High School Football 2016
Transcription
High School Football 2016
Section E | Thursday, August 25, 2016 iCoach The Lima News SCORES .com Technology transforms high school football 2016 Lima News High School Football Preview Team Previews, schedules, stats and more FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 2E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News New Spartan coach takes over Lima Senior By Jim Naveau [email protected] What’s next? That’s the question for Lima Senior’s football program this season after many of the players and the coach who took the Spartans to levels they Griffin hadn’t seen since the 1990s have moved on. Low expectations have been replaced by big expectations after eight wins and nine wins and trips to the playoffs the last two seasons. Lima Senior’s 22 wins in the last three seasons are more than the teams in the previous 12 years combined had won and the playoff trips were the first since the Spartans qualified for the postseason six times with Leonard Rush as their coach, including winning the 1996 Division I state championship. The Spartans lost two first-team All-Ohio players – wide receiver Ruben Flowers III and linebacker Jaylin Thomas, who both Lima Senior head coach Andre Griffin will look to keep the winning ways going at Lima Senior in his first year. were NCAA Division I recruits. Flowers is at the University of Pittsburgh and Thomas signed with Ball State. They also lost players like quarterback Darius Gordon and wide receiver Rico Stafford, who helped LIMA SENIOR COACH: Andre Griffin YEARS AT SCHOOL: First year LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-3 DIVISION: II, Region 6 RETURNING STARTERS: Jaden Walker RB/DB; Diamonte Fisher (DB), Dniyae Morris (LB), Miguel Clark (LB), Cordell McDonald (DL), Jalin McDonald (DL), Darius Collins (OL), Keaton Towsey (OL), Caleb Tyson (OL), Jordan McClendon (OL), Keaton Upshaw (TE) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-2-5 PLAYER TO WATCH: Jaden Walker rushed for more than 1,600 yards last season in an offense which relied heavily on the passing game. He could get more carries this season. TOP NEWCOMERS: Adrian Mitchell (QB), Jaleel King (WR), Christian Proby (WR) make Lima Senior’s offense electrifying the last two seasons. The talent cupboard is not bare, though, with players like running back Jaden Walker (1,609 yards rushing, 26 touchdowns) and offensive lineman Darius Collins (special mention All-Ohio) returning. And to replace Fell, now the head coach at Mesa (Ariz.) Mountain View High School, Lima Senior hired Andre Griffin, a member of one of the most famous families in the history of Ohio football. Griffin, the son of Ohio State legend Archie Griffin, is coaching at the high school level for the first time after working as a college assistant for a total of 11 seasons at Saginaw Valley State University and Capital University. LIMA SENIOR SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ..................Middleton ................................ 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ...................at Marion Harding ...............7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ...................Springfield ............................ ..7 p.m. Sept. 16 ................. .at Whitmer ............................. 7 p.m. Sept. 23 ................. .at Ross.................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 30.................at St. Francis ............................ 7 p.m. Oct. 7 .....................Findlay...................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ...................at St. Johns .............................. 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ...................Oregon Clay ............................. 7 p.m. Oct. 28...................at Toledo Central Catholic ....... 7 p.m. The Spartans have returning starters at 13 positions. Walker was a two-way starter last season at running back and defensive back. The defense also has two starters back at linebacker, Dniyae Morris and Miguel Clark, two starters on the line, Cordell McDonald and Jalin McDonald, and Diamonte Fisher at defensive back. Offensively, most of the experience is on the line, where Keaton Towsey, Caleb Tyson, Jordan McClendon and Collins are all back. Tight end Keaton Upshaw and Walker are the other returning starters. With new talent and a new coach, some change is to be expected. But Griffin said the changes won’t be dramatic. “It’s going pretty good. We’re still learning the system. Change is always hard. A lot of people are set in their ways but they’re learning how Coach Griffin wants to coach,” Griffin said. Lima Senior will still use a spread offense, but with most of last year’s top pass catchers gone, will try to involve the tight end more. Defensively, the Spartans will line up in a 4-2-5 base defense after playing in a 3-5 last season. “Our guys are young. We’re all new as far as the (quarterback and receiving) skill positions,” Griffin said. Reach Jim Naveau at567-242-0414 or on Twitter at @Lima_Navaeu. THREE RIVERS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FORECAST By Jim Naveau [email protected] 1. Whitmer: Defense could take the Panthers (9-3, 6-1 TRAC) a long way this season. Defensive end Kyle Walsh and linebacker Luke Walling were first-team All-TRAC as juniors last year and defensive back Sam Stickels was a first-teamer as a sophomore. Whitmer’s only league loss last season was by one point to Toledo Central Catholic. 2. Toledo Central Catholic: The Irish (12-2, 7-0 TRAC) are led by two big-time recruits in running back Michael Warren and defensive end James Hudson. Warren, who has offers from Iowa, Kentucky, Rutgers and Iowa State, has rushed for 5,022 yards and 59 touchdowns in the last two seasons. Hudson has offers from Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and Nebraska. 3. Toledo St. John’s: The Titans (6-4, 4-3 TRAC) also have several players pulling in offers from NCAA Division I schools. Junior linebacker Dal- las Gant says Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Penn State are his top schools. Linebacker Peter McIntyre has committed to Northwestern and defensive back Tycen Anderson has given Toledo a commitment. 4. Lima Senior: A lot of talent, including first-team All-Ohio receiver Ruben Flowers III and first-team All-Ohio linebacker Jaylin Thomas, along with coach Mike Fell, are gone for the Spartans (9-3, 5-2 TRAC). Running back Jaden Walker (1,609 yards rushing, 26 TDs) and offensive lineman Darius Collins, both first-team All-TRAC players, are the top returnees. 5. Findlay: The Trojans (6-4, 3-4 TRAC) are rebuilding their offensive backfield and offensive line, which could be a risky thing in a high-scoring league like the TRAC. 6. Fremont Ross: When Chad Long was hired as coach of the Little Giants in February he said he had gotten “the best job in Northwest Ohio.” That was probably a little optimistic. Tyler Grine might be the player Ross builds its offense around. He had 618 yards rushing last fall, including back-to-back games of more than 100 yards, for the Little Giants (4-6, 2-5 TRAC). 7. Toledo St. Francis: The Knights (2-8, 1-6) have won one game in the TRAC in the last two seasons. 8. Oregon Clay: The Eagles (1-9, 0-7 TRAC) have won one game in the TRAC in the last three seasons. Reach Jim Naveau at567-242-0414 or on Twitter at @Lima_Navaeu. 2016 Lima Senior SPARTANS Good Luck 2340 Spencerville Rd. 419-229-2002 40908609 1806 N. West St. 801 Findlay Rd. 419-223-6100 419-227-1813 419-229-3646 www.hefnerstv.com 40908329 712 N. EASTOWN ROAD, LIMA 2850 W. Elm St. Lima 419-999-5878 40908330 Trophy Center Quality Personalized Service Since 1950 www.trophycenter.net GOOD LUCK! TO ALL AREA FOOTBALL TEAMS!!! 1175 W. North St. Lima, Oh 45805 419-222-0841 [email protected] Buying a car? Our AskAuto® app can help. Shop for your dream car and apply for a loan ® Download the AskAuto® app and simplify your vehicle buying experience. (Select TopMark as your Credit Union on the app.) 1511 N. Main St. • 419-223-5886 3800 S. Dixie Hwy. • 419-24-2941 www.TopMarkFCU.com 40908788 SPARTANS! AMERICAN MALL AUTO CARE 40908837 Good Luck 40908328 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 3E Tackling technology More and more teams utilizing tablets, strategy software By Jose Nogueras [email protected] Back in 2010, Spencerville head football coach John Zerbe went to a coaching clinic along with his then assistant coach Darren Sharp and they got a glimpse of the future of football. The two did not know at the time they were seeing it or even imagined that what they were getting six years ago, a new technology of strategy software driven by tablets, would soon become the standard for all football teams. Zerbe was not totally sold on it but Sharp convinced him to try it out. “It was really more him (Sharp) saying take a shot at it and he was right. It kind of ended up being the standard for all coaches to use,” Zerbe said. This year, tablets will become just as prevalent as helmets on the sidelines as more area high school football teams have also brought this new technology to their programs. Whiteboards are fast going the way of the drop kick. And while there are still some veteran coaches who like doing it the old school Vince Lombardi way, most agree the new technology is a valuable tool in a variety of ways. Wapakoneta head coach Travis Moyer said, “We are going to have access to all of that on the sideline and incorporate that throughout the game which is new for us. We haven’t done that in the past. It is something we are going to try and take advantage of this year. I’ve always said when technology works its great and really useful but when it doesn’t work… well we can all relate to that. “We are trying to utilize it the best we can to help put our kids in a position to be successful. The one thing that I learned when I got out of football for a couple of years is we need to work smarter not harder and obviously if technology helps us with that then we will definitely use it.” Moyer, who said he coaches by what he sees and feels, admitted that he will let the younger members of his coaching staff handle the tracking on the tablets while he will continue they way he has always coached. “The one negative is that sometimes you can lose that feel for the game. I’m a feel guy, so to speak, so I like to have that feel. But it definitely has impacted our game.” The strategy software the majority of the high school teams use is called “hudl.” Hudl provides data where coaches can run default or custom reports to find opponents tendencies as well as add notes and telestrations to clips. Teams can study video anytime with their mobile devises and coaches can include their playbooks into the the tablet. Coaches can also directly write messages to players or e-mail and text the whole team about team activities or watch specific films. St. Marys head coach Doug Frye, who also will let his younger staff handle the tablet tasks, said, “Coaching is human but with the technology it allows for immediate feedback and you don’t have to wait. It is even more helpful for our kids because they have grown up in a technology world, they learn quicker with the tablets.” Before jumping into the 21st century, teams must procure money to fund these ventures. The software combined with the purchase of cameras and tablets adds up to a small chunk of change for most small schools already fighting the budget war. As the athletic director, Zerbe said at the time they began their journey into the technology world it cost around $800 a year for each sport and “we have a great booster club that who decided to purchase for the entire school which made it twice that cost so it doubled the amount paid out.” Since then the price has gone up and it is around $1,400 a year for a subscription to the Hudl software. Ada athletic director Ken Jochims said they are not completely all in but about in the middle . One reason being the cost and the second being the age of the coaches. “This is another place where you have to look for money,” said Jochims, who said the booster club was instrumental in funding the new technology. “As we transition with younger coaches we are seeing more and more ask for it.” Frye said, “I’m utterly amazed by it. We are right on the forefront on the technology front. We are thankful to our booster club who came in and supplied the money because staying up with the technology is not an easy inexpensive venture by any means.” Frye added that this year his team is going all in with five tablets for game use this year both on the sideline and in the coaching boxes. A number of schools stream that action from a tablet on the field to the tablet in the coaches box or the sidelines. At Spencerville, the Bearcats purchased high definition cameras in the stadium just to get a better picture. “It is not always the speed of how fast you get it up there (to the tablet), but more how does it look when you get it up there,” Zerbe said. After clearing the economic obstacle, teams must then have members of the coaching staff with a little technology know how and the willingness to put in the time to maximize the full potential of the software. If done thoroughly, teams can learn the opposing team’s tendencies and strategies as well as evaluate individual players and their strengths and weaknesses. One of the main reasons Zerbe decided to get the new technology was to begin to decimate his opponent as quickly as possible. After each game most teams download their game film to hudl and the other team can begin the process of Press boxes, like the one at Wapakoneta, are looking more and more like this as traditional cameras are being replaced by high definition cameras and tablets in order to stream the action to the sidelines. ® Photos by Jose Nogueras The Lima News Swanee’s Jacob Chontos films a scrimmage to record and then collect date that can later be downloaded for coaches and players onto their tablets. Spencerville, one of the first schools to incorporate tablets, purchased high definition cameras and monitors to record football games. planning as early as Saturday morning. “The hardest part is entering all that information,” Zerbe said. “I have a coach on my staff that does all that (enters the data) and then I go in and crunch all the numbers out. It would take all weekend to do that by hand but with the technology it really makes your life better.” Most teams are required by their league to download their game film to the system right after finishing their contest. It simply means pressing a “trade” button with your opposition and in no time the teams are in possession of game film. This is a far cry from the projection game films Frye had to wait to be developed back in the early 80s or more recently when coaches had to wait for DVDs and meet at some random restaurant that was located close the midway point of the two schools. “I started in 1981 and one of my jobs was to drive to Columbus and get the film developed. I had to take it down,” Frye said. “By the time they got it developed there wasn’t a whole lot of sleep that night. I tell our young assistants don’t know how good they have it.” Every coach has their own horror stories about traveling to pick up film, getting the film back to their respective owners and not losing them in the process. Depending on the coaching staff, some of the younger, more tech savvy coaches will begin the process that Friday night that probably makes for some long nights for some of the assistant coaches. While a number of teams do have a Saturday morning film session, Zerbe likes to wait a couple of days before introducing the opposing team’s game film to his squad. The two primary reasons for this are because he wants his team to get a little distance from the previous match as well as giving his staff a chance to evaluate the film. While some of the larger schools have gone completely over, some of the smaller schools are using hudl off the field but not using it on the sidelines. Upper Scioto Valley head coach Josh Spencer said it doesn’t make sense to have tablets on the sideline when so many of his players play on offense and defense. “We use the hudl but we don’t use the Ipads on the sidelines,” Spencer said. “We haven’t got there yet. It’s not something we have looked into a lot. Honestly, we two-platoon so many kids so its not like we can stop to talk to them. Our quarterback. is going to be playing defense too so its not like you see in the college and in the NFL where you can sit down with the quarterback and say this is what the defense is doing or this is what the offense is doing. He’s out there playing defense. Spencer added that it is more than likely than can use it at halftime or in between quarters but in his opinion it wouldn’t be beneficial to the Rams and uses the analogy of teams having kicking nets on the sideline who can practice field goals when the kicker is not playing and points out that “our kicker is on the field all the time.’” This is a similar case at Pandora-Gilboa where head coach Chris Myers has a small staff and doesn’t have time to break down plays during the game. He also admits that he is a little old school and still likes to diagram plays and formations. However, because he does have the capability to show films in a more mobile way, Myers will have film sessions during lunch and this helps save valuable practice time. Zerbe adds that as coaches they can break down every clip and add notes that will pop up as they watch the clip. Coaches can also add a voice recording that will also give the player instruction. “You can make it very technical,” Zerbe said. “I do more of dividing up my roster in groups by position and just send a note to the linebackers where they just get it and the rest of the team does not.” Waynesfield-Goshen is another school fights the number’s game every year but that has embraced hudl. Tiger head coach Shane Wireman said they are putting their playbook on hudl. “Kids they are more engaged in it,” Wireman said. “You can bring them in and say here is the film and now you can uploaded for them to see.” One item all coaches like about the software is they can see how many times a player has logged on to watch films and assignments. Tablets and technology are not going to immediately turn your football program around and with pretty much everyone is using it, the playing field is pretty much level in terms of this new tool. But it doesn’t hurt to have a tech geek on the coaching staff to hopefully give a team the edge they need to win. “I think it is important to have a guy on your staff who enjoys doing this because some times as a head coach you run out of time, but if you can have a quality assistant, it really can make a huge difference in the outcome of games.” Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468 or on twitter @ JoseNogueras1 SCHOOL CUPS 40908462 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 4E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Richard Parrish The Lima News Coach Scott Palte of Lima Central Catholic will be relying on a lot of young talent this year. LCC hopes young talent develops fast By Jim Naveau [email protected] How young is Lima Central Catholic’s football team? Young enough that not too long ago some of its starters were playing junior high football games after school on weekdays, not games under the Friday or Saturday night lights. With only five seniors on the roster, the Thunderbirds could start two freshmen and three sophomores this season. “We’re going to be young. I think we’re talented but we’re going to be young,” LCC coach Scott Palte said. The situation is similar to last year when LCC had only nine seniors and underclassmen filled many of the starting jobs. LCC has seven returning starters, some of whom played offense and defense. Probably the biggest question mark for the Thunderbirds is how to replace the offensive production of quarterback Ethan O’Connor, who threw for 1,797 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 833 yards and nine TDs as a senior. O’Connor threw 75 percent of the passes LCC attempted last season and his 123 carries were half of the Thunderbirds’ rushing attempts, even though he missed parts of two games because of injuries. Anthony Venturella, who threw for 453 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 137 yards as O’Connor’s back-up last season, will be the quarterback this season. “He played quite a few downs when Ethan got hurt. When he got out there he performed pretty decent. He has thrown the football well this summer. He’s accurate and can throw the ball well,” Palte said. LCC, which averaged 28 passes a game last LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHEDULE Aug. 27 ............Elida ..............................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Delphos St. Johns .........................7 p.m. Sept. 10 ...........Ada .......................................... 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Bishop Ready ................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Toledo Rogers ...........................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Woodlan ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 7….............at Wynford.....................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Bluffton… ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 22 .............Bishop Hartley ..............................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Huron ........................................7 p.m. season, has two experienced receivers in Thomas Williams (42 catches, 637 yards, 9 TDs) and Vinny Pignataro (29 catches, 339 yards, 1 TD). “That (receiver) is our strength position right now,” Palte said. “And we have some sophomores and freshmen. We have a lot of guys who could play receiver. Thomas Williams has really improved. He’s our No. 1 target for sure.” But the Thunderbirds could use their running game a little more than last season when Logan Shultz’s 30 carries for the season were the most by one of their running backs. “We will have to change the way we run the ball,” Palte said. “Logan Shultz has really worked hard. He’s a big, fast kid. I think he can fill the bill and get us some yards. “That’s one of the things we have emphasized, we have to run the ball a little bit better. We really struggled to develop a running back last year. I think we have a couple guys who can do that this year, hopefully,” he said. In addition to Williams, Pignataro and Shultz, Matthew Heider, Sammy Santaguida, Connor Bowker and Brendan LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC COACH: Scott Palte YEARS AT SCHOOL: Third, 13-8 (59-35 overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-5 DIVISION: VI, Region 22 RETURING LETTERMEN: 10 RETURNING STARTERS: Brendan Stolly (WR/DB) Jr.; Thomas Williams (WR/DB) Sr.; Vinny Pignataro (WR/ DB) Sr.; Sammy Santaguida (RB/LB); Logan Shultz (RB/LB) Jr.; Matthew Heider (RB/LB) Jr.; Connor Bowker (OL/DL) Jr. PLAYER TO WATCH: Anthony Venturella (QB) will replace last year’s starter, Ethan O’Connor, who had 2,630 total yards. TOP NEWCOMERS: Jovon Robinson (WR/DB) Fr.; Ron Banks (WR/DB) Soph.; Raoul Samaroo (WR/DB) Jr.; Brayden O’Dell (WR/DB) Soph.; Raquan White (RB/LB) Fr.; Nikiya Williams (WR/LB) Jr.; Keaton Meyer (OL/DL) Sr.; Jayden Williams (OL/DL) Jr.; Ethan Truex (OL/DL) Fr.; Micah Pearson (OL/DL) Soph. Stolly are returning starters. Heider had 84 tackles and five sacks as a linebacker last season. Santaguida, another linebacker, had 58 tackles, nine of them for losses. Pignataro had 51 tackles and four sacks, also as a linebacker. “I’m just hoping we can see a great improvement from Week 1 to Week 10. We’ve got some guys with some skill, we just have to get some experience,” Palte said. LCC will open its season at home against Elida on Saturday night. The Thunderbirds have two new teams on the schedule this season with Huron and Wynford replacing Edgewood and Wayne Trace. Reach Jim Naveau at567-242-0414 or on Twitter at @Lima_Navaeu. 2016 LCC Good Luck THUNDERBIRDS THUNDERBIRDS 419-229-3646 www.hefnerstv.com 40908344 712 N. EASTOWN ROAD, LIMA Have a Great Season Looking out for you since 1904 www.stolly.com All Area Lima · Celina · Wapakoneta Bellefontaine • Westerville Teams! 800-686-2147 40908782 Good Luck 2340 Spencerville Rd. 419-229-2002 1806 N. West St. 801 Findlay Rd. 419-223-6100 419-227-1813 40908613 Good Luck Thunderbirds Let Us Show You The Difference. Three Generations Strong 117 N. Elizabeth Street Downtown Lima 40908792 40909684 40908343 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 5E Bath looks to build off 2015 By Tom Usher [email protected] BATH TOWNSHIP – Bath jumped some big hurdles in 2015. The Wildcats had their first winning record and first seven-win season since 2003. But they came one spot short of making the top eight teams in the region which qualified for the playoffs. Now the Wildcats want more. “When I took the program over (now in his fourth year) I said the first step was to win six games because we had not done that since 2003,” Bath coach Bill Garland said. “And that was also the last year we had a winning record in the WBL (Western Buckeye League). … And there’s a lot of kids coming back from that team (last year), who had big roles on that football team. And we tied for the final spot in the playoffs and got beat in that third-level tiebreaker. “So even though we took a big step last year and went 7-3 and had a winning record for the first time since 2003, and the kids were excited about that, but they felt there was something missing at the end and that was not getting into the playoffs. So that’s a big goal for our football team.” The Wildcats are loaded with experience, but several key members from last year are gone. Among the graduated are defensive lineman Tyler Shobe (second team all-state, first team all-district, first team all-WBL, Lima News Dream Team) and defensive back Chase Clark (special mention all-state, first team all-WBL, first team all-district, Lima BATH OUTLOOK COACH: Bill Garland YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 4th, 15-15 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 7-3 (6-3 WBL) DIVISION: IV RETURNING LETTERMEN: 14 RETURNING STARTERS: Ryan Kalb (Sr., WR/CB/S); Tre Terry (Sr., RB/LB); Elijah Mather (Sr., TE); Bo Gross (Sr., RB/LB); Kaden Sullivan (Sr., QB); Jordan Berens (Sr., WR); Logan Shafer (Sr., WR); Cole McKinney (Sr., C/OT); Isaac Ingram (Sr., CB); Bailey Cotrell (Sr., LB); Jon Lieurance (Sr., DT). OFFENSE: 1-back, 2-backs, run dominated DEFENSE: 3-4 PLAYER TO WATCH: Bo Gross was second team allstate at linebacker with his ability to stop the run. He also is an offensive threat with his north-south running style. TOP NEWCOMERS: Jayden Neal (Sr., OL/DL); Brenden Van Horn (Soph., OL/C); Sage Mabry (Soph., OL). News Dream Team with seven interceptions). Shobe has moved on to Cincinnati Christian College, while Clark is playing at St. Francis (Ind.). The Wildcats will return eight starters on offense and six on defense. “We’re excited about our football team,” Garland said. The kingpin returnee is 6-foot-1, 221-pound linebacker/running back Bo Gross, who was second-team all-state at linebacker. He was also first team all-district, first team all-WBL and a member of The Lima News Dream Team. Gross led the team with 128 tackles and two sacks. He also rushed for 725 yards (5.8 average) with 16 TDs. “By trade, he’s (Gross) an all-league linebacker, but he was also a second team all-league running back,” Garland said. “And Bo is a between-thetackles, downhill, physical running back. And if you have to tackle him 10-to15 times a game, you have your work cut out for you. He’s a man. … And he’s our leading tackler on defense. Bo is the real deal. He wants to play at the next level and has had a lot of (Division I and Division II) interest from colleges.” Quarterback Kaden Sullivan (6-2, 185) returns and he led the club in rushing with 1,367 yards and 12 TDs. He threw for 679 yards with six TDs. “Kaden was a running back who was converted to quarterback last year,” Garland said. “But we’ve challenged him this offseason to become a quarterback. We know Kaden can do it with his legs. With a young, inexperienced offensive line, we might have to throw the ball more. And with the receivers we have coming back, we’ve challenged Kaden to convert to being a full-time quarterback.” Another returning running back is Tre Terry, who ran for 364 yards and three TDs. When Sullivan does go to the air, he will look to a veteran receiving group with 6-2 Logan Shafer (13 receptions, 214 yards, 1 TD), slot receiver Ryan Kalb, Jordan Berens and BATH SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............At Delphos St. Johns ....................