Grace counts on unity, work ethic to overcome small numbers

GRACE BAPTIST ACADEMY GOLDEN EAGLES

Head coach: Bob Ateca (36-59 in nine seasons here and overall)

Returning starters: 4 offensive; 6 defensive

Key players: QB/FS Cooper Knecht (5-11, 165); OL/OLB Noah Bastian (6-1, 220); OL/LB Connor Brown (5-11, 180); RB/DB Joseph Colbaugh (6-1, 170); RB/SS Mason Long (6-2, 185); WR/LB Tyler Parrott (6-0, 200).

Team strengths: Coach Ateca takes pride in the team’s unity and work ethic, and the close-knit group is excited about some key newcomers who could help out all around.

Team concerns: A small roster without much depth is certainly a concern. The defensive line lacks experience and will need to find leaders.

Breakout candidate: Long has great instincts and understands the game really well. After missing most of last season, the junior should be a two-way standout.

Season outlook: After a devastating tornado tore through the school’s campus earlier this year, the Golden Eagles will play hard for a community still recovering, and they’ll try to bounce back on the football field themselves after a disappointing 2019 season.

Just two years ago, the Golden Eagles totaled seven wins, and in six of those the opposition was held to fewer than 10 points. Brown, Bastian and Parrott will try to set a good tone as linebackers this season, but an offense that struggled last fall must stay on the field longer to keep the defense from being overtasked.

Colbaugh is a versatile and speedy weapon out of the backfield who is expected to have a strong senior season. Knecht’s second year as the team’s starting quarterback should provide better results, too.

“Our guys are really excited for the upcoming season,” Ateca said. “We are excited to add Cole Mason and Eli Ibraham from the basketball team, who are really good athletes. Jacob Guffy has had a great offseason. We had a lot of young guys play a lot last year and expect them to take next steps forward to help us.”