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the times
www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/www.tigardtimes.com
September 5, 2013
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2012 RECORD:
8-3 (3rd in Metro League)
KEY PLAYERS:
Senior wide receiver
Maurice McSwain leads a talented group of
skill players including receiver Richard
Belog and tight end Jourdan Dixon.
A
lohA
Volk takes over Aloha with high hopes
By MATT SINGLEDECKER
The Times
Life after running back Thomas Tyner,
head coach Chris Casey, and a batch of
all-star caliber role players has began at
Aloha.
Not that the Warriors are crying over
spilled milk.
The Warriors possess enough talent and
winning pedigree to put up a fight against
their Metro counterparts. Casey didn’t leave
the talent cupboard empty by any means and
new head coach Bill Volk is Aloha’s former
defensive coordinator who was around for
what many consider the golden era of War-
rior football.
“This whole team, I think they’ve accepted
a new challenge that’s there’s a new group of
leadership amongst the kids and coaching
staff,” said Volk. “But, the same thing stands
true: we’re green, and gold through and
through. We’ll show up on Friday nights,
give it our best and see if we can give ‘em
hell.”
OffEnSE
Wide receiver Maurice McSwain, quarter-
back Nick Kraustcheid, offensive linemen
Josh Schmitt and Joseph Romero were
picked co-captains by their teammates be-
cause they’re willing to go above and beyond
what’s expected of them as leaders.
“They’re good young men in the class-
room and society,” said Volk. “They’re will-
ing to put in the extra time. If a teammate
asks them a question about a play or where
to find something or which coach is respon-
sible for gear or playbook, they’re totally
available for everybody.”
Volk said Aloha wants to focus their of-
fense around McSwain’s game-breaking
abilities by getting the senior star out in
Warriors out to prove they’re
still a factor in the Metro
space in one-on-one scenarios.
“We want to get him the rock. He’s going to
be a weapon for us,” said Volk. “If we get him
in the open, I’ll take that bet any day. It’s fun
to watch to a kid like that.
“He brings a lot of confidence to the huddle
by having Mo (McSwain) in that huddle,” con-
tinued Volk. “Just his presence demands the
respect of his teammates. He works extreme-
ly hard studying the game. He wants the ball
and he’s the guy at the helm for us.”
Kraustcheid got a dose of playoff experi-
ence last season and has the football intelli-
gence that Volk seeks in signal caller. More
than just a vigilant quarterback, the senior
brings a sense of calm to the gridiron that
seeps to the rest of his teammates.
“He’s like a coach on the field,” said Volk.
“He sees some things and he’s always com-
municating with guys. His biggest attribute
is his poise in the huddle as well as in the
pocket. We’re working on things with him,
trying to complete his game.”
Richard Belog backs up Kraustcheid at
quarterback and was described by Volk as a
“Slash” type of field general, a dual-threat
multi-purpose player. Belog can also play
running back or slot wide receiver.
“He’s a weapon,” Volk said of Belog. “If we
want to bring our No. 2 quarterback in and
things aren’t going well our whole offense
might change. He brings such a versatility to
us and can do a lot for us.”
Jourdan Dixon started at wide receiver
last season but is moving down to tight end
this season as a senior. Volk said Dixon
quickly picked up the interior blocking skills
needed to hang around the line and he has
the receiver skills to be a threat downfield.
Running back Calvin Davis backed up Tyner
a year ago and should see a fair amount of
carriers.
“I have some high hopes that their talent is
going to lead us,” said Volk. “We have some
packages and different weapons but we just
have to bring them together as one. One goal,
one direction, one team.”
Romero (6’0”, 200 pounds) is entering his
third varsity season at center. Schmitt (6’2”,
230) has the most experience of any of the re-
turning Warrior linemen.
All of the Aloha trenchmen are young but
Volk said they were willing to put time in dur-
ing the summer as group, studying the play-
book, examining defensive fronts and block-
ing schemes.
“They’re more of a seasoned, young
group,” said Volk. “They’re not too green but
they haven’t been challenged yet.”
DEfEnSE
Aloha returns all of their starting defensive
backs, headed by the all-league caliber Mc-
Swain, Belog and Davis as well as two subs
who saw time last year.
“That’s a strength of our defense, our pass
defense and perimeter game,” said Volk.
Dylan Griffin and Trevor Yarnell anchor a
linebacking core that can fly around and
make plays.
Last year, Schmitt played behind current
Brigham Young defensive end Brayden Ke-
arsley. The second stringers on the defensive
line who sat behind that loaded senior class
last season will get their opportunity to carry
on the Warrior tradition up front.
“It’s their time to shine and step up,” said
Volk. “They had a heck of a role model last
year in that group of seniors. They’re green
too, but they’re seasoned as well.”
TIMES PHOTO: DAN BROOD
Aloha wide receiver/defensive back Maurice McSwain is dangerous with the ball in his hands and one
of the Warriors’ team leaders.
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