Go Johnnies!

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Josh Overman and Ben Vanderheyden

On any given Saturday afternoon the Johnnies entertain and create excitement on both sides of the ball.  An integral part of the Johnnie offensive attack is their passing game featuring seniors Josh Overman (3) and Ben Vanderheyden (89).

Tight end and wide-out Josh Overman hails from Albany, where the Johnnie offensive line coach Jim Mader had a successful high school coaching career, (228-64 over 24 years). ” I never played for Jim Mader.” Josh explained, “He asked me to go out for football my freshman year, but I had no plans to play football. I played basketball and golf.  Mader retired from Albany before my sophomore year when I actually did go out for football.  I didn’t get to play that year, but my junior year I played tight end and safety, and when I was a senior I played tight end and linebacker.”

Wide receiver Ben Vanderheyden went to Wayzata High School, playing receiver on two state tournament teams – winning the state championship his senior year. “Ben Dimond and I talk about the Wayzata-Minnetonka state championship game when I was a junior.  Ben played for Minnetonka and they won that year (2004).  My senior year we beat Cretin-Derham Hall 28-24 for the championship.  Some say it was the greatest high school game ever played.”

Vandy #83 in the 2005 title game

Why St. Johns?  “I visited some DII schools, Winona, North Dakota, and UMD”, recalled Ben, “The people at St. Johns were so welcoming and hospitable, I just fell in love with the place.  And game day at St. Johns?  There is no comparison”. Overman had a similar experience.  ” I visited DII schools also, but I thought there was no point in working that hard.  Besides, it is every kids dream from Albany and other schools in the area to play for St. Johns.  I came here hoping to play receiver, but I found out I was too slow and couldn’t run routes, so I went back to tight end.”  Vandy replied, “What does that say about me?, we have the same 40 time.”  “Well, its the routes, then”, quipped Overman.

When asked about the difference between high school football and the college game, Ben quickly answered, “Here, the coaches rely on you much more.  You’re expected to give feedback on what you are seeing on the field, and be ready to answer questions the coaches may have regarding the defense.”  Overman added that he is “..having more fun than high school.  I mean, I enjoyed the experience, but I don’t remember it as being fun.  Now, I realize what a big deal it is to play for John, and I am having a great time.”

Mention John Gagliardi and both of these fellows light up. “John is an icon.” says Overman. ” He commands so much respect. He is Johnnie Football. He sees stuff no one else sees.  John watches tons of film and has a big role in how we approach an opponent.”  It is the lighter side of the famous coach that gets Josh animated. “He watches so much film, and he doesn’t miss anything. I remember one time he came up to me, and says ‘hi, how’s it going?’, I said ‘..fine, John.’, and he looked at me and said, ‘then why the hell did you miss that block on that D Back?.’”

“John recognizes when you are going to make a mistake.” Offered Vandy, “he is very observant, and has a full picture in his head of what is going on.”

Being a Johnnie starter can come with a little fame attached. Josh tells of a recent encounter: “I am talking to some random kid, and we start talking about football, and Vandy’s name came up. I told him that I knew Vandy and this kid says, ‘You know Vandy, really?. you know Vandy?’ Everybody thinks he is such a big deal. Nobody knows who the hell I am.”

There is an obvious difference in the offense of this year compared to last year. “Many times it was 3 and out last year, now we are having long drives, running and passing the ball”, said Vandy.  “We are much more confident and Joe (Boyle) has a great command of the schemes.  He knows what and when to call, whether to go left or right.  He pretty much calls the plays.  Sometimes he will see something, and just tell me what direction to run and he will throw the ball downfield.”  Overman sees a much more aggressive team this year.  “The offense and defense are just hitting harder.  Last year, we just didn’t seem to hit very hard, this year we are challenging people and hitting much harder.  When you hit somebody, things happen.”

Overman scores at Concordia

With the obvious improvement of the offense this year, and the ever-present stingy defense, the success of both efforts has resulted in a much greater sense of team unity. “I remember late in the St. Thomas game, we were going on the field and needed to score. Stanton came up to me and said, ‘believe it, we are gong to win.’ When the defense has faith in you, that really helps.”

Watching fine young men like Josh and Ben, we can enjoy Saturday afternoons with confidence in the future. Their parents, coaches and school can be very proud of these boys, and I appreciate what they deliver to us each week.

Yea, I know Vandy…and Josh.

