Little Giants’ offense has explosive potential but defense remains Ross’ backbone

FREMONT – A strong-armed quarterback who threw for more than 2,100 yards last season.

A pair of tailbacks with potential to add a new offensive dimension.

Play-making receivers and a solid, cohesive offensive line.

Fremont Ross’ offense enters the 2018 football season with all the above to its credit, yet when coach Chad Long looks at his team he still points to his defense as the Little Giants’ calling card.

“Absolutely,” Long said.

The Little Giants believe they have one of the best defensive units in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference and it begins up front with a quartet of experienced starters all of whom either started or saw significant playing time a year ago.

Dontrez Brown (6-foot-2, 265 pounds), Carson Brandon (6-2, 205), Jason Burling (6-1, 240) and Nick Mayle (6-3, 220) give Ross size, speed and power up front. Though Shawn Newsome has graduated, Long and the defense are confident the Little Giants will be just as formidable up front, if not more so, as they were last year.

“The four juniors, they’re pretty unstoppable, it’s pretty crazy,” said senior linebacker Caleb Wood. They’re four fast guys up front who are crazy-strong.”

Wood and Garrett Schneider return as linebackers, each having made 100 tackles a year ago and combining for 30 tackles for loss.

“They’re going to wreak havoc in the backfield,” Brown said of his linebackers.

The only unknown about Ross’ defense is in the secondary. Safety Noah Hotz, who was involved in over 80 tackles with three interceptions last year, returns, but the rest of the defensive backfield is largely inexperienced. Raleigh Weaver was about to see an increase in playing time midway through 2017, but an injury in practice ended his season. Weaver will play cornerback along with fellow senior Marquan Cobbins, and sophomore Dion Bradley will play the other safety position.

Long, whose brother Ray has taken over Ross’ defensive coordinator duties, said the Little Giants will play a simpler defensive coverage scheme to allow their players to think less and play more.

“It’s always a concern when you have inexperienced guys, but our defense is pretty simple, coverage-wise,” Long said. “We’ve been repping the same coverage and the same things and it should be fine.”

Schneider, for one, isn’t concerned about the secondary bringing down the defense.

“We’re going to see a defense that’s going to shut the doors to the end zone, that’s for sure,” Schneider said. “We’ aren’t going to let them get in there, we’re going to do everything we can to stop it.”

As for the offense, quarterback Hayden Lehmann enters his senior season coming off a junior year in which he threw for 2,170 yards – the third-highest single-season total in Ross history – and 16 touchdowns.

With the season about to kickoff, Lehmann is much more assured of his place in the offense.

“I understand everything now. Honestly, last year I didn’t understand everything – I was kind of guessing,” Lehmann said. “I don’t know how I got the stats I got last year, honestly. I got a feel for everything now, every coverage. It’s all really easy for me to read now. And I have a lot of confidence in the running backs to take pressure off the passing game.”

Long said Lehmann’s comfort level in the offense is apparent by his willingness to make smart, high-percentage passes instead of looking for the big play down field.

“His progression reads are a thousand times better,” Long said. “He’s actually reading coverages and actually looking underneath first before looking up top. His knowledge and understanding of the entire offense has helped him.”

Perhaps Ross’ biggest issue last year – on either side of the ball – was a lack of consistent ground game, particularly late in games while protecting a lead. Long believes the Little Giants have fixed that problem with the dual-running threat of seniors Deryante Hardin and Ethan Chumley. Hardin is a 5-9, 170-pound slasher on the perimeter while Chumley can pick up tough yardage between the tackles.

“No one knows anything about Deryante, but they’re going to know,” Long said. “(Chumley has) lost 20-25 pounds. He’s looks quicker, but he’s still strong. It’s a great mix between the two.”

Protecting Lehmann and opening holes for Hardin and Chumley will be an offensive line that returns two starters from last year, tackles Mike Thomas and Seth Harder. The interior of the line, guards Lawrence Newland and Kevin Frey and center Daniel Gerwin, saw playing time last year as well.

“We simplified our blocking and our pass steps so we should be very protective of Hayden in everything we do,” Long said. “No one should come through on missed blocks without a running back picking them up or whatever it is.”

When Lehmann drops back to pass, he’s going to be missing a couple of his favorite targets. Roger Burling, whose 745 receiving yards set a new Ross single-season record, has graduated, as has Devyn Jagogzinski, who also caught 445 yards.

Hotz, however, returns, along with his 447 yards and penchant for big plays. Bryce McKinstry, who came on strong in the latter half of 2017, will be looked upon to fill a large void in the receiving corp while Weaver and Andrew Born will also be a part of the passing game.

“Everyone is really paying attention to the details and making sure they’re doing everything correct,” Lehmann said. “I think everyone has a good feel for what they’re supposed to do every play. I don’t think there will be many hiccups this year.”