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Ottawa-Glandorf ...........................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at Celina ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Defiance ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Wapakoneta ..............................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........St. Marys .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Van Wert ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Shawnee ...................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Kenton...........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Elida ..........................................7 p.m. Bath’s Kaden Sullivan, who led the team in rushing and touchdowns, returns for the Wildcats as their signal caller. tight end Elijah Mather. The lone starter back on the offensive line is Cole McKinney (6-1, 255), who started at center last year, but may move out to tackle this year. “He’s the anchor up there,” Garland said. The defense has six veterans, but only one on the line. The veteran is defensive tackle Jon Lieurance (6-foot, 198), who made 73 tackles. The 3-4 defense has three starters back at linebacker in battering ram Gross, Bailey Cotrell (74 tackles) and Terry (100 tackles). The returnees in the secondary are cornerback Isaac Ingram and cornerback/safety Kalb. With 14 starters back, the playoffs are a realistic goal. The key will be how soon both lines advances with only one returner on both. “It (both lines) will decide our season,” Garland said. “Obviously, we have good running backs and good athletes and they can make an average offensive line look a lot better. But the question for us is how quickly our offensive and defensive lines develop. That will determine our success.” Kenton looks to bounce back in 2016 By Mike Miller Kenton’s Trent Hites, a starter the last two years, returns as Kenton’s signal caller and looks to rebound after a down season in 2016. KENTON OUTLOOK COACH: Brent Fackler YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 3, 13-11 LAST YEARS RECORD: 2-8 (2-7 WBL) DIVISION: IV RETURNING LETTERMEN: 28 RETURNING STARTERS: Trent Hites (5-9, 170, Sr.), Cory Ludwig (5-10, 165, Jr.), Tyler Heintz (6-4, 275, Sr.), Chris Deardorff (5-10, 160, Sr.), Blake Swearengin (6-1, 170, Sr.), Hunter Moore (5-5, 135, Jr.), Alex Stephens (5-8, 145, Jr.), Steven Stalder (6-1, 245, Jr.), Clint Kitchen (5-9, 210, Jr.) Austin Buroker (6-1, 190, Sr.), Dalton Kessler (5-9, 230, Sr.), Thomas Phillips (6-5, 220, Sr.), Mason Crabtree (6-0, 190, Sr.), Robert Shemeth (5-10, 175, Sr.), Ty Carmean (5-11, 170, Sr.), Trent Reichelderfer (5-9, 155, Jr.), Shawn Conover (6-1, 1180, Jr.) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Quarterback Trent Hites threw for over 4,000 yards as a sophomore before falling off to just 2,000 yards last season. Look for a big year from Hites as he returns some experienced receivers to throw to this year. TOP NEWCOMERS: Noah Leffler (5-9, 220, So.), Jaron Sharp (6-2, 185, So.), Trent Lawrence (5-8, 185, So.), David Hellman (6-2, 230, So.), Jon Hord (5-9, 200, So.), Bradley Wyomic (6-0, 225, So.), Bobby Halsey (6-1, 210, So.) State. The Wildcats return two defensive linemen (seniors Dalton Kessler and Thomas Phillips), two linebackers (senior Mason Crabtree and junior Shawn Conover), and four defensive backs (seniors Austin Buroker, Robert Shemeth, and Ty Carmean to go along with junior Trent Reichelderfer) to anchor their 4-3 defense. “We hope to be bigger, stronger, KENTON SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Coldwater .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Defiance ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Wapakoneta ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........at. St.Marys...................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........Van Wert ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........At Shawnee ...................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Ottawa-Glandorf .......................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Elida ..............................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............at Bath ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Celina ............................................7 p.m. [email protected] KENTON – The Wildcats are coming off of a very un-Kenton like 2-8 season that was due in large part to youth and inexperience. Coach Brice Fackler hopes that 17 returning starters (9 on offense and 8 on defense) will lead to a much more successful season for his team. Senior quarterback Trent Hites will lead the Wildcats for the third season. He threw for over 4,000 as a sophomore but fell off to only 2,000 yards last year, due in large part to having an inexperienced set of receivers to throw to in the Kenton spread offense. With five wide receivers returning as targets, look for Hites to return to the type of numbers he put up as a sophomore. “We must have development of our receivers,” Fackler said. “We have quality coming back with one year of experience.” There is no mention of a running back because the Wildcats will line up and try to throw the ball on every down this year. Three offensive linemen return to provide protection for Hites. They include juniors Steven Stalder and Clint Kitchen. But the line will be anchored by senior tackle Tyler Heintz (6-4, 275) who recently committed to play collegiately at Kent and faster on defense this year.” Fackler said. Kenton wants to put that 2-8 record from a year ago in the rear view mirror as soon as possible. “2-8 is not what we expect as a team, as a school or as a community,” Fackler said. “We have more seniors so leadership will be much better; we have a ways to go but we will be improved.” 2016 Bath WILDCATS Good Luck 2340 Spencerville Rd. 419-229-2002 1806 N. West St. 801 Findlay Rd. 419-223-6100 419-227-1813 40908619 Good Luck Wildcats! SIELSCHOTT, WALSH, KEIFER & REGULA, INC Certified Public Accountants 711 Dean Ave - Lima 419-222-2001 40908731 40908334 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 6E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Amanda Wilson | The Lima News Elida junior Cole Harmom will be the featured back for the Bulldogs this season. Elida looking to speed things up under Speller By Mark Altstaetter [email protected] ELIDA – It was an opportunity longtime Wayne Trace football coach Bill Speller could not ignore. For 14 seasons, Speller guided the Raiders to two Green Meadows Conference Championships, along with a Division VI state runner-up finish in 2013. His overall record at Wayne Trace was 82-64. After Jason Carpenter, who coached Elida for nine years, resigned following the 2015 season, Speller pursued the vacant position at Elida. Now, Speller will try to take the Elida program to the next level. Elida is coming off a 6-4, 5-4 Western Buckeye League campaign. “I had a mentor of mine pass away, and he always told me that if you feel you could do more with your career, you can do more with your life, then do it. He always told me not to settle,” Speller said. “I had to see if I could go further. I had to see if I could go to a bigger school, a bigger league and push myself to do that. So, that’s why I pursued it in the first place. Me, coming to Elida, had nothing to do with not having talent over there (Wayne Trace).” Speller, a 1990 graduate of Delphos St. John’s, feels the opportunities at Elida are unlimited. “We definitely have the athletes here (at Elida),” Speller said. “I had a good thing going at Wayne Trace. I was there a long time. The kids knew what the expectations were. So, if this was a rebuilding program here at Elida, then I probably would have stayed put. “You take a look at the absolutely outstanding facilities that Elida has to offer and the number of athletes they have. It was a very enticing offer.” Speller brings an offensive scheme to Elida which emphasizes up-tempo, all the time. “We will run a spread offense. And what we are trying to get from them is that we want to do everything fast,” Speller said. “When we practice, we want to practice fast. We want guys all over the place. We want to be in shape to run this offense. So, we’re even trying to press that with the defense. When the play is over, you get back to your spot as fast as you can. “This isn’t a groundand-pound offense. This isn’t a four or five yards, and chew up the clock (type of offense). We want big yards, and we want to score quickly. ELIDA SCHEDULE Aug. 27 ............at Lima Central Catholic ...............7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Celina ............................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at Defiance ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Wapakoneta ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........St. Marys (HC) ..............................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Van Wert ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Shawnee .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Kenton ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............at Ottawa-Glandorf .......................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Bath...............................................7 p.m. That mentality is what we have to change at practice. We want to move fast, constantly.” With all-WBL quarterback Logan Alexander graduated, junior Isaac McAdams (6-2, 175) will take over the signal-calling duties. Last season, Alexander rushed for 1,331 yards (16 touchdowns) and passed for 1,183 (11 TDs). Alexander will be playing collegiately at Mount Union this fall. “Isaac McAdams is going to replace him (Alexander) at quarterback,” Speller said. “It’s Reggie’s brother (former Elida standout quarterback, Reggie McAdams). Isaac’s really excited about this offense. He has some potential to put up some big numbers with this offense. He’s looking for that chance to get out of his big brother’s shadow a little bit and make his own mark on things. “Offensively, we got a plethora of wide receivers. We’re probably going to play seven or eight receivers right now. Baylen Stinson (Sr., 185), Noah Mosely (Sr., 180), De Angelo Woods (Sr., 160), Brady Gibson (Sr. 165) and Calan Henderson (Jr., 165). And also Cole Harmon (Jr., 165) will be coming out of the backfield. This kid (Harmon) is such a great athlete. We’re not going to shy away from the running game, because he (Harmon) is going to put up some spectacular numbers.” In 2015, Harmon rushed for 1,090 yards and 13 TDs, averaging 7.1 yards per carry (third in WBL). According to some of the returning players, the transition to the new system has gone well. “It’s going pretty smooth,” Woods (running back, cornerback) said. “It’s a hard transition from last year, because everything is a lot different. We’re moving a lot faster. We’re running a lot faster this year. We’re going to have to rotate a lot. If we’re running (plays) fast, then we’re going to ELIDA OUTLOOK COACH: Bill Speller YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: first, N/A (14 years at Wayne Trace, 82-64) LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 6-4 (5-4 WBL) DIVISION: III RETURNING LETTERMEN: 16 RETURNING STARTERS: Noah Meeker (Sr., OL); Kiah Russell (Sr.); Noah Mosley (Sr., WR); Baylen Stinson (Sr., OLB/WR); Canyon Bechdolt (Sr.); Scott McDonnell (Sr.); Brady Gibson (Sr., WR); Peyton Smith (Sr., DB); De Angelo Woods (Sr., WR/DB); Mike Purdy (Jr., OL/DL); Dan Tullis (Jr., OL/DL); Xavier Gilkey (Jr.); Cole Harmon (Jr.); Calan Henderson (Jr., WR); Donovan Whitfield (So.) OFFENSE: Spread (up-tempo) DEFENSE: mainly a four-man front PLAYER TO WATCH: Running back Cole Harmon rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. With quarterback Logan Alexander graduated, Harmon will be the main focus in Elida’s running game. TOP NEWCOMERS: Dan Unruh (Jr., WR/DB); Cory Dye (Sr., OL); Trey Roberts (Jr., DL); Sam Quaintance (Sr., WR); Alan Schrader (Sr., OL/LB); AJ Robbins (Sr., OL); Chance Brown (Jr., DL); Seth Bailey (Jr., OL); Donnie Gipson (Jr., OL); Tyler Pugh (Jr., OL) get tired.” Defensively, Elida returns 10 starters. The Bulldogs will employ a four-man front, the majority of the time. In 2015, Elida lost several close games. This season, the emphasis is on closing out games. “We want to finish the close games this season,” Woods said. “We can’t give up in the last quarter of close games.” Added Stinson, “We just have to finish strong, make the big plays and do the little things right. That’s what killed us last year; we shot ourselves in the foot. We need to make less mistakes on offense.” Probably the main concern of Speller’s this season, is replacing four offensive linemen. “We lost four of five linemen. So, that’s a key thing for us. We have some seniors that are ready to step up,” Speller said. Speller feels the WBL should be very balanced this season. “Week in and week out, you really don’t get a down week. I don’t think there is a clear-cut winner this season. Wapak, they’re the (2015) champs. And they’re going to be the champs until someone knocks them off,” he said. 2016 Elida Back to School Late Skate Good Luck Friday, September 9th 7pm - 11pm - $7.50 11pm - 1am - $4.00 7pm - 1am - $10.00 419-331-5296 (LAWN) 1806 N. West St. 801 Findlay Rd. 419-227-1813 419-223-6100 www.neidertsmowers.com 40908332 Call for Details 419-331-3326 Say Goodbye to Summer 2170 Edgewood Dr 40908617 2340 Spencerville Rd. 419-229-2002 40908615 507 E. Kiracofe Ave. (St. Rt. 309) Elida, Ohio Edgewood Skate Arena 40908331 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 7E Roughriders ready to return to top of WBL By Jose Nogueras [email protected] SAINT MARYS – It appears the three-year plan for St. Marys head coach Doug Frye is right on track. After the Roughriders posted back to back winless seasons in 2012 and 2013, St. Marys recorded five overall wins in 2014 and six last year. And with 20 starting returners, St. Marys is poised to win more than six games and possibly compete for the Western Buckeye League title and a playoff spot. “When I took the job I really thought that it would three years for us to have an opportunity for us to get back to a competitive level. We got to the competitive level a little quicker than I thought.” Frye said being a little ahead of schedule was helped by having a dedicated coaching staff being members of the the teaching staff. The high expectations are there this year but Frye added that this has been the case for years at Memorial High School, which has won 22 WBL titles, has 15 playoff appearances (the last being in 2008) and four state titles. “Obviously this is St. Marys and we have had a lot of success in past years,” Frye said. “I think every coach will tell you your No. 1 goal is to have a winning season and compete for a league championship and every year when we sit down as coaches that is our No. 1 goal.” Led by senior quarterback Dustin Howell (6-2, 170), a three-year starter, and senior running back Eric Spicer (5-10, 175), who rushed for 1,214 yards and 10 touchdowns and a first-team all-league selection, the offense should be even better than last year. Running the Roughrider wing-t offense, Howell was 70 for 124 with 829 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. On the ground the Rider signal caller rushed for ST. MARYS OUTLOOK COACH: Doug Frey YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 3th , 11-9 (197-111 Overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-4 (5-4 WBL) DIVISION: III, Region 10 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 20 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seith Warniment (DB/SE), Bo Kuenning (RB/LB), Eric Spicer (RB/DB), Mat Patten (DE/TE), Drew Jacobs (DB/SE), Reed Aller (DL/TE), Dustin Howell (QB/DB), Seth Vorhees (TE/ DB), Austin Giesige (LB/WB), Braxton Roop (LB/WB), Michael Franks (DB/SE), Grant Keith (LB/RB), Gabe Vandever (K/P), Julius Fisher (LB/RB), TJ Mele (LB/ FB), William Bayham (DL/TE), Aaron McGraw (OT/DL), Tyler Miller (OG/LB), Garrett Lauth (OT/DL), PLAYER TO WATCH: Eric Spicer, an all-league selection at running back garnered more than 1,000 yards on the ground for the Roughriders and will be the main cog in the vaunted St. Marys running game this year. Roughrider running back Eric Spicer, who gained more than 1,000 yards in 2015, will spearhead the St. Marys offense this year. Don Speck | The Lima News seven touchdowns. “Those will be the two young men, from a skills standpoint, that jump out,” Frye said. Senior fullback Bo Kuenning (6-1, 215), who was injured on the first play of the season last year, should provide additional punch from the backfield. The Roughriders’ ground game accounted for 2,438 yards last season. Also returning on the offensive side are senior center Jonathon Peterson (5-10, 210), guard Joey Morlino 6-2, 220), junior tackle Garrett Lauth (6-2, 285) , and tight end Seth Vorhees (6-2, 210). Three-year senior starter Julius Fisher, who led the team with 102 tackles, is one of four returning linebackers on defense. Also back are senior T.J. Mele (37 tackles), junior Austin Giesige (87 tackles) and senior Grant Keith (82 tackles). Returning linemen are senior Matt Patten (6-2, 235), 63 tackles, junior Reed Aller (6-2, 235), 23 tackles, and senior William Bayham (6-3, 215), 56 tackles. Along with Spicer and Howell, the lone two ST. MARYS SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Sidney ...........................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Van Wert ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............St. Shawnee ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Kenton...........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Elida ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........At Bath ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Celina ............................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Defiance ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Wapakoneta ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Ottawa-Glandorf ...........................7 p.m. Riders two-way players, senior Drew Jacobs (5-10, 150), 19 tackles, will be back in the secondary, “We do have some experience,” Frye said. “First of all, just being together for three years and implementing a system and having a coaching staff that has been together for three years and having players in our program for that period of time and understanding our schemes allows us to move at a little quicker pace in the preseason.” Frye is a firm believer that in order for this team to succeed on both sides of the ball the Riders must be successful in the trenches and he says it is dependent on how his players mature and for some of the new players learning on the job at the varsity level. The Riders will be tested right off the bat when they face Sidney in their season opener. The Yellow Jackets, under the direction of Adam Dunges who is a former Rider and played under Frye, boast three Division I bound players including quarterback Andre Gordon, who is going to Iowa State. “Before we talk about the nine-game league schedule that opener won’t be an easy opener and obviously you have to look at Wapakoneta that has won two straight years and gone undefeated two straight years in the league as the favorite,” Frye said. “OttawaGlandorf, under Coach (Al) Schriner has had a lot of success. Those are the two teams among others that have jumped right out at you. I think Kenton and Bath return a ton of good. I think the entire league will be tough and balanced this year.” 40908774 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 8E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Titans inexperienced but optimistic By Jim Naveau OTTAWA-GLANDORF COACH: Ken Schriner YEARS AT SCHOOL: 21st year LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-4 DIVISION: IV, Region 12 RETURNING STARTERS: Connor Niese (RB) Sr.; Alex Hoehn (OL), Sr.; Daniel Beemer (DL) Jr.; Brett Llewellyn (DL), Jr.; Jay Kaufman (LB), Jr.; Logan Balbaugh (LB), Sr.; Trent Basinger (DB), Sr. OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 3-5 PLAYER TO WATCH: Quarterback Jay Kaufman will be in his first year as a starter at QB after being a starting linebacker in 2015. TOP NEWCOMERS: Brady Kuhlman (OL/DL), Evan Kaufman (RB/LB), Eric Racer (DL), Jake Schriner (WR/ DB), Tyler Kahle (OL/DL), Cam Remlinger (DB), Nathan Rump (WR/DB), Ben Wischmeyer (WR/DB), Jacob Dible (OL/DL), Riley Karhoff (OL/DL), Richie Knowlton (WR/LB), Chase Schreiber (LB), Chris Tippie (WR/DB), Caleb Verhoff (OL/DL), Logan Hoffman (OL/DL), Danny Rosales (LB), Dylan Tippie (LB/DB). [email protected] OTTAWA – With 19 winning seasons in the last 21 years, there are big expectations for Ottawa-Glandorf football teams even in years when the number of returning starters is small. The Titans have only seven returning starters this season. But turning the clock back just one year shows that number is not necessarily a roadblock to success. Last year’s O-G team brought back only five starters from 2014 and it finished 8-4 and went two rounds deep into the playoffs. “It’s always a goal of ours to win the WBL and get to the playoffs,” senior running back Connor Niese said. “O-G expects a lot out of its football team.” The Titans have just two returning starters on offense – lineman Alex Hoehn and Niese. On defense, linemen Daniel Beemer and Brett Llewellyn, linebackers Jay Kaufman and Logan Balbaugh and defensive back Trent Basinger are returning starters. For years, OttawaGlandorf was known as a power running team but the Titans will run a spread offense again this year, as they did last season when Zac Unterbrink threw for 2,323 yards. “Things have changed. It’s definitely a different world,” Ottawa-Glandorf coach Ken Schriner said. But the Titans might bring back a little of the old world this season after Unterbrink and his OTTAWA-GLANDORF SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............North Academy Prep ....................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Bath ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Van Wert ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Celina ............................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Shawnee ...................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Defiance ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Kenton...........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Wapakoneta ..............................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Elida ..............................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at St. Marys ...................................7 p.m. top two receivers, Logan McDermott and Bryce Utrup, graduated. Niese, a 6-foot, 1-inch, 175-pound senior, rushed for 1,081 yards last season and returned three punts for touchdowns. He could be getting the football even more this season and first-year quarterback Jay Kaufman could be involved in the running game more, or at least in different ways, than Unterbrink was. “We’re going to have to concentrate more on the run this year with the inexperience of Jay and the receivers are inexperienced too,” Schriner said. “Connor Niese is probably our main weapon as a running back right now. He had a heck of a year last year. We’re going to lean on him pretty heavily.” Kaufman, a 6-foot, 4-inch, 210-pound junior, was honorable mention All-WBL as a linebacker last season. He played quarterback at younger levels but did not play that position last season. “Zac had some great scramble ability. He had a knack of getting outside and making plays. Jay is a powerful runner, we are going to utilize him in the running game. We’re probably going to use him more as a runner than we did with Zac. But he also has a strong arm,” Schri- Dennis Saam | The Lima News Ottawa’s Connor Niese will be one of the Titans main weapons coming out of the backfield for OttawaGlandorf. and led the league in turnover margin at plus-10. The Titans had 24 takeaways and 14 turnovers themselves, including only one lost fumble in 10 regular-season games. “We do emphasize that a lot and we were very fortunate,” Schriner said. “I’ve been here 21 years and I keep track of those stats and we are plus (in ner said. Ottawa-Glandorf got into the playoffs last season after a two-year absence from the postseason. The Titans beat Indian Lake 23-15 in their postseason opener, then lost 42-14 to Columbus Hartley. O-G was third in the WBL in overall defense turnover margin) every year except two years and those are the two years I’ve had losing seasons.” The Titans will open the season Friday night at home against a Canadian team, North Academy Clarkson Prep, located in surburban Toronto. Reach Jim Naveau at567-242-0414 or on Twitter at @Lima_Navaeu. WESTERN BUCKEYE LEAGUE FORECAST By Jim Naveau [email protected] 1. WAPAKONETA: The Redskins (12-1, 9-0 WBL) have had back-to-back undefeated regular seasons the last two years. And with 15 returning lettermen, led by linebacker Landon Hall (1st-team AllWBL), kicker Tristan Meyer (special mention All-Ohio), OL/DL John Bourne (1st-team All-WBL), and TE/DE Kais Chiles (1st-team All-WBL), they look strong again. 2. ST. MARYS: The Roughriders (6-4, 5-4 WBL) have 15 returning starters from last season’s 6-4 team and hope the rebuilding project takes another big step forward this season. Eric Spicer ran for 1,213 yards last season. 3. OTTAWA-GLANDORF: The Titans (8-4, 6-3 WBL) have only two returning starters on offense and five on defense but reaching the playoffs is an annual expectation at O-G. Connor Niese rushed for 1,081 yards and was honorable mention All-WBL. Jay Kaufman, a starting linebacker last year as a sophomore, takes over for record-setting quarterback Zac Unterbrink. 