Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
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August 2010
Franklin football teams of 1960, 1985 and 1989 to be honored
The following is a release from the Franklin Wildcat Football Alumni Association:
The newly formed Franklin Wildcat Football Alumni Association will be holding an event called “Championship Weekend”.
The event will be held Friday September 17th and Saturday September 18th to honor the only Franklin Football Undefeated Championship Teams.
All former players and coaches on the 1960, 1985, 1989 teams will be honored. The “Championship Weekend” will start Friday September 17th at 5:30pm with a tent covered “Championship Team Tailgate Party” outside of the football stadium with food and drinks provided.
Special seating will be provided for the team members and coaches of the three teams at the Franklin and Monroe football game and a half time ceremony will recognize the honored guests.
On Saturday September 18th at 7:00pm the Football Alumni Association will hold the first ever “Franklin Football Alumni Social” for all former Wildcat Football Players and Coaches at the Franklin Golf Course. Each former player and coach can bring one guest. There will be a $5.00 donation collected with great food and drinks available for purchase from the Golf Course. The evening will feature game films and stories from former players and coaches.
The Franklin Wildcat Football Alumni Association was recently formed by former head football coaches John Aregood and Steve Woods along with present head coach Rodney Roberts with the goal of promoting Wildcat Football past and present. For questions and suggestions please contact John Aregood.
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TweetMoeller 35, Wayne 28; final
Moeller running back Tucker Skove scored five touchdowns, including the game winner with just :05 left as Moeller defeated Wayne 35-28 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown finale Sunday, Aug. 29 at St. Xavier High School.
Wayne senior QB Braxton Miller scored on dazzling runs of 75, 31 and 27 yards and Darien Thorton returned an interception 15 yards for another score as the Warriors posted a 28-14 halftime lead.
But Moeller rolled up two scores midway through the third quarter to pull even at 28-all.
How’s this for fireworks? 35 points in the first quarter. A mixture of unstoppable offenses and two-hand-touch defenses.
Has it been mentioned that Miller is a capable runner? How about 206 yards rushing for three TD’s in just 13 carries … all in the first half? A great spin move - or two - has been his signature move each carry.
Once a Crusader …
Former Moeller and Notre Dame head coach Gerry “Fuzzy” Faust was at his back-slapping best during warm-ups. Faust, a Chaminade grad, chatted up everyone he came in contact with while working the Moeller sideline.
Moeller’s vocal all-male student section burst into a cheer as he passed by: “Gerry! Gerry! Gerry!”
Sunday’s results
Good Counsel (Md.) 21, Cin. St. Xavier 6
Saturday’s results
Colerain 35, Northmont 6
Cin. La Salle 28, Lakota West 6
Middletown 34, Simon Kenton (Ky.) 0
Harrison 25, East Central (Ind.) 0
Fri., Aug. 27 results
Anderson 14, Oak Hills 7
Cin. Elder 38, Winton Woods 21
Thu., Aug 26 results
Cin. Turpin 24, Loveland 6
Wyoming 21, Edgewood 7
Fri., Aug. 20 results
Dixie Heights (Ky.) 35, Newport Central Catholic (Ky.) 28
Ryle (Ky.) 61, Covington Catholic (Ky.) 7
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TweetNorthmont falls to Colerain, 35-6
CINCINNATI - Perhaps this would be the moment, the game, the year that Northmont football envisioned. All the Thunderbolts needed to do was shock Colerain nation in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown Saturday night.
Woops: Colerain 35, Northmont 6.
It’s only one game and Northmont has nine more weeks to prove that it belongs in the Division I, Region 4 playoffs. But if the Bolts do advance, the Cardinals will surely be lurking somewhere in that playoff field, too.
“We played really well in the first half, but in the second half couldn’t get anything going offensively,” Northmont coach Lance Schneider said.
“That quarterback (Tyler Williams) is as fast as can be. You can’t simulate that kind of speed. We’ve been doing an option drill for five weeks to prepare, but until you see it, whew.”
To be fair, Colerain - and the shifty Williams - will likely do this to plenty of its Greater Miami Conference foes this season, if not mighty Elder next week. There are plenty of speedy, hard-hitting and Division I recruit reasons that the Cardinals are No. 1 in the Queen City and nationally ranked.
Still, it’s a bruising reminder just how much one of the Dayton area D-I heavyweights must play catch-up to make a meaningful dent in this level of ball.
“It was tough,” said Bolts QB Cameron Belton of his first start as a sophomore.
“They brought a lot of pressure. We didn’t play up to par and didn’t get the job done. They really stood up to that rank.”
One of the many Northmont spectators who made the trek to UC had a special interest in Belton. Older brother Chase Belton bolted to Cincinnati following Wabash College’s scrimmage Saturday.
The 2008 DDN D-I offensive player of the year was both awed and humbled by what he saw. And it didn’t have anything to do with the final score.
“After watching (Cameron) ever since he was little, from first grade, coming all the way through and how much he’s progressed and to come out and play (Saturday), it just amazes me,” Chase said.
Schneider’s goal is to immerse the T-Bolts in as much big-time D-I Cincinnati ball as possible. That’s why Northmont’s next two non-league games are with visiting Princeton and Moeller.
If Northmont is ever to beat these kinds of Queen City thumpers, it’ll take plenty of high-end play from Belton and his mates. On this night there were too many dropped passes, too many off-target throws and a drive-killing interception that led to a Colerain score.
And that Gang-Green defense that has served Northmont so well the last decade? Shredded and overworked.
Chase Belton has felt first-hand how a loss like this stings, having lost to Elder in the final minute.
“Northmont has always had the big games, but we could never get over that hump,” Chase Belton said.
“We want to keep playing these Cincinnati teams and be compared to them. Yeah, we’ve won the league seven out of 10 years or something like that. But we want to come down to where the big boys are at in Cincinnati.”
On Sunday, Aug. 29, it’s a doubleheader at Cin. St. Xavier’s Ballaban Field, featuring St. X vs. Good Counsel (Md.) at 3 p.m., followed by Wayne vs. Cin. Moeller at 7 p.m. Both those games will be televised live on ESPNU.
Saturday’s results
Cin. La Salle 28, Lakota West 6
Middletown 34, Simon Kenton (Ky.) 0
Harrison 25, East Central (Ind.) 0
Fri., Aug. 27 results
Anderson 14, Oak Hills 7
Cin. Elder 38, Winton Woods 21
Thu., Aug 26 results
Cin. Turpin 24, Loveland 6
Wyoming 21, Edgewood 7
Fri., Aug. 20 results
Dixie Heights (Ky.) 35, Newport Central Catholic (Ky.) 28
Ryle (Ky.) 61, Covington Catholic (Ky.) 7
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TweetStebbins basking in first win in 31 games
Stebbins High School does, indeed, have a victory bell. It had just been quiet for awhile.
Entering Friday night, the Indians hadn’t won a football game since the 2006 finale against Northwestern. Since, they built the Miami Valley’s longest losing streak at 30 games.
For three straight high school football seasons, the bell did not ring.
That’s why the players, coaches and fans who gathered at the high school after the Indians topped West Carrollton on the road Friday spent plenty of time with it.
“We had to knock the rust off,” said Stebbins senior safety Brandon Davidson.
The 21-9 victory against West Carrollton, which made its own rebound to the playoffs from a troubled period last season, gave second-year coach Trace Smitherman his first head coaching victory, Stebbins’ seniors their first win at the school and the community a rallying point in the high school.
“We got on the bus right after, because we didn’t want to disrespect West Carrollton on their field,” Smitherman said. “Then we got back to the school, and there were a few dozen people waiting for us to celebrate.”
And, of course, ring the bell.
“It’s funny,” Smitherman said. “It usually sits right outside the weight room on the way to the field. We’re redoing that area, so we moved the bell to build a new piece to sit it on. So we had to wheel the thing out so we could bang on it.”
When a team is losing, it seems that every bounce and break goes against it. Smitherman felt optimistic on Friday when one of the fumbles dropped by a Stebbins player bounced right to another, a break that wouldn’t happen to a 30-straight-losses team.
Quarterback Steve Smith didn’t hurt, either. The transfer from Jefferson provided a spark with 150 yards rushing on 15 carries and another 100 yards passing, some of them to Ohio University recruit Ian Wells, who battled back from injury to play.
Davidson and some other Stebbins players attended the school’s boys soccer game on Saturday afternoon, and Davidson worked the ticket booth. He got plenty of congratulations from a Stebbins football community that has gained new optimism.
“Usually after a Friday night, everybody’s down,” Davidson said. “I guess we found out we have it in us.”
Especially in finding a reason to roll out and ring the bell.
“Last year we did well in one of our scrimmages, and they wanted to come back and ring the bell,” Smitherman said. “That’s how bad they wanted it, to ask for it after a scrimmage. But it’s small steps, and we’re trying to build a foundation.”
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TweetSpringboro QB’s overcome injuries
There was concern at Springboro when starting quarterback Josh Little injured a shoulder.
When backup Jake Fall was lost to a concussion, it was all coach Ryan Wilhite could do to not hit the panic button.
“This year the injury bug bit us bad,” Wilhite said. “We didn’t go lighter, but we certainly didn’t go any harder.”
Neither Little nor Fall were available in last week’s scrimmage vs. Lakota West. Wilhite reluctantly inserted freshman QB Jenson Harris. All he did was win over the upperclassmen and firmly establish himself as the Panthers’ QB in waiting.
Since then both Little and Fall have returned to practice.
“It’s been a pleasant week of practice because we’ve got guys back,” Wilhite said.
“We’re not going in at 100 percent, but we feel a lot better where we’re at now than we did this time last week.”
The Panthers open the season Friday, Aug. 27 at Fairfield.
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TweetMVBCA Fall Baseball Showcase
The MVBCA Fall Baseball showcase will be held on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. at Centerville High School, 500 E. Franklin St.
All prospects in grades 9-12 are invited to attend and show your talent. More than 88 colleges and 3 pro scouts have been invited to attend as well.
The first 75 registrations will receive a showcase shirt. All boys will receive ratings from high school, college, and pro scouts to keep.
Further information and registration form can be obtained by entering the web site mvbca.org, click on forms, click on showcase.
Any questions can be sent to terry.dickten@centerville.k12.oh.us
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TweetFlyin’ to the Hoop will again have country’s top-ranked senior
The Flyin’ to the Hoop boys basketball event — now called Good Samaritan Flyin’ to the Hoop — gained national attention last year when it was reported that Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari was looking for a way to land a helicopter at Kettering’s Trent Arena to watch a coveted recruit play.
That recruit, Brandon Knight of Florida, was participating in the Flyin’ with his Pine Crest School team. Calipari did indeed watch him, but he had to settle for driving when fog rolled in.
Knight was the top-ranked senior in the country by many services, which continued a tradition of No. 1 recruits appearing in Kettering. It looks like that tradition could continue.
Scout.com’s No. 1-ranked senior in the upcoming class, Anthony Davis of Perspectives Charter School in Chicago, is scheduled to appear with his team at the 2011 Good Sam Flyin’, event director Eric Horstman said.
(Here’s the full Scout.com top 100).
The entire Flyin’ field isn’t set, but Horstman said he’s planning for 34 teams from eight states. Horstman said he should be able to release the full schedule soon for an event that has become a notable happening on the national prep basketball calendar.
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TweetFootball preview: Middletown Madison
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
MADISON (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Coach: Joe Snively (second season)
2009 record: 1-5, 3-7
Key returners:
Mason Conley, jr., RB /LB
Chris Daniel, sr., WR/LB
Ben Lenos, sr., TE/DL
Billy McGuire, sr., WR/DB
David Schenck, so., OL/LB
Extra Points:
The Mohawks look to improve heading into their second season with Snively. Seven starters return on a spread offense that has Conley in the backfield and returning receivers in Billy McGuire, Chris Daniel and Dylan Dwyer. Cody Wilmot QBs the offense for the second season.
Seven starters also return on defense, including four in the secondary. Schenck keys the linebackers and Lenos anchors the line.
One of the biggest changes in the Mohawks came in the offseason. Snively said player attitudes are more positive. Senior leadership is also strong.
(John Bombatch contributed to this article)
MADISON
Fri., Aug. 27 Heath
Fri., Sept. 3 at Troy Christian
Sat., Sept. 11 Cin. Shroder
Fri., Sept. 17 Northridge
Fri., Sept. 24 at Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 1 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 8 Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 15 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 22 at Dixie
Fri., Oct. 29 Waynesville
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TweetVersailles has opening for baseball coach
Versailles High School is accepting applications for the position of head varsity baseball coach (there are no teaching positions available).
