our defensive leader. He has great speed, a huge heart and a motor. He just makes plays and he’s very disruptive,” Palka said.

O’Keefe is also a returning starter.

“He has a chance to be an all-state caliber player – he’s gotten that good,” Palka said.

At tackle, the team is looking at Justice Moss (5’10, 210), Justin Shelton (6, 240), and Blake Buckley (6’2, 225).

Linebacker is where the Hornets have the most developing to do. Cal Livesey is the team’s most experienced linebacker. He’ll start inside. Sophomore CJ Gildersleeve will start at outside linebacker. Tyler Plocki and Ethan Walsh will also play at linebacker.

“We don’t have the size and speed we had a year ago. We need to play strengths we have. These guys are smart players. But we do need to get more physical,” Palka said.

Palka is happy with the development of his secondary.

Alec Richards is dropping back into linebacker/safety position. Richards was very busy as a junior. Joey Salowich had a great camp at corner. Robbie Felton and Brad Gasparovich are also at options at corner. Zachary Owings (two interceptions last year) is another experienced player in the secondary.

On special teams, Will Breen will see the lion’s share of kicking duties as punter and field goal kicker. Ben Stankovic will help with kicking. Last year, Stankovic handled most of the extra points

Jeb Palka and Stevie Kise will handle punt returns. Connor Hibbert and Robbie Felton will return kicks.

The Hornets play in an SEC that appears to be getting tougher.

Palka said Skyline and Pioneer will be bolstered by D-1 talents and transfers. Monroe should be tough despite graduating two talented backs. Bedford returns a lot of starters from last year’s team.

Saline has won the SEC Red in two of the last three seasons.

More News from Saline

• SOFTBALL: Saline Roars Back to Earn Split With Dexter Saline split its doubleheader with Dexter Monday to maintain its grip on the SEC Red.
• BASEBALL: Saline Rebounds to Split Doubleheader with Dexter Saline lost its first SEC Red game of the season against Dexter Monday but rebounded for a split to keep the Hornets atop the conference.