After what can only be described as a very successful summer season, Swag look primed to take their game to yet another level as the fall session kicks off. Posting a 6-4 record in the summer and making a return to the playoffs for the first time in 2 seasons, expectations were always bound to be high following the season break.
The team will first have to figure out just how much they are impacted by the loss of 2 huge playmakers in Ben Kelchner and Tyler Krawiec. The pair combined for an amazing 78 catches, over 1,200 yards, 9 interceptions and 26 touchdowns in helping lead Swag back to the promised land. Swag is one of few clubs that can boast two different standouts at the center position in Andy Nikolenko and Matt Huffman, and a truly outstanding quarterback in Dylan Tasher. Tasher has been the full-time starter for the past three seasons, amassing over 7,500 yards and 131 touchdown passes against only 37 interceptions. Most of the lost offensive production will be picked up by the tandem of Wes Parsel and Jason Holte, who have been a staple on the offense since the team first began Top Gun play in January 2009. Both have finished a season ranked in the top 10 in every major receiving category, and have shown at times that they are lethal on combination routes. The team is also excited to get Oobie Peterson back for the fall. Peterson was one of the founding members of the team but due to injury and other commitments hasn't been able to contribute as often as he would have liked to. This doesn't look to be a problem for this season and Oobie can do some pretty great things with the ball in his hand. As for the rest of the receptions? Enter Neil Payne. Payne burst onto the Irvine scene in fall 2008, leading the league with 92 catches for 1,194 yards and 17 touchdowns. Payne is most known for his time with Impact and Swag are incredibly happy to finally bring him into the fold.
Let's not forget about the defense. Team captain Albert Lu is rock solid as a full-time cornerback and Wes Parsel has demonstrated time and again incredible instincts that lead to many interceptions, most of which end up going for touchdowns. Dylan Tasher and Eli Rodriguez will likely split time at safety this season. Tasher is fearless in challenging intended receivers and Rodriguez has seen a healthy increase in the number of passes deflected or intercepted since moving to safety. Peterson, Huffman, and Nikolenko are all expected to contribute on defense as well depending on what scheme is called for on any given day and the team will also likely be bolstered by the addition of another new face: Bryan Ziebelman. When the defense forces opponents into long 4th down situations they also know that Parsel and Jason Holte are very dangerous punt returners.
With the core group intact for another season and the addition of some exciting new players Swag know that anything less than another playoff berth will be considered a disappointment. However the team will not be content with just matching their success from a season ago, they still want to record their very first playoff win and secure a chance to play for all the marbles at season's end. Will they meet or even exceed their lofty expectations this time around? We'll find out for sure in ten weeks' time, but one thing we know for certain is that it will be one hell of a ride along the way.
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