High School Football 2016

Transcription

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been replaced by big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]
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3800 S. Dixie Hwy. • 419-24-2941
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40908788
SPARTANS!
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AUTO CARE
40908837
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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
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)
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.
2016 LCC
Good Luck
THUNDERBIRDS
THUNDERBIRDS
419-229-3646
www.hefnerstv.com
40908344
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
419-229-2002
419-223-6100
419-227-1813
40908613
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Thunderbirds
Let Us Show
You The
Difference.
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117 N. Elizabeth Street
Downtown Lima 40908792
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The Lima News
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 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
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Certified Public Accountants
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419-222-2001
40908731
40908334
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 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
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Friday, September 9th
7pm - 11pm - $7.50
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The Lima News
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)
DIVISION: III, Region 10
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
The Lima News
Titans inexperienced but optimistic
By Jim Naveau
OTTAWA-GLANDORF
COACH: Ken Schriner
YEARS AT SCHOOL: 21st year
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.
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
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The Lima News
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
DIVISION: IV
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
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“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).
419-229-2002
419-227-1813 419-223-6100
40908335
[email protected]
40908621
By Jose Nogueras
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
DIVISION: IV
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!
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 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)
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).
The Lima News
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)
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.”
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-4 (3-4 NWC)
DIVISION: VI
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
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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.
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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 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.)
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 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
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The Lima News
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
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
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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
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
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-9 (1-7 MAC)
DIVISION: VII
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 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).
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The Lima News
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
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
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
(105-45 Overall)
DIVISION: V, Region 20
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)
DIVISION: VII, Region 26
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
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.
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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
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
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40908596
The Lima News
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)
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)
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]
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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
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)
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
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The Lima News
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
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
LAST YEARS RECORD: 2-8, 2-5 Northwest Central
Conference
DIVISION: VII
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
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
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

High School Football 2016

Transcription

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