Airmen Looking Forward to Kicking-off New Season

August 26, 2014 San Tan Valley, AZ -

By Charles Guthrie (special to Kinghornet blog)

The Southeast Pop Warner Pee Wee Airmen are ready to get their season underway this Saturday. The off season has been a great time for preparation but the players, coaches and fans are ready to see what the new season will bring.  “There isn't a bad day playing football, but games are what we look forward to” says tight end and defensive lineman Dodge Chapman.  Chapman is a returning player from last year’s playoff team. The Airmen return the bulk of their players from the team that missed the state championship game by 1 point.  The Airmen are returning again to division three and are ready to get a step or two further than last year’s team was able to achieve.

“Our team has changed this year, we have more speed and more experience. We kept a lot of the same kids and that really helps” says head coach Ben Johnson.  Of the 17 that returned positions didn't change much. The big change is a new starting quarterback, Kai Millner.  Kai joins the team as one of six new players. Kai was on the 2013 Southeast Pop Warner Flames that won the division two state championship.  Last year’s starter for the Airmen at QB Jaden Masse has now moved over to be the go to receiver but will still see time at QB. “Coach has me playing everywhere this year. I’m a receiver a running back, a quarterback and now I play defense too.” Masse says.  Coach Johnson has long held onto the rule that if a player plays QB his defense time will be limited.  Also returning from last year’s team is running back KeShawn Calip. Calip led the team with 21 touchdowns last year. He was the big play threat every time he touched the ball.  “Having that one running back was the key to our success last year, but this year is different” says Coach Jeff Whiting the Airmen offensive coordinator.  Teams won’t be able to just key on number 22 this year. There are plenty more players that are a threat to go all the way at any time.  Other running backs include returner Tre Reynolds and Caden Brewer, both who are back to handle the rock and play tough defense.  Also newcomers Kyle Pointer and Crew Jackson from the Flames are both experienced running backs. 

“The real strength of our team is our offensive line” says Coach Johnson.  Indeed it appears to be. This offensive line goes ten deep and returns four of last year’s five starters.  This is a huge line headed by Harrison Hibbs who moved to center from tackle and Dayne Taylor who anchors the line at right tackle. Another starter from last year’s team is Cody Walker. Cody is starting at guard but can play all five o-line positions if needed.  Newcomer Marcus Stratton is holding down the left tackle spot and is the backup center.  Returner Zach Swain has moved from a TE or receiver to help the offensive line playing the RG spot so far this year.  Others include Bryson Payne,  maybe the biggest Airmen this year,  returners Lucas Corrveau, Ronin Kelly, Gabriel Hidalgo and new comer Andrew Hill.  “Without a good line we don’t score at all” says Tre Reynolds who as a full back knows what he’s talking about.

Defensively the Airmen are up to any task.  Each player has to really know what they are doing. Moving positions this year was needed as many players grew or gained on last year’s experience. “We shuffled some kids to help them be more successful” receivers/defensive back Coach Drew Johnson said. Adam Murset and JJ Evans are two of the kids that moved from defensive line to be corner backs. “It’s a lot more fun to play corner back then d line” said JJ. Shawn McDougal and Tyler Jones are corner backs that changed positions also. Shawn has moved to safety and Tyler has moved inside to line backer for this season. “It helps me do what I like to do: Hit” says Jones. These moves have quickly shown promise in practice.  Another key to the Airmen’s defensive depth is returning linebacker Pri McSwain. Pri is the leader of the linebackers and knows all the formations, everyone’s job and can help out his teammates at any position on the defensive side.  “I love defense and blitzing” Pri said. 

The Airmen are looking forward to seeing what they really have. “Games are your paydays” Coach Johnson tells his players often.  “We’ve been working hard and running a lot and have a real chance to be good. But we won’t really know until Saturday” Coach Johnson is right. Saturdays in September and October are when the Airmen will really know what they have and whether they can get a few steps further in their pursuit of a state championship.