Sandy post., August 27, 1981, Page 36, Image 36

.....
—V H
With Eischen in
Lancer defense
it’s safety first
When Chris Eischen broke into the varsity football lineup
at Reynolds, you might say he had your basic auspicious
debut
Playing against Columbia, Eischen gathered in a pass
from Lancer quarterback Matt Sesera and streaked 85 yards
for a touchdown It was his first varsity pass reception
"It was called our Columbia pass but, basically, it was jus,
a post pattern," Eischen recalls
That was two seasons ago, and contrary to the old saying, it
hasn't been all dow nhill from there
All Eischen has done is win the District 3 400-meter chain
pionship for the Reynolds track team two years in a row after
finishing second his freshman year
And football*' This fall, senior Eischen will be starting his
third varsity campaign He won', see much of the sidelines,
either, unless that's
the pass pattern he's
running or he hap
pens to m ake a
tackle near there
from his startin g
safety position
In terms of com
posite playing time
over the last two
years. Eischen is by
far the most ex­
p erienced L ancer
player Bu, you pro
bably won't hear that
from him
Chris Eischen
"I can', really say
tha, I'm going to be the onfield wisdom guy out there,” hi
says I jus, want to do whatever I can contribute "
That's not the story you hear from the Reynolds coaching
staff Take it away, Craig Ruecker
"Chris is going to fie one of the ties, football players in the
state this year with his speed and experience,” says the
Ixincer head coach "He's always a threat to break the long
bomb and he has great maturity Defensively, he
understands our coverages and being a three year starter, he
helps us out a lot.”
Eischen has also been instrumental in Ruecker s renova
tion of the Reynolds grid program "In our firs, couple of
years, we were building the program," Ruecker says The
firs, year Chris was on varsity we wen, 5 4 That wasour firs,
winning season Last year we were 7 2 He's l>een par, of the
winning, o, Hie turnaround of the program ”
Eischen started his prep career as a freshman running
hack Bu, I figured I could use my speed more a, wide
receiver," lie says
As a two way performer. Eischen uses his speed mi
defense, too. and it's almost certain he'll be on the held every
minute ot »-very game, except lor occasional blows on the
fX'llCl
He'll probably be going both ways for us," Ruecker says
He s one of the lies, receivers in the league and one of the
top sa,eties "
Even though he goes both ways, you’d think Eischen would
have a definite preference on whether he would rather be the
hitter or the hi,tee
I like both offense anil defense but for different reasons."
he says “On offense, I like running patterns, catching the
ball and, of course, scoring Defense is more physical,
though, and I like tha, aspect of it 1,'s more difficult to play
I he offense always has the jump on you and you have tocoor
din.ite your moves to theirs You always have to be
thinking "
Wha, Eischen is thinking about these days is helping the
I mincers go back to the state playoffs l^is, season was a ban­
ner one for Reynolds The school won its firs, Wilco League
football title in 15 years Bu, the end of the season, a 20 13 loss
to Pendleton in the firs, round of the state playoffs, was
disappointing
"The worst par, of it was we lost on a Io, of little mistakes."
Eischen says "I think we had a few jitters Irom being in the
playoffs for the firs, time "
The jitters are history now. he says The lancers are
preparing confidently tor the new season and feel they have a
good chance to better las, year s mark
.............
« u n in»-
s ik ' kv
lingers.
GRESHAM’S
INDEPENDENT BANK
w it h th e
“EXTRA MEASURE OF SERVICE”
TWO LOCATIONS
MAIN OFFICE
200 E. Powell
GRESHAM
667-6555
twelvemile corner branch
SE 223rd & SE Stark
GRESHAM
661-5200
U otiiil Illuni
S e e iii’iltl ¡ta n k
Member TDK
JIM III VS
«