If interested, send letter with resume to Randy Swisher, Athletic Director, Versailles High School 459 S. Center St., Versailles OH 45380 or randal_swisher@darke.k12.oh.us.
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TweetBellbrook has coaching openings
Bellbrook High School has the following coaching positions open for the 2010-2011 school year:
Head wrestling coach (submit deadline Sept. 3).
Head basketball cheer coach (submit deadline Sept. 17),
Head competition cheer coach (submit deadline Sept. 17).
Head softball coach (submit deadline Oct. 1).
Letters of interest and resumes can be processed through the Athletic Director by calling (937) 848-3737, Ext. 3.
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TweetCrosstown Showdown big for Miami Valley, Queen City best
Now that both the Dayton Daily News and The Cincinnati Enquirer have completed their preseason high school football area ratings, fans can continue debating.
Especially with the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown coming this weekend.
Northmont, which is ranked No. 3 in the DDN Division I ratings, will get a shot at Colerain, which is the preseason big-school No. 1 in the Enquirer poll. That game will be played at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium.
On Sunday, DDN No. 2 Wayne will take on Enquirer No. 4 Moeller in the Crosstown Showdown at 7 p.m. at St. Xavier High School on ESPNU.
That means, as usual, the Dayton area will get an immediate sense of how it stacks up with some of Cincinnati’s best on the opening weekend. We’ll have to wait until Week 11 to see how they fare with more at stake, but those are two Week 1 games worth watching.
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TweetWJYW-FM (88.9) to air Cross County Conference football games
WJYW-FM (88.9) is your ticket to follow Cross County Conference football games this fall.
JOY-FM will broadcast 10 games, featuring announcers Ryan Gathard and Mike Hohler, beginning with a pregame show at 7:15 p.m. each Friday.
The games also can be heard live on 889joyfm.com.
The following are the CCC games to be aired:
Aug. 27: Ft. Recovery at Mississinawa Valley.
Sept. 3: Arcanum at Miami East.
Sept. 10: National Trail at Ansonia.
Sept. 17: Mississinawa Valley at Twin Valley South.
Sept. 24: Ansonia at Arcanum.
Oct. 1: Bradford at Arcanum.
Oct. 8: Arcanum at Mississinawa Valley.
Oct. 15: Covington at Ansonia.
Oct. 22: Ansonia at Tri-County North.
Oct. 29: Miami East at Ansonia.
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TweetWONE-AM to air “GWOC Football Preview Show”
Radio station WONE-AM (980) will air its “GWOC Football Preview Show” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22.
The regular season begins on Friday, Aug. 27.
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TweetXenia Key Club to honor football players again
The following is a release from the Xenia H.S. Key Club:
The Xenia High School Key Club for the 12th year will be giving out players award after the football game of 4 games this 2010 fall football season.
Sept. 3 Walter G. Sellers Memorial Trophy Football Game (Bellbrook at Xenia).
Sept. 17 The 12th Annual Backyard Battle (Xenia at Beavercreek).
Oct. 1 Homecoming (Lebanon at Xenia).
Oct.15 Senior Night (Fairborn at Xenia).
The Awards are Best Offensive Player of the Game,Defensive Player of the Game,Special Teams Player of the Game and Scout Player of the Week.
The Xenia Key Club will co-sponsored with the Bellbrook Lions Club for the Walter G. Sellers Memorial Trophy Game where both teams will receive the awards.
The 12th Annual Backyard Battle at Beavercreek Sept.17 co-sponsored with the Beavercreek Rotary Club and Xenia Sonic Drive-In where both Teams will receive the Awards.
Oct 1 Homecoming -co-sponsored with Xenia H.S. Class of 1960.
Oct. 15 Senior Night co-sponsored with Glory Ministries Church of Xenia.
Coordinators of the Xenia High School Key Club School Project are Key Club Division 4 Lt. Gov Joseph Gregory, Xenia Faculty Advisor Kiwanian Janean Cardenas,Xenia Kiwanis Advisor Kiwanian Jo Carman and Kiwanian Vermon L. Dillon.
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TweetFootball preview: Vandalia Butler
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
VANDALIA BUTLER (D-II, Region 8)
League: GWOC North
Coach: Greg Bush (2 years, 23 seasons total, including assistant seasons at Valley View, Miamisburg and Butler)
2009 record: 0-4, 2-8
Key returners:
Devontre Burks, sr., RB
Andrew Bush, sr., OL
Taylor Decker, jr., OL
Miles Eaton, jr., OL
Nathan Martin, so., FB
Keith Peck, sr., LB
Ryne Pugh, jr., QB
Mason Smith, sr., DL
Tanner Wright, sr., OL/DL
Extra points:
The Aviators have been limited to a 40-by-40 yard patch of practice area because of construction at the high school, including the football stadium. That’s fitting because the entire football program also is undergoing a total makeover.
Bush is in his second term at Butler and landed the head job late last spring. What followed was Butler’s sixth straight non-winning season (18-42). What makes that sting even more is the Aviators were a D-II playoff regular the previous five seasons.
“We’ve had all kinds of obstacles outside of X’s and O’s,” Bush said. “We’re due for a break here.”
There’s plenty of reasons why Butler could be the surprise GWOC North team. Burks is the featured tailback and has the ability to elude defenders and run through them. Paving his way up front are massive Eaton (6-3, 305) and Wright (6-1, 250).
Joining Burks in the backfield is Martin. He earned that spot in Week 3 last year as a freshman. Andrew Bush is the coach’s son, a rock at 5-11, 240 and a proven three-year starter.
That all adds up to plenty of encouragement to Bush, who was with the Aviators during that great playoff run.
“The staff has had time to gel and we’re way ahead of the game this year,” he said.
“I think we’re going to be the surprise team in the Miami Valley. People aren’t expecting us to be back. We’re back to where we’ve been and need to be. I think we have a really good chance to be really good.”
VANDALIA BUTLER
Fri., Aug. 27 Greenville
Fri., Sept. 3 at Tecumseh
Fri., Sept. 10 Springboro
Thu., Sept. 16 Cin. Glen Este
Fri., Sept. 24 at Miamisburg
Fri., Oct. 1 Troy
Fri., Oct. 8 at Sidney
Fri., Oct. 15 at Lebanon
Fri., Oct. 22 Piqua
Fri., Oct. 29 at Trotwood-Madison
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TweetFootball preview: Xenia
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
XENIA (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC South
Coach: Bob Delong (2 years; 15 overall, including 13 at Tecumseh)
2009 record: 1-3, 2-8
Key returners:
Hassien Allen, sr., TE
Devin Croley, sr., DL
Luke Donofrio, sr., WR/DB
Robert Harden, sr., RB/DB
Terrance Moore, sr., LB
Zach Newsock, jr., QB
Nathan Nichol, sr., OT
James Sanford, jr., DB
Austyn Thurman, sr., RB
Dan Thomas, sr., WR
Anthony Valeriano, sr., DB
Julius Young, sr., DL
Extra points:
It’s always easier the second time around. At least, that’s what Delong is hoping.
After 13 mostly successful and sometimes outstanding seasons at Tecumseh, Delong landed as the Bucs’ main man, and almost immediately lost his best two-way player, FB/LB Justin Knowles, to a preseason knee injury.
That didn’t help installing the wing-T offense and 4-3 defense.
“They understand more of what we’re doing because we did change a lot last year,” Delong said.
“Overall, the kids have pretty much bought into what we’ve tried to do.”
Newsock started all 10 games last season and 6-6, 310-pound Nichol is among the GWOC’s biggest linemen. Harden and Nichol are drawing MAC interest.
At 5-11, 240, Young is the Bucs’ middle defensive plug. Powerful and quick, he squats 600 pounds. That kind of strength and leverage means teams often have to double-team him or pay the price.
Troy and Northmont have been replaced by Trotwood-Madison and Wayne in the GWOC schedule rotation.
“It’s a tough schedule,” Delong said.
“I think that’s better for you. You’re going to find out what you’re made of and I think our kids are up to it.”
According to Delong, both the CBC and GWOC have outstanding players, but the major difference is the depth of GWOC programs.
“You’ve got to coach in 2’s and 3’s because you don’t know who you’ll be playing with in Week 3-4,” he said.
“The teams that aren’t successful in this league (GWOC) are still pretty darn good teams. If you like to compete that’s why you do this thing. It’s a great situation because you see the best.”
XENIA
Fri., Aug. 27 at Carroll
Fri., Sept. 3 Bellbrook
Fri., Sept. 10 Piqua
Fri., Sept. 17 at Beavercreek
Fri., Sept. 24 Wayne
Fri., Oct. 1 Lebanon
Fri., Oct. 8 at Trotwood-Madison
Fri., Oct. 15 Fairborn
Fri., Oct. 22 at Springboro
Fri., Oct. 29 at Miamisburg
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TweetFootball preview: Fairborn
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
FAIRBORN (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC South
Coach: Roy Thobe (9 years; also 2 years at Trotwood in 1995-96)
2009 record: 2-2, 6-4
Key returners:
Dillon Bayard, sr., LB
David Choi, sr., DE
Joey Eller, sr., OT
Devon Hamilton, jr., WR
Billy Jackson, jr., WR
Jason Moorman, jr., DL
Brandon Purdy, sr., OL
Extra points:
There’s title buzz in Skyhawks country. That’s because many of the underclassmen who are ticketed to start were members of unbeaten middle school teams that upended many of their GWOC brethren.
The Skyhawks once again will air out its offense, and there’s outstanding and proven WR’s in Jackson and Hamilton. Jackson has started since his freshman year and both have landed on the recruiting radar.
“I think we’ve got some guys on the perimeter that can make plays and create some matchup problems,” said Thobe.
Directing the extreme vertical attack will be either sophomore Jaycen Newsome or junior Kendrick Williams at QB. Both are first-year players who each sat out last season, but both are former middle school standouts. Williams was the GWOC basketball leading scorer as a sophomore (22.1). Whoever doesn’t start at QB will likely land another starting position.
At 6-2, 240, Purdy is a load and anchor at center and defensive tackle. He’s also drawing interest from MAC teams.
Gone from the schedule is neighboring rival Beavercreek and Northmont, replaced by Fairmont and Piqua in the GWOC rotation.
If Fairborn is to advance to the playoffs, it’ll be a first in program history.
“Oh, yeah, we often talk about it,” Thobe said.
“Obviously, we want to win our conference. If we do that, we’ll be in the playoff hunt. You never know what’s going to happen in Region 4.”
FAIRBORN
Fri., Aug. 27 at Tecumseh
Fri., Sept. 3 Stebbins
Fri., Sept. 10 at Troy
Fri., Sept. 17 Fairmont
Fri., Sept. 24 Sidney
Fri., Oct. 1 at Miamisburg
Fri., Oct. 8 Springboro
Fri., Oct. 15 at Xenia
Fri., Oct. 22 Lebanon
Fri., Oct. 29 at Piqua
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TweetFootball preview: Springboro
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
SPRINGBORO (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC South
Coach: Ryan Wilhite (5 years; previously offensive coordinator at Wayne)
2009 record: 3-1, 8-2
Key returners:
Ryan Alvey, sr., DB
Ryan Jackson, sr., DL
Kyle King, sr., LB
Jake Rigg, sr., OL
Max Webb, sr., WR/DB
Extra points:
The Panthers are hoping to do something never before done in program history: Advance to the D-I playoffs. That’s a tough assignment since they’re lumped in Region 4, like the rest of the GWOC South.
Springboro could do no better than 13th after Week 10 last season despite that lofty record.
“It was a weird year,” Wilhite said.
“Everybody was fighting for the eighth spot. When Wayne beat Centerville, it threw a D-I team into the mix that no one was counting.”
Boro last was in the D-II playoffs in 2005.
Webb will be one of only a few two-way starters. King, at 5-11, 215, is a force in the middle and an effective blitzer.
Gone is Piqua and Trotwood-Madison in the GWOC schedule shift, replaced by Troy and Centerville. The Week 5 game at Centerville is the first time the programs will have played.
“I wouldn’t say we traded up, but we certainly didn’t trade down,” Wilhite said of the schedule changes.
“Centerville is a great program. While they have a lot of dominance, they also get everybody’s best shot. Don’t let our kids kid you, Centerville is circled on the schedule.”
If Boro is to make the D-I playoffs, it’ll likely come down to Week 10. All that awaits the Panthers is a regular-season ending showdown at Warren County rival Lebanon.
Mason will replace Fairfield as the Panthers’ season-opening opponent next season.
“We feel like right now we’re at the point that we expect to win and be successful every Friday night,” Wilhite said.
