FARMER'S KORNER - The entire 3A Central Metro League is gunning for the Summit High School football team, and the Tigers know it.

"We realize that we have a bullseye on ourselves from last year," SHS coach Dylan Hollingsworth said after Thursday's preseason practice. "We beat every team we played with the exception of Pueblo County."

The Tigers, who lost to Pueblo's Hornets in the 3A state semifinals, finished 12-1 last season - the best record in school history.

Senior standout Scott Campbell was a big part of the breakout campaign, but he's not thinking about it these days.

"We forgot about last year," Campbell said. "That's done with."

Moving forward, the Tigers have spent that last two weeks learning new schemes that fit their new personnel, according to Hollingsworth.

One such newcomer is Landon Greve, a junior transfer student from Oklahoma Christian School who plays quarterback.

Greve rose to statewide prominence by completing 195-of-344 passes for 3,072 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore - which would seem to make him the leading candidate for the starting position at Summit.

But what makes Hollingsworth's job tough at this point is the fact the Tigers already have a talented and accomplished incumbent QB in junior Talon Roggasch.

Roggasch, who has been Summit's primary field general the last two seasons, went 65-of-160 for 1,167 yards and 15 TDs as a sophomore (according to stats kept by the Rocky Mountain News).

Hollingsworth was still on the fence following Summit's home scrimmage against Moffat, Hayden and Glenwood on Saturday.

"They each threw for two touchdowns and ran for one touchdown," Hollingsworth said. "Neither one of them separated themselves, so we're going into the season opener with them splitting time. We'll see how they play in a game."

Roggasch, who competed with Campbell for last year's starting job, doesn't seem to mind the situation he's in.

"(Greve) is a very good quarterback," he said. "It makes me work harder."

The Tigers can't go wrong, in one sense, and it's not like the runner-up will be riding the pine.

"The other guy will be playing either running back or receiver and probably sharing time at quarterback also," Roggasch said.

Regardless of his position, Greve is likely to bolster Summit's offense, which suffered a costly blow on Saturday when junior Stephen Ike broke his leg.

Ike, a swift receiver and defensive back, was a key player on last year's squad and Hollingsworth had big things planned for him this year.

"We had some plays specifically for him," said a somber Hollingsworth by phone on Sunday. "Now we have to figure out what we're going to do. You can't replace someone like that with one player, so a lot of guys are going to have to step up."

In addition to Roggasch, Greve and the versatile Campbell (RB, DB), other key returnees include Jordan Sitkoski (RB, LB), Stephen Lassa (TE, DE) and linemen Zach Campbell and Peter Secor.

Summit begins its season Friday at Eagle Valley.

The Tigers defeated the Devils 14-12 at home in last year's opener.

Great expectations will likely follow Summit to Eagle Valley and throughout the season, but Hollingsworth is hoping his team won't notice.

"The pressure we're gonna feel has got to come from within ourselves," he said. "We don't want to feel it from anywhere else. ... We have to win a minimum of eight games to make it into the playoffs and we understand that going in. Winning the conference or the wild card are the only two ways to get in."



Four to watch:

Scott Campbell - Sr., RB/DB

Talon Roggasch - Jr., QB/DB

Landon Greve - Jr., QB

Jordan Sitkoski - Jr., RB/LB



Coach's Quote: "The pressure we're gonna feel has got to come from within ourselves. We don't want to feel it from anywhere else."

- Dylan Hollingsworth