4. BATH:Bo Gross was second-team All-Ohio as a linebacker and rushed for 725 yards last season for the Wildcats (7-3, 6-3 WBL). Quarterback Kaden Sullivan is expected to be improved as a passer. He rushed for a teamhigh 1,367 yards and threw for 679 yards. Replacing four of five starters on the offensive line could be the big question. 5. ELIDA: The Bulldogs (6-4, 5-4 WBL) need to replace quarterback Logan Alexander, but they have running back Cole Harmon (1,090 yards) and several returning receivers on offense and 10 returning starters on defense. 6. CELINA: The Bulldogs (7-4, 7-2 WBL) hope to build on last year’s success when they reached the playoffs for the first time since 1998. 7. VAN WERT: The Cougars (5-5, 4-5 WBL) lost three games by one point and two others by a touchdown or less. The “skill” positions might be their strength. Finding replacements for five offensive linemen could be the key to the season. 8. KENTON: Having threeyear starter Trent Hites and several veteran receivers back could mean the Wildcats (2-8, 2-7 WBL) will improve on last season’s record. 9. DEFIANCE: Kevin Kline takes over for Jerry Buti, who resigned after last season, his 26th at Defiance. The other makeover for the Bulldogs (2-8, 1-8 WBL) is the installation of artificial turf at their stadium. 10. SHAWNEE:New coach Frank Crea was Lima Senior’s defensive coordinator the last several years and has brought a variation of Mike Fell’s version of the spread offense with him. Reach Jim Naveau at567-242-0414 or on Twitter at @Lima_Navaeu. 2016 Ottawa-Glandorf TITANS 40908319 IN OTTAWA SINCE 1933 Hours Monday thru Thursday - 9am-7pm Friday - 9am-5pm, Saturday - 9am-3pm Closed Sundays and holidays Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook! 40908320 EVERETT SCHMENK INSURANCE AGENCY, INC CALL US AT (419) 523-6539 OR [email protected] 40908326 GO TITANS! Ottawa True Value 114 Meadow Glen Dr. | Ottawa, OH 45875 40908324 419-523-3197 [email protected] Go Titans! Buckeye Pool Service & Trucking Inground Pool Installation Chemicals & Pool Supplies “Home of the Titan Burger” SCREEN PRINTING & EMBROIDERY Ground Fresh Daily 40908322 40908325 Serving area counties for over 50 years 272 N. Agner St. Ottawa, OH 45875 419-523-3871 1206 E Main St 419-523-3185 40908323 Firearms | Custom Laser Engraving On Site Gunsmiths | Handguns 1702 E. Main • Ottawa • 419-523-5262 102 Liberty St Columbus Grove 419-659-5151 408 N Elm St Ottawa 419-523-5151 www.IrwinRealEstate.com 40908321 122 West Main St., Ottawa, OH 45875 419-523-9006 419-523-4866 [f] 40908327 www.phantasmdesigns.com FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 9E Crea hoping to redirect Indians By Mark Altstaetter [email protected] SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP – First-year Shawnee head football coach Frank Crea didn’t have much time to make plans for summer conditioning. With the late resignation of coach Jon Carpenter on June 30th, Crea did not get hired until toward the end of summer workouts. Carpenter resigned after one year. However, the late start hasn’t affected Crea’s outlook on what he needs to accomplish at a school that has not seen a winning season since the 2009 campaign (7-3). In 2011, Shawnee went 5-5. The Indians were 0-10 in 2015. “When I officially got hired, it was July the 18th,” Crea said. “So, in that two weeks’ time I had to first of all, try to find coaches. And I have a great young staff of coaches that are energetic, that love coaching football as much as I do. They just love being around our kids. “I got all the coaches to buy in to what I want as a football team. One thing I stress to my coaches is that I want to have fun, because football is supposed to be fun. It’s an extracurricular activity. I want them to have fun playing football. I want them to have a good experience playing football like I did. I’m from Youngstown. Football was huge over there when I was a kid growing up.” Crea said it’s going to be a process; one that he believes can result in a winning program. “One, we’re trying to stay positive. Two, we’re trying to build some excitement. And three, we’re trying to get the kids to buy into our system. I think they are right now,” he said. “That’s been tough. Most high school coaches get a year to plan their stuff out. We got two weeks (before August 1). We implemented an offense. We implemented a defense. We implemented team rules. We got a nice weight room program going on right now. It’s amazing what we have done in two weeks.” Jose Nogueras | The Lima News Frank Crea, longtime assistant at Ada and Lima Senior, takes over the head coaching chores at Shawnee this year. Despite being around the football program for a short time, the players said Crea’s impact has been felt already. Senior quarterback Ray Manley (6-0, 150), who has been in the program all four years of high school, feels confident about the possibilities for his team. “I hope we do good this season,” Manley said. “We’re really coming together as a team. We just need to keep up with the tempo. “We have a new offensive scheme and everything. This offense is new for us. We have speed. We have great linemen that can block for us. We just have to get the ball outside. We want to have a winning season, get to the playoffs and just go on from there.” Added senior Mitchell Shirk (6-3, 220, OL/DL), “We’re all very excited. We’re super happy to See SHAWNEE | 10E Bulldogs want to stay healthy, build on last year CELINA OUTLOOK COACH: Trent Temple YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: fourth, 19-12 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 7-4 (7-2 WBL) DIVISION: IV RETURNING LETTERMEN: 12 RETURNING STARTERS: Ryan Harter (RB/FS), Blake Norton (OL/DE), Austin Boeckman (OL/DE), Isaiah Eichler (DE/LB), Lance Orick (LB/RB), Kole Murlin (LB/ WR), Dillon Hoying (DB/WR), Ian Hawkins (DL), Tyler Ross (OL, DL) Seth Huston (DL), Brett Schwieterman (QB/DB) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-2 PLAYER TO WATCH: Sophomore Brett Schwieterman takes over as the Bulldog signal caller and brings smarts and speed to the position. TOP NEWCOMERS: Brett Schwieterman (QB/DB), Isaac Daniels On offense the majority of the line comes back along with some skill players but as Temple puts it, “We have the most inexperience at the most important spot and that is quarterback. Brett Schwieterman, a sophomore will get the nod as the Bulldogs signal caller. Temple describes Schwieterman as the opposite of three-year starter and graduate Hoyng. “Brett is 5-7 and pretty fast and Caleb was 6-5 and not nearly as fast,” Temple said. “He is one of the smartest kids I know and can make the throw when he has to. So I think teams will initially stack the box but when he shows he can throw he will be tough to defend.” Primarily a running team, Hoyng was the team’s leading rusher with more than 800 yards and Schwieterman is expected to exceed those numbers. Even though Temple is high on his new signal Celina’s Seth Huston, a two year starter at linebacker, was a secondteam All-WBL performer for the Bulldogs last year. caller’s smarts and speed, the Celina head coach also understands he will experience some growing pains. The Bulldogs defense should be Celina’s strong point with a wealth of talent up front, two linebackers returning and Ryan Harter anchoring CELINA SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Versailles .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Elida ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Bath...............................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........at Ottawa-Glandorf .......................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Defiance ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........Wapakoneta ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at St. Marys ...................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Van Wert ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Shawnee .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Kenton ......................................7 p.m. the secondary. Harter, one of the Bulldogs captains, is a three-year starter at free safety. Also a key component to the Celina defense is sophomore lineman Seth Huston, who was a second-team all-WBL selection. “He is one of those players who doesn’t stay blocked,” Temple said. “He goes out and makes plays.” Junior Ian Hawkins is also a lineman Temple said is a difference maker. Returning linebackers for the Bulldogs include senior Lance Orick and the versatile Kole Murlin at middle linebacker. 2016 Shawnee THE COMPUTER GUY INDIANS Good Luck Indians (in most cases) 419-229-3646 www.hefnerstv.com Darin Laman 419-991-8457 • Commercial • Residential Good Luck 40908337 (Formerly Shawnee Dry Cleaners) Repairs Completed Same Day As Appointment 712 N. EASTOWN ROAD, LIMA 40908849 419-222-1840 2216 Shawnee Rd. Your In-House Repair Specialist Good Luck INDIANS! Owner: Jeff Thiery 40908336 Shawnee High School Staff Wishes a Successful Season to All of our Athletes “Our defense is going to be good,” Temple said. “If don’t have much depth but if we can stay healthy our defense will be tough.” With a tough opener against Versailles followed by games against Elida and Bath, Temple said if they can get through these games before entering the meat of their lineup with Ottawa-Glandorf, Defiance and Wapakoneta, and garner some confidence he said he feels his team can vie for the WBL title. “If we can get some momentum early we should do well,” Temple said. 40908845 CELINA – By the time Celina had reached the first round of the playoffs, the Bulldogs were bruised and battered and it showed when they were bumped off in the first round by TrotwoodMadison. “We had lost six starters by the week eight and that was tough,” Celina head coach Trent Temple said. “We got into some major issues with injuries.” Temple said he believes if the Bulldogs, who bring back eight returners on offense and nine on defense, can avoid the injuries this year and get out of the gate quickly they should be in the mix for the league title and have a shot at making the playoffs. Even though the Bulldogs lost some key skilled players such as Jacob Stolly, Justin Keeling and quarterback Caleb Hoyng, Temple remains optimistic this season due to the number of the key players returning to the offensive and defensive line. “That where it all starts,” Temple said. “We have a lot of talented players on the line and that is a positive for us.” With an experienced team, Temple said during the preseason the team has been “fine tuning and knocking of some of the rust.” Returning to the trenches for the Bulldogs will be Blake Norton (center/defensive end), Austin Boeckman (offensive line/defensive end) and Tyler Ross (defensive tackle/offensive line). 2340 Spencerville Rd. 419-229-2002 1806 N. West St. 801 Findlay Rd. 419-227-1813 419-223-6100 40908335 [email protected] 40908621 By Jose Nogueras FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 10E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Van Wert looks to close out games By Mark Altstaetter [email protected] VAN WERT – Sometimes there’s not much difference between having a good season and having a fantastic one. For Van Wert, the difference in 2015 of having a .500 season and an undefeated one, was just 14 points. That was the total point difference in the Cougars’ five losses (5-5 overall, 4-5 Western Buckeye League). “It was disturbing and heart-wrenching,” Van Wert coach Keith Recker said. “To think we were within 14 points of being 10-0, but ended up 5-5. We have to get over the hump and win these close games. “Coming into this season, it was a concern. Last year, we thought we could win more than five games, but then we lose some tough ones. But, this group has been very motivated this summer and has worked very hard. Our coaching staff looks at it as; last year we took it to 5-5, so this year, we need to take it to the next level. I really think if we would have gone like 7-3 the year before (2014), that maybe we would have won some of those close games last year. It’s just learning how to win.” The Cougars lost several key players from last year, including quar- Shawnee From page 9E have Coach Crea with us. We’re all looking to VAN WERT OUTLOOK COACH: Keith Recker YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: fifth, N/A LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-5 (4-5 WBL) DIVISION: IV RETURNING LETTERMEN: 8 RETURNING STARTERS: Nick Gutierrez (Sr., WR/DB); Marcel Salcido (Sr., OL/DL); Evan Williams (Sr., RB/LB); Matt Reichert (Sr., HB/DL); Jacoby Kelly (Jr., WR/DB); Jordon Danylchuk (Jr., OL.DL); Izyk Redding (Jr., OL/DL) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 3-3 PLAYER TO WATCH: Jacoby Kelly will be called upon to pick up some of the load on the offensive side of the football, due to graduations. Last season, Kelly showed signs of being a threat with both the run and pass. TOP NEWCOMERS: Brock Berry (Sr., OL/DL); Storm Pierce (Jr., QB/OLB) VAN WERT SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Bryan ............................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............St. Marys .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at Ottawa-Glandorf .......................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Shawnee .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Kenton ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........Elida ..............................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Bath ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Celina ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Defiance ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Wapakoneta ..............................7 p.m. terback Colin Smith, who will be playing collegiately at Davenport University, an NAIA school in Michigan. Last season, Smith passed for 1,285 yards (11 touchdowns) and rushed for 1,172 (19 TDs). “Last year, teams would put eight up front and Colin (Smith) would just find a hole to run in,” Recker said. “This year, I think we will be able to pass it a little more, and not just be a running team.” Also gone from last season is running back Justice Tussing, who rushed for 774 yards and nine scores. Recker said there are viable replacements for these two key skill positions. Recker points to Jacoby Kelly as the starting tailback. At the quarterback position, sophomore Lawson Blackmore (6-4, 180) and junior Storm Pierce (6-0, 170) will be vying for the starting role. “With Lawson, he hurt his shoulder playing ACME (baseball). So, having fun and looking to get after it.” Crea has been around football for quite some time. Most recently, Crea was the defensive coordinator at Lima Senior the past three seasons under head coach Mike Fell. Before that, Crea was the defensive coordinator at Ada from 2006-2012, once again under Fell. In 2000, Crea was Dominion Wishes All the Area Schools a Safe & Successful Football Season! Dennis Saam | The Lima News Van Wert’s Evan Williams returns as one of the eight letterswinners back for the Cougars. he’s just started (working out). We will have to see how he does,” Recker said. “Storm has done a really nice job so far. So, we’re not sure who will start at this point.” In all, Van Wert lost 19 letterwinners to graduation, while having just eight returning this sea- briefly the head coach at Upper Scioto Valley, a season that ended after one game when USV did not field enough players to complete its schedule. From 1986-1999, Crea coached the offensive line and special teams at Lima Senior. He also was an assistant coach at Perry. Crea is bringing many of the same ideas he utilized over the years, on both sides of the football. “If you watched Lima Senior and you watched Ada, you’ll be watching us (Shawnee),” Crea said. “Now, we do have a few wrinkles that we’re not going to tell people about. “Defensively, we’re a multiple 3-5-3 front, where we can move guys around and make it a multiple front defense. I think with today’s football you have to have a multiple-front defense. It’s the same defense we ran at Lima Senior. “Our main thing is to hustle, hustle, hustle. Hustle and communication are the two things we preach,” he said. Despite the recent struggles for the Shawnee football program, Crea is confident. “I don’t look at it as a challenge,” Crea said. “I look at it as an opportunity for me and my coaches.” son. The Cougars will continue to run the spread offense. Besides having a new combination in the backfield, Van Wert will be trying to find the right mixture in the trenches. “The biggest concern is replacing the five guys up front (offensive line),” he said. “We have some guys that can probably fill those spots. But, we have like three or four tackles, who might have to learn a new position up front. So, it’s going to take some time for them to learn their position.” Defensively, Van Wert will employ a 3-3 scheme. Shawnee running back Grant Wheeler will be a main member of the Indians’ backfield. Dominion Wishes All the Area Schools a Successful & Safe Football Season! SHAWNEE OUTLOOK COACH: Frank Crea YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: first, N/A LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 0-10 (0-9 WBL) DIVISION: III RETURNING LETTERMEN: 24 RETURNING STARTERS: Jalen Bagley (Sr., WR/DB); Ray Manley (Sr.); Jacob Chontos (Jr., WR/LB); Cain Bentz (Jr., WR/LB); Grant Wheeler (Jr., RB/DB); Doug Coby (Jr., WR/LB); Christian Ford (Soph., WR); JaBrill Williams (Sr., WR/DB); Javion Daniels (Jr., WR/DB); Kyle Kaplan (Sr., RB/LB); Jacob Cowan (So., WR/LB); Ivan Smith (Jr., RB/LB); Rakim Hawthorne (Sr., RB/ LB); Austin Adams (So., RB/LB); Noah Hanjora (Sr., RB/ LB); Dylan Bentz (Sr., OL/DL); Jared Evans ( Jr., OL/DL); Marcus VanMeter (So., OL/DL); Dominic DeLuca (Sr., OL/LB); Adam Lewis (Jr., OL/DL); Spencer Jordan (Sr., OL/LB); Nolan Cox (Sr., OL/LB); Mitchell Shirk (Sr., OL/ DL); Ryan Frazier (Sr., OL/DL) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: Multiple 3-5-3 front PLAYER TO WATCH: Last season, Jalen Bagley led the WBL in receiving yards with 694. Bagley hauled in 46 passes for six TDs. TOP NEWCOMERS: N/A SHAWNEE SCHEDULE Aug. 27 ............at Delphos Jefferson .....................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Wapakoneta ..............................7 p.m. Sept. 9……….St. Marys...........................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........at Van Wert ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........Ottawa-Glandorf ...........................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........Kenton...........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Elida ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Bath...............................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............at Celina ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Defiance ........................................7 p.m. DEFIANCE 40909080 DEFIANCE OUTLOOK COACH: Kevin Kline YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 1st, 0-0 (5827 Overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 2-8 (1-8 WBL) DIVISION: III, Region 8 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11 KEY RETURNING STARTERS: Austin Ehrlinger (DB/WR), Cameron Layne (OL/DL), Eric Lee (RB/LB), Jackson Meter (TE/DL), Jarrett Jimenz (WR/DB) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 3-3 Stack PLAYERS TO WATCH: Austin Ehrlinger was a two-way starter for the Bulldogs last year. He is a leader and one of the most experienced returning players on Defiance. DEFIANCE SCHEDULE Aug. 25 ........ at Napolean ........ 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ......... Kenton ................ 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ......... Elida .................... 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ....... at Bath ................ 7 p.m. Sept. 23 ....... Celina.................. 7 p.m. Sept. 30....... O-G ..................... 7 p.m. Oct. 7 ........... at Wapakoneta ... 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ......... St Marys ............. 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ......... at Van Wert ......... 7 p.m. Oct. 28......... at Shawnee......... 7 p.m. TOP NEWCOMERS: Braden Frederick (QB/DB), Gino Rubio (RB/LB), Marc Celestine (OL/DL), John Garza (WR/DB), Gage Bright (LB/OL). FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 11E Redskins’ goals remain the same despite loss of key players By Jose Nogueras [email protected] WAPAKONETA – For the past two years, the Wapakoneta Redskins were one game away from making it to to the top four teams in the state in Division III. But with only four starters returning on offense and three starters on defense, the Redskin returners will need to rely on what they have learned in the last two years of winning the Western Buckeye League title and going undefeated through the regular season and pass some of that winning mojo along to their inexperienced teammates if they want to reach the regional finals much less garner a third straight WBL title. Even though Wapakoneta head coach Travis Moyer watched one of the most successful and talented Redskin senior classes graduate that included Corey Crawford, the WBL Offensive lineman of the year, Cameron Lauck, the WBL Offensive back of the year, and a host of WBL All-league selections, the Redskin mentor said this team’s goals have not change. “We have been fortunate to have some great accomplishments in here the last two years,” Moyer said. “With that has come a lot of hard work and with that we got a group here that hopefully benefits from those experiences.” Moyer said there are no guarantees of the team continuing the same success and it will take hard work, improvement and coming together as one squad with the same goal to continue what the Redskins have built. Maintaining that potent offense will be tough to repeat. The Redskins led the league in rushing touchdowns with 36 and scoring average with 34.8 points per game in 2016. Returning to the offense are first-team WBL selection and honorable mention Northwest District choice senior tight end Kais Chiles, known more for his blocking, had 10 receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown. Also back are two senior lineman Ryan Loudon (5-9, 225) and John Bourne (6-2, 235) and junior Tyler Jenkins (6-2, 225). “We realistically have only return three starters from last year’s team and with that turnover comes,” Moyer said. “We will have new faces at new positions in terms of guys starting. We are going to need those guys to step up. Moyer said their offensively philosophy has not changed and that is to do whatever takes to be successful. In the Redskins case you might see a more balanced attack instead of being heavyrelying primarily on the run. Senior running back Landon Hall (6-2, 215) is a returning letterwinner who primarily made his mark on defense as a WBL first-team selection linebacker, appears to be the Redskins main man to carry the ball. Last year he recorded 274 yards and five touchdowns. Also back is running back Rob Gerstner (5-11, 185) and newcom- WAPAKONETA SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............at Bellefontaine.............................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Shawnee .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............atKenton .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ........... at Elida .........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........Bath...............................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Celina ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Defiance ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Ottawa-Glandorf ...........................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............St. Marys .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Van Wert ........................................7 p.m. ers Lucas Shade (5-8, 155) at wide receiver and Adam Walter (5-11, 190) and Austin Birkmeier (6-0, 245) on the offensive line. “It’s our goal to be balanced,” Moyer said. “We really want to be balanced. When we break it down at the end of the game we would love to be 60 percent run and40 percent pass if we could. If it means us throwing it 25 to 30 times a game to win a game then that is what we will do.” Moyer adds that for them to throw the ball the players have to prove they can throw it, catch it and protect it. With major changes facing the Redskin offense, significant changes will also be seen on the defensive side of the ball. In 2015 the Redskins were No. 1 in team rushing touchdowns defense allowed, 6, team passing defense, 85.6 yards a game, team passing touchdowns allowed, 6, and scoring defense, 9.9 points scored. The aforementioned Hall returns after a 2016 season of 76 tackles, two interceptions and nine tackles for loss. Also back to anchor the defense are senior defensive lineman Logan Ricker (5-8, 240) who had 16.5 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss, and linebacker Markus South who had 37.5 tackles, two sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. Senior returning letterwinners Tyler Copeland (5-8, 150), who had 16.4 tackles and two interceptions and Maddux Lyles (5-10, 175), who had 36.5 tackles and two interceptions will be in the defensive backfield. Junior defensive back and senior linebacker Cordell Newman (5-10, 175) returns after earning his first letters last year. Players looking to get playing time idenified by Moyer are senior Jarrod Bly (6-0, 185), defensive back Gabby Dulebohn (5-5, 150) and linebacker Cal Miller (5-11, 170). “It is kind of the same story we have offensively,” Moyer said. “We return only three starters on defense. We say good-bye to some very good football players. With those new faces in new spots, we need them to step up and rise up to the expectations of those positions. Our goal is always to create as many turnovers as we can and obviously limit the amount of points that we give up. “I am a firm believer in that if you are going to win championships you have to play exceptional WAPAKONETA OUTLOOK COACH: Travis Moyer YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 3rd, 24-2 (142-30 Overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-1 (9-0 WBL) DIVISION: III, Region 10 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 15 RETURNING STARTERS: Tyler Jenkins (OL, Jr.); John Bourne (OL/DL, Sr.), Ryan Lowden (OL, Sr.); Kais Chiles (TE/DE, Sr.); Logan Ricker (OL/DL, Sr.); Markus South (RB/LB, Sr.), Landon Hall (RB/LB). OFFENSE: Wing T DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Landon Hall returns after being named first-team WBL Defense. The agile Hall covers lots of ground and can go sideline to sideline and play in space. With his speed, Hall also brings strength. He recorded 76 tackles, two interceptions and recorded nine tackles for loss. TOP NEWCOMERS: Jarrod Ble (TE/LB, Sr.); Adam Walter (OL, Sr.); Alex Walter (DL, Sr.); Austin Burkmeier (OL, Sr.); Gabby Dulebohn (DB, Sr.): Lucas Shade (WR, Sr.); Cal Miller (LB, Sr.). defense and I know our staff is putting the kids in the right positions to be successful and then it is our kids having the confidence to compete on a high level on the defensive side of the football field on a Friday night.” One intangible that could be a game changing component for the Redskins is their senior kicker Tristen Meyer. The WBL kicking specialist of the year and special mention, All-Northwest District made six field goals last year and 47 point after attempts. Early reports have Meyer consistently kicking long field goals of 45-plus. “It really is a great luxury,” Moyer said. “Having a great kicker and a punter makes your special teams really look great at times. Fortunately we return Tristan Meyer who had kicked for us since his sophomore year. He is an all-ohio type caliber kicker that we have great confidence in because he works so hard.” Moyer added that he gives the Redskins a chance to score every time they are in the red zone. Even with the Redskins having plenty of holes to fill, teams will be gunning for the two-time WBL champions and Moyer said he understands this but at the same time reiterates the the league is always tough and putting together winning seasons is a challenge every year. “We have high expectations every year,” Moyer said. “We have graduated two great senior classes back-to-back and our goals haven’t changed. We still expect to compete for a league championship. We expect to make the playoffs and hopefully one day win a state championship. “When you have those type of goals. We have that expectation. We understand that. We understand we are going to get every teams best shot and with that comes a price.” Is this your idea of a Home Security System? 