“At the same time, there are a lot of goals that we haven’t accomplished and getting into the D-I playoffs is a big one.”
SPRINGBORO
Fri., Aug. 27 at Fairfield
Fri., Sept. 3 Sycamore
Fri., Sept. 10 at Vandalia Butler
Fri., Sept. 17 Troy
Fri., Sept. 24 at Centerville
Fri., Oct. 1 Sidney
Fri., Oct. 8 at Fairborn
Fri., Oct. 15 Miamisburg
Fri., Oct. 22 Xenia
Fri., Oct. 29 at Lebanon
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TweetFootball preview: Lebanon
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
LEBANON (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC South
Coach: Shawn Lamb (6 years; previously 8 years as a Lebanon assistant)
2009 record: 4-0, 8-2
Key returners:
Aaron Abbott, jr., RB
Chris Benton, sr., LB
Nick Esposito, jr., WR
Luke Goshorn, sr., K
Nick Stotts, sr., OL
Alex White, sr., LB
Brody Wolf, sr., WR
Extra points:
Going 8-2 doesn’t get it for the Warriors. Especially if a GWOC South title and the playoffs are the prize.
Lebanon earned the South title in ‘09 by handing rival Springboro its only division loss, 21-20. But the Warriors missed out on the playoffs after falling to Trotwood-Madison in a shootout and Troy.
“We’re a small fish in a big pond,” said Lamb, referring to the ultra-competitive D-I, Region 4.
“We know we’re going into each season knowing we’ve got to go 10-0 or 9-1 to make the playoffs.”
That’s something Lebanon hasn’t done since 2002. To return to the postseason, they’ll have to come up with solid replacements for graduated standout QB Dusty Isaacs and WR/RET burner Chase Cochran.
The Warriors will be anchored once again by three-year starting left tackle Stotts, a bruiser at 6-5, 270. He’s already being wooed by most of the MAC teams and could improve his recruitability with a great senior season.
QB is up for grabs between junior transfer Kyler Hobson (Texas), junior Ben Riggin and sophomore Luke Morgan. Concedes Lamb, “They have the biggest shoes to fill.”
Gone are Trotwood, Troy and Fairmont in the GWOC schedule rotation, replaced by Vandalia Butler, Sidney and Northmont. This also ends a two-year contract with Kings in the season opener.
Defending its South title and making the playoffs could well come down to Week 10. Fittingly, that’s when Lebanon will host Springboro.
LEBANON
Fri., Aug. 27 at Kings
Fri., Sept. 3 Loveland
Fri., Sept. 10 at Sidney
Fri., Sept. 17 at Piqua
Fri., Sept. 24 Northmont
Fri., Oct. 1 at Xenia
Fri., Oct. 8 Miamisburg
Fri., Oct. 15 Vandalia Butler
Fri., Oct. 22 at Fairborn
Fri., Oct. 29 Springboro
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TweetFootball preview: Piqua
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
PIQUA (D-II, Region 8)
League: GWOC North
Coach: Bill Nees (17 years)
2009 record: 1-3, 3-7
Key returners:
Justin Covault, sr., OL
Adam Cox, sr., DB
Dan Darst, sr. C
Brandon Emerick, sr. DE
Trenton Hemm, sr., RB
Cody Hughes, sr., DE
Kendric Link, jr., DB
Travis Nees, jr., LB
Josh Niblick, sr., DL
Xavier Roberts, sr., RB
Darrien Sanders, jr., LB
Extra points:
The Indians are just four seasons removed from hoisting the D-II state title trophy. That also capped a great run that saw them advance to the playoffs four straight years.
And if ever Piqua is to get back on that lofty path, this is the team.
“We knew going into (last) season we were going to play 13 sophomores and we played 2-3 juniors who had never started before,” Nees said.
“That was what we knew. What we didn’t know was that there were 6-7 teams on our schedule that had the best year that they’ve had in a while.”
The Indians fell hard last fall, but were loaded with those first-year starting sophomores, as many as 13. They’re all back, and so are three-year starters Emerick, Hughes and Niblick.
Roberts led the team in rushing. Warns Nees: “He’s the guy who everybody wants to know where he’s at once the game starts.”
Numbers are up: About 70 players compared to the usual 55. Plus, the freshman class is loaded with 35 additional players.
Gone is Springboro and Springfield in the GWOC schedule rotation, replaced by Fairborn and Fairmont. Piqua also will host rival Troy on Friday, Oct. 8.
That all adds up to plenty of optimism in this proud football town.
“I know everybody’s jacked up about our junior class but we’ve got a good deep senior class,” Nees said. “(Last season) gave us a sense of urgency.”
PIQUA
Fri., Aug. 27 at Lima Senior
Fri., Sept. 3 Fairfield
Fri., Sept. 10 at Xenia
Fri., Sept. 17 Lebanon
Fri., Sept. 24 at Fairmont
Fri., Oct. 1 Trotwood-Madison
Fri., Oct. 8 Troy
Fri., Oct. 15 at Sidney
Fri., Oct. 22 at Vandalia Butler
Fri., Oct. 29 Fairborn
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TweetFootball preview: Trotwood-Madison
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
TROTWOOD-MADISON (D-II, Region 8)
League: GWOC North
Coach: Maurice Douglass
2009 record: 4-0, 9-4
Key returners:
Bam Bradley, jr., DB
Antwan Gilbert, sr., RB
Marcus Graham, sr., QB
Nicholas Grigsby, sr., LB
Darion Heath, jr., RB
AJ Jordan, sr., WR
Julius Ruby, sr., DB
Extra points:
Gilbert had the ultimate breakout season in ‘09, galloping for 2,576 yards (8.2 average) and 32 TD’s in 13 games. Should the Rams make another deep playoff run, he’ll likely be a threat to be the first area runner to gain 3,000 yards.
He’s just 5-11 and 175 pounds, but blessed with an incredible work ethic that transformed him into the go-to workhorse for the Rams last season. His 4.43 speed in the 40 doesn’t hurt, either. That’s why UC, Indiana, Louisville and North Carolina have all extended offers.
Graham lends plenty of experience as a three-year starter at QB. He passed for nearly 1,500 yards and 14 TD’s last season.
The defense also is set with plenty of returners and is anchored by Bradley, a much sought-after DB and the younger brother of former Ram and current UD basketball standout Chris Wright.
The Rams started just 2-3 last season, which included a two-point loss to Wayne. But T-M recovered by blitzing the GWOC North to win a conference crown and carried that momentum into the postseason. Their seven-game win streak was snapped by eventual D-II state champ Winton Woods in the regional final.
TROTWOOD-MADISON
Fri., Aug. 27 at Mason
Fri., Sept. 3 Dunbar
Fri., Sept. 10 at Beavercreek
Fri., Sept. 17 at Wayne
Fri., Sept. 24 at Springfield
Fri., Oct. 1 at Piqua
Fri., Oct. 8 Xenia
Fri., Oct. 15 at Troy
Fri., Oct. 22 Sidney
Fri., Oct. 29 Vandalia Butler
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TweetWayne-Centerville football matchup to be broadcast on ESPNU
The anticipated football matchup between the Centerville and Wayne high school football teams will be broadcast on ESPNU, giving Wayne three appearances on the network this season.
The Week 8 game at Centerville has been moved from Friday, Oct. 15, to Thursday, Oct. 14, to accommodate the broadcast. It will begin at 7 p.m.
Wayne’s opener against Moeller in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown on Aug. 29 and its Week 2 game against Canton McKinley in the Kirk Herbstreit Series on Sept. 5 will also be broadcast on ESPNU.
Obviously attractive to ESPNU is Wayne quarterback Braxton Miller, the Ohio State commitment who is ranked by Rivals.com and Scout.com as the No. 1 senior quarterback recruit nationally. Centerville features three Bowl Championship Series conference recruits on its defense in lineman Michael Bennett (Ohio State), lineman Kyle Rose (West Virginia) and linebacker Mike Replogle (Indiana).
Centerville will begin the season No. 1 in the Dayton Daily News area Division I ratings. Wayne is No. 2.
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TweetFootball preview: Fenwick
By Rick Cassano, staff writer
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
FENWICK (D-IV, Region 16)
League: GCL North
Coach: Fred Cranford (fifth season)
2009 record: 2-5, 5-5
Key returners:
Nick Durham, jr., OL/DL
Stephen Munafo, sr., DB/WR
Joe Ripplinger, sr., OL
Joey Robertson, sr., FB
Jimmy Turvy, sr., DB
Extra points:
The Falcons return nine defensive starters and have a Wing-T offense headed by junior quarterback Austin Gearing (6-5, 190).
Cranford said the goal is to rack up 2,000 yards on the ground and through the air.
“We’re rather raw on offense, but we’ve got some incredible talent,” Cranford said. “It just lacks experience.”
Gearing isn’t a household name yet, but could be soon. Cranford said he’s got a strong arm and is a tough runner as well. Fenwick has good size and even better speed, but needs to learn how to win close games. Last year, the Falcons lost four times by 10 points or less.
“I think I’ve got the group of kids that will figure that out,” Cranford said.
FENWICK
Fri., Aug. 27 at Oakwood
Fri., Sept. 3 Talawanda
Fri., Sept. 10 at Valley View
Fri., Sept. 17 at McNicholas
Fri., Sept. 24 Purcell Marian
Fri., Oct. 1 at Roger Bacon
Fri., Oct. 8 Chaminade Julienne
Fri., Oct. 15 at Alter
Fri., Oct. 22 Badin
Fri., Oct. 29 at Carroll
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TweetCelebrating the end of two-a-days … with a hog roast
Two-a-days are hard. That’s why Xenia High School football coach Bob DeLong likes to reward his players and their families for making it through the grueling preseason with a treat: A hog roast and picnic.
Xenia will hold the event Thursday while also handing out yards signs for players. DeLong said the team gets its hog from a local butcher shop and heads out to a park for the festivities.
“It’s something to enjoy before the season gets going,” DeLong said. “Two-a-days are hard on the guys.”
In his second season at Xenia, DeLong is hoping to improve on last season’s 2-8 record. The coaching staff has already made one concession, though.
“We’re having a professional come in to cut the meat this year,” DeLong said with a laugh. “Some didn’t like the way the coaches did it last year.”
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TweetFootball preview: Greeneview
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
GREENEVIEW (D-V, Region 20)
League: Ohio Heritage Conference
Coach: Isaac Seevers (2nd season)
2009 record: 1-6, 2-8
Key returners:
Tyler Caudill, sr., WR/LB
Wayne Harlow, sr., DB
Kris Partin, sr., QB
Charlie Roberts, sr., OL/DL
Alex Van Der Wissel, jr., RB/LB
Extra points:
Under second-year coach Seevers, a former quarterback at Anderson University in Indiana, Greeneview returns arguably its best player in Caudill, who has solid college prospects at about 6 feet 2 with speed. At wide receiver and strong safety, Caudill will provide support on the edges for the Rams.
The team is also solid at running back with Van Der Wissel, whom Seevers calls a “small-town, hard-nosed kid, the best kind.”
But an issue, at least for now, is at quarterback. Greeneview lost starter Partin to a knee injury in a scrimmage that is expected to keep him out for about four weeks. When he returns, though, he will be running the same offense for the second straight season in his third year as a starter.
Despite last season’s record, Seevers is telling his team to shoot for the playoffs. First, Greenview will have to decide how to handle a Week 2 slot that previously was filled by Yellow Springs. Seevers said that game won’t be played, and the Yellow Springs football program has been in jeopardy because of low participation numbers. The Rams might leave the week open, Seevers said.
“I feel very comfortable with our defense,” Seevers said. “We have about seven starters back there, and we’re changing out scheme a little bit but I think it’s working well. Last year we had to focus on the fundamentals, but now we’re able to do a little more.
GREENEVIEW
Fri., Aug. 27 at Dayton Christian
Fri., Sept. 10 at East Clinton
Fri., Sept. 17 Southeastern
Fri., Sept. 24 at Mechanicsburg
Fri., Oct. 1 Cedarville
Fri., Oct. 8 Triad
Fri., Oct. 15 at West Liberty-Salem
Fri., Oct. 22 Springfield Catholic Central
Fri., Oct. 29 at Northeastern
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TweetFootball preview: Milton-Union
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
MILTON-UNION (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Coach: Bret Pearce (11th season)
2009 record: 3-3, 6-4
Key returners:
Cohen Church, sr., LB
Shane Eshelman, sr., OL/DL
Jake Finfrock, jr., RB
Evan Geus, sr., DB
Cody Hill, sr., LB
Kyle Krieger, sr., OL/DL
Adam Martin, sr., QB
Clay Minton, jr., DB
Extra points:
Milton-Union - which moves from the Southwestern Division to the Buckeye Division - narrowly missed the postseason with three of its four losses by 14, 8 and 3 points in 2009. The offensive and defensive lines, and how quickily they come together, could play a big role in the Bulldogs run this season.
