From the Capital Journal:
ROSSVILLE: Tucker Horak made things look awfully easy for the Rossville offense in 2013.
In his first year as the Bulldogs's starting quarterback, all Horak did was set a school record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,807 yards and 33 touchdowns. For good measure, he added 1,706 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air, giving him more then 3,500 yards of total offense.
Not bad for a sophomore.
But while a lot of the credit for Rossville's 12-1 season and Mid-East League title was heaped on Horak and his breakthrough season, he was quick to deflect it just as easily as he did would-be tacklers.
It makes it much easier when you know you've got guys you can count on in big-time situations." Horak said. "It takes a lot of weight off my shoulders."
Rest assured, Horak had plenty of guys he could count on a year ago and the bulk of them are back this season as well. And though they may not be as heralded as their teammate, their efforts are just as key to Rossville's success.
"In our lockerroom, we recognize we have good players, including the guys that put their hand on the ground and block, too," Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. "We understand we've got a team of guys that can really help us out. Tucker makes the decisions and when he makes them well, all those guys get their opportunities.
The supporting cast is not only strong, but deep with five players back that played key complementary roles in the Bulldogs's spread offense.
Senior tailback Nick Reesor ran for 809 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior, while also catching 15 passes for 201 yards. Fellow senior back Jack Steckel added 364 yards on the ground and led the Bulldogs in receiving yards with 403 and touchdowns with five.
Senior receiver Corbin Horak had the most catches last year with 25 for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, senior Thatcher Horak added 290 receiving yards and 205 rushing yards with a combined seven touchdowns, and junior receiver Christian Roduner chipped in 19 catches for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
In all, six different players caught at least 11 passes from Horak last year with Devin Morris the only one of those that graduated.
"We have an endless amount of options on offense," Horak said.
Hammes agreed. "I think we're in a good situation having some kids that can do multiple things for us," Hammes said. "It creates offensive balance for us and makes it hard for a defense to try and take something away. The playmaking ability of those guys is a luxury no doubt about it. It makes the team better, it makes the coach look better, but I just think we're real fortunate to have this group.
With opposing defenses even more geared up to try and slow Horak this season, the play of the other skill players could very well determine how far Rossville goes this season. But Hammes likes the situation in which he and the Bulldogs find themselves.
Load up against the run? Four receivers are there to burn you deep.
Throw out an extra defensive back to limit the pass? The run game is just as capable.
"That's what offensive balance is all about," Hammes said. "It's the ability to run when you have to or the ability to pass when you have to. The situation of the game just dictates which one you have to do, but we feel we can do both well."
