Part six in a ten part series previewing the 2014 St. Xavier Football Tigers: Defensive Backs

Davey Sermersheim had a big spring in preparation for the fall | Photo by Jacob Hayslip

DEPTH CHART

Tyler Boarman 5’11 168 lbs. Sr.
Jackie Arnold 6’0, 173 lbs. Sr.
Davey Sermersheim 5’10, 155 lbs. Sr.
Brandon Blaser 5’9, 155 lbs. Sr.
Ty Spalding 6’0, 160 lbs. Sr.

THE MAN

Tyler Boarman

NEWCOMERS

Jake Ballard
Ian Kania

OVERVIEW

This group should be the most interesting to keep tabs on this fall.  A lot of playmakers will be defending opponent’s wide outs this season, like senior Tyler Boarman, who saw a lot of time last year at the safety position.  He will be the leader of this secondary and the unit as a whole.  Look for Boarman to have a break out season and most likely get some looks from colleges due to his play.

Jake Ballard is a junior that played on the JV level last season but stood out to the coaching staff in the spring earning him first team reps in the spring game two months ago.  Ballard is a big body that will be able to move quickly in order to play the run or go up and knock down a jump ball to a taller receiver.

If  you look above, I listed all Seniors in the “Depth Chart” category.  This group has played together now for four years and will look to play as one in hopes of winning the program’s first state championship since 2009.  With the help of some younger players like Ballard and Ian Kania, this could be a really good group of defensive backs for Coach Bart Bruner, who returns to the coaching staff as defensive coordinator.

Next up: Wide Receivers

Part Five: Offensive Line and Tight Ends
Part Four: Defensive Line
Part Three: Running Backs
Part Two: Linebackers
Part One: Quarterbacks