Eshelman and Krieger give stability on the lines as three-year starters and team captains. Seniors Tim Sparks and Nick Smith and juniors Jordan Poland and Kaleb Jones are also playing well.
“We need some linemen to step up. I like to say we graduated 25 seniors and I think 19 of them were linemen,” Pearce said. “We lost a lot on both sides of the line. We have some seniors that look good now. If those guys on our offensive and defensive lines can step up I think we’ll have a shot to be a pretty good football team.”
Martin moves from running back to quarterback to run the spread offense. He rushed for 890 yards last season and could give defenses trouble.
“I think we’re pretty quick and hopefully we can use that to our advantage,” Pearce said. “If you’re looking for a weakness, we’re not real big (physically) so we better be quick.”
The Bulldogs have 81 kids out, slightly more than last season, and with last year’s effort league coaches have labeled the ’Dogs a team watch out for in the small-school Buckeye.
“That’s good to know that coaches think that. I don’t know what we’ve done to deserve that right now. This is a whole new team that’s going to have a new identity and hopefully it’s going to live up to that,” Pearce said.
One adjustment the team will have to make: The Buckeye certainly provides quality opponents, but the Southwestern tends to provide more computer points with schools in higher divisions.
“The Southwestern Division is obviously worth more points just because they are bigger division schools. But we have front loaded our schedule with Oakwood, Tippecanoe and Bellbrook. We have some good teams on our schedule to go with the Waynesvilles and Carlisles from the Buckeye that are going to win a lot of games,” Pearce said.
MILTON-UNION
Fri., Aug. 27 Miami East
Fri., Sept. 3 Oakwood
Fri. Sept. 10 at Tippecanoe
Fri., Sept. 17 at Bellbrook
Fri. Sept. 24 Madison
Fri., Oct. 1 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 8 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 15 Dixie
Fri., Oct. 22 Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 29 at Northridge
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TweetWayne’s Bernard shoots course-record 64 at Beechwood
ARCANUM — Michael Bernard of Wayne High School didn’t waste any time making a season-opening statement.
He shot a course-record 64, including a back 9 of 29, during Thursday’s GWOC preseason boys golf tournament at Beechwood Golf Course.
He was followed by Centerville’s Austin Sipe (68) and Nick Scott of Northmont (69).
Centerville (289) won the event and Springboro (295) was second. Wayne was seventh.
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TweetFootball preview: Miami East
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
MIAMI EAST (D-V, Region 20)
League: CCC
Coach: Max Current (12th season)
2009 record: 8-1, 8-2
Key returners:
Reed Pyers, sr., OL/DL
Brock Smith, Sr., RB/DB
Josh Snyder, jr., DB
Scott Wimmer, sr., OL/DL
Extra points:
Miami East finished second in the Cross County Conference last season to Ansonia, which went undefeated in the regular season advanced to the playoffs. Despite an 8-2 record, with losses just in the opener against Milton-Union (which finished 6-4) and Ansonia, the Vikings missed the playoffs by three spots in Region 20, nearly making their third consecutive playoff appearance.
Current is 46-66 at Miami East’s coach and needs just four wins to become the school’s career leader. He’ll return six starters, including two-way linemen Pyers and Wimmer. The pair combined for 164 tackles last season, and Wimmer was a second-team All-Southwest District pick.
“When we need tough yards, we run behind those guys,” Current said.
Smith, who rushed for 409 yards and nine touchdowns last season, is also a defensive back.
“He shared some time in other years, but now he’s more of the guy for us,” Current said of Smith’s running back duties. “It’s a good opportunity for him.”
In all, Miami East has 19 juniors and seniors on the roster of 47. There are also 20 freshmen, meaning the Vikings will have plenty of youth.
MIAMI EAST
Fri., Aug. 27 at Milton-Union
Fri., Sept. 3 Arcanum
Fri., Sept. 10 at Mississinawa Valley
Fri., Sept. 17 Bethel
Fri., Sept. 24 at Covington
Fri., Oct. 1 at Tri-County North
Fri., Oct. 8 Bradford
Fri., Oct. 15 at Twin Valley South
Fri., Oct. 22 National Tail
Fri., Oct. 29 at Ansonia
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TweetFootball preview: Northridge
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
NORTHRIDGE (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Coach: Bob Smith (seventh season)
2009 record: 1-5, 1-9
Key returners:
Nate Jackson, so., WR
Tyler Murray, so., LB
Aaron Price, sr., WR
Tyrell Russell, sr., RB
Jamal Smith, sr., LB
Bill Tomlin, jr., OL
James Tomlin, jr., DB
Extra points:
The Polar Bears enter 2010 optimistic about making another run at .500 … or better. Though a Week 4 win over Madison gave Northridge its lone win in 2009, the Bears were close to a few more. One loss was by 14 points and three more came by seven points or less.
“We should have had five wins last year. We lost a couple overtime games, had some players hurt and ineligible, it just killed us at the beginning,” Smith said. “But we played a lot kids so now some of them are sophomores and they have experience. Hopefully it’s going to show on the field. This is probably the best group I’ve ever had. They worked hard in the off-season.”
Russell, a 1,400-yard rusher last season, leads the way. Jackson and Price give first-year senior quarterback Brandon Hayes a pair of experienced receivers in the team’s spread offense. While the skill positions return experience, the offensive line rebuilds.
“We’re going to have a few new offensive linemen. They’re doing a nice job. I think one thing that’s going to help us is we’re two-platooning so we’re playing guys one way. We’ve never done that,” Smith said of his players seeing time on offense or defense only.
About 60 kids are out, a boost from the 36 the Bears ended with last season.
“I really thought we were going to have more. We’ve got a pretty nice freshmen class coming in. A lot of kids worked in the off-season and got together. The numbers grew, I guess,” Smith said.
Team unity and speed, especially on defense, has Smith excited. Where does that speed come from? Well, Smith is also the track coach.
“A lot of kids come out and run track, also. We’ve had some good sprinters. They play football and run track. I want the kids to do all the multi-sports they can. I think that’s important,” Smith said.
“I’ve got guys that have speed, they’re gaining the strength, it’s just that you need a little luck and believe and fight through it. We want to get over that .500 hump. Hearing the kids talk they want to play in week 11. We’re shooting to be in the upper half. They’re a great bunch of kids and they’ve put in the work. I want to see that time pay off.”
NORTHRIDGE
Fri., Aug. 27 at Bethel
Fri., Sept. 3 at Mechanicsburg
Fri., Sept. 10 Belmont
Fri., Sept. 17 at Madison
Fri., Sept. 24 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 1 Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 8 Dixie
Fri., Oct. 15 at Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 22 at Monroe
Fri., Oct. 29 Milton-Union
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TweetFootball preview: Stebbins
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
STEBBINS (D-II, Region 8)
League: CBC Kenton Division
Coach: Trace Smitherman (2nd season)
2009 record: 0-5, 0-10
Key returners:
Chris Tucker, sr., DL
Tony Pastiva, sr., WR
Ian Wells, sr., DB
Dalton Whitaker, sr., OL
Extra points:
Stebbins enters the season under the weight of a 30-game losing streak, which began after the optimism of three straight wins to end the 2006 season. Before those three wins, though, Stebbins lost 13 straight, meaning times have been tough.
Smitherman was hired off of Beavercreek’s staff last year, but his hiring came late in the school year so he and the team had to spend time getting to know one another during practices.
“It made it tough to get to know the kids and who’s playing,” Smitherman said. “When you have a program that’s down, there’s really no reason to sign up at that point. As the year goes on, you start to understand them better and help them understand the effort it takes.”
Stebbins has 13 starters returning, including Wells, a Division I recruit to Ohio University. Smitherman said Wells was injured for part of last season, but having his full health again should help him improve.
Whitaker, expected to play center, and Tucker, a two-way player, could stabilize the offensive line, Smitherman said. Plus, they could help the quarterback - either Steve Smith, a transfer from Jefferson, or Jeff Wolfe, who played running back last season — find comfort in the pocket.
“(Smith) is more of a thrower, and we’re hoping to be able to pass a little more,” Smitherman said. “We also run the triple-option, so we’re trying to fit his style to our style, which takes time, that’s why we don’t have a true starter yet.”
Pastiva, who added size and strength in the summer, will be the main target at wide receiver, giving Stebbins multiple options on offense that it lacked last year.
STEBBINS
Fri., Aug. 27 at West Carrollton
Fri., Sept. 3 at Fairborn
Fri., Sept. 10 Lockland
Fri., Sept. 17 Graham
Fri., Sept. 24 at Urbana
Fri., Oct. 1 Bellefontaine
Fri., Oct. 8 at Tecumseh
Fri., Oct. 15 Tippecanoe
Fri., Oct. 22 at Kenton Ridge
Fri., Oct. 29 Shawnee
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TweetFairmont pitcher Alex Lilley signs with UC
Alex Lilley, Fairmont’s ultra-successful left-handed pitcher, has signed a scholarship to play at the University of Cincinnati.
The recent grad appeared in 13 games for the Firebirds this past season, compiling a 7-4 record in 64.2 innings. He also had 93 strikeouts, two shutouts and a 1.19 ERA.
As a junior, Lilley was 7-1 with three shutouts and a 1.77 ERA as Fairmont advanced to the Division I regional final.
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TweetFootball preview: Preble Shawnee
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
PREBLE SHAWNEE (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Coach: Greg Stacy, third year
2009 record: 1-5, 3-7
Key returners:
Marcus Allen, sr., WR
Dakota Bennett, sr., WR
Clay Brewer, jr., WR/DB
Josh Hocker, jr., RB/LB
Austin Jarbo, jr., QB
Zack Janson, jr., OL
Cameron Letner, sr., WR/DB
Extra points:
The numbers keep going up for the Arrows as far as player turnout. Now Stacy hopes the start translating into more wins. Preble Shawnee has 58 players out, an increase from the 54 the Arrows finished with last season and the 50 from 2008.
“I don’t know. Just a better attitude,” Stacy said of the rise in numbers. “We did a lot of good things last year but I started six sophomores and a freshman. Sometimes they got manhandled a little bit, but they learned how to play the game. They’re getting better and I’ve had them in the weight room.
“We couldn’t wait for two-a-days. … I’ve never heard that before. I do lunch duty every day and I kept hearing, ‘I can’t wait for football, coach. I can’t wait.’ That makes me feel good. You don’t have to be the best, but I want the kids to have a positive experience.”
Stacy hopes to build on last season’s 3-7 record and make a run at .500. The last winning season was 6-4 in 2001 and the school record for wins was 7-3 in 1996.
“We lost a game or two last year I thought we shouldn’t have. Our goal last year was to go 5-5. We had a couple bad games I wish we could have got back. We’ll learn from that,” Stacy said. “We don’t have much to complain about right now. We’ve got 180 boys in the whole school and 58 of them are out. They’re all working hard as a team. It’s not about an individual.
“I try to convey to them they are playing in a league that sends five, six, seven teams to the playoffs every year. We’re going to have to work as hard as everyone else, but most of all we need to believe in ourselves. When you’ve lost for so long you get that mentality and we just need to break that.”
About 10 seniors are on the roster, which is dominated by the junior class. The experience many of them received as sophomores will help. One of those sophomores from last year is Jarbo, who moved from running back to quarterback midway through the season. He returns at QB for his junior year. He has some nice targets in Allen, Bennett, Brewer and Letner. What he won’t have is brother Jake, a 1,000-yard rusher, in the backfield. The senior transferred to Valley View.
“I had a really good rapport with Jake. … It was probably a good move for Jake and probably a good move for us. No hard feelings and we want the best for him,” Stacy said.
Speed is an asset for the Arrows, who according to Stacy have the athletes to make the spread work even better this season.
“We had spurts last year where we looked really good. … I think with this class they believe,” Stacy said. “The year before I took it over I think they finished with 19 kids. Now we just need to toughen them up and teach them how to play the game.
“If we don’t go 5-5 I’ll be disappointed. Actually we’re shooting for a little higher than that, you’ve got to, so you’ve got to upset a couple of teams. If I can get their mindset right we can do some things.”