2016 Wapakoneta Good Maybe you should rethinkLuck your protection! Home Security Systems with Redskins! no monthly fee by no monthly fee by Call today for Residential Security Systems 40908605 419-657-2222 REDSKINS The Name You Can Trust Since 1984 211 E. AUGLAIZE STREET DOWNTOWN WAPAK Go Redskins!! Join us for SALES OPEN: MON & WED 8:30-8; TUES, THURS 8:30-6; FRI 8:30-5:30; SAT 9-2 419.492.6937 Eric Oen 40908608 104 E. Mason Rd., Sidney Good Luck Redskins! From your friends at Ron Gossard Josh Steinke 40908604 419-738-2164 Open House Sept. 23 & 24 40908786 Wishing all Athletes a GREAT Season!! St. Rt. 65 – Uniopolis 419-738-8424 Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat. 8-12 www.millerbrostire.com 1257 Bellefontaine St, Wapakoneta 419-738-0474 40908853 Pharmacy 419-738-0490 Monday – Friday 9am-9pm | Saturday 9am-7pm | Sunday 10am-6pm • Brake, Alignment & Suspension • Sport & Custom Wheels • On the Road and On the Farm Services Family Owned & Operated Since 1954 40908606 Open 24 Hours FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News 40906067 12E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 Thursday, August 25, 2016 13E Players to watch JADEN WALKER HUNTER BINKLEY RECE RONEY Lima Senior (5-11, 175, Senior) Running Back Walker, a firstteam, All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference selection, lit up offenses for 1,609 yards on 181 carries with 26 touchdowns. The fleetfooted All state performer should have Richard Parrish | The Lima News another electrifying season on offense. He is also a talent as a defensive back where he possesses speed and strength at the position. Delphos Jefferson (5-10, 180, Senior) Running back Binkley was a first-team All-Northwest Conference selection and a Division IV second-team, All-Ohio pick after rushing for 1,165 yards on 160 carries and 16 Richard Parrish | The Lima News touchdowns. As a state qualifier in wrestling, Binkley will be a force to reckon with on the ground. Columbus Grove (6-3, 280 Sr.) Offensive line As the anchor of the Columbus Grove offensive line, Roney was a first-team, All-Northwest Conference choice and a Division IV All-Ohio special mention selection. Amanda Wilson| The Lima News Being watched by several colleges, he paves the way for the Grove running and provides protection for the quarterback with equal efficiency. DARIUS COLLINS TRISTAN MEYER DAKOTA PRICHARD Lima Senior (6-2, 280, Senior) Offensive line Collins was a first-team All-Three Rivers selection at tackle his junior year. Collins was a major factor in the Spartans high octane offense scoring points. He also made the Division II All-Ohio team Richard Parrish | The Lima News as a special mention and will be watched by plenty of scouts this year. Wapakoneta (6-0, 160 Sr.) Place kicker Place kickers are rarely a factor at the high school level but Meyer has the leg that could make a difference in games for Wapakoneta. As a junior, Meyer kicked three field goals and made 47 extra points. He was Photo Courtesy | Tom Hendrixson the kicking specialist of the year in the Western Buckeye League and a Division III All-Ohio specialist. He already has an offer from the University of Findlay to kick for the Oilers. Spencerville (6-3, 210, senior) Defensive line Prichard, a first-team All-Northwest Conference selection, was a mainstay on the Spencerville defensive line and was part of the defense that led the league in rushing Jose Nogueras | The Lima News defense (96.2). He was also a special mention Division III AllOhio choice. BO GROSS ERIC SPICER DAKOTA BRICKER Bath (6-1, 220, senior) Linebacker The first-team All-Western Buckeye League Wildcat at linebacker recorded 83 tackles and 10 sacks on the defense that led the league in team rushing defense, allowing just 92.2 yards on Richard Parrish | The Lima News the ground, and total team defense that allowed 204.1 yards a game. St. Marys (5-10, 175 Senior) Running back By gaining more than 1,200 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns, Spicer earned first-team All-WBL honors and with a host of Roughriders returning on offense, he should be the focal point Richard Parrish | The Lima News again this year for the vaunted St. Marys running game that rushed for more than 2,400 yards in 2016. Bluffton (5-7, 509) Wide Receiver With the Pirates, the first-team AllNWC selection, hauled in 40 catches for 509 yards and five toudhowns. The Bluffton receiver, who can also line up in the backfield, makes the big catches in the Photo Courtesy | Troy Briedenbach middle for the Pirates and keeps the chains moving. JACE STOCKWELL AUSTIN SLOAN CHASE SUMNER Delphos Jefferson (5-11, 175) Quarterback/ Defensive back The Wildcat signal caller received second-team allleague honors in the NWC last year after throwing for 1,169 yards and 15 touchdowns with only one interception in the regular Richard Parrish | The Lima News season. He also showed great ability to run the ball when called upon. And while he is a great offensive weapon, he may even be better on defense in the secondary. He has great open field tackling abilities and a nose for the football. Upper Scioto Valley (5-10, 170) Running back/ Defensive back With speed to burn, Sloan, a first-team All-NWCC performer, rushed for 1,447 yards with 14 carries and more than 1,800 total yards. A track Photo provided standout, Sloan is considered one of the fastest player in the league and will also do some damage on the defensive side of the ball. Ada (5-9, 140) Defensive back Sumner, who was a firstteam All-NWC selection and a first team All-Northwest District performer, in 2016 recorded 82 tackles and seven interceptions and should be the anchor of Photo courtesy of Teri Salyer the Bulldog secondary that will boast two other returners. In his junior year, he qualified for state in wrestling and the physical Sumner also brings quickness to his game 40909332 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 14E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Dennis Saam | The Lima News Caleb Spencer, who was second team all-NWC last year at running back returns for the Mustangs. He ran for 626 yards (7.0 average) with five TDs. Spencer also had 26 receptions for 545 yards and six TDs. That gave him over 1,100 yards from scrimmage. Allen East has high expectations in 2016 By Tom Usher [email protected] HARROD – Allen East football is back on the map. First, there’s the comfy and squishy new field turf at the stadium this year. Then, there’s the fact that the Mustangs return 14 starters from a team that went 6-4 last year. “It had been about 10 years since we had a winning season and that’s the bright side of it,” Allen East coach Mike Abbey said. “The down side was we let a couple games slip away. But we had a strong offseason and we have a strong senior class coming back.” Then, there’s the turf, which includes painted blue end zones, with “Allen East” at one end and “Mustangs” painted in white at the other. “It was finished a month early so we’ve been out on that turf and it has been exciting,” Abbey said. “It definitely brings a different energy out there.” Gone are Logan Schick, who ran for 1,000 yards as a junior, and first team allNorthwest Conference offensive lineman Logan Emerick. The Mustangs will have six starters back on offense and eight on defense, with many going both ways. Senior Spencer Miller is back at quarterback. In the Wing-T offense, out of the shotgun, Miller threw for 1,082 yards and 11 TDs. He also ran for 468 yards (5.8 average) with six TDs. “Spencer is our leader. He has a great understanding of our offense,” Abbey said. “Spencer has complete control of our offense.” The bulk of the offense will feature wingback Caleb Spencer, who was second team all-NWC last year at running back. He ran for 626 yards (7.0 average) with five TDs. Spencer also had 26 receptions for 545 yards and six TDs. That gave him over 1,100 yards from scrimmage. “Caleb brings speed number one,” Abbey said. “His speed and athleticism are probably the best we’ve had around here in a while. ALLEN EAST SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Van Buren......................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............At Perry .........................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at Waynesfield...............................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........DJefferson.....................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Bluffton .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........Paulding ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Bath ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Celina ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Defiance ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Wapakoneta ..............................7 p.m. Caleb could be something special. I think he’s a D-II (college) athlete. … Spencer and Caleb together are pretty outstanding.” Another returning wingback is Kyle Nickles, who ran for 321 yards and three TDs. He also had eight receptions for 98 yards. Also back is fullback Brent Wilson, who ran for 192 yards and two TDs. The Mustangs return two on the offensive line in seniors guard Blaine Blankenship and tackle Travis Goodin. “We do have to do a little bit of replacing there (on the offensive line), so on offense, that’s our question mark,” Abbey said. One of spots on the line will be handled by Johnny Brinkman, a starter at defensive tackle, who now will also play guard. Veterans joining Brinkman on the defensive line are nose guard Schuyler Caprella and defensive tackle Jesse Erevia (34 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks). Caprella is a wrestler for Abbey, the longtime successful Allen East wrestling coach. Returning at linebacker in the Allen East 3-5 defense are Wilson (49 tackles, 8 tackles for loss) at outside linebacker and Austin Tafe at inside linebacker. “Our leader on defense is Brent Wilson at linebacker. He knows our defense well,” Abbey said. “He’ll play inside and outside.” Miller returns as the ALLEN EAST OUTLOOK COACH: Mike Abbey YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 6th, 16-37 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-4 (3-4 NWC) DIVISION: VI RETURNING LETTERMEN: 13 RETURNING STARTERS: Spencer Miller (Sr., QB/S); Brent Wilson (Sr., RB/OLB); Caleb Smelcer (Sr., WB/ CB); Kyle Nickles (Jr., WB); Blaine Blankenship (Sr., G); Travis Goodin (Sr., OT); Schuyler Caprella (Sr., NG); Shane Gipson (Sr., S); Austin Tafe (Sr., LB); Johnny Brinkman (Sr., DT); Jesse Erevia (Sr., DT). OFFENSE: Wing-T out of the shotgun DEFENSE: 3-5 PLAYER TO WATCH: Wingback Caleb Smelcer ran for 626 yards and had 545 yards receiving to give him over 1,100 yards from scrimmage. At cornerback, he had four interceptions. Look for him to be the main force on offense. TOP NEWCOMERS: Kain Foster (Sr., WR); Trent Joseph (Sr., C); Josh Cox (Jr., OT); Chris Kleman (Sr., WR). starting safety. Smelcer will start at cornerback. Smelcer had four interceptions last year and was first team all-NWC on defense. Also back is safety Shane Gipson (28 tackles, 3 interceptions). Once again, Cam Staley will coach the defense. “We saw a great improvement on defense last year,” Abbey said. “We only gave up 153 points in the league and I know we gave up well over 200 points the last few years.” With the winning season last year, expectations are much higher this season. “We have to play as team and we have to have great discipline, on the football field and off the football field,” Abbey said. “Defensively, we still have to keep getting better. We have to be able to stop the run. And we have to be more physical up front. … Offensively, we have to take care of the football. “It should be a great, exciting year with the field.” 2016 Allen East MUSTANGS Good Luck 2340 Spencerville Rd. 419-229-2002 1806 N. West St. 801 Findlay Rd. 419-227-1813 419-223-6100 40908625 40908338 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 15E Don Speck | The Lima News If Wapakoneta is going to continue its domination in the WBL they are going to have to replace a number of key players including Cameron Lauck (23). 2016 guide to area football By Jose Nogueras [email protected] 1. Which teams have the best chance of returning to the state championship games in Columbus? Three teams, all from the Mid Athletic Conference, Fort Recovery, Marion Local and Coldwater played in a state championship game in 3025. Of those, Fort Recovery and Coldwater were victorious with Marion Local coming up just two points short. Coldwater will have its hands full trying to keep its streak of going to the state title game seven times and winning the last four as they return just three starters from last year’s state champions. However never count out the Cavaliers who have one of the best programs in the state. Fort Recovery returns nine letter winners and just four starters. However, Both quarterback Caleb Martin and Will Homan, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards is also back. Not to mention senior linebacker Jason Roessner who recorded 126 tackles and Andrew Stocker who had 96 tackles and 11.5 sacks. With 29 returning letters winners back, Marion Local looks to be poised for another trip to Columbus. And let’s not forget about Minster. 2. Outside of the MAC, who has the best shot at state? There are a lot of high powered teams out there ready to make a run. Wapakoneta, which has won the WBL the last two years and made it to the regional finals, graduated a lot of talent but it also returns a corps of solid players. Delphos Jefferson, who under the guidance of signal caller Jace Stockwell,went undefeated in the NWC, are hungry after losing in the second round of the playoffs last year. The Wildcats return 16 starters from last year’s team that went 10-2. 3. Can Lima Senior sustain its winning with new coach Andre Griffin? Under Mike Fell, the Spartans were built into a playoff contender and went two the postseason in back-to-back years. Lima Senior had an 8-3 record overall in 2014, their first winning season since 1999, and a 9-3 record last year. The Spartans have never made the playoffs three years in a row. Griffin will try to retain that Spartan magic this year and with running back Jayden Walker and offensive lineman Darius LIMA’S FLOOR COVERING CENTER Flooring at its Best! Collins he has a solid foundation. However, the loss of receiver Ruben Flowers III, TRAC defensive player of the year, linebacker Jaylin Thomas, and quarterback Darius Gordon, the road back to the playoffs could be a tough one for Griffin. The Spartans have returning starters at 13 positions and Griffin will need a lot of younger players to step up if they are going to return to the postseason. 4. Who is the frontrunner in the WBL? Wapakoneta has dominated the league the last two seasons, going undefeated in both the regular season and league play, looks to remain there this year despite losing several key players to graduation and returning just three starters on offense and four on defense. Teams like St. Marys have been building for the past three years and want to make a run at the Redskins. OttawaGlandorf is also looking to return to the top of the WBL and Kenton is trying to bounce back after a down year. 5. What team is in the position to have a bounce back season? Kenton has been a state power house for years but endured a tough 2-8 year in 2016 might return to Wildcat glory with eight returns on offense including Trent Hites, a three-year starter, who had thrown for over 4,000 yards as a sophomore and led the team to the state semifinals. On defense, the Wildcats return eight starters on defense including two year starter Austin Buroker and this could stabilize an already aggressive defense. In the NWC, Crestview had a down year, going 4-7, but expect them to be in the mix for the league title and a possible playof berth. With a rich tradition, Delphos St. John’s is another school that could be back to its winning ways if things fall into place. 6. Can Frank Crea turn the Shawnee program around? Since 2012, Shawnee has won just six games and went winless last year. As a longtime assistant coach Crea has been on the coaching staff of some successful programs including Ada and Lima Senior that last decade or so after following Mike Fell. Crea not only brings Fell’s high flying offense to the Indians but also brings a renewed spirit and enthusiasm that could be just what Shaw- nee needs to stay competitive. 7. Can USV win the NWCC? In 2012, USV went 1-9 and recorded just one victory in the league. However, since then the Rams have slowly climbed up the ladder and in 2015 made some major strides towards winning the league and making the playoffs.Last year, USV with a 6-4 overall mark and 5-2 mark in the NWCC and finally cracked the top three spots in the league that was held by Riverside, Fort Loramie and Sidney. Led by the versatile Austin Sloan and 11 starters back, head coach Josh Spencer expects his team to vie for the top spot in the league and make the playoffs. 8. Is this the year of the running back? More and more teams are going to the spread and passing the ball but that has not stopped the Lima area from producing some quality running backs. Spencerville, traditionally a running team lost one its main cogs in Zach Goeke but will be replaced by Calvin Wilson. Also ready to run through offenses this year are Jayden Walker, Lima Senior, Eric Spicer, St. Marys, Hunter Binkley (Delphos Jefferson) Supporting all local area high school teams! Good Luck in 2016 Season! Connor Niese, OttawaGlandorf), Austin Sloan, Upper Scioto Valley, just to name a few. 9. Who is the most versatile player in the area? With northwest Ohio having a number of small schools, many of the players go both ways the Lima area and there is wealth of players who show off their athleticism on both sides of the ball. Delphos Jefferson’s Jace Stockwell, can not only throw the ball with efficiency, but can intercept the ball and deliver the hit on opposing receivers with authority. It is not limited to just speedy running back and defensive backs. Other notable two-way players in the area are Austin Sloan, USV, Chase Sumner, Ada, Bo Gross, Bath, and Allen East’s Caleb Smelcer, to name just a few. 10. Can OttawaGlandorf find someone to to sing the Canadian National Anthem? After finding themselves looking to find an opponent for their opener, the Titans went international and are going to start the season with North Academy Clarkson Prep, a school located in the Toronto suburbs. So if you can belt out O’ Canada, the Titans might need your help. Save 15% OFF ALL in stock or special orders Expires 9/1/16 40904639 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 16E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Bluffton grad Richards returns to guide alma mater By Mark Altstaetter [email protected] BLUFFTON – It’s something most athletes only dream of. Former Bluffton football player Jeff Richards is now living his dream. After the resignation of Kyle Cutnaw (after two seasons), Richard’s opportunity to return to Bluffton and coach became a reality. “Having gone to school here, played here – and with my father (Mike Richards) being the former head coach here – I grew up on this field,” Richards said. “I remember playing midget ball on this field. My whole family has played on this field. It’s a nostalgic thing, but I also recognize the tradition and I realize the expectations of the alumni. So, I really push the players, so they understand what the community expects of them as well. “I used to joke when I was younger about coming back to Bluffton, coaching and winning a championship in my hometown. That part has worked out, so now I have to get that championship.” This will be Richards’ first stint as a head football coach. He also coached wrestling at Bath this past season. After playing football at Bluffton University, Richards coached tight ends for two seasons there. Most recently, Richards spent two seasons in Louisville, Kentucky at DuPont Manual High School, where he coached the offensive line. With being a former football player at Bluffton, Richards realizes the importance of being competitive every year. “I was here when we were extremely successful and made the playoffs three out of four years,” Richards said. “My expectations are super high because that’s all I know of Bluffton football.” Bluffton is coming off a 7-3, 4-3 (Northwest Conference) season in 2015. Alongside Richards this season will be his father Mike Richards, a former Bluffton head coach, as well as Bluffton University assistant coach. “He’s coaching quarterbacks for me,” Jeff Richards said. “He’s providing that elderly wisdom when he wants to. When I was young I was too big to play midget football, so I was his cord boy on the sideline at Bluffton (University). “So, I watched him (his father) coach growing up. And to get an opportunity to coach with him, I couldn’t ask for a better BLUFFTON OUTLOOK COACH: Jeff Richards YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: first, N/A LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 7-3 (4-3 NWC) DIVISION: VI RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11 RETURNING STARTERS: Jason Bracy (Sr.); Dustin Falk (Sr.); Brady Basinger (Sr.); Owen Bischoff (Sr.); Justin Haggard (Jr.); Dakota Bricker (Jr.); Kaleb Jefferson (Jr.) OFFENSE: Spread – utilizing the run often DEFENSE: multiple fronts PLAYER TO WATCH: Dakota Bricker rushed for 455 yards and four TDS, while hauling in 40 receptions for 509 yards and five scores. TOP NEWCOMERS: DeAndre Nassar (So.); Jordan Wehrly (So.); Gavin Conrad (Jr.); Nate Staley (Jr.) Dennis Saam | The Lima News Bluffton Dakota Bricker, seen here stretching for extra yards against Allen East last year, returns one of the Pirates main weapons. person to help me out in my first (head coaching) job.” Richards wants to see a more balanced offensive scheme from his team. In the past, Bluffton was known to spread it out and throw the football. “We’re changing the culture. It’s been a little over a decade that Bluffton has been a spread team,” Richards said. “My senior year is the first year we went to the spread, and we were extremely successful. “Over the years it got to be where they really didn’t have the personnel to be a spread team. We’re going back to more of a run-balance team; a lot more of a pro-style approach to it. We have a backfield that is fabulous. We have a backfield that probably in my generation, three of them might had gone for 1,000 (rushing) yards in a season. We have those pieces. The issue is changing the mentality to an attackrushing team. “I’ve heard it described as a smash-mouth spread. We’ll spread them out, but we’re still going to try to run the football. You’re not going to see us throwing it more than we’re running it.” BLUFFTON SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Cory-Rawson .......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Van Buren .................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at Ft. Loramie ................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Paulding ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Allen East ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at DJefferson.................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Spencerville ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Ada ................................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............At Crestview ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Columbus Grove ...........................7 p.m. Richards said he has the athletes available to fill those roles. “We have two allconference players coming back,” Richards said. “Dustin Falk (Sr.) was an all-conference running back. Kaleb Jefferson (Jr.) will be carrying the ball a good amount also. He (Jefferson) was an all-conference linebacker. We also have two fullbacks who are both over 200 pounds. And we have Dakota Bricker (Jr.) coming back who is a really shifty type of guy. Skill position-wise, we have a great group of athletes.” Falk likes Richards’ philosophy. “The conditioning is really hard,” Falk said. “It’s the most we’ve conditioned, and with the team we have, we need to be that way. We’re going to run the ball. So, we have to be in good shape. I’m pretty excited. I can’t wait to play Friday nights.” Added Jefferson, “It’s a lot more intense. He’s making it fun at the same time. We’re working a lot and trying to do the best with what we got.” Probably the biggest question mark for the Pirates will be replacing Mitchell Ault at quarterback. Ault was a three-year starter behind center. Heading into summer camp, Jason Bracy (Sr.), Brice Rayle (Jr.) and Dakota Bricker (Jr.) were all vying for the starting job. Richards is looking for immediate success from his team this season. “Defensively, we’re pretty sold,” he said. “We have a lot returning on that end. We’ll see how it shakes out. I have high expectations. I expect to succeed right off the bat. Our schedule is set up where I think we can be very successful.” Crestview looks to build on past success By Mike Miller [email protected] CONVOY – Crestview has qualified for the state playoffs the last three seasons and hopes that what was learned and the confidence gained from a postseason loss will carry over to this season. Entering last year’s playoffs despite a record season record of 4-6, the Knights gave McComb all it could handle before falling 27-26. McComb went on to reach the state semifinals. Crestview has 12 returning starters, including sophomore quarterback Drew Kline and senior running back Payton Knitte to lead its offense. “We will operate out of the spread and I-formation and will be looking for more balance,” Crestview coach Jared Owens said. “Kline has developed physically but identity-wise we want to run the football.” Kline started two games and passed for 400 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. Dylan Grandstaff, listed as a wide receiver this year, was the starting QB for nine games a year ago and rushed for 563 yards. The Knights have also have four returning starters on their offensive line CRESTVIEW Aug. 26 ............Parkway ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Hicksville ...................