Bring on the Tommies. Been a long time since there’s been a Johnnie/Tommie game with so much at stake.

Photos by Jeff Sowden (Johnnie Dad) and Vic Murphy (Faunch).

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The first half showed us an excellent offensive Concordia team as they marched down the field on three separate occasions, only to fumble in the red zone both times. On the one scoring drive, a nice pass play scored the touchdown, but Jack Dagget again blocked an extra point.

The Johnnies offense was as productive gaining yards, but was able to score with a field goal and a touchdown on a dandy 25 yard pass from Boyle to Overman.

As I walked the sidelines in and around the team today, I noticed a sense of true team unity that hasn’t been as evident in the recent past. Of course, the mood of any team is positive when they are winning. But the Johnnies have been winning the last two seasons, with a defense that insured victories performing incredible goal line stands and amazing secondary play.

From my perspective, there was a sense of the Defense Johnnies, and the Offense Johnnies. The offense struggled to score effectively, and the defense on many occasions were asked to step up and cement a victory. Today in particular, and this season in general, we see a football team with both sides of the ball showing fallibility along with excellence. The games are not won or lost by one specific group, the entire team is working together, getting the job done. On more than one occasion this afternoon, there were aggressive congratulatory displays from both groups, cheering one another on to a complete Johnnie victory.

As the second half unfolded, the defense made their always pertinent adjustments, effectively closing down the Cobber scoring threats. The offense continued to click with a well-designed mix of run and pass. Both sides contributed effectively today, and both sides recognized each other’s efforts.

A confident quarterback, deep threats, and strong running are components of an excellent offense developing. The strength and experience of the front and middle of the defensive unit, and the weekly improvements in the secondary are showing us a Johnnie defense that may bend at times but won’t break. The apparent joy of working as a team, the realization that all contribute, and the belief in the ever-present Johnnie Magic will continue to coalesce this team into a unified challenge for all comers.

Nicely done, Johnnies! you had a hell-of-a day today.

Photos by Jeff Sowden (Johnnie Dad)

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Johnnie Offensive Coordinator Jimmy Gagliardi

As the Johnnies prepare for another season, offensive coordinator Jim Gagliardi is looking for his team to look much better this year. Changes in the offensive line, promising new running backs and receivers, and the absence of a quarterback controversy will all “come together” promising a “more complete team” for 2009.

The line suffered a career ending injury to senior guard Erik Kottom. Greg Sowden has shifted over to right guard but is doubtful for the first game with a foot injury. Blaine Anderson is at left guard, Tim Juba returns at center, Jeff Gilbertson works the left tackle spot, and Drew Percival’s 6’ 9” frame is blocking at right tackle.

Last year

“Last year, we were criticized for our offensive line, but that line and the one this year is every bit as good as a lot of lines we have had over the years.” Gagliardi said at a recent practice. “The line had to deal with a couple of issues last year. One is that our quarterbacks didn’t see everything they needed to see, another is our running backs weren’t helping the line look better.”

The running back corps this year promises veteran experience, youthful speed and size. “We just haven’t had a running attack that was dynamic and multi-faceted. We need 3-4 running backs that can run, catch and throw blocks.” With veterans Jake Reding, Harry Awe and Kellen Blaser returning this year, the new comers will have plenty of experience to learn from. “Reding has a big role for us this year”, Gagliardi said, “not an every down type role, but in certain situations he can do a lot of things, even tight end on occasion.”

While the freshman running backs have much promise, Gagliardi is cautious about creating unreasonable expectations: “The freshman are behind right now, but that is OK. These guys just have to play, feel comfortable, and learn our system without putting pressure on them. We need to see how our backs will perform in these early games.”

Returning receiver Ben Vanderheyden and tight end Josh Overman will bring experience and good solid receiving skills. “Vandy is a great possession-type receiver, and we need to pair him up with some guys who can fly.” New to the receiving group is Andrew Rotshafer, Mike Bonynge, and Sam Peterson. All three bring speed and a perfect balance to the downfield offense.

Joe Boyle returns as the starting quarterback. With the improvements in the offensive line, promise in the running and receiving threats and stability at the quarterback spot, the Johnnies will begin the 2009 season with new, improved weapons and a more balanced attack.

Jeff Sowden is a frequent contributor to JohnnieFootball.com primarily with his photography, however this week he debuts his first written piece. If his name is familiar it’s because his son Greg will be counted on to anchor the Johnnie offensive line.