PREBLE SHAWNEE
Fri., Aug. 27 National Trail
Fri., Sept. 3 at New Miami
Fri., Sept. 10 Brookville
Fri., Sept. 17 Dixie
Fri., Sept. 24 at Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 1 at Northridge
Fri., Oct. 8 Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 15 Madison
Fri., Oct. 22 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 29 at Eaton
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TweetFootball preview: Tippecanoe
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
TIPPECANOE (D-III, Region 10)
League: CBC Kenton Division
Coach: Charlie Burgbacher (22nd season)
2009 record: 4-1, 9-3
Key returners:
Dylan Bourelle, sr., RB/DB
Austin Hunter, sr., OL
Kyle Pignatiello, sr., K/P/DL
Jake Polansky, sr., LB
Jake Watkins, sr., DB
Extra points:
The Red Devils continued a string of five consecutive playoff appearances last season by finishing 9-3 to run their record in that span to 44-12. And then they had one of their best summers ever.
“It’s been about our best summer for attendance,” Burgbacher said. “We really had a lot of kids in the summer conditioning and lifting program.”
Tipp finished second in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Kenton Division last season to Tecumseh before advancing to the second round of the postseason (beating Sandusky Perkins before losing to eventual state finalist Columbus St. Francis DeSales).
Bourelle, though, is the team’s leading returning rusher, and he had 98 yards on 23 carries last season. The Red Devils graduated their top four offensive rushers (including quarterback Ryan Landwehr), who combined for 1,784 yards last season.
Watkins, similarly, is the top returning receiver, although he was sixth last season in catches with two for 38 yards.
“I’d kind of hate to count,” Burgbacher said when asked about his returning starters.
Hunter will be a leader on offense, while Watkins is one of the more experience defenders. Tippecanoe also boasts a kicker considered one of the best in the state in Pignatiello, giving the team a solid leader in all phases.
The challenge, then, will be continuing the stellar Tipp streak of playoff appearances and victories.
TIPPECANOE
Fri., Aug. 27 at Graham
Fri., Sept. 3 at Greenville
Fri., Sept. 10 Milton-Union
Fri., Sept. 17 Indian Lake
Fri., Sept. 24 at Benjamin Logan
Fri., Oct. 1 at Springfield Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 8 Bellefontaine
Fri., Oct. 15 at Stebbins
Fri., Oct. 22 Tecumseh
Fri., Oct. 29 Kenton Ridge
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TweetMiami Valley’s Alex Zorniger to play in Home Care & Hospice First Tee Open
Alex Zorniger of Miami Valley School has been selected to play in the Home Care & Hospice First Tee Open at Pebble Beach on Labor Day weekend.
The Champions Tour event is Sept. 3-5 and can be seen on the Golf Channel.
Zorniger, 17, has a handicap of 3.6. He has been a member of The First Tee for four years.
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TweetFootball preview: Dixie
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
DIXIE (D-V, Region 20)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Coach: David Tarpley (fourth season)
2009 record: 3-3, 5-5
Key returners:
Luke Bowling, so., QB
Doogie Hauser, jr., RB/DB
Ethan Hayes, sr., LB;
Cody Johnson, jr., DL
Tony Prater, sr., WR
Extra points:
The Greyhounds had a good season at 5-5, but it came with a catch: Dixie didn’t beat any team with a .500 record or better. For the Greyhounds to earn their first winning season since 1983 that will have to change.
“We’ve always been the underdog, but I’ve told the guys we haven’t beaten anybody we’re not supposed to beat. We need to get over that hump and hopefully that makes the difference,” Tarpley said.
Tarpley likes how his offense is looking, especially with the 6-6 Prater, a four-year starter. Bowling has a year of varsity experience and Hauser, a speedster running back, is getting competition from sophomore Ryan Jordan. On defense, Hayes leads the way as a fourth-year starter.
“Our scoring machine I’m not worried about, but getting scored on I am,” Tarpley said. “We just have to beat a couple teams we need to beat. … Who knows, this might be our year to break .500.”
The Greyhounds have 49 kids out, up from the 35 they finished with at the end of last season.
Along with those numbers, Tarpley hopes to see a few more W’s. It won’t be easy. Four of Dixie’s five losses in 2009 game to playoff teams.
“These kids deserve it. They’ve got really good heart and hopefully it makes a difference,” Tarpley said of a winning season. “We’re the smallest team in the division. That’s no excuse, though. Week in and week out we have to be ready to go.”
DIXIE
Fri., Aug. 27 Twin Valley South
Fri., Sept. 3 Deer Park
Fri., Sept. 10 at Franklin
Fri., Sept. 17 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Sept. 24 at Brookville
Fri., Oct. 1 Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 8 at Northridge
Fri., Oct. 15 at Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 22 Madison
Fri., Oct. 29 Carlisle
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TweetFootball preview: Chaminade Julienne
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
CHAMINADE JULIENNE (D-III, Region 12)
League: GCL North
Coach: Andy Helms (5th season)
2009 record: 5-2, 8-3
Key returners:
Marco Gresham, jr., DB
Darrien Howard, soph., LB
Donovan Layne, sr., DB
Mike Simpson, jr., QB
Aaron Stokes, sr., RB
Extra points:
CJ finished last season No. 3 in the Division III, Region 12 computer points and ranked No. 10 in the state, which was a strong accomplishment under fourth-year coach Helms. Before that, the Eagles hadn’t made the playoffs since 2005.
The Eagles return two of their better offensive players in Simpson and Stokes. Last year, Simpson had a strong sophomore season in passing for 1,588 yards and 14 touchdowns while Stokes, then a junior, rushed for 901 yards and eight touchdowns.
But CJ lost three of its top four receivers and three members of the offensive line, including Andy Jomantas, who is now at North Carolina State.
The defense returns seven starters, including Howard, who impressed last season as a 6-foot-2, 235-pound freshmen who could play both linebacker and defensive line. The Eagles’ defense allowed an average of 9.1 points per game last season.
But, as always, Alter is looming. CJ entered the season finale against the Knights last year with a single loss (against McNicholas, 17-16). The Eagles held the powerful Alter offense to 21 points (its lowest point total of the season) but failed to score in the 21-0 shutout.
“CJ players are gunning for the school’s first GCL title since 2000,” Helms said. “The North division couldn’t be tougher in 2010, with two-time defending Division IV state champion Alter standing in the way, as well as an experienced senior-led Carroll team, and a confident Fenwick team that started 5-0 in 2009.”
CHAMINADE JULIENNE
Fri., Aug. 27 at Troy
Fri., Sept. 3 at Marshall
Fri., Sept. 10 at Ponitz Tech
Fri., Sept. 17 at Roger Bacon
Fri., Sept. 24 McNicholas
Sat., Oct. 2 at Badin
Fri., Oct. 8 at Fenwick
Fri., Oct. 15 Carroll
Fri., Oct. 22 Purcell Marian
Fri., Oct. 19 at Alter
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TweetFootball preview: Waynesville
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
WAYNESVILLE (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Coach: Brandon Philpot (first year)
2009 record: 5-1, 8-3
Key returners:
Chase Gianattasio, sr., WR
Isaac Hammonds, jr., OL/DL
Caleb Keeton, jr., K
Ryan Potter, sr., WR
Josh Powell, sr., LB
Mike Tarkany, jr., OL/DL
Joey Tweel, sr., WR
Extra points:
Philpot takes over for Glen Burchfield, who stepped down last season after leading the Spartans to three consecutive playoff appearances. Philpot served as a varsity assistant at Waynesville the past 12 seasons and the last seven as the offensive coordinator.
The Spartans graduated about 80 percent of its offense - specifically RB Seth Millar and QB Cory Young - but Philpot is optimistic with what returns.
“Losing basically our entire offensive backfield is a little scary going into the year,” Philpot said. “But we’ve had some guys that have been working hard this off-season and stepped up their games.”
To compensate - this is the first time in about six years the Spartans have a quarterback competition - the offense is being simplified and the focus is on detail. Junior Luke Credit (who played at Clinton-Massie then moved to Tennessee) is in the running with sophomore Ty Black, who also plays shortstop and hits lead-off for the baseball team.
Junior Matt Lindsey takes over at running back in the Spartans’ option offense that mixes in a short passing game.
“Trying to replace Seth Millar is going to be a difficult task. I may never coach another kid like Seth. He was so explosive and talented,” said Philpot, who expects good things from Lindsey. “He’s raw. Sometimes I don’t know if he knows how good he is. He’s a completely different type of runner. He runs a little more nastier and aggressive than Seth. He’s going to be fun.”
Lindsey and either Credit or Black will benefit from a returning offensive line that returns five letterwinners. On defense, the line and secondary are strengths in the 4-3 defense.
“I’m going to rely on our defense more than in the past. I’m glad I have two guys in Chip King and Scott Jordan,” Philpot said.
The team has 58 players out, the most ever at Waynesville according to Philpot. Helping boost those numbers are a freshmen team, the first in the program’s history. Five games have been scheduled for them.
“Everyone says the cupboard is bare, but honestly we only lost about six seniors from last year,” Philpot said. “They were very important parts, but our kids have that tradition. We’ve been to the playoffs the last three years and this group of seniors, one of their goals is to be the first class to make it to the playoffs all four years. We have aspirations of being league champs and making the playoffs again. We feel we’re going to be a more complete team.
“I think we’re going to be very competitive. I know everyone thinks we lost Seth and Cory and we’re not going to be as good. I think we’re going to be a bit more difficult to defend because we’re going to throw the ball 50 percent of the time and run 50 percent.”
WAYNESVILLE
Fri., Aug. 27 East Clinton
Fri., Sept. 3 at Clinton-Massie
Fri., Sept. 10 Dayton Christian
Fri., Sept. 17 Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 24 Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 1 at Dixie
Fri., Oct. 8 at Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 15 Northridge
Fri., Oct. 22 at Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 29 at Madison
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TweetFootball preview: Jefferson
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
JEFFERSON (D-VI, Region 24)
League: Metro Buckeye Conference
Coach: Daniel Parks (3rd season)
2009 record: 1-4, 4-6
Key returners:
Cody Latimer, sr., WR/DB
Robert Potter, jr., WR/DB
Harley Schmidt, jr., OL
Brandon Wilson, sr., DB/QB
Terrence Woodruff, sr., TE/DL
Extra points:
The football Broncos have a major basketball presence in the form of players who helped Jefferson to a Division IV hoops title last spring.
Most notable among them is Latimer, the 6-3 wide receiver and defensive back who boasts 15 Division I scholarship offers, including Indiana, Ball State, Ohio University and Colorado, Parks said.
“He’s just an excellent football player,” Parks said. “I have to believe he’s one of the best receivers in Ohio.”
Latimer will have a new quarterback throwing to him, and it will be a basketball teammate. Deontae Roberson, a 6-4 basketball guard, will play quarterback as a junior after not playing football last season as a sophomore.
“He has good knowledge of the game,” Parks said. “He can throw out of the pocket and on the run, and with us having low numbers of linemen, that’s going to be important for him.”
Despite the low number of linemen, Parks feels good about his players at the skill positions. Much of the offense is back, except a graduated running back and a quarterback, Steve Smith, who transferred to Stebbins.
Like last season, Jefferson will battle low numbers - about 19 or 20 players - and playing both ways in trying to take advantage of the buzz created by the basketball team’s state title.
“We’re gonna have to have a whole lot of hustle,” Parks said.
JEFFERSON
Fri., Aug. 27 Clark Montessori
Fri., Sept. 3 Ponitz Tech
Fri., Sept. 10 at Marshall
Sat., Sept. 18 at Grove City Christian
Fri., Sept. 24 Dayton Christian
Fri., Oct. 1 at Fort Loramie
Fri., Oct. 8 Lehman Catholic
Fri., Oct. 15 at Troy Christian
Fri., Oct. 22 at Yellow Springs
Fri., Oct. 29 Belmont
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TweetFootball preview: Springfield
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
SPRINGFIELD (D-I, Region 3)
League: GWOC Central
Coach: Rick Robertson; 3rd year, 22nd overall, including 12 at Fairmont (71-50) and seven at Springfield North (41-31-1).
2009 record: 2-3, 6-5
Key returners:
Josh Bass, sr., WR/DB
Tyler Compston, sr., OL
Hayden Davis, sr., RB/LB
Trey DePriest, sr., RB/LB
Darius James, jr., DE
Byron Thompson, sr., WR
George Walker, jr., QB/RB/WR
Extra points:
No more break-in allowance for the combined North and South programs. And the Wildcats have plenty of seasoned reasons why, starting with DePriest, a takedown specialist who recently committed to Alabama. Unlike the first two combined seasons, Springfield will field a junior- and senior-dominated lineup.