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Wayne Trace ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Columbus Grove ...........................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Spencerville ..............................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Ada ............................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Allen East ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Delphos Jefferson .....................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Bluffton .........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Paulding ....................................7 p.m. – Nick Henry, Joel Germann, Emilio DeLeon and Alec Ingram. On defense, Luke Gerardot and Braden Brecht return at linebacker and Henry, Germann, DeLeon and Ingram are back on the defensive line. “We will operate defensively out of a combina- tion of both man and zone coverage,” Owens said. “We will use odd front defenses, depending on what our opposition is trying to do. “We will try to build off what we did well last year. We played well in the playoffs and got some confidence from that performance,” Owens said. CRESTVIEW OUTLOOK COACH: Jared Owens YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 5; 31-23 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-7, 2-5 NWC DIVISION, REGION: VII, Region 24 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 15 RETURNING STARTERS: Chase Clark, Sr.; Drew Kline, Soph.; Payton Knittle, Sr.; Luke Gerardot, Sr.; Nick Henry, Sr.; Joel Germann, Sr.; Grant Schlagbaum, Sr.; Braden Van Cleave, Sr.; Emilio DeLeon, Sr.; Braden Brecht, Sr.; Dylan Grandstaff, Sr.; Alec Ingram, Sr. OFFENSE: Spread and I-formation DEFENSE: 3-4 and 5-2 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Drew Kline, Payton Knittle, Braden Van Cleave, Luke Gerardot, Emilio DeLeon, Alec Ingram, Chase Clark, Braden Brecht TOP NEWCOMERS: Dylan Hicks, Brayden Sellers, Trevor Gibson, Wade Sheets The Crestview coach said the NWC will be strong at the top with Delphos Jefferson an Spencerville leading the way. “I told our kids a year older doesn’t necessarily mean a year better,” he said. “Hard work and discipline will allow us to become better.” 2016 Bluffton PIRATES Good Luck Bluffton!!!! 119 N. Main St, Bluffton 419-358-4545 40908629 lukesinbluffton.com 133 N. Main • Bluffton 419-358-4486 Great Food Hometown Atmosphere Good Luck Pirates! 40908795 40908339 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 17E Veteran lines could be key for Grove By Jim Naveau [email protected] COLUMBUS GROVE – If the old saying that it starts up front for football teams has some validity, Columbus Grove could enjoy this season. The Bulldogs have four returning starters on the offensive line, including three who are three-year starters, and have four returning lettermen on the defensive line. Overall, they have eight starters back on offense and six on defense from last year’s team. “The offensive and defensive lines are kind of what we’re going to hang out hats on this year,” Columbus Grove coach Andy Schafer said. Along the front line offensively, the Bulldogs are led by three-year starter at tackle, Rece Roney, who has attracted attention from Division I college programs. The 6-foot, 3-inch, 260-pound Roney, Logan Ridenour and Adam Birkemeier are threeyear starters. And Enoch Jones is a two-year starter. Roney was first-team All-Northwest Conference, first-team AllNorthwest Ohio and honorable mention allstate. Quarterback Reid Stechschulte threw for 1,493 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 749 yards last season as a junior. Reid Stechschulte, also a senior, rushed for 585 yards last fall. “I think our run game is probably going to be our strength offensively,” Schafer said. The biggest question mark at this point might be at receiver, where last year’s top three pass catchers – Aidan Fortman, Baily Clement and Brandt Follas – all graduated. Fortman (33 catches, 542 yards, 6 touchdowns) was first-team All-NWC. Clement was honorable mention AllNWC at receiver and Follas was second-team allconference as a defensive lineman. They combined for 79 of the 104 catches by Columbus Grove last season. Columbus Grove start- COLUMBUS GROVE OUTLOOK COACH: Andy Schafer YEARS AT SCHOOL: fifth year, 21-23 record LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-5 DIVISION: VI, Region 20 RETURNING LETTERMEN: Reid Stechschulte (QB), Sr.; Rece Roney (OL/DL) Sr.; Brandon Grigsby (LB), Sr.; Brandon Grigsby (LB), Sr.; Adam Birkemeier (C/DE) Sr.; Logan Ridenour (OL), Sr.; Enoch Jones (DL), Jr.; Lachan Clymer (RB/DB), Sr.; Eric Warnecke (RB/LB) Sr.; Grant Cassidy (WR/S), Sr.; Cody Johnson (DL/OL) Soph.; Caleb Barrienttes (WR/S), Soph. OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYER TO WATCH: Running back Eric Warnecke, who gained 585 yards last season. With all new receivers he and quarterback Reid Stechschulte’s running skills could be emphasized more in the offense. COLUMBUS GROVE Aug. 26 ............at Pandora-Gilboa................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Leipsic .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Patrick Henry ................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........at Crestview ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Columbus Grove .......................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Spencerville ........................ 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Delphos Jefferson .........................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Allen East ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............at Paulding ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Bluffton .....................................7 p.m. ANDY SCHAFER ed well in 2015 when it won its first four games over Pandora-Gilboa, Leipsic, Patrick Henry and Crestview. But losses in the next four games against Ada, Spencerville, Delphos Jefferson and Allen East meant the Bulldogs had to win one of their last two games to finish at 5-5. One of the things Schafer decided when he looked back at last season was that the team needed to pay more attention to leadership. So, he established a leadership council. “That was something we started back in January meeting every couple weeks, reminding them of our core values as a team,” Schafer said. “I just noticed I kept saying we needed good leaders. I’ve been saying that for the last few years. I was it kind of leadership is something you need to teach. You can’t just expect kids to do it,” he said. Schafer called the Northwest Conference “pretty even” this season. “Everybody is pretty even. You can go right down the list. Congratulations if somebody goes undefeated in the Northwest Conference this year. It’s going to be a tough schedule for anybody,” he said. Columbus Grove opens at home Friday night against Pandora-Gilboa. PAULDING PAULDING OUTLOOK COACH: Tyler Arend, 1st YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 1st LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 0-10 (0-7 CBC) DIVISION: V RETURNING LETTERMEN:17 Returning letterwinners: Preston Ingol ( HB/DB), Cameron Doster (FB/LB), Preston Johanns (OL/ DL), James Mourey (QB/DB) Austin Howell (TE/ DB), Anthony Garcia (WR/DB), Aaron Horstman (OL/DL), Colton Lloyd (WR/DB), Devin Gee (HB/ LB,) Zaine Craig(FB/LB), Tyler Nichols (FB/DL), Hunter Vogel (OL/DL), Tycen Proxmire (OL/DL), Kameron Echols (QB/DB), Julio Yates (HB/DB), Ethan Matty (OL/LB), Logan Mudel (HB/LB), Hunter Powell-(OL/DL). PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Jesse Goings (WR,DB), Jacob Eblin (TE/LB), Isaiah Theobald (HB/DL) PAULDING SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ................... Wayne Trace ............................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 2 .................... Fairview ..................................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 9 .................... Antwerp ..................................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 16 .................. Bluffton ..................................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .................. at Delphos Jefferson ................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 30.................. at Allen East .............................................. 7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...................... Ada ............................................................ 7 p.m. Oct. 14 .................... Spencerville .............................................. 7 p.m. Oct. 21 .................... at Columbus Grove ................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 28.................... Crestview................................................... 7 p.m. 2016 Columbus Grove BULLDOGS! “Home of the Titan Burger” OHIO Insurance &Financial Services LLC Goodwin’s Insurance Agency, Inc. Quality Coverage Right Price Expert Advice A Division of Ohio Insurance & Financial Services, LLC 116 S. High St. Columbus Grove, OH 45830 (419) 659-2523 - phone (419) 659-2525 - Fax Debra A. Verhoff, Licensed P&C Agent 40908301 Tabler’s Drive Thru 715 S. Main St. 419-659-5550 Good Luck Bulldogs 40908302 YOUR HOME Carpet & Floor Covering at CARL’S Full Service Grove Insurance Services Aaron Siefker Auto ... Home ... Business 419-659-2034 • 102 Liberty St 408 N Elm St Ottawa Columbus Grove 419-659-5151 419-523-5151 419-233-4226 [email protected] 119 N. High Street Columbus Grove, Ohio Hartman & Sons Funeral Home From everyone at E. Lynn Hartman Director Pharmacy & Gifts 107 S. High • Columbus Grove 419-659-5311 419-659-2366 Good Luck Bulldogs! 40908306 Thanks for shopping your 40908307 40908305 Mon-Fri 8am-7pm • Sat 8am-4pm www.IrwinRealEstate.com Good Luck Bulldogs! Hawkey’s HARDWARE Expert Installation Competitive Prices 40908299 40908304 Auto Owners 40908638 Ground Fresh Daily 1702 E. Main • Ottawa • 419-523-5262 40908303 419-659-2271 40908300 Serving area counties for over 50 years 212 W Sycamore St Columbus Grove OH 45830 10879 SR 12 West Columbus Grove, OH 45830 Phone: 419-659-2202 office Email: [email protected] Fax: 419-659-2200 Since 1889 www.hartmansonsfuneralhome.com 40908308 40908298 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 18E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Delphos St. Johns wants to get faster, stronger By Tom Usher [email protected] DELPHOS – It’s hard to miss the six gold state championship football trophies shining in the Delphos St. John’s trophy case. But visions of state titles seemed light years away last season. The Blue Jays limped home with a 1-9 record, 1-7 in the Midwest Athletic Conference. Delphos St. John’s coach Todd Schulte knew there had to be a few changes from Day 1 in the offseason. “The two big things I wanted to bring to light were we had to get faster and stronger,” Schulte said. “There were many games last year when we came to the locker room at halftime and said, ‘They were faster and stronger than us.’ And you don’t make that up at halftime. You don’t overcome that. Those were two big messages. “And I think we had a really good offseason in the weight room. We’re probably as strong as we’ve been the last four, five years. That’s big for us. … I’m hoping what we did in the offseason in the weight room, and with our speed work, will now translate to Friday night.” Schulte added that this is a new year and 1-9 won’t be mentioned this season. “They learned from that,” Schulte said. “And they know what it was to be 1-9. It wasn’t fun all the time. … And they know that’s not the way we want to end up.” In all, the Blue Jays return nine starters on offense and seven on defense. Senior Jacob Youngpeter returns at quarterback. He suffered a season-ending broken collarbone injury in Week 5 last year. In half Richard Parrish | The Lima News Aaron Reindel of Delphos St. John’s will be moving to running back. Reindel led the team in rushing last year with more than 380 yards. a season, he threw for 649 yards and three TDs. On the ground, he ran for 211 yards and three TDs. “Youngpeter did a nice job, then he broke his collarbone,” Schulte said. “He was playing well.” Aaron Reindel moves from wide receiver to running back. Out of the slot, Reindel led the team in rushing with 388 yards (4.2 average) with seven TDs. He also had 17 receptions for 278 yards and four TDs. This year Reindel (5-9, 195) will use his speed on the option toss, along with powering straight ahead on the return of the power plays. “We’ll bring back some power game,” Schulte See ST. JOHNS | 20E DELPHOS ST. JOHN’S OUTLOOK COACH: Todd Schulte YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 18th, 159-62 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-9 (1-7 MAC) DIVISION: VII RETURNING LETTERMEN: 18 RETURNING STARTERS: Aaron Reindel (Sr., RB/OLB); Eric Vogt (Sr., WR/S); Jacob Youngpeter (Sr., QB); Timothy Kreeger (Sr., TE); Cole Reindel (Jr., RB/FB); Jaret Jackson (Sr., OT/DE); Derek Lindeman (Jr., G/DE); Lucas Hoffman (Sr., C); Jacob Hellman (Sr., WR); Collin Will (Jr., CB); Troy Schwinnen (Jr., OLB); Hunter Bonifas (Soph., DT). OFFENSE: Multiple: Option with a power game. Looking to pass more. DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYER TO WATCH: Aaron Reindel (5-9, 195) moves from slot receiver to running back. He ran for 388 yards and seven TDs from his wide receiver spot last year. This year he’ll be the focal point of the attack. TOP NEWCOMERS: Jared Wurst (Soph., WR); Connor Hulihan (Jr., WR/CB); Devin Cairo (Jr., MLB/G); Matthew Miller (Jr., WR/CB). DELPHOS ST. JOHNS SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Bath ........................................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Lima Central Catholic...............7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Minster ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Versailles .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Kenton ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at New Bremen .............................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Fort Recovery ................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at St. Henry ...................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Parkway ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Coldwater .................................7 p.m. Delphos Jefferson looking to go to next level By Tom Usher [email protected] DELPHOS – The Delphos Jefferson football seniors have had a nice threeyear run. They’ve posted three straight Northwest Conference titles and three straight playoff appearances. But a second-round playoff loss to Mechanicsburg (42-12) in the Division VI regional semifinals has the Wildcats searching for more this year. “You learn the most from the games that you lose,” Delphos Jefferson coach Chris Sommers said. “We learned a lot from that game. I thought the kids played extremely hard to the very end. They believed that we could win that game. It just didn’t happen. But that is the game that you continue watching the most. There are things you have to learn from it.” Gone from last year are two Lima News Dream Team players, defensive lineman Bryce DELPHOS JEFFERSON SCHEDULE Lindeman and Aug. 27 ................... Shawnee ..........................................7 p.m. second team allSept. 2 .................... Coldwater ................................... 7:30 p.m. state linebacker Sept. 9 .................... at Fairview ........................................7 p.m. Dalton Hicks, who Sept. 16 .................. Allen East..........................................7 p.m. will play at Kent Sept. 23 .................. Paulding ...........................................7 p.m. State. Hicks was Sept. 30.................. Bluffton ............................................7 p.m. the NWC defensive Oct. 7 ...................... at Columbus Grove ..........................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .................... Crestview..........................................7 p.m. player of the year Oct. 21 .................... at Ada ...............................................7 p.m. and first team allOct. 28.................... Spencerville .....................................7 p.m. district. Overall, five “He’s a high-motor player,” Sommers starters return in the Wing-T offense, while six return on said. “You never know what’s going to happen in a play with him because defense. he can continue to drive the pile. He’s Among the veterans on offense is very quick and very powerful. He’s the senior fullback Hunter Binkley, who in type of kid who can run around you, 10 regular-season games ran for 1,165 but also isn’t afraid to lower the shoulyards (7.3 average) with 18 TDs. He der. He brings that explosiveness. You was a Lima News Dream Team player, can hear him coming off the line.” was second team all-state, first team Also back is senior quarterback Jace all-district and first team all-NWC. In the 49-0 victory over Shawnee last Stockwell, who threw for 1,169 yards and 15 TDs. year, Binkley had 17 carries for 191 He also ran See JEFFERSON | 22E yards and five TDs. DELPHOS JEFFERSON OUTLOOK COACH: Chris Sommers YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 3rd, 18-5 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-2 (7-0 NWC champions) DIVISION: VI RETURNING LETTERMEN: 16 RETURNING STARTERS: Jace Stockwell (Sr., QB/S); Brenen Auer (Jr., RB/LB); Drew Reiss (Sr., WR/CB); Hunter Binkley (Sr., FB/LB); Chase Harmon (Sr., LT); Davion Tyson (Jr., DE); Brandan Herron (Sr., DT). OFFENSE: Wing-T DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYER TO WATCH: Fullback Hunter Binkley is explosive, as well as strong. He ran for 1,165 yards rushing with 18 TDs in 10 games last year and was named second team all-state. He was also a member of The Lima News Dream Team. TOP NEWCOMERS: Jordan Boop (Sr., WB/RB); Cole Arroyo (Sr., CB); Drake Schmitt (Sr., TE/DE); Nick Long (Sr., OT/ DT); Eli Edie (Sr. G/LB); Tyler Gorman (Jr., G/DE); Jordan Bonifas (Jr., C/DE). 2016 DELPHOS ST. JOHN’S BLUE JAYS 40908398 252 N. Canal St., Delphos 419-695-4450 Dan Warnement, Owner FURNITURE, CARPETING CHIROPRACTIC MATTRESSES 130 N. 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Phone 419-695-0097 • FAX 419-695-0004 2016 DELPHOS JEFFERSON WILDCATS 40908314 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 19E Anna coach focused Four starters on changing culture return for Wildcats ANNA — Anna football coach Nick Marino accepts the fact that last season was one of change for the Rockets, after he became only the second head coach in program history. But what he says is not acceptable was the final record — 3-7. That’s the most losses in a single season in the short history of the program. “I wasn’t pleased with last season. That’s never going to be acceptable,” Marino said. “Bringing in a new coach and a new system was part of it, but it still wasn’t what we’d hoped for. But we’ve had a good offseason, a good camp and two-a-days. So I’m very pleased so far. We’ve really improved in the weight room and in the changing of our culture. We’re starting to hang our hats on hard work.” Marino reports 64 players out for the team this season, and they were greeted with a couple new assistant coaches this year. They are familiar names, though, in Kristian Althauser, who has coached as the junior high level and has coached the Anna baseball team to some outstanding seasons of late, and Steve Hunsucker, ST. HENRY OUTLOOK COACH: Brad Luthman YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 4th, 16-14 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-4 (4-4 MAC) DIVISION: VI, Region 22 RETURNING STARTERS: Blake Hoyng (WR/RB, Sr.); Mitch Schwieterman (C, Sr.) Collin Mescher (WR, Sr.); Cole Staugler (NT, Sr.); Conner Bruggeman (DB, Sr.); Tyler Schlarman (OLB, Jr.); Ryan Luttmer (DB, Jr.) Parker Link (DB, Jr.). OFFENSE: Multiple (Spread and I formation) DEFENSE: 3-4 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Landon Hall returns after being named first-team WBL Defense. The agile Hall covers lots of ground and can go sideline to sideline a coach who took both Lehman and Troy Christian to postseason play when he was head man at those schools. Althauser will coach the running backs and defensive line, and Hunsucker the O-line, linebackers and will also be the running game coordinator. They are joined by Jake Circle, who will be the defensive coordinator and who Marino said has done a good job of changing the culture in the weight room. Casey Wical will coach wide receivers and outside linebackers, Dan Christman will coach the D-line, Chris Duncan will coach linebackers, O-line and special teams, and Wes Hunsucker will be the passing game coordinator. Marino has some key players returning from last season. Colin Wuebker is a senior who had an excellent season last year, leading the Midwest Athletic Conference in interceptions and also being second on the team in receiving. Travis Meyer returns behind center after throwing for 600 yards a year See ANNA | 20E and play in space. With his speed, Hall also brings strength. He recorded 76 tackles, two interceptions and recorded nine tackles for loss. TOP NEWCOMERS: Jarrod Ble (TE/LB, Sr.); Adam Walter (OL, Sr.); Alex Walter (DL, Sr.); Austin Burkmeier (OL, Sr.); Gabby Dulebohn (DB, Sr.): Lucas Shade (WR, Sr.); Cal Miller (LB, Sr.). ST. HENRY SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ... at Covington ...........7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 .... Eaton ......................7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 .... New Bremen ...........7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 .. at Parkway ..............7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 .. Coldwater ...............7:30 p.m. Sept. 30.. at Minster ...............7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ...... at Anna ...................7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 .... Delphos St. John’s ..7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 .... at Marion Local.......7:30 p.m. Oct. 28.... Fort Recovery .........7:30 p.m. MARION LOCAL OUTLOOK COACH: Tim Goodwin YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 17th, 197-42 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-2 (7-1 MAC) DIVISION: VI, Region 22 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS:29 RETURNING STARTERS: Duane Leugars (QB), Cole Unrast (LB), Joel Goodwin (DB), Jack Homan (LB), Ryan Thobe (WR/DB), Jon Knapschaefer (DE) Luke Moorman (OL) Nick Heckman (OL) John Dirksen (OL) Matt Kahlig (WR) OFFENSE: Multiple (Spread and I formation) DEFENSE: 3-4 PLAYERS TO WATCH: John Dircksen. At 6-6 and 295 pounds, Dirksen is the mainstay on the Flyers offensive line and was a first-team all-MAC selection. On defense, Cole Unrast was a first team-All-MAC performer at outside linebacker and was a key figure in the Flyers success last year. MARION LOCAL SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ...at Chaminade-Julienne ....... 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....McComb .........................7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Coldwater .......................7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Minster........................7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Versailles .........................7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..at Anna ............................7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......New Bremen ...................7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Fort Recovery..............7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....St. Henry .........................7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....at Parkway ......................7:30 p.m. By Ken Barhorst Sidney Daily News MINSTER — After winning a state Division 6 championship in Geron Stokes’ first year as the head football coach at Minster, the Wildcats finished 6-4 the following season and just missed a return trip to the playoffs. But last season, Stokes guided the Wildcats to an 8-2 record and made another run deep into the postseason to finish at 10-3 overall. But if the Wildcats are going to make it three playoff berths in Stokes’ four years, it will have to be with an inexperienced squad as most of the starters from last season were lost to graduation. Heading that list is quarterback Josh Nixon, who will play baseball at Dayton next year. He left Minster as far and away the all-time leader in passing yards and pass completions. He threw COLDWATER OUTLOOK COACH: Chip Otten YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 7th, 79-11 (105-45 Overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 15-0 (8-0 MAC) DIVISION: V, Region 20 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 3 RETURNING STARTERS:Troy Sanning (OL/DL, Sr.); Neal Muhlenkamp (WR/DB/K, Sr); Dylan Thobe (QB,LB, Sr.) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: Multiple PLAYERS TO WATCH: TOP NEWCOMERS:Patrick Klosterman (DE, Sr.); Andrew Siefring (DE, Sr.); Zach Klosterman (LB/TE, Sr.) Bradley Giere (RB/ LB, jr) OUTLOOK: The Cavaliers must replace 19 of 22 startes from the Division V state championship team that added to Coldwater’s impressive history. The Cavaliers have been in seven straight state finals, have won four straight state titles, own the state’s longest current playoff streak (20 seasons) and own the state’s longest current postseason win streak FORT RECOVERY OUTLOOK COACH: Brent Niekamp YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 11, (45-72 Overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-2 (6-2 MAC) DIVISION: VII, Region 26 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 14 KEY RETURNING STARTERS: Caleb Martin (QB/DB), Will Homa (RB/DB), Tyler Acheson (OL/LB), Jason Roessner (TE/LB), Andrew Stocker (TE/DL) OFFENSE: Pro DEFENSE: 4-3 Stack PLAYERS TO WATCH: Caleb Martin, who has committed to Toledo, return after guiding Fort Recovery to a state title. Last year, Martin pased for 2,398 yards and 22 touchdowns. OUTLOOK: Excitement and expectations are at an all-time high. We’ll need to stay focused on the day to day process of getting better and block out external noise to be successful FORT RECOVERY SCHEDULE Aug. 25 ....... at Lehman ........................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ........ Fort Loramie ................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ........ Parkway .............................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...... at Coldwater .....................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...... Minster ..............................7 p.m. Sept. 30...... at Versailles .......................7 p.m. Oct. 7 .......... at Delphos St. Johns .........7 p.m. Oct. 14 ........ Marion Local......................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ........ New Bremen......................7 p.m. Oct. 28........ at St. Henry .......................7 p.m. for an amazing 8,415 yards in his four years, and to put that into perspective, No. 2 on the list threw for 4,917 yards. Nixon also completed a school-record 566 passes in his four years, and that is 162 more than the runner-up all-time. “We lost 19 seniors so we have a ton of holes to fill,” said Stokes. “And we have to replace some great players. We don’t have a Josh Nixon. Those players are few and far between. So our identity will be different and we’re going to need kids to step up and fill in. “But our kids have learned how to do things the right way and we feel good about how our kids approach practices,” he added. “They are getting better all the time.” He has just eight seniors on this year’s team. Among the few players he has returning is three-year letterman Bryce See MINSTER | 21E (20 games). Gone from last year’s team are 24 seniors, including nine that earned All-Northwest District honors. The task at hand is challenging, Coldwater opens with Kenton followed by Delphos Jefferson, Marion Local and Fort Recovery. The first three games are on the road and only four games are scheduled to be played at Cavalier Stadium. “We have quite a few unknown players that we think can be good but are unproven. We’re looking forward to the challenge of competing for a MAC title and continuing the playoff streak,” said Coldwater head coach Chip Otten. COLDWATER SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ..... at Kenton .......................... 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ...... at Delphos Jefferson ........ 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ...... at Marion Local............ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 .... Fort Recovery .............. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 .... at St. Henry ................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30.... Parkway ....................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ........ at Minster .................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ...... Versailles ..................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ...... at Anna ........................ 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28...... Delphos St. John’s....... 7:30 p.m. NEW BREMEN OUTLOOK COACH: Chris Schmidt YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 2, 1-9 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-9 (0-8 MAC) DIVISION: VII, Region 28 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 14 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Max Messick,(OL*/DL), Garrett Doherty (FB/LB), Caleb Alig (WR/DB), Cale Brackman (OL/DL), Levi Clem (RB/DB), Logan Dicke(OL/DL), Zach Flaute(FB/LB), Brandon Heitkamp ( TE/DL), Jake Hemmelgarn(RB/DB), Ben Kuck (OL/DL), Avery Powers (QB/ DB), Wyatt Puthoff (TE/LB), Jacob Rindler(OL/DL) Nicholas Wells (RB/LB) PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Nolan Bornhorst (QB), Casey Parker,(OL/DL) Grant Selby (RB/ DB) PLAYER TO WATCH: Clem, Powers and Hemmelgarn should provide speed offensively. Bornhorst may start at QB as a freshman. Doherty and Messick provide senior leadership and our battle tested. Dicke, Rindler and Heitkamp have great potential. OUTLOOK: We are very eager to build on the progress we made last year. We like the direction of the program and our excited about the future. Our next step is learning how to compete against the other schools in our league. NEW BREMEN SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............at Bradford .............................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Holgate.................................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at St. Henry ............................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Anna ........................................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Parkway .............................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30...........Delphos St. John’s .................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Marion Local ....................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Minster .................................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 .............at Fort Recovery...................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28.............Versailles ................................. 7:30 p.m. MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FORECAST By Jim Naveau [email protected] 1. MARION LOCAL: The Flyers (13-2, 7-1 MAC) had their streak of four straight state championships stopped in the D-VI title game last year. With the talent they have coming back, they could play 15 games again this fall. Offensive tackle John Dirksen is getting NCAA Division I offers and was first-team All-MAC as a sophomore. Linebacker Cole Unrast also was first-team All-MAC and quarterback Duane Leugers is also back. 2. FORT RECOVERY: Until last year, a football state championship was something Fort Recovery could only dream about. But the dream became real for the Indians (13-2, 6-2 MAC). Quarterback Caleb Martin, a University of Toledo commitment who threw for 2,398 yards last season and running back Will Homan (1,174 yards rushing) are back to lead the offense. Andrew Stocker (11.5 sacks) was first-team All-MAC as a sophomore. 3. COLDWATER: The Cavaliers (15-0, 8-0 MAC) have won four straight state championships, played in a state championship game the last seven years and have been in the playoffs for 20 consecutive years. So, how do they rank third behind Marion Local and Fort Recovery? Experience, or more precisely, lack of experience. Only three starters are back from last year’s team. 4. MINSTER: The Wildcats (10-3, 6-2 MAC) lost to two state champions (Coldwater and Fort Recovery) and a state runner-up (Marion Local) last season. Receiver Bryce Schmiesing was first- Eastside understands team All-MAC a year ago but the Wildcats have several significant holes to fill, including replacing Josh Nixon at quarterback. 5. ST. HENRY: The Redskins (6-4, 4-4 MAC) have an experienced offense but will be have first-year starters at four offensive line positions, quarterback and running back. 6. VERSAILLES: The Tigers (4-6, 3-5 MAC) have some young talent but will that translate into improvement on the field? 7. ANNA: The Rockets (3-7, 3-5 MAC) are trying to reverse a slide that has seen astside E them go 17-23 in the MAC in the last five seasons. 8. DELPHOS ST. JOHN’S:Blue Jays (1-9, 1-7 MAC) hope that increased overall strength and a healthy season for quarterback Jacob Youngpeter lead to a better record this fall. 9. PARKWAY: The Panthers (2-8, 2-6 MAC) have lost 41 of their last 50 games. 10. NEW BREMEN:The Cardinals (1-9, 0-8 MAC) have returning starters at almost every position but still have some territory to cover to become competitive in the MAC. Doug Stimmel’s INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. w w w. e a s t s i d e i n s u r a n c e . c o m 40906460 there’s no place like LIFE • HOME800-686-3961 • HEALTH • AUTO • FARM home LOCAL SERVICE that MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 20E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Spencerville hoping for uncommon season By Jim Naveau [email protected] SPENCERVILLE – A year ago at this time Spencerville had a fully assembled football team and a sparkling new weight room still under construction. This year it’s the football team that might still need a little work. With the departure of a strong group of seniors, including fouryear starter running back/linebacker Zach Goecke, the Bearcats have some rebuilding to do on the field this season. Spencerville is coming off back-to-back seasons of nine wins. Coach John Zerbe didn’t put a number on it, but he did say this year’s group is capable of continuing the success of recent seasons. “We had a small senior class last year but they were almost all threeyear starters and were incredibly talented and great leaders,” Zerbe said. “This year there are 16 seniors. A lot of them are guys who haven’t done it yet, they haven’t proved themselves. “They’ve had success at different levels. “But now it’s a different thing. You get in front of fans on a Friday night and it’s just a different ball game,” he said. Running back Calvin Wilson, who rushed for more than 800 yards last year, will be counted on to be the Bearcats top back this year and fill the shoes of Zach Goecke. The Bearcats have returning starters at 11 positions – six on offense and five on defense. Two of the returning starters were first-team All-Northwest Conference last season – defensive lineman Dakota Prichard and running back Calvin Wilson. Prichard played defensive line, tight end and was the top punter in the NWC. He could be the starting quarterback this season. Wilson rushed for 861 yards as the No. 2 rushing option behind Goecke on a team that averaged 408.4 yards a game on the ground and 447.9 yards a game overall. Defensive back Cody Dickson also was a second-team All-NWC choice and had four interceptions. Defensive lineman Nick Freewalt, offensive lineman Damon Jenkins and running back Chris Picker were honorable mention All-NWC last fall. Picker gained 749 yards last season as a sophomore. Zerbe said Wilson, Picker and Keaton Lotz combined for as many rushing yards last season as the 1,880 yards Goecke had. “We have running backs, it’s just replacing those linemen who were so valuable for us,” Zerbe said. “This team has one of the best attitudes of any team I have ever coached. There are no stars, they are all about each other. We just are inexperienced. We have guys who haven’t played yet. I think they’re going to do very well when they get their chance but we won’t really know until we play,” he said. Until then, Zerbe is preaching a message of being uncommon to the Bearcats. “Our team theme is to be uncommon this year. It means distance yourself from what everyone else is doing and do different things and maybe you’ll get different results,” Wilson said. SPENCERVILLE OUTLOOK COACH: John Zerbe YEARS AT SCHOOL: Eighth, 39-34 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-2 DIVISION: VI, Region 22 RETURING LETTERMEN: 13 RETURNING STARTERS: Cody Dickson (RB/DB) Sr., Calvin Wilson (RB/DB) Sr., Damon Blair (K/DB) Sr., Dakota Prichard (QB/DL) Sr., Chris Picker (RB/DB) Jr., Keaton Lotz (RB/LB) Sr., Trenton Schwartz (OL/DL) Sr., Alex Vickers (OL/DL) Sr/. Lucas Carpenter (OL/LB) Sr., Damon Jenkins (OL/DL) Sr., Nick Freewalt (OL/DL) Sr. OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 3-5 PLAYER TO WATCH: Dakota Prichard can play a variety of positions and after being a tight end and defensive lineman last season could be the Bearcats’ starting quarterback this season. TOP NEWCOMERS: QB/DB Gage Goecke, TE/LB Brady Becker, TE/DB Daniel Corso, RB/LB Jacob Settlemire, TE/DL Daytona Hughes, OL/DL Brandon O’Dell, OL/DL Ben Dues, OL/LB Cole Market, OL/DL Caleb Sutherland, RB/DB Logan Rex SPENCERVILLE SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Patrick Henry ................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Parkway ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....................................................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........at Ada ............................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........Crestview ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........Columbus Grove ...........................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Bluffton .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Paulding ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Allen East ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Delphos Jefferson .........................7 p.m. The Bearcats are aiming high, Freewalt said. “The goal is win the NWC and make the playoffs. We have to keep building off the last couple years and I think we’ll be good,” he said. The expectations created by the last two seasons are something that pushes the Bearcats, Wilson said. “It gives us a high goal to shoot for. Our coaches have high expectations too. We have trust in the players because a lot of them that are starting this year could have started last year. We just had a lot of seniors in those positions last year,” he said. Spencerville opens its season Friday night at home against Patrick Henry. NORTHWEST CONFERENCE FORECAST By Jim Naveau [email protected] 1. DELPHOS JEFFERSON:The Wildcats (10-2, 7-0 NWC) are going for their fourth consecutive league championship, led by five returning starters on offense and six starters back on defense. Hunter Binkley (1,165 yards rushing) and quarterback Jace Stockwell lead the offense. Defensively, they have two returning starters St. Johns From page 18E said. “We’ll bring back some two backs, but we’re going to be in the gun. We won’t go under center.’’ Also back is running back/fullback Cole Reindel. Another returnee is 6-9 tight end Timothy Kreeger, who had 21 receptions for 298 yards and three TDs. Returning receivers are Eric Vogt, who led the team in receptions (27) and receiving yards (390), and Jacob Hellman. The key to a return to a more power-oriented running game, along with the option, is having three veterans on the offensive line. Lucas Hoffman (6-3, 290) is back at center, while Jaret Jackson (6-2, 240) returns at tackle and Derek Lindeman (5-11, 220) is back at guard. “They’re more experienced, big- on the line, at linebacker and at defensive back. 2. SPENCERVILLE: The Bearcats (9-2, 6-1 NWC) will have to replace longtime starters like running back/ linebacker Zach Goecke, quarterback Mason Nourse and several other veteran players from last season’s team. 3. CRESTVIEW: The Knights (4-7, 2-5 NWC) will try to control games with a strong running attack. 4. ADA:With nine returning starters ger and stronger,” Schulte said of his offensive line. … “We want to be a balanced team running the ball, whether we’re doing power or option, and we want to balance that with our passing game.” In the Blue Jays’ 4-3 defense they return seven starters. Aaron Reindel (63 tackles) moves from cornerback to outside linebacker. He’ll be joined at linebacker by junior outside linebacker Troy Schwinnen (81 tackles, 2 interceptions). Vogt (64 tackles) is back at safety, while Collin Will returns at cornerback. The defensive line has veterans Jackson at end, Lindeman at end and Hunter Bonifas at tackle. Schulte looks for his team to improve both in tackling and blocking this year. “We want to get off to a better start in weeks one and two and be more competitive,” Schulte said. “I want us to be in every game and give on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs (6-5, 4-3 NWC) could be ready to make a move up in the NWC standings after finishing in a tie for third last season. 5. ALLEN EAST: The Mustangs (6-4, 3-4 NWC) allowed three touchdowns or more to every NWC on their schedule except Paulding last season, so tightening up the defense could be a need this season. Caleb Smelcer is a dual threat on offense and also had four interceptions on defense. us a chance come the fourth quarter. “Another key is we have to stay healthy. We can’t go through three quarterbacks (like last year). And defensively, we have to be better at tackling. There were games when we had 20 missed tackles. You aren’t going to beat teams like that.” Schulte added that the Blue Jays also have to be more physical on both lines, even with six or seven going both ways. Total players on the roster this year is 49. And while the coaches won’t talk about last year, they will mention the Blue Jays’ winning tradition. The last of the six state titles came in 2010. “When you put on that uniform on, you’re not just playing for yourself,” Schulte said. “You’re carrying on something that’s been established before I was here. We want them to know about our tradition and the way we’ve done things.’’ 6. COLUMBUS GROVE:The Bulldogs (5-5, 2-5 NWC) have one of the best linemen in the area in Rece Roney. 7. BLUFFTON: The biggest question for the Pirates (7-3, 4-3 NWC) might be replacing Mitchell Ault, a three-year starter at quarterback. 8. PAULDING: The Panthers (0-10, 0-7 NWC) have struggled for several years and it appears they could do that again this season. Anna From page 19E ago, and Marino says Aiden Endsley, still just a junior, has come a long way as a running back. “He’s shifty and strong and has really developed,” the coach said. Ethan Byrd is a junior who played at nose guard last season and was honorable mention all-MAC. He will shift to linebacker this season. And Wyatt Bensman returns at cornerback. Trey Cates, 6-3, 215, will be a tight end or H-back, and up front, Marino said the line will be anchored by Abe Wildermuth, who is 6-4, 245. “I think depth has been created through competition,” Marino said. “There was a lot more competition this offseason. People have had to fight a little more for spots. “I think we can make a big improvement,” he added. “But we’re not looking any further than week one. We’re worried about Arlington and ourselves, and improving.” 2016 Spencerville THOMAS E. BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME BEARCATS Good Luck Bearcats Worthy Of Your Trust Spencerville • 419-647-4205 40908602 (Clock Tower Plaza) 40908598 Owner: Jeff Thiery 419-222-6003 927 N. Cable Rd. 40908596 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 21E Ada learns from last year’s roller coaster season [email protected] ADA – When Ada head coach Bob Olwin is asked what it will take for the Bulldogs to be successful in 2016, the coach said score one more point than the other team. And while he is joking, relatively speaking, Olwin expects his offense to score more points and garner more close game wins, something it failed to do last year. And with nine starters back on both offense and defense, Olwin said this team has matured and learned a lot in last year’s roller coaster season. “We have to improve in all aspects of the game,” Olwin said. “We can’t give up 95-yard drives to LCC like we did last year. We also had a lot of penalties. We have to clean those up and be a little more disciplined. The mental mistakes have to be a thing of the past.” The Bulldogs, who made the playoffs, recorded a 6-5 overall record and had a 4-3 record in the Northwest Conference, had trouble scoring points in their last two regular season games and then scored just seven points in their opening playoff loss to Riverside. In those three games, the Bulldogs were outscored 124-20. Ada led the NWC with a 242.4 passing yards per game average, and should improve on this with a number of starters returning on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Seth Conley (6-1, 175), who was hurt in week four last year, returns to be the Bulldogs signal caller. As a freshman, Conley passed for more than 2,400 yards and 24 touchdowns. Olwin said he saw glimpses of what the offense can accomplish over the summer in 7-on-7 competitions. Olwin said the team looked sharp and he expects that to continue into the season. “Our offensive line will be young but we just have not gotten enough reps for them just yet,” Olwin said. “We really meshed well at the state 7-on-7. We played very well down there and ended up top four playing against some Division I schools. Olwin said he has seen a big difference in Conley this year from a mental standpoint as well knowing the offense better. “We want to put up ADA OUTLOOK COACH: Bob Olwin YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 4th , 20-14 LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-5 (4-3 NWC) DIVISION: VII, Region 10 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 15 RETURNING STARTERS:Jordan Bailey (5-11, 191 Sr.), Owen Conley (6-4, 240 Sr.), Trent Jolliff (5-11, 190 Sr.) Mason Klingler (5-8, 180, Sr.), Hunter Purdy (5-11, 175, Sr.), Seth Conley (6-0, 180 Jr.), Jako6-1, 173, Jr.), Jakob Hoschak (6-0, 276, Jr.) Aaron Everhart (5-8, 155, Jr.), Erryk Katayama (6-0, 173, Jr.), Noah Mattson (6-1, 249, soph), Ethan Swaney (6-0, 190, Jr.), Jarrod Spencer 6-0, 144, Jr.) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Chad Sumner: As a sophomore Sumner was a first-team all-NWC selection on defense as he recorded seven interceptions. Sumner is also a threat as a wide receiver. TOP NEWCOMERS: Kade Cortez (5-7, 144 Jr.), Ethan Hall (6-2, 201, soph.), Carson Nissong (5-7, 145 soph.). Photo courtesy of Teri Salyer Ada’s Chad Sumner is a dual threat for the Bulldogs. As a defensive back last year he recorded more than 80 tackles and seven interceptions and was an all-NWC first team selection on defense. On offense he is a sure-handed receiver. more points when we are in the red zone,” Olwin said. “We are looking forward to that. We have stumbled a lot the last two years down in the red zone by not executing the plays. I don’t see that this year.” The Bulldog receiving corps is littered with talent. Ada features four-year starters Owen Conley, Trent Jolliff and Jordan Bailey, along with Jackson Conrad. Also looking to make an impact at the varsity level will be Aaron Everhart. “We have some kids that can really catch the ball,” Olwin said. “It is there time to shine and get a little more reps.” With the Ada offense ready to take off again and recapture some of their past glory, the Bulldogs defense returns a number of players and could prove to be one of their best assets this year. Three out of the four starters in the defensive backfield return, including junior Chase Sumner, a first-team All-NWC selection. Along with Sumner, who recorded 82 tackles and seven interceptions, will be Jolliff and Jackson Conrad are also returning. “We might rearrange some people at the linebacker position, but our line has some veteran kids on it,” Olwin said. Jordan Bailey, a senior returns as a linebacker. ADA SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............USV ...............................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Arlington .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at LCC ..................................... 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Spencerville ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Columbus Grove .......................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Crestview ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Bath ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Bluffton .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............DJefferson.....................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Allen East ..................................7 p.m. Other returners on defense are Noah Mattson, Hunter Pury, Mason Kingler, Ethan Swaney, Aaron Everhart and Jakob Hoschak. Olwin said the team has a lot of confidence coming into preseason practice and he said there is a fine line between too confident and not confident enough. “Hopefully the stage is not too big now for these kids. In the past we lost our concentration and made mistakes,” Olwin said. “I don’t see that in these kids now. Change looks familiar at Leipsic Minster From page 19E By Jim Naveau Schmiesing. Even though he caught 67 passes for over 1,000 yards last season, Schmiesing will play some running back for the Wildcats this season, as well as playing linebacker on defense, Stokes said. Jonny Niemeyer is another returning player at wide receiver and cornerback. “He’s a great athlete and competes well,” said Stokes. Up front on the line on both sides of the ball is Isaac Dorsten, but he’s the only returnee there. And at outside linebacker, Jared Huelsman is expected to lead the defense. He’s still just a junior. “He did a great job as a sophomore,” Stokes said. Huelsman was third on the team in tackles last season and first in tackles-for-loss. Beyond those four, however, there will be new faces in the lineup. When asked about the top newcomers, Stokes replied “There’s about 17 of them that will have to start.” “We love this, and it’s fun,” Stokes continued. “It’s easy to coach a Josh Nixon or an Eli Wolf. We have great kids and we coach to see if we can maximize their abilities. We’ve never chased a result. It’s about how you can get the best out of every single kid. “We’re expecting everybody to compete, and we have great kids that have learned how to approach practice and the season from the class ahead of them.” [email protected] LEIPSIC – The hope is that the sequel is as good as the original. After spending the last two years at Patrick Henry High School as the Patriots’ head coach, Joe Kirkendall is back at Leipsic as head coach. Kirkendall had a 52-16 record in six seasons as Leipsic’s coach from 2008-2013 and a trip to the playoffs by the Vikings became an annual expectation. He replaces Andy Mangas, who left to relocate to Florida. Leipsic has returning starters at 13 positions and some young players who could be ready to step into bigger roles. The biggest absence is offensive/defensive lineman Gavin Cupp, who is a freshman on Ohio State’s football team after being firstteam All-Ohio last season. The Vikings’ offense and defense both have a significant amount of experience. Offensive lineman Jordan Berger and tight end Hunter Meyer are both on track to win their fourth letters this season. Quarterback Dylan Quarterback Dylan Schroeder, who started 12 games last year was honorable mention AllBlanchard Valley Conference and is back behind center for the Vikings. LEIPSIC OUTLOOK COACH: Joe Kirkendall YEARS AT SCHOOL: Seventh, 52-16 (71-37 overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-6 DIVISION: VII, Region 26 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11 RETURNING STARTERS: Jordan Berger (OL/DL) Sr.; Hunter Meyer (TE/DE) Sr.; Devin Hiegel (OL) Sr.; Brayden Niese (LB) Jr.; Victor Sanchez (LB) Jr.; Nick Schey (DB) Sr.; Grant Schroeder (DB) Sr.; Hunter Morman (WR) Sr.; Dylan Schroeder (QB) Soph.; Cole Rieman (DB) Soph.; Corey Plassman (OL) Jr. PLAYER TO WATCH: Sophomore quarterback Dylan Schroeder was voted honorable mention All-Blanchard Valley Conference as a freshman last season. TOP NEWCOMERS: Julius Lomeli (RB) Sr.; Gavin Lomeli (RB) Soph.; Tyler Gillespie (DB) Jr.; Adam Schroeder (LB) Jr.; Abe Escamilla (OL) Jr.; Alec Schroeder (DE) Jr.; Matt Niese (DL/OL) Sr.; Robbie Laubenthal (DL/OL) Sr. Dennis Saam | The Lima News Schroeder started 12 games last year when Leipsic was 6-6 and reached the second round of the playoffs. Schroeder was honorable mention AllBlanchard Valley Conference. Offensive linemen Devin Hiegel and Corey Plassman and wide receiver Hunter Morman are also returning starters. On defense, linebackers Brayden Niese and Victor Sanchez, defensive backs Nick Schey, Grant Schroeder and Cole Rieman, along with Berger and Meyer, are returning starters. Berger and Rieman were third-team All-BVC. “We return lots of experience at quarterback and wide receiver. The passing game should be a little ahead,” Kirkendall said. “There is a lot of youth combined with a new staff. It all comes down to how quickly kids can fall into a routine with the change in style. The offensive line has the potential to be very good and the wide receivers are experienced and above average. Schroeder has all the tools. “They (the offense) need to carry the defense until experience is gained,” Kirkendall said. He pointed to linebacker Brayden Niese LEIPSIC SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............at Hardin Northern ................