What's In-Store for Eureka High Football?

In this post-season interview, Eureka-Wildwood Patch reporter Dennis Broadbooks asks Eureka High School football team head coach, Farrell Shelton, about how things will shape up for the future of the Eureka football program. Coming off a very successful 9-2 campaign, including a trip to the state playoffs, he also asked Shelton about his thoughts regarding season highlights. 

Eureka-Wildwood Patch: First of all, congratulations on the season your team had this past year!  Was your team’s success something you were surprised with, or were you optimistic all along?
Coach Farrell Shelton: We are always surprised when we have a season like this year. During last summer's practice, I told the assistant coaches that we could either be 0-10 or 10-0. We had great senior leadership during the off-season, and that carried us through some very tough games and good opponents this year.

Eureka-Wildwood Patch: At the start of the season you employed a two quarterback system; but as you progressed, you went to Sean Strehle exclusively, moving Chase Bollinger to wide receiver. Can you share with us why you made that change as it apparently was part of the success you experienced?
Shelton: Both Sean and Chase had special features that made both of them extremely dangerous on the offensive side of the ball.  Chase was a special player on defense, and we did not want our quarterback playing the entire year on defense.  So when we made this move, Sean was taken off defense.

Eureka-Wildwood Patch: Were there any players this year that made a surprising contribution (somebody you weren’t counting on) to the team’s overall achievement?
Shelton: Some of the surprising players this year were:  RB-Sam Stein; DL-Clayton Echard; and C-Robbie Cidlik.

Eureka-Wildwood Patch: What seniors are you losing to graduation, and will you have the returning underclassmen able to step up next year?
Shelton: Of course losing Chase and Sean will hurt, and they will be difficult to replace because there is nothing that beats experience.  Seth Pratt and Tyler Sloyer both will be seniors, and will battle for the quarterback position.  On the line, Larrye Minner and Sherman Hall will be major losses, and right now we have 10 to 12 students who will be looked at in filling their shoes.


Eureka-Wildwood: Were there any specific plays or moments during the season which stand out to you?
Shelton: The kick against SLUH (St. Louis University High) was a very memorable play. SLUH is a program that everybody measures their program against.  I have such great admiration and respect for Coach Kornfeld, and I know that their kids are very well coached and prepared.


Eureka-Wildwood Patch: Because this was Eureka’s first year at the Class 6 level in MSHSAA (Missouri State High School Activities Association) competition, how do you think your team fared with the other schools?
Shelton: Playing in Class 6 was no shock to us. We have been playing class 6 teams since 2000. The Suburban South had class 4 to 6 teams within it, so we knew what to expect. In all seriousness, there is no difference between a good class 4 team and a good class 6 team.

Eureka-Wilwood Patch: What specific plans or programs do you have in place now for the team to keep the momentum going into next year?
Shelton: Our off-season is very busy, especially in the weight room and classroom.  We are diligent to make sure that our players are getting it done in the classroom so this carries over into next season.  Our younger players do not want to be the team that loses because they did not take care of details.