“We can’t use the ‘we’re young and wait to next year’ slogan,” Robertson said. “We think we have the opportunity for a pretty good year.”
Despite four losses, Springfield snuck into the Region 3 playoffs last season, something that wouldn’t have been possible in Region 4. A signature 21-18 Week 7 defeat of Northmont was the difference, which also knocked the T-Bolts out of the playoffs.
“Every now and then you just need flat-out luck,” said Robertson.
The season before, Springfield rocked Centerville 7-0, the defining win for a first-year program that many of the current seniors played in.
“We needed that, but anytime you beat Centerville it’s a landmark win,” said Robertson.
DePriest doubles as an elusive running back (721) yards. But the offensive wildcard is Walker, who’ll play all three positions and Robertson likened to Antwaan Randel El of the Steelers. “(Walker’s) our flash,” Robertson said. “We want to create as many mismatches with him as possible.”
New on the schedule is Upper Arlington, which replaces Pickerington Central in a Week 2 home game. It helps that Springfield has Centerville at home in Week 9. That’s because the Wildcats are at Wayne in Week 6 and at Northmont in Week 10, which once again could determine each team’s playoff fate.
SPRINGFIELD
Fri., Aug. 27 at Hamilton
Fri., Sept. 3 Upper Arlington
Fri., Sept. 10 at Sycamore
Fri., Sept. 17 Miamisburg
Fri., Sept. 24 Trotwood-Madison
Fri., Oct. 1 at Wayne
Fri., Oct. 8 Fairmont
Fri., Oct. 15 at Beavercreek
Fri., Oct. 22 Centerville
Fri., Oct. 29 at Northmont
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TweetFootball preview: Miamisburg
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
MIAMISBURG (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC South
Coach: Tim Lewis (1st year in 2nd stint as Vikings head coach; also was Burg’s head coach for 18 years from 1989-2006)
2009 record: 0-4, 1-9
Key returners:
Shawn Barkalow, sr., LB
Kyle Brewer, sr., WR/DB
Cody Hamblin, jr., RB
Tyler Lenhoff, sr., WR/DB
Zach Myers, jr., OL
Zach Ryan, jr., WR
Extra points:
The Vikings received new life into their program last spring, and not just because former longtime coach Lewis returned for Round 2.
A crucial school levy was finally passed. Had it not, all extra-curriculars including sports would have been suspended at least through the fall and personnel cuts would have been made.
That passage and Lewis’ return seems to have sparked a spirit in Burg football that was sorely missing during last fall’s one-win campaign. The Vikings dressed just 37 players the final two games of ‘09. Now, Lewis reports the team has swelled to a robust 65. Even better, summer workouts have been faithfully attended and everyone seems committed to getting Miamisburg football back into GWOC South contention.
“The bottom line is, they’re tired of losing,” said Lewis, who was a Vikings assistant last season and landed the head position again when Zach Cline resigned.
“I don’t know how many games we’re going to win, but our seniors have done more things together in the last two months than they have the last two years.”
Barkalow was the only Viking to be named All-GWOC last season. At 6-2, 225 and owner of 4.7 speed, Lewis claims the tackling machine is under the recruiting radar. That change with an outstanding senior season.
Centerville has been replaced by Springfield and Sidney has been bumped for Troy in the GWOC schedule rotation. Offensively challenged, last season Burg beat only only Bellbrook in the season opener, which means the Vikings lug a 9-game losing skid into the opener at Bellbrook.
Lewis isn’t the only former Burg head coach to return. Lewis replaced Dave Parkhurst as the Vikings’ main man in 1989. And now Parkhurst is back as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
“We really wanted to build that team concept (this summer),” Lewis said. “I’m walking on egg shells because at this point I didn’t think it would be this smooth. It’s not going to go this smooth forever.”
MIAMISBURG
Fri., Aug. 27 at Bellbrook
Fri., Sept. 3 Fairmont
Fri., Sept. 10 West Carrollton
Fri., Sept. 17 at Springfield
Fri., Sept. 24 Vandalia Butler
Fri., Oct. 1 Fairborn
Fri., Oct. 8 at Lebanon
Fri., Oct. 15 at Springboro
Fri., Oct. 22 Troy
Fri., Oct. 29 Xenia
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TweetFootball preview: Carlisle
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
CARLISLE (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Buckeye
Coach: Billy Jewell (fourth year)
2009 record: 5-1, 9-3
Key returners:
Deron Daws, sr., OL
Joe Downey, jr., OL
Adam Emerick, sr., DB
Seth Everhart, sr., OL
Jordan Jacobs, sr., WR
Josh Koogal, sr., DB
Michael Kruse, jr., WR
Dusty Laughlin, sr., LB
Alex Leach, jr., WR/DB
Nick McGill, sr., RB
Chris McLaughlin, sr., DL
Extra points:
The Indians are coming off their first consecutive non-losing seasons since 1987-88, and 2010 could be even better. Eight starters on offense and eight starters on defense return to a team that won the SWBL Buckeye and reached the second round of the playoffs before falling to state champ Alter 41-0.
In addition to those starters, a couple players from Edgewood transferred to Carlisle including all-league quarterback Tommy Thacker. Edgewood’s school levy failed in May causing major cuts and a pay-to-play fee for extracurricular activities.
“Everything has to be i’s dotted and t’s crossed. If they can play they’ll see the field. It’s kind of hard to tell right now because we can’t hit.” Jewell said. “I don’t necessarily think they are football moves. It’s not like they chose to come play football for us. … I don’t know what the motivation is. I know they’ve had issues at Edgewood with the levy. I don’t know if pay-to-play is an issue. To me as soon as the kid is enrolled at our school he’s a Carlisle kid.”
About 75 players showed up for the start of two-a-days, a boost from 57 last year and 45 in 2008. Jewell attributes the high numbers to his working in the middle school and the opportunity to encourage to the students to come out.
As if slowing down Carlisle wasn’t tough enough in 2009, the Indians could be even faster this time around. McGill runs behind a strong line and a solid group of receivers return. The secondary should be a strength on defense.
“We definitely have the talent. I’d say we’ve made some strides with some things in the weight room and with new equipment we bought that’s made some of our players better this year than they were last year in the off-season. … But if you get two or three key players injured at a small school like us, it can be a big thing,” Jewell said. “I tell our boys the team that can beat us is us. That can happen any Friday night.”
Though they enter the season as the defending division champs, Jewell isn’t totally sold that his team is the one to beat in 2010.
“I saw some of those Dixie athletes at a 7-on-7. I don’t know where they get these 6-5 receivers but they’ve got them. With Milton-Union coming to our side, coach (Bret) Pearce knows how to win. And I’m not counting Waynesville out. (Madison) Coach (Joe) Snively is a great football mind. I think we’ve made strides to be better than we were last year, but that doesn’t mean other teams haven’t as well. I’d think we’d be one of the teams to beat.”
“Last year the kids were confident. … Last year it was kind of like we think we can be good. This year we know we’re good, but that doesn’t translate into wins all the time. On paper we’re a great football team. But that’s on paper.”
CARLISLE
Fri., Aug. 27 at Franklin
Fri., Sept. 3 Brookville
Fri., Sept. 10 at Oakwood
Fri., Sept. 17 at Waynesville
Fri., Sept. 24 Northridge
Fri., Oct. 1 Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 8 at Madison
Fri., Oct. 15 Valley View
Fri., Oct. 22 Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 29 at Dixie
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TweetFootball preview: West Carrollton
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
WEST CARROLLTON (D-II, Region 8)
League: Independent
Coach: Rob Berger (2nd year)
2009 record: 8-3
Key returners:
Brandon Craig, sr., OL/DL
Conner Myslowski, soph., QB/DB
Bill Olson, sr., OL/LB
Eric Shelton, jr., K/P
Randy Stites, jr., WR/DB
Extra points:
The Pirates, under former assistant coach Berger, exited a funk that saw them get one win in a 25-game stretch by the middle of 2008 to make their first playoff appearance since 2006 last season.
But Berger has new challenges entering his second season, with two returning offensive starters, three returning defensive starters and just 10 returning lettermen.
“The system is there, the system is in place, and it’s the first time in awhile we’ve had the same offensive and defensive systems the same in two straight years,” Berger said. “There’s consistency in the program, but we’re going to have a few sophomores out there playing varsity.”
Stites was West Carrollton’s MVP last season on a team loaded with seniors after grabbing six interceptions and returning punts and kicks. He could miss time with a broken collarbone suffered during Ohio State’s football camp, but he should be available for most of the season.
Olson and Craig also provide senior leadership for a group Berger expects to be more athletic.
Myslowski, about 6-2 and 180 pounds, was a varsity football and basketball player last year as a freshman and is expected to take over at quarterback as a sophomore.
“There are bumps in the road for a sophomore, but he’s a very athletic young man, and he’s coming along,” Berger said.
West Carrollton will enter the Greater Western Ohio Conference in all sports this year but football, which will join in 2012. Until then, the Pirates will take over the Fort Ancient Valley Conference schedule left when Amelia departed from the conference. West Carrollton will not be part of the conference standings, but simply take the opponents.
WEST CARROLLTON
Fri., Aug. 27 Stebbins
Fri., Sept. 3 at Springfield Shawnee
Fri., Sept. 10 at Miamisburg
Fri., Sept. 17 Ross
Fri., Sept. 24 Talawanda
Fri., Oct. 1 Turpin
Fri., Oct. 8 at Little Miami
Fri., Oct. 15 Kings
Fri., Oct. 22 at Walnut Hills
Fri., Oct. 19 at Wilmington
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TweetFootball preview: Eaton
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
EATON (Division III, Region 12)
League: SWBL Southwestern
Coach: Ron Neanen (23rd season)
2009 Record: 5-1, 8-3
Key returners:
Ben Duffie, jr., DL
Joseph Hightower, sr., WR
A.J. Jackson, sr., OL/DL
Deven Moses, sr., LB
Cody Shafer, sr., OL/DL
Deon Smith, sr., DL
Dustin Underwood, sr., OL
Zac Wilson, sr., WR/DB
T.J. Woods, sr., WR
Kyle Yoder, sr., LB
Extra points:
Southwestern Division champs lost much from last year’s team that also reached the playoffs before falling to Wyoming 34-32 in the first round. Gone are a 2,000-yard rusher, a 1,000-yard passer and an offensive linemen recruited by Cincinnati. But the Eagles are ready to fly again. Eight starters return on defense, which should give a young offense with four returning starters time to gel.
“I think everybody likes to have a good solid defense, so defense is a good place to start. Defense can keep you in the game and let your offense kind of grow up in games,” Neanen said.
Junior Cole French takes over at quarterback. The 6-foot-4, 200 pounder has looked good in prepping for his role.
“He’s a good athlete. He’s a good basketball player, good football player. He sees the field very well, makes good decisions. We think he can be a good one,” Neanen said.
French has something to work with, too. The Eagles’ spread offense returns skill at receiver and the offensive line is also a strength. Most notably are Duffy and Woods, both who are getting some attention from colleges.
Eaton is the popular choice, along with Valley View, to contend for the division title again. Neanen thinks that can happen, too, as long as his Eagles come together. They better. Teams always want to take down that league champion.
“We’re always after the league champions so I’m sure other schools feel that way about us,” Neanen said. “It’s still early for us. I think physically that could be true. I think we have a lot to work on mentally as far as developing a team attitude, a team toughness and a team cohesion. We don’t have that yet. That’s what was kind of special about last year’s team. We played as a team and no one got jealous who got the credit. For us to compete at the top of our league we have to develop that mental part. … I think the seniors have a hunger to get there. It’s just a different team every year. We don’t dwell on the past or talk much about what happened last year. Everything is focused on this year. You would like to think confidence has a carryover. I don’t know how much.”
Sixty-four players are currently out, about average for Eaton, but depth is a concern. Many coming back were second- or third-teamers on the depth chart. The graduation of some key players also sapped the Eagles’ speed.
“I think overall we’re probably about as fast as last year, but depth wise we’re not as fast when we get past that first team. One of our keys is we’re going to have to stay very, very healthy and some of our sophomores and juniors in back-up situations really have to grow and play their roles well,” Neanen said.
EATON
Fri., Aug 27 at Talawanda
Fri., Sept. 3 at St. Henry
Fri., Sept. 10 Greenon
Fri., Sept. 17 Brookville
Fri., Sept. 24 at Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 1 at Monroe
Fri., Oct. 8 Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 15 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 22 at Valley View
Fri., Oct. 29 Preble Shawnee
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TweetFootball preview: Ponitz Tech
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
PONITZ TECH (D-VI, Region 24)
League: Dayton City League
Coach: John Wortham (2nd year)
2009 record: 0-4, 1-9
Key returners:
Bryant Ballard, sr., WR/DB
Nick Houston, jr., WR/DB
Craig Wallace, sr., QB/DB
Extra points:
The Golden Panthers won a single game during their inaugural season - a 34-20 defeat of Troy Christian in Week 9 - but there were other positives for the first-year school.