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Columbus Grove ....................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at Liberty-Benton ..................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Hopewell-Loudon...................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Pandora-Gilboa..................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........McComb ................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Vanlue ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at N. Baltimore .......................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Cory-Rawson .........................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Arlington ............................7 p.m. Grant Schroeder were honorable mention AllBVC. Kirkendall says physicality in the run game and in run defense and fundamentals are elements that are being stressed in preaseason practice. The Vikings will open at home against Hardin Northern on Friday. and defensive back Nick Schey as two potential playmakers on the defense. “Niese has the opportunity to have a huge year at linebacker. He’s very smart and plays fast. Schey has the athleticism to be a true playmaker in the secondary,” Kirkendall said. Niese, Meyer and 2016 Leipsic VIKINGS Nicholas Morman Facility Manager [email protected] “Home of the Titan Burger” 102 Liberty St Columbus Grove 419-659-5151 408 N Elm St Ottawa 419-523-5151 www.IrwinRealEstate.com 40908631 40908311 Serving area counties for over 50 years Ground Fresh Daily 1702 E. Main • Ottawa 419-523-5262 Mobile: (419)722-2105 Ottawa 40908310 By Jose Nogueras Leipsic Phone: (419)523-3041 Phone: (419)943-3358 12015 St. Rt. 65 Ottawa, OH 45875 3 South St. Leipsic, OH 45856 Nick, Tom, Logan, Nolan or Brad Nick or Joe 40908312 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 22E Thursday, August 25, 2016 The Lima News Pandora-Gilboa wants to get physical with opponents By Jose Nogueras [email protected] PANDORA – With 10 returning letterwinners and a host of starters back, Pandora-Gilboa head coach Chris Myers said the next step in his team being successful this year is getting more physical and eliminating mistakes Last year the Rockets posted a 5-5 overall mark and 5-3 record in the valley division of the Blanchard Valley Conference and Myers expects to improve on those numbers. “We lost three seniors but outside of that everybody who played last year is pretty much back,” Myers said. “They are familiar with us. They are familiar with our schemes and what we expect from them so in terms of the cerebral part of the game it has been easier. So now we have to try to catch them up physically so they are able to do the things they are supposed to do,” Myers said. “That is kind of our hurdle right now.” Another obstacle, and Myers said this is more mental, is that the Rockets need to learn how to win. “I think you have to learn how to win,” he said. “These guys have been close in games and let it slip away so I think we need to learn how to win some of those close games and take advantage of team’s mistakes better than we have done in the past.” Another area of concern for Myers is the team’s lack of depth. So avoiding injuries is a must for the Rockets. Myers added they have just nine linemen on the team. With nearly all the returning starters back, the Rockets defense is expected to be the main cog in their push towards the BVC title. Gone is leading tackler and linebacker Hunter Hovest, but the Rockets return two of their three linebackers. Back are outside linebacker Zane Traxler (5-8, 165), who recorded 65 tackles, and Riley Marcum (6-2, 175), who played half the season and had 58 tackles. Anchoring the defensive line will be senior Gunner Stahl (5-9, 185), who recorded 100 tackles, six sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Also back are PANDORA-GILBOA SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............at Columbus Grove ................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Marion Pleasant .......................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at Arlington ...................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........…..North Baltimore .......................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........Leipsic ...........................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Vanlue .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............at Liberty-Benton .........................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Hopewell-Loudon..........................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............McComb .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Cory-Rawson ............................7 p.m. senior Kyle Verhoff (6-2, 240), a third team, allleague selection, who had six tackles for loss and 28 total tackles. In the Rockets secondary, Carter Nofziger (6-0, 185), who had five interceptions, returns as the top defensive back, as does Jason Walther (6-0, 185) who had two interceptions and 45 tackles. Last year, the Rockets ranked sixth overall in team defense in the league, allowing 20 points per game and yielding 260.3 total yards overall. Offensively, the Rockets were eighth overall in team offense averaging just 237.3 yards a game. “We are pretty much 50-50 so Myers said the team runs a spread offense but he likes to keep it balanced at 50-50 in terms of play calling between runs and passes and with Jared Breece (6-1, 170) back as the signal caller, the Rockets look to improve on what they accomplished last year. As a freshman Breece, who played in nine games last year, threw for 770 yards for four touchdowns and four interceptions. “He had to play as a freshman because somebody got hurt and he wasn’t really ready to play but he had to,” Myers said. “He had some big time growing pains from that.” Breece worked with assistant coach Matt Hershey, a former college quarterback at Capital, to elevate his game and Myers said he has seen tremendous improvement in the early preseason workouts this year. Also back on offense is junior receiver Nofziger who caught 27 passes for PANDORA-GILBOA OUTLOOK COACH:Chris Meyers YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 3r (11-10) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-5 (5-3 BVC) DIVISION: IV, Region 14 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 10 KEY RETURNING STARTERS: Gunner Stall (OLDL), Jared Breese (QB), Carter Nofziger (WR/DB), Peyton Traxler (WR/DB), Zane Traxler (RB/DB) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Defensive end Gunner Stall recorded 100 tackles and six sacks last year as a junior and Carter Nofziger was the team’s leading receiver. TOP NEWCOMERS: Andrew Buess (OL/DL), Dallas Hilvers (RB/DL), Zeb George (0l/DL), Austin Niese (WR/LB), 341 yards and two touchdowns. The Rockets will look to replace all-league running back Hovest and they think they can do so with the Traxler Brothers, Zane and Payton (5-7, 155), who Myers described as ‘hard nosed, tough kids who can run the ball.” Zane Traxler had 38 carries for 201 yards last year and one touchdown and Payton Traxler added 120 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. While he has a veteran squad, Myers knows if they are not physical it will be a touch march through the BVC. “We play a tougher schedule than we have had in years past,” Myers said. “They have realigned the BVC this year. I would say the first couple of years we had an easier schedule than we had the first couple of years because we didn’t play McComb and Liberty-Benton in season. Now we have them all in season.” With the traditional opener against Columbus Grove followed by a date with Marion Pleasant Myers said he will know which direction the Rockets are heading after the first two weeks. “How we play the first couple of weeks will determine how the season will go,” Myers said. “If we play well and win or are competitive it will bid well for the season. UPPER SCIOTO VALLEY UPPER SCIOTO VALLEY OUTLOOK COACH: Josh Spencer YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 4th , 15-25 (419-757 Overall) LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-4 (5-2 NWCC) DIVISION: VII, Region 10 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11 RETURNING STARTERS: Isaac Smith (6-2, 228, Sr.), Peyton Dyer (5-10, 198 Sr.), Trey Freytag (5-10, 235, Sr.), Dakota Cornell (5-11, 178, Sr.), Austin Sloan (5-10, 163, Sr.), Chase Rose 6-4, (201, Sr.), Drew Oglesbee (5-11, 167, Jr.), Dakota Dunfern (5-11, 225, Jr.), Kolten Keith (5-11, 194, Jr.), Jason Moots (5-10 161, Jr.), Wayne Lowry (6-3, 197, Soph.) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Austin Sloan, a first-team Allleague member, the fleet-footed Ram more than 1,700 all-purpose and 13 touchdowns is expected to be the primary weapon for USV and has speed to burn. He also poses a major threat as a defensive back. TOP NEWCOMERS: Trevor Dotson (6-4, 204, Sr.), Croft Bauer (5-10, 168, Sr.), Justin Agnew (6-2, 199, Jr.), JJ Overs (5-9, 202, Soph,), Devan Sousley (5-10, 195, Fresh.) UPPER SCIOTO VALLEY SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............at Ada ............................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Cory-Rawson ................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Indian Lake....................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........at Lehman Catholic ......................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........Waynesfield-Gshen .......................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Perry .........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Riverside .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............Hardin Northern ...........................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............at Fort Loramie .............................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Ridgemont ....................................7 p.m. Delphos Jefferson’s senior fullback Hunter Binkley, who ran for 1,165 yards (7.3 average) with 18 TDs, returns for the Wildcats. Dennis Saam | The Lima News Jefferson From page 18E for 109 yards. He was second team all-NWC at quarterback. “Jace is a good quarterback,” Sommers said. “He has a very good arm and spent a lot time in the offseason working on his mechanics of throwing the ball. He’s an extreme competitor and probably the smartest player I’ve been around. He’s a coach on the field.” Also back is running back Brenen Auer, who ran for 800 yards last year. The top returning receiver is veteran Drew Riess. The lone returning offensive lineman is second team all-NWC left tackle Chase Harmon (6-1, 237). Helping fill the void on the offensive line will be several players from an undefeated junior varsity team last year. “We’re high on them,” Sommers said. “They have to get game experience.” The defensive line returns end Davion Tyson (6-2, 204) and tackle Brandan Herron (6-4, 300). “Our defensive line is going to be pretty big and have a lot of length,” Sommers said. The two returning linebackers are Binkley, who was second team all-NWC at linebacker, and Auer. Veterans in the secondary are Riess at cornerback and Stockwell at safety. Both were first team allNWC defensive backs. “We have guys who have played in big games,” Sommers said. “We have guys who won big games and lost big games and that’s important. They know what it takes as it gets up to that playoff level.” For Sommers, the goal is for his team to get better each week so that it’s going full-tilt come playoff time. “If you can go into Week 10 playing your best football, I think you’ve had a successful season,” he said. 2016 Pandora-Gilboa ROCKETS INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 800-686-2386 Auto • Home Farm • Life 40908636 TED'S MARKET & MINI MART The Little Store That Does Everything Grocery Catering Shell Gas 311 E Washington St - Pandora 419-384-3407 40908297 Go Rockets! 40908294 Stick With Us For Family Fun! SPORTS CENTER LANES 605 S. Jefferson St. Pandora, OH (419) 384-3354 503 Basinger Rd - Pandora 419-384-7118 40908295 419-659-2271 40908296 212 W. Sycamore St. Columbus Grove, OH 45830 40908292 Good Luck Rockets 40908293 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 The Lima News Thursday, August 25, 2016 23E New coach looks to turn around Waynesfield program By Jose Nogueras WAYNESFIELD-GOSHEN OUTLOOK COACH: Shane Wireman YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 1st, LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 0-10, 0-7 DIVISION: VII, Region 7 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 7 RETURNING STARTERS: Chandler Little, Sr., Josh Searson, Sr., Dustkin Klenke, Dustin Plummer, Zane Wicker, Sr., Cheyene Tate, Sr. Wes Eller. OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-3 PLAYER TO WATCH: Cheyne Tate, a second-team, All NWC selection, has lots of speed and athleticism and will be on both sides of the ball for the young Tigers. As a junior Tate rushed for As a junior Tate rushed for 573 yards on 105 carries and three touchdowns. TOP NEWCOMERS: With just about 20 players on the roster, the Tigers have a host of young players who will have to step up for Waynesfield-Goshen if they are going to break their losing streak. [email protected] WAYNESFIELD – Shane Wireman has his work cut out for him in his first job as the Waynesfield-Goshen head football coach. Not only does he inherit a team that went winless last year but must deal with the long standing problem of getting the numbers out for the football team. However, that has not deterred Wireman’s enthusiasm and determination to return the Tigers to being competitive again. “Last year we were 0-10 and what I have been saying is ‘hey we have to try something different around here,’” Wireman said. “Not that what they were doing last year was necessarily bad, but just putting a new twist on things. New voices. New ideas. Just mix things up enough to keep things interesting.” Wireman equates it to teaching and keeping the students engaged in what you are trying to teach. But most importantly, Wireman said he wants to stay positive. Wireman’ first step to being successful was hiring a veteran coaching staff to help him along as his first year as a head coach. WAYNESFIELD-GOSHEN SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............Riverdale .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............at Fairbanks ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Allen East ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........at Hardin Northern .......................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at USV ...........................................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........at Fort Loramie .............................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Perry..............................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Ridgemont ................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Riverside .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............Lehman .........................................7 p.m. Waynesfield’s Josh Searson is one of seven returners for the Tigers back for 2016. Wireman’s second step will be to teaching the team his style of coaching and building up their confidence as the season progresses. “I’ve put some real experienced guys around me with coach Rod Miller and Dan Faralia helping me and picking up the slack in the areas that I lack a little knowledge in. I also have Nathan Swaney and I actually am fortunate to have a younger brother, Travis, to help out and that has been a cool experience.” With a number hovering around 20 players, Wireman said the Tigers will have to be creative on both offense and defense to offset the depth the team lacks. He said he is preaching to his staff to stay flexible with guys. To help with the flexibility, Wireman is introducing the arm band system to help with players who will play on both sides of the ball. “We are going to teach the terminology to everybody and then the bands will kind of make it simple because they can be interchangeable,” Wireman said. “Then we have to be smart in practice. We need to use a lot of bags and dummies and things like that to keep guys healthy and keep them on their feet. Tackle enough to be game ready but not go too extreme and have guys getting injured.” The Tigers return seven letterwinners, including senior Chandler Little, a secondteam, all-NWCC selection and senior Cheyene Tate, an honorable mention, All-NWCC selection. Also returning are senior Josh Searson, Dustin Plummer Zane Wickers, Dustin Klenke and Wes Eller. Due to the numbers dilemma, Wireman said he expects to play nine freshmen and four of five of those will be thrown right in the fray on Friday nights. Senior leadership is something Wireman said this team will need in order to help underclassmen adjust to life at the varsity level. “All four of my seniors are very smart guys,” he said. “They are good See WAYNESFIELD | 24E Familiar face takes over Perry program By Mike Miller [email protected] PERRY TOWNSHIP – The Commodores new coach, Herb Lane, is a 1990 graduate of Perry who is quite familiar with the entire community. He has coached junior high football, varsity girls basketball, some baseball, and has also served as an assistant on the boys varsity basketball team. Lane is quick to respond with an answer as to what the Commodores need to do to post a winning record for the first time since 1989. “We did a good job in the weight room and in seven on sevens.” Lane said. “We have to be committed with a different attitude and just find a way to win.” “Our goal at this time is to be 1-0 after the first week of the season.” Lane said. Perry has 35 players out and Lane feels that his skill position players give the Commodores a good starting place for success. Senior quarterback Plummie Gardner, who took over midway through his freshman season, returns to lead the Perry spread offense. He has speed at both the slot and running back positions in Wayna Smith and Luke Floyd. Tight end Kobe Glover (6-4, 210) and wide receiver LaMonte Nichols (6-3, 170) will provide huge targets for Gardner when the Commodores turn to their passing game. Gardner, Glover, and Nichols were key cogs in the Perry basketball team success last year and Lane hopes that can carry over to the football team. A big area that needs to be addressed is depth at both offensive and PERRY OUTLOOK COACH: Herb Lane YEARS AT SCHOOL, RECORD: 1, 0-0 LAST YEARS RECORD: 2-8, 2-5 Northwest Central Conference DIVISION: VII RETURNING LETTERMEN: 15 RETURNING STARTERS: RJ Patton (6-5, 295, Jr.), Wayna Smith (5-8, 165, Sr.), Plummie Gardner (5-11, 168, Sr.), LaMontae Nichols (6-0, 160, Sr.), Austin Money (5-8, 165, Jr.), Aaron Rush (5-10, 180, Jr.) OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 3-5-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Plummie Gardner, Wayna Smith, LaMontae Nichols, Aaron Rush TOP NEWCOMERS: Kobe Glover, Devun Patton, Jamal Whiteside, Luke Floyd Jose Nogueras | The Lima News Herb Lane, the new Perry head coach, hopes to turn the Commodores around into a winning program. defensive line. Senior RJ Patton (6-5, 295) and younger brother sophomore Devun (6-3, 240), along with Glover, will anchor both lines. But Lane knows he must be able to give them all an occasional break, especially in the heat and humidity of the early season. On defense, Aaron Rush and Eli Motter will man linebacker spots behind the Patton brothers and Glover. Lane indicates that other defensive positions will be filled with fresh faces that include juniors and sophomores. PERRY SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ............At Antwerp ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 .............Allen East ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............Montpelier ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ...........Ridgemont ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ...........at Lehman Catholic ......................7 p.m. Sept. 30...........USV................................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............Waynesfield-Goshen.....................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .............at Riverside ...................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 .............Hardin Northern ...........................7 p.m. Oct. 28.............at Fort Loramie .............................7 p.m. The Commodores will go as far as their skill players can take them while they attempt to develop depth and experience at the line positions. NORTHWEST CENTRAL CONFERENCE FORECAST By Jim Naveau [email protected] 1. FORT LORAMIE (6-5, 6-1 NWCC): which has been to the playoffs the last seven years, is in its final season in the NWCC before joining the Cross County Conference. The Redskins have never won fewer than five games in 11 varsity seasons. 2. LEHMAN CATHOLIC (7-5, 5-2 NWCC): Jake Earhart has been first-team All-NWCC the last two years at linebacker and could be the Cavaliers’ No. 1 running back this season. Michael Bunker has also been first-team All-NWCC twice. Who replaces quarterback Stephen Monnin is the big question. 3. UPPER SCIOTO VALLEY(6-4, 5-2 NWCC). The Rams have a lot of people back from last year’s team, which was a contender for the league title, including running back Austin Sloan, end Chase Rose and line- backer Trey Freytag. All of them were first-team all-NWCC. 4. RIVERSIDE(10-2, 6-1 NWCC): The Pirates shared the league title with Fort Loramie last season. First-team All-0hio two-way player Connor Cotterman (1,866 yards rushing and 108 tackles) will be tough to replace. Junior defensive lineman Gaven Anderson was honorable mention All-Ohio. 5. PERRY(2-8, 2-5 NWCC). Herb Lane takes over as the Commodores coach. Quarterback Plummie Gardner and wide/receiver LaMonte Nichols, who were second-team AllNWCC, will be key players. 6. HARDIN NORTHERN(4-6, 2-5 NWCC): The Polar Bears have seven returning starters on both sides of the ball, including some who have played since they were freshmen. 7. RIDGEMONT(3-7, 2-5 NWCC): If the Gophers improve on last year’s record, the offense could play a big role. Quarterback Corey Eversole passed for 914 yards and rushed for 480 yards last season and Cameron Smith rushed for 996 yards. 8. WAYNESFIELD-GOSHEN (0-10, 0-7 NWCC): The Tigers will have a new coach, Shane Wireman, after last year’s 0-10 season. Offensive lineman Chandler Little was first-team All-NWCC last year on an offense which averaged 10.3 points a game. 40908734 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 24E Thursday, August 25, 2016 SCHEDULES The Lima News (Subject to change) Ada Aug. 26 ...Upper Scioto Valley.....................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Arlington .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 10 ..Lima Central Catholic* .........4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Spencerville ................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Columbus Grove .....................7 p.m. Sept. 30..Crestview ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Paulding ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Bluffton ...................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Delphos Jefferson .......................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Allen East ................................7 p.m. *at Spartan Stadium Allen East Aug. 26 ...Van Buren....................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Perry ................................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Waynesfield-Goshen...............7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Delphos Jefferson .......................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Bluffton ...................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..Paulding ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Crestview ................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Columbus Grove .........................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Spencerville ............................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Ada ..............................................7 p.m. Bath Aug. 26 ...at Delphos St. John’s ..................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Ottawa-Glandorf .........................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Celina ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Defiance ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Wapakoneta ............................7 p.m. Sept. 30..St. Marys .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Van Wert ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Shawnee .................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Kenton.........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Elida ........................................7 p.m. Bluffton Aug. 26 ...at Cory-Rawson .................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Van Buren................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Fort Loramie.......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Paulding ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Allen East ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Delphos Jefferson ...................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Spencerville ................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Ada ..............................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Crestview ................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Columbus Grove .........................7 p.m. Celina Aug. 26 ...Versailles .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Elida ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Bath.............................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Ottawa-Glandorf .....................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Defiance ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..Wapakoneta ................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at St. Marys .................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Van Wert ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Shawnee .