SARATOGA SPRINGS – With his team in the midst of a four-game losing streak last season, coach Terry Jones handed the football to a sophomore who had only recently moved across the country.
But with the way quarterback Jake Eglintine helped rejuvenate the Blue Streaks offense, most would’ve never known it.
MORE: Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks’ key players, 2012 schedule, 2011 results and more stats below.
Eglintine, a legitimate running threat who also possesses a strong throwing arm, earned the starting job in Saratoga Springs’ sixth game of the season, after the team averaged just 15 points in its previous four games. He helped the team go from 1-4 to 3-6 by picking up two decisive wins in the final four weeks of the season,
“We started running the ball a lot more,” the now-junior recalled after a recent practice. “We were more versatile with our run and pass threat. It kind of helped us a lot.”
Eglintine figures to be the clear starter on this year’s Saratoga Springs team. Jones said he has already seen a lot more confidence from his quarterback, who was still adjusting to his move from Utah last season.
“He’s a world ahead of where he was last year,” Jones said, adding Eglintine also looks to be a fixture in the team’s deep secondary. That is probably one of the team’s stronger points, Jones said, though questions are abound on the offensive line, which won’t return a full-time starter.
“Some boys have to step up in a hurry,” Jones said.
Eglintine and the Blue Streaks are not ones to dwell on last season, which was undoubtedly hampered by a rampant run of injuries to top players. That’s because many of this year’s players weren’t even on varsity last season, Jones said, and the team returns less than half its total starters from a year ago.
“We have a lot of young kids building up the program,” said Jordan Wilcox, a junior who will shift back to linebacker after spending a year in the secondary. He is poised to step into a leadership role on defense now that All-Stars Daniel Rittenhouse and Brandon Bogardus graduated.
Wilcox could easily do the same on offense, as the team also lost All-Star running back Jesse Spencer, a mainstay on the injury-riddled 2011 squad. Wilcox backed Spencer up last year, though senior Travis Mooney also looks to see time in backfield after missing most of 2011 with a broken leg.
Staying healthy, Mooney said, will be critical to Saratoga’s 2012 success.
“Everybody didn’t know how to come back from those (injuries last year.) … Now we’re pushing past that,” Mooney said.
2012 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
Aug. 31 vs. Niskayuna 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Bethlehem 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Albany 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Christian Brothers Academy 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 vs. Guilderland 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Shenendehowa 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Ballston Spa 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 Class AA quarterfinals/crossovers TBA
Oct. 26 Class AA semifinals TBA
Nov. 2-3 Class AA Super Bowl TBA
3 Keys to the Season:
1. The Blue Streaks were ravaged by injuries last season and finished 3-6. It’ll be important for them to stay healthy in 2012.
2. Eglintine can be a game-changer, but the team’s largely-green offensive line will have to mature quickly and provide blocks and protection.
3. Brandon Bogardus and Daniel Rittenhouse are irreplaceable on defense, but there are younger players who can help fill the void left by their graduation. They, too, will need to step up.
2011 Results:
Sept. 2 at Albany W 40-6
Sept. 9 Bethlehem L 43-14
Sept. 16 at Guilderland L 26-13
Sept. 23 at Niskayuna L 20-19
Sept. 30 at CBA L 41-14
Oct. 6 vs. Ballston Spa L 34-29
Oct. 13 vs. Shen L 55-13
Oct. 20 vs. Colonie W 53-40
Oct. 27 vs. Schenectady W 26-8
Huddle Up:
Sept. 2 at Albany W 40-6
Sept. 9 Bethlehem L 43-14
Sept. 16 at Guilderland L 26-13
Sept. 23 at Niskayuna L 20-19
Sept. 30 at CBA L 41-14
Oct. 6 vs. Ballston Spa L 34-29
Oct. 13 vs. Shen L 55-13
Oct. 20 vs. Colonie W 53-40
Oct. 27 vs. Schenectady W 26-8
Key Players:
Quarterbacks
Junior Jake Eglintine, who took snaps as a sophomore, is back for another season. He is known more for his feet than his arm, but he can air it out if called upon.
Running Backs
Senior Travis Mooney returns to fullback after missing most of his junior season with an injury. He’ll be joined by junior Jordan Wilcox, who backed up Jesse Spencer last year, and seniors Victor Perez and Zach Grandy. Speedy freshman Dakota Henry could also see time here as the Blue Streaks continue a tradition of using multiple backs.
Receivers
Seniors Alex Chandler and Ben King are poised to see the bulk of the receptions.
Offensive Line
Junior Trevor Hallaran has the most starting experience among returning Saratoga Springs lineman, though none of this year’s Blue Streaks started full-time on the line in 2011. He will be joined by junior Jack Graver, who is up from junior varsity, and senior Casey Vaughn, who was converted from tight end.
Defensive Line
Seniors Travis Mooney will play defensive end with Eric Burkhead, a transfer from Oregon. “I’m expecting food things out of him,” Jones said of the newcomer. Trevor Hallaran and Jack Graver saw time on the line last year, although senior Keith Snyder could challenge for the spots.
Linebackers
Junior Jordan Wilcox will transition back to his natural position of linebacker now that Daniel Rittenhouse and Brandon Bogardus have graduated. Fellow junior Nick Stiansen is up from junior varsity, while senior Calvin Millar and freshman Dakota Harvey will likely see time. Harvey is poised to be the first freshman to don a Saratoga Springs varsity uniform in Jones’ 14 years on the coaching staff.
Secondary
Jake Eglintine started every game at cornerback last season. He returns to what is arguably Saratoga’s strongest asset alongside seniors Victor Perez, Zach Grandy, Joe Miller and Alex Chandler.
Special Teams
The Blue Streaks used four punters last year due to injuries. Travis Mooney, an all-league punter as a sophomore, looks to reprise that role. A number of players can kick.