The Week 2 game against Jefferson, for instance, created instant buzz when the teams combined for 1,041 yards of offense in the 52-47 Jefferson victory. In that game, then-junior quarterback Wallace completed 14-of-26 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
A senior now, Wallace in Ponitz’ returning star who is also gaining plenty of recruiting attention, mostly as a defensive back. The 5-foot-9 Wallace finished last season with more than 2,000 yards passing.
“If he was taller, we’d be talking about him like the kid at Wayne (Ohio State recruit Braxton Miller),” Wortham said.
“He picks things up very quickly, he’s a great competitor, and he can make quick adjustments on the fly. He has a great football IQ, so we try not to make his height an issue.”
The Golden Panthers faced some defensive problems last season, giving up at least 50 points seven times, so coaches changed this season to a defense with three down linemen to increase the importance of speed instead of size. One of the leaders is expected to be junior linebacker Jordan Baxter, an example of a Ponitz Tech player who runs well but doesn’t have major size.
The offense will get help from 285-pound offensive tackle Cal Griffith, whom Wortham said is increasing his strength to help protect Wallace.
Overall, Wortham said there were built-in difficulties with being a first-year program, and he hopes to improve in Year 2.
“It depends on how you measure success,” Wortham said. “We wanted to be able to win more, of course, but we were in a couple games late and youth got the better of us. We’re trying to lay a foundation of expectations.”
PONITZ TECH
Fri., Aug. 27 Lockland
Fri., Sept. 3 at Jefferson
Thurs., Sept. 9 Chaminade Julienne
Fri., Sept. 17 at North College Hill
Thurs., Sept. 23 Meadowdale
Fri., Oct. 1 Belmont
Fri., Oct. 8 at Dunbar
Fri., Oct. 15 Jonathan Alder
Fri., Oct. 22 at Troy Christian
Fri., Oct. 29 at Marshall
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TweetFootball preview: Troy
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
TROY (D-I, Region 3)
League: GWOC North
Coach: Steve Nolan (27 years; 31st overall, including 4 years at Conneaut)
2009 record: 2-2, 5-5
Key returners:
Brad Armstrong, sr., QB/DB
Lee Blackford, sr., OL
Marcus Foster, jr., RB
Bryan O’Neil, sr., LB
Kyle Terrando, sr., DB
Extra points:
The dean of GWOC coaches was at a career crossroads last summer.
“I had to make a decision for myself,” reflected Nolan. “I’d spent 35-36 years in education. I had to make a decision to stay or go and develop the next few years and hopefully it’ll pay off.
“I really believe the people thought I’d get out the year before. I had to look at where I was personally. I knew this was coming. Honestly, those kids surprised me.”
The Trojans hadn’t made the playoffs since 2004 and were facing a total makeover with 13 sophomores ticketed to start. Then came defining defeats of Lebanon and Wayne. And had Sidney not stung Troy in the final seconds of the final game, it would have been the Trojans advancing to the postseason in Region 3 instead of Springfield.
The entire offensive line is back and most of the backfield. Defensively, 3 of 4 linebackers return, plus the entire secondary. With all those returnees, Nolan and the Trojans are pumped about their renewed prospects.
“We’ll have basically the whole team intact,” Nolan said. “We’ve got a little different philosophy because of our team speed. With the offensive line back, we think we’re pretty solid.
“We knew things were going to be tough, but last year’s team really surprised me. That’s two real good and strong classes. We’re in a good situation now. We’re hoping to have a couple years here that we can make the playoffs.”
No team will have benefited from the GWOC schedule rotation as much as Troy. Gone are Xenia, Centerville and Wayne, which are replaced by Springboro, Miamisburg and Beavercreek. Troy had played Centerville 13 of the past 15 seasons, none more memorable than the Ryan Brewer/AJ Hawk game in 1998.
TROY
Fri., Aug. 27 Chaminade Julienne
Fri., Sept. 3 at Middletown
Fri., Sept. 10 Fairborn
Fri., Sept. 17 at Springboro
Fri., Sept. 24 Beavercreek
Fri., Oct. 1 at Vandalia Butler
Fri., Oct. 8 at Piqua
Fri., Oct. 15 Trotwood-Madison
Fri., Oct. 22 at Miamisburg
Fri., Oct. 29 Sidney
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TweetFootball preview: Franklin
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
FRANKLIN (D-III, Region 12)
League: SWBL Southwestern
Coach: Rodney Roberts (fifth season; 16th overall)
2009 record: 4-2, 7-3
Key returners:
D.J. Brewer, jr., OL
Cody Priest, jr., RB
Justin Salyers, sr., WR
Jacob Rinehart, sr., LB
Extra points:
Franklin finished second in the SWBL Southwestern, one game behind division winner Eaton. The Wildcats’ run almost netted a playoff appearance but fell two spots shy.
The team graduated 23 seniors off that 2009 squad, and this year’s team returns four starters on offense and two on defense.
“This is the youngest team in 15 years as a head coach that I’ve ever had. Those guys are talented, they’re just young. We’re pretty excited about it. There is some optimism on our side, more so in a typical year when you lose that many seniors,” Roberts said.
Since taking over the team in 2006, one that went 1-9 in 2004 and 3-7 in 2005, the Wildcats have gradually improved under Roberts. Starting with that 2005 team Franklin has gone 3-7, 6-4, 5-5, 6-4 and 7-3 last season. Those three losses last season came by 13 points to Carlisle, two points to Valley View and 10 to Eaton … all playoff teams.
“I know we’ve lost a lot, but we expect to compete and be right there,” Roberts said. “I’d say Valley View and Eaton. Eaton is still the king until someone knocks them off.”
Few positions are settled, including at quarterback where junior Kevin Stewart and sophomore Connor Stickelman are the front runners.
“We’re going to have one of those teams that we’re going to get better every week because of our young kids. That’s exciting. Next year we’re going to talk at this time and we’re going to return 17 or 18 starters,” Roberts said.
FRANKLIN
Fri., Aug. 27 Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 3 Western Brown
Fri., Sept. 10 Dixie
Fri., Sept. 17 Monroe
Fri., Sept. 24 at Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 1 at Madison
Fri., Oct. 8 Valley View
Fri., Oct. 15 at Eaton
Fri., Oct. 22 at Brookville
Fri., Oct. 29 Oakwood
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TweetFootball preview: Belmont
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
BELMONT (D-II, Region 8)
League: Dayton City League
Coach: John Derr (10th season)
2009 record: 1-3, 3-7
Key returners:
Tyshawn Gordan, jr., RB/DB
Adam Flee, sr., WR/DB
Extra points:
Many coaches worry about getting their players healthy for the start of the season. In Belmont’s case, Derr is hoping he’s the one who is healthy.
This summer, Derr - who missed part of the year two seasons ago after hip surgery - had procedures to remove a cyst on his wrist and repair a hernia.
“I just got back to daily walking,” Derr laughed. “But I’m gonna be ready.”
Derr will lead a team that returns arguably its best player in Gordan, who rushed for more than 700 yards last season and, according to Derr, broke the school’s single-game rushing record with more than 240 yards against Northridge.
Gordan is expected to be a leader on a team that has little returning experience.
“He already understands that it could be tough for him, because he’s clearly the targeted guy,” Derr said. “After the season he had last year, he went out and got even faster by running track, so he’s physically ready.”
In fact, many of the Belmont players got involved in track last spring. That’s because Derr’s defensive coordinator is also the school’s track coach, so he convinced many of the players to work out in the spring and improve technique.
“That really helps, especially on the defensive side,” Derr said. “That gets those guys in good shape and ready to go.”
BELMONT
Sat., Aug. 28 Little Miami
Fri., Sept. 3 at Greenon
Fri., Sept. 10 at Northridge
Fri., Sept. 17 Dunbar
Fri., Sept. 24 Shroder
Fri., Oct. 1 at Ponitz Tech
Fri., Oct. 8 Meadowdale
Fri., Oct. 15 Marshall
Sat., Oct. 23 at Riverview East Academy
Fri., Oct. 29 at Jefferson
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TweetFootball preview: Sidney
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
SIDNEY (D-II, Region 8)
League: GWOC North
Coach: Dan Cairns (6 years, 13 overall, including 7 at Brookside, Ind.)
2009 record: 3-1, 5-5
Key returners:
Colin Beer, sr., QB/DB
Aaron Burns, sr., RB
TJ Golden, sr., RB
RJ Heins, sr., DB
Tyler Minix, sr., OL/DL
Cole Palmer, sr., WR/DB
Jared Sowders, sr., WR/DB
Devin Yost, sr., OL/DL
Extra points:
No matter what happens this fall, the Yellow Jackets are big-time winners. That’s because Sidney passed its school levy last spring by the slimmest of margins, just one vote. And that was determined on a recount.
What that meant is the pay-to-play price from the ‘09 season dropped from $450 to just $35. The difference was immediate. Last year the program had 60 players in grades 9-12; now there are 110.
Besides the levy win, Sidney finished last season strong, sweeping its final three games and knocking Troy out of the playoffs with a Week 10 OT defeat of the Trojans. Another win and the Jackets would have qualified for the (D-II) playoffs for only the second time in program history.
“Just by our play the last couple years, we’ve brought our level of competition up to the rest of the league,” Cairns said. “We want to compete year in and year out and every now and then get a special class that can make a run at things.”
Despite the graduation of super back Jack Foy, the Jackets are loaded in the backfield, featuring three-year starter Golden. Minix is a force on both lines and is being recruited by Big Ten and MAC programs.
However, the GWOC schedule rotation wasn’t kind. Gone is Miamisburg and Beavercreek, replaced by Northmont and Lebanon, both potential playoff teams. Longtime rivals St. Marys Memorial and Bellefontaine remain locked in Weeks 1-2.
“It really doesn’t matter who you play in the crossover games,” Cairns said. “Any given night we’re going to be undersized and undermanned.”
Perhaps, but no GWOC team is better than the Yellow Jackets in the classroom. For the first time in program history Sidney was anointed academic All-Ohio last season by the OHSAA. The team’s accumulative GPA is compared to other competing schools throughout the state to determine the lofty status, “which we’re extremely proud of,” Cairns said.
“Hopefully, we can continue that tradition and do it again.”
SIDNEY
Fri., Aug. 27 at St. Marys Memorial
Fri., Sept. 3 Bellefontaine
Fri., Sept. 10 Lebanon
Fri., Sept. 17 Northmont
Fri., Sept. 24 at Fairborn
Fri., Oct. 1 at Springboro
Fri., Oct. 8 Vandalia Butler
Fri., Oct. 15 Piqua
Fri., Oct. 22 at Trotwood-Madison
Fri., Oct. 29 at Troy
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TweetFootball preview: Monroe
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
MONROE (D-III, Region 12)
League: SWBL Southwestern
Coach: Brett Stubbs, first season
2009 record: 5-1, 9-3
Key returners:
Clayton Campbell, sr., OL/DL
Zach Fugate, sr., DB
Ryan Hayes, sr., RB/LB
David Routson, sr., QB
Bret King, sr., C
Devin King, sr., RB
Logan Stanger, sr., TE
Jake Webb, sr., DL
Jayson Mulvihill, sr., DB
Extra points:
This is Stubbs’ first head coaching job after 23 years as an assistant, most recently at Monroe and Middletown.
“As much as you think you’re going to be prepared, you’re not. … It’s not a bad thing, but the amount of time you spend on things actually surprised me. And we’re not even into the season yet,” Stubbs said.
Monroe moves into the big-school Southwestern Division, switching places with Milton-Union which is now in the Buckeye Division.
“Obviously we’re going into a tough division … and it’s going to be a lot tougher schedule for us with our non-league games. It’s going to be a very difficult schedule for us but we’re so excited about moving up in the division,” Stubbs said. “We know these schools so we have a pretty good idea of what they do. … There’s no doubt it’s going to be tough.”
The Hornets return talent, highlighted by 1,000-yard rusher Devin King, and will run a version of the Wing-T with some shotgun mixed it. The defense goes to a 3-3 stack.
Monroe was loaded with senior talent in 2009 so many of the returning players didn’t see significant varsity playing time. To help with depth in case of injury, players are learning both an offensive and defensive position during two-a-days. But they’ll only play one of them in a game.