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Kenton ....................................7 p.m. Coldwater Aug. 26 ...at Kenton ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Delphos Jefferson ...................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Marion Local ..................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Fort Recovery ........................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at St. Henry ........................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..Parkway................................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Minster .............................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Versailles ............................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Anna .................................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....Delphos St. John’s ................ 7:30 p.m. Columbus Grove Aug. 26 ...Pandora-Gilboa ..................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Leipsic .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Patrick Henry ..............................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Crestview ................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Ada ..............................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Spencerville ...................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Delphos Jefferson .......................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Allen East ................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Paulding ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Bluffton ...................................7 p.m. Cory-Rawson Aug. 26 ...Bluffton ................................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Upper Scioto Valley ................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Arcadia ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Arlington .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..North Baltimore ..........................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Riverdale .................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Van Buren....................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Vanlue .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Leipsic .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Pandora-Gilboa ...........................7 p.m. Crestview Aug. 26 ...Parkway.......................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Hicksville .................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Wayne Trace ................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Columbus Grove .........................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Spencerville ............................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Ada ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Allen East ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Delphos Jefferson ...................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Bluffton .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Paulding ..................................7 p.m. Waynesfield From page 23E also bringing to WaynesfieldGoshen. Even though Wireman comes from a background of running the ball and said he believes you need to establish a solid ground game, but because the Tigers are more built for speed instead of size, the Tigers will look to utilize their natural talents by getting the skilled player in open space and create yardage. “We have a lot of speed here. We are kind of a track school so we are going to try and utilize that track speed and Oct. 28....at Huron ......................................7 p.m. *At Spartan Stadium Lima Senior Aug. 26 ...Middletown .................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Marion Harding .......................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Springfield ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Toledo Whitmer.......................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Fremont Ross..........................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at St. Francis De Sales ................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Findlay.........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Toledo St. John’s .....................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Oregon Clay ................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Toledo Central Catholic ..............7 p.m. Marion Local Aug. 26 ...at Chaminade-Julienne ..............7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....McComb ............................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Coldwater.............................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Minster .............................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Versailles ............................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..at Anna .................................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......New Bremen ......................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Fort Recovery.................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....St. Henry ............................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....at Parkway ............................ 7:30 p.m. Minster Aug. 26 ...at Fort Loramie ..................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Lehman Catholic................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Delphos St. John’s ............ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Marion Local ......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Fort Recovery.................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..St. Henry ............................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Coldwater.............................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at New Bremen ..................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Versailles ........................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....Anna ...................................... 7:30 p.m. New Bremen Aug. 26 ...at Bradford ............................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Holgate .................................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at St. Henry ........................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Anna ...................................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Parkway ............................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..Delphos St. John’s ................ 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Marion Local .................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Minster .................................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Fort Recovery.................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....Versailles ............................... 7:30 p.m. Ottawa-Glandorf Aug. 26 ...North Clark (Mississauga, Ont.) .7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Bath ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Van Wert ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Celina ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Shawnee .................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Defiance ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Kenton.........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Wapakoneta ............................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Elida ............................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at St. Marys .................................7 p.m. Pandora-Gilboa Aug. 26 ...at Columbus Grove ............... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Marion Pleasant......................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Arlington .................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..North Baltimore ..........................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Leipsic .........................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Vanlue .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Liberty-Benton .......................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Hopewell-Loudon........................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....McComb .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Cory-Rawson ..........................7 p.m. Parkway Aug. 26 ...at Crestview ................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Spencerville .......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Fort Recovery.................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..St. Henry ............................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..New Bremen ......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..at Coldwater ......................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Versailles ........................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Anna ...................................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Delphos St. John’s ............ 7:30 p.m. Oct.28 ....Marion Local ......................... 7:30 p.m. Paulding Aug. 26 ...at Wayne Trace ............................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Fairview .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Antwerp ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Bluffton .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Delphos Jefferson ...................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Allen East ................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Ada ..............................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Spencerville ................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Columbus Grove .....................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Crestview ....................................7 p.m. Perry Aug. 26 ..at Antwerp ................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ...Allen East ................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ...Montpelier.................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Ridgemont ................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .at Lehman Catholic ................... 7 p.m. Sept. 30 .Upper Scioto Valley.................... 7 p.m. Oct. 7 .....at Waynesfield-Goshen.............. 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Riverside ................................ 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ...Hardin Northern ........................ 7 p.m. get them out in space and get some blocks out in front of them and use their speed to make some plays.” Wireman said Tate, who will be lined up in different positions, will be their primary weapon on offense and added that they are going to find ways to get him the ball other than just handing it off to him. As a junior Tate rushed for 573 yards on 105 carries and three touchdowns. The Tigers will be going with the traditional 4-3 on defense. Like the offense, the Oct. 28 ...at Fort Loramie .......................... 7 p.m. Ridgemont Aug. 26 ..Ridgedale ................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ...Arcadia ....................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ...at Mt. Gilead ............................... 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Perry ...................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .at Riverside ................................ 7 p.m. Sept. 30 .Hardin Northern ........................ 7 p.m. Oct. 7 .....at Fort Loramie .......................... 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Waynesfield-Goshen.................. 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ...Lehman Catholic........................ 7 p.m. Oct. 28 ...at Upper Scioto Valley ............... 7 p.m. Shawnee Aug. 27 ...at Delphos Jefferson ...................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Wapakoneta ............................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....St. Marys .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Van Wert ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Ottawa-Glandorf .........................7 p.m. Sept. 30..Kenton.........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Elida ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Bath.............................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Celina ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Defiance ......................................7 p.m. Spencerville Aug. 26 ...Patrick Henry ..............................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Parkway ............................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Holgate........................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Ada ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Crestview ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..Columbus Grove .........................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Bluffton ...................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Paulding ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Allen East ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Delphos Jefferson ...................7 p.m. St. Henry Aug. 26 ...at Covington ......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Eaton ..................................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....New Bremen ......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Parkway ............................ 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Coldwater.............................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..at Minster .............................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Anna .................................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Delphos St. John’s ................ 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Marion Local ..................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....Fort Recovery ........................ 7:30 p.m. St. Marys Aug. 26 ...Sidney .........................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Van Wert ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Shawnee .................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Kenton.........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Elida ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Bath ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Celina ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Defiance ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Wapakoneta ................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Ottawa-Glandorf .........................7 p.m. Upper Scioto Valley Aug. 26 ..at Ada ......................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ...Cory-Rawson ............................. 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ...Indian Lake................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Lehman Catholic ................... 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .Waynesfield-Goshen.................. 7 p.m. Sept. 30 .at Perry ...................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 7 .....Riverside .................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Hardin Northern ........................ 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ...at Fort Loramie .......................... 7 p.m. Oct. 28 ...Ridgemont ................................. 7 p.m. Van Wert Aug. 26 ...Bryan...........................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....St. Marys .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Ottawa-Glandorf .....................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Shawnee .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Kenton ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..Elida ............................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Bath ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Celina ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Defiance ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Wapakoneta ............................7 p.m. Wapakoneta Aug. 26 ...at Bellfontaine.............................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Shawnee .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Kenton ....................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Elida ........................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Bath.............................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Celina ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Defiance ......................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Ottawa-Glandorf .........................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at St. Marys .................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Van Wert ......................................7 p.m. Waynesfield-Goshen Aug. 26 ..Riverdale .................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ...at Fairbanks ............................... 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ...Allen East ................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Hardin Northern .................... 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .at Upper Scioto Valley ............... 7 p.m. Sept. 30 .at Fort Loramie .......................... 7 p.m. Oct. 7 .....Perry........................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Ridgemont ............................. 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ...Riverside .................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 28 ...Lehman Catholic........................ 7 p.m. defense will also need to be creative to offset their size and depth. “We need to run to the football,” Wireman said. “We need 11 helmets on the ball on every play and give ourselves a chance to make some turnovers. I think that is the biggest way we can make a difference is to get some turnovers. We work turnover drills every day.” Wireman said he knows this first year is going to be one filled with a lot of hard knock learning but said if the team can keep making progress things will begin to work itself out. He knows the learning curve will be steep and he expects a rough start at the onset of the season. Wireman added that the biggest thing is getting confidence throughout the season and he says it starts with the coaching staff. “Last year was not a good year for us at 0-10 so we want to start the process of climbing out of that kind of season and start moving in the right direction.” 40906461 leaders in the weight room. They play multiple sports. We have some leaders who lead by example and also some vocal leaders. We need those seniors to take those younger players under their wings and show them what to do and stay positive.” Another aspect of introducing the armbands is to run the spread offense that Wireman is Delphos Jefferson Aug. 27 ...Shawnee .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Coldwater....................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Fairview ...................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Allen East ................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Paulding ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..Bluffton .......................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Columbus Grove .....................7 p.m. Oct. ........14 .......................................... Crestview 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Ada ..........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Spencerville ................................7 p.m. Delphos St. John’s Aug. 26 ...Bath....................................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Lima Central Catholic* ...............7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Minster .................................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Versailles ........................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 ..Anna ...................................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..at New Bremen ..................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Fort Recovery ........................ 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at St. Henry ........................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Parkway................................. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....at Coldwater ......................... 7:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium Elida Aug. 27 ...Lima Central Catholic* ...............7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Celina ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Defiance ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Wapakoneta ................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..St. Marys .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Van Wert ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Shawnee .....................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Kenton ....................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Ottawa-Glandorf .....................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Bath.............................................7 p.m. Fort Recovery Aug. 26 ...at Lehman Catholic ....................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Fort Loramie.......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Parkway................................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at Coldwater ......................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Minster .................................. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30..at Versailles ................................... 7:30 Oct. 7 ......at Delphos St. John’s ............ 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Marion Local ......................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 ....New Bremen ......................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28....at St. Henry ........................... 7:30 p.m. Hardin Northern Aug. 26 ..at Leipsic .................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 3 ...at Fairfield Christian Academy .. 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ...at Danbury ................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Waynesfield-Goshen .................. 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .Fort Loramie............................... 7 p.m. Sept. 30 .at Ridgemont ............................. 7 p.m. Oct. 7 .....Lehman Catholic........................ 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Upper Scioto Valley ............... 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ... at Perry...................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 28 ...Riverside .................................... 7 p.m. Indian Lake Aug. 26 ..at Triad ....................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 2 ...Kenton Ridge ....................... 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 ...at Upper Scioto Valley ............... 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Springfield Shawnee.................. 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .at Urbana ................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 30 .Graham Local....................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 .....at Northwestern................... 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at Greenon ................................. 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ...Bellefontaine .............................. 7 p.m. Oct. 28 ...Benjamin Local .................... 7:30 p.m. Kenton Aug. 26 ...Coldwater....................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....at Defiance ..................................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....Wapakoneta ................................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..at St. Marys .................................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..Van Wert ......................................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Shawnee .................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Ottawa-Glandorf .....................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Elida ............................................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....at Bath ........................................7 p.m. Oct. 28....Celina ..........................................7 p.m. Leipsic Aug. 26 ...Hardin Northern .........................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Columbus Grove .........................7 p.m. Sept. 9 ....at Liberty-Benton .......................7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Hopewell-Loudon........................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Pandora-Gilboa .......................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at McComb .................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......Vanlue .........................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....at North Baltimore......................7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....Cory-Rawson ..............................7 p.m. Oct. 28....at Arlington .................................7 p.m. Lima Central Catholic Aug. 27 ...Elida* ..........................................7 p.m. Sept. 2 ....Delphos St. John’s* ....................7 p.m. Sept. 10 ..Ada* ......................................4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 ..Bishop Ready* ............................7 p.m. Sept. 23 ..at Toledo Rogers .........................7 p.m. Sept. 30..at Woodlan ..................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ......at Wynford...................................7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....Bluffton (Ind.)* ...........................7 p.m. Oct. 22 ....Bishop Hartley* ..........................7 p.m. 14 Orthopaedic Surgeons - A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine - One Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Doctor, 17 Physician Assistants, two Certified Nurse Practitioners, and over 100 Health Professionals