Stubbs isn’t easing into his role with soft expectations. His — and the team’s — goal?
“We’re going into it planning to be 15-0 and winning a state championship. Right now everybody is 0-0 and you have to wait to see what happens. We’re looking at being a solid team. We’re all about team and doing it for each other,” Stubbs said.
MONROE
Fri. Aug. 27 Meadowdale
Fri. Sept. 3 Ross
Fri. Sept. 10 at Talawanda
Fri. Sept. 17 at Franklin
Fri. Sept. 24 at Valley View
Fri. Oct. 1 Eaton
Fri. Oct. 8 Brookville
Fri. Oct. 15 at Oakwood
Fri. Oct. 22 Northrige
Fri. Oct. 29 Bellbrook
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TweetFootball preview: Meadowdale
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
MEADOWDALE (D-II, Region 8)
League: Dayton City League
Coach: Bosie Miliner (18th year)
2009 record: 2-2, 2-8
Key returners:
Allen Bumpus, jr., WR/DB
DeMarcus Harris, sr., WR/DB
Travion Ramey, sr., DB
Extra points:
Aside from the returners, Meadowdale could get significant help this season from a pair of sophomores.
One, Al McCathon, is in the running to be the school’s starting quarterback, but he’ll also be in the defensive backfield. He’ll pair with Trae Harris, slated to be a cornerback, to give the school some defensive help and avoid late-game struggles that surfaced last season.
“Last year we had the talent, but come the fourth quarter we just didn’t perform when we needed to,” Miliner said. “We’re trying to not go back to last year, but stay fresh, give us a better chance late in games.”
Harris was one of the team’s top performers last season, but Miliner said the senior is undecided about whether he’ll again play football. Ramey should also gain more playing time after acclimating to multiple jobs last season.
“It was his first time as far as playing free safety, and he rotated on offense,” Miliner said. “He didn’t play a whole lot, but he did some of his bets stuff on defense.”
The Lions have been participating in 7-on-7 tournaments throughout the summer, and Miliner said the offense and defense have looked more even than in past years.
“We should have some playmakers, but the question is whether they can make plays,” Miliner said. “If they do, we have a chance to be good.”
MEADOWDALE
Fri., Aug. 27 at Monroe
Fri., Sept. 3 Columbus Crusaders
Fri., Sept. 10 Edgewood
Fri., Sept. 17 Lima Senior
Thurs., Sept. 23 Ponitz Tech
Fri., Oct. 1 at Marshall
Fri., Oct. 8 at Belmont
Sat., Oct. 16 Madison Plains
Fri., Oct. 22 Greenville
Fri., Oct. 29 Dunbar
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TweetFootball preview: Fairmont
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
FAIRMONT (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC Central
Coach: Andy Aracri (1st year)
2009 record: 2-3, 4-6
Key returners:
Nick Bower, jr., QB
Chet Deaton, sr., FB/TE
Tyler Downing, sr., RB
Caleb Godin, sr., DL
Gary Leonard, sr., LB
Robert Nsenga, so., DB
Tim Trummer, sr., OL
Tom West, so., DB
Nate Wheeler, sr., DL
Extra points:
Eleven Firebirds warranted some level of all-conference honors last season, and all but Bower were seniors. That’s what Aracri, Fairmont’s newest favorite son, inherited when former coach Brian Blevins announced his resignation last spring to become an offensive coordinator at Wayne.
Aracri promises that the offensive flash and dash of previous Firebirds teams is history. “We’re going to be old school,” he said. “Some people say (OSU football coach Jim) Tressel-like.”
Trummer is a three-year starter who’ll move from center to guard. Former Wayne and Ball State standout Greg Shackleford has joined the staff as the defensive coordinator. Offensive line coach Chris Newman inherits Blevins’ role as offensive coordinator and Aracri keeps the defensive line.
Besides the GWOC Central grind, Fairmont will once again open with Alter, this time the two-time defending D-IV state champs. Also, Lebanon and Vandalia Butler have been replaced by Fairborn and Piqua in the GWOC rotation.
“We have to squeeze the life out of every practice opportunity to play well that Friday night (against Alter),” Aracri said.
“It is a tough conference and schedule, but we embrace that. It’s an opportunity for us to be a part of something on a weekly basis that not every team can do every week.”
FAIRMONT
Fri., Aug. 27 Alter
Fri., Sept. 3 at Miamisburg
Fri., Sept. 10 at Lakota West
Fri., Sept. 17 at Fairborn
Fri., Sept. 24 Piqua
Fri., Oct. 1 Centerville
Fri., Oct. 8 at Springfield
Fri., Oct. 15 Northmont
Fri., Oct. 22 Beavercreek
Fri., Oct. 29 at Wayne
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TweetWayne’s Trice commits to Michigan St.
Travis Trice II, a 6-foot, 164-pound senior point guard from Wayne High School, gave a verbal commitment to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo on Wednesday.
Trice offered his commitment almost immediately following MSU’s scholarship offer. He received an additional scholarship offer from Minnesota on Tuesday night and had offers from, among others, Dayton, Richmond, Penn State, Creighton, Toledo and Northern Iowa.
The Trice family visited Michigan State on Tuesday. Wayne coach Travis Trice said Izzo told his son he expects him to play significantly as a freshman.
“I took it as hard work pays off and I’m a hard worker,” Trice told the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal. “Throughout the whole day I (thought) this is too good to be true. … I got to spend time with the (players) and watched them work out. I was like ‘Man, I could see myself here.’ ”
Trice averaged 22.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 steals for Wayne last season and also shot 43 percent from 3-point range. Trice has played on the AAU Indiana Elite since his freshman year, alongside 5-star forward Brandon Dawson of Gary, Ind., who also committed to the Spartans on Wednesday.
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TweetFootball preview: Valley View
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
VALLEY VIEW (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Southwestern
Coach: Jay Niswonger (27 years)
2009 record: 4-2, 7-4
Key returners:
Ben Copher, sr., OL
Brian Day, jr., OL
Kenny Duff, soph., DB
Brandon Fox, sr., DB
Chris Lykins, jr., DB
Kyle Pohl, sr., QB.
Extra points:
The Spartans return eight starters on offense and four on defense (all in the secondary). And Niswonger will take it. Valley View lost 20 of 22 starters going into the 2009 season.
Speedy running back Jake Jarbo transferred from Preble Shawnee and brings three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to an already potent offense.
“Jake is definitely a good addition, but he’s an unknown quantity because he’s still learning a lot of things. We won’t know until next week (when hitting is allowed) what he can or can not do,” Niswonger said.
Pohl, who gave a verbal commitment to play his college football at Akron, returns to lead an offense that averaged 27 points.
“We’ve never really had a problem putting up points,” Niswonger said.
The Spartans might count on that offense early. A defense that allowed 20 points per game needs to replace its entire front eight. That’s something new for the veteran coach.
“Usually you have a couple spots to replace in each of the areas line defensive line or linebackers, but usually not your front seven or eight,” he said.
Still, league coaches are giving Valley View front-runner status along with defending champ Eaton in the Southwestern Division. Valley View tied for second in the division with Franklin in 2009.
“I don’t take much stock in the preseason polls and never have. There’s only one team I’m concerned with and that’s my squad,” Niswonger said.
Of their three regular-season losses in 2009, two of them came by 5 and 6 points. The fourth loss came in the first round of the playoffs, the Spartans’ 16th trip in the past 18 seasons, in a 46-27 loss to Kenton.
Speaking of playoffs, count Niswonger as a fan of the Ohio High School Athletic Association awarding Columbus the state finals in 2014 and 2015, meaning a chance to play at Ohio Stadium.
“I’ve been to Massillon three times with the kids. My question to the kids around here and the coaches is, do they really embellish the tradition or would you like to play in the ’Shoe? All the kids know where the Horseshoe is at. To say I played in the Horseshoe my last game, I think it’s a little bit different than saying I went to Stark County,” he said.
“We really wanted to try and get everything in Columbus, but the OHSAA did a good job trying to keep peace with everybody. I think they did a good job for the kids.”
VALLEY VIEW
Fri., Aug. 27 at Dunbar (Welcome Stadium)
Fri., Sept. 3 at Indian Hill
Fri., Sept. 10 Bishop Fenwick
Fri., Sept. 17 Oakwood
Fri., Sept. 24 Monroe
Fri., Oct. 1 Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 8 at Franklin
Fri., Oct. 15 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 22 Eaton
Fri., Oct. 29 at Brookville
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TweetFootball preview: Dunbar
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
DUNBAR (D-III, Region 12)
League: Dayton City League
Coach: James Lacking (6 years)
2009 record: 3-1, 5-5
Key returners:
Ralpheal Berry, sr., WR/DB
Darold Kelly, sr., RB/DB
Austin Williams, sr., OL/DL
Roger Williamson, sr., WR/DB
James Wright, sr, RB
Extra points:
Discussion about Dunbar’s talent begins with Williamson, one of the most highly recruited Dayton City League players in recent years.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver and defensive back is getting plenty of Bowl Championship Series conference attention and will be a major factor in Dunbar’s success this season.
“First of all, he has great character, and he does all the academic things, and that’s before we talk about football,” Lacking said. “He’s also athletic as hell, and he has a good work ethic on the field and off the field. What more can you ask?”
Williamson is the leader of a Dunbar team that took a hit last season when several skilled players transferred to Marshall. But Lacking said other strong players return to provide optimism about this season.
One of those is featured running back Wright, a 5-6, 175-pounder who will return as the starter.
“He’s just a hard runner, and he reads the zone well,” Lacking said. “He has great vision, and he’s a good athlete. He would’ve wrestled if we had a team last season, so he can do a lot of things.”
The transfers who left for Marshall gave several younger players more opportunities, Lacking said, which should pay off this season with more experience. Williamson will lead that group Lacking hopes can contend with Marshall, the defending city league champion.
“We expect him to do pretty much what he’s been doing,” Lacking said, “intercepting balls and scoring touchdowns.”
DUNBAR
Fri., Aug. 27 Valley View
Fri., Sept. 3 at Trotwood-Madison
Sat., Sept. 11 Whetstone
Fri., Sept. 17 at Belmont
Fri., Sept. 24 at Findlay
Fri., Oct. 8 Ponitz Tech
Sat., Oct. 16 at Cincinnati Taft
Fri., Oct. 22 Marshall
Sat., Oct. 29 at Meadowdale
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Football Preview 2010, Football capsules
TweetFootball preview: Beavercreek
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
BEAVERCREEK (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC Central
Coach: Scott Clodfelter (7 years; 1 year at Dixie)
2009 record: 0-5, 4-6
Key returners:
Nathan Bartell, sr., OL
Evan Desjardins, sr., DB
Joe Desjardins, sr., LB
Matt Ringle, jr., DL
Sam Shaeffer, sr., DB/RET
Brandon Smith, sr., LB
Extra points:
The Beavers are hoping to do something they haven’t done the last two seasons: win a GWOC Central game. The ‘08 season was particularly stinging after an uplifting 5-0 start was deflated with an 0-5 Central finish. Only an OT loss to Fairborn in ‘09 prevented the Beavers from duplicating the previous effort.
That impressive first-half run might be out of reach this season. Lightweight season opener Stebbins and its 30-game losing streak has been replaced with a trip to Princeton. After hosting longtime neighboring rival Carroll, the Beavers are then at Trotwood-Madison, which replaces Sidney in Week 3.
“Any way we can get (a Central Division win), we’ll take it,” Clodfelter said. “We’ve been close; we’ve almost had everybody, but we didn’t. That’s nice goal, to win a game in the division.”
The defense, led by the Desjardins brothers, is loaded with holdovers from a unit that ranked third overall in the GWOC last season. But as good as that sounds, it’s just the opposite on offense, where the Beavers graduated nine starters.
“(Defense) is the strength of our team, and we’re hoping they can carry us a little bit,” said Clodfelter.
The Princeton game is a one-year deal and will be replaced by Fairfield in 2011.
BEAVERCREEK
Fri., Aug. 27 at Princeton
Fri., Sept. 3 Carroll
Fri., Sept. 10 at Trotwood-Madison
Fri., Sept. 17 Xenia
Fri., Sept. 24 at Troy
Fri., Oct. 1 at Northmont
Fri., Oct. 8 at Wayne
Fri., Oct. 15 Springfield
Fri., Oct. 22 at Fairmont
Fri., Oct. 29 Centerville
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TweetFootball preview: Brookville
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
BROOKVILLE (D-IV, Region 16)
League: SWBL Southwestern
Coach: Mike Hetrick (10 years)
2009 record: 2-4, 5-5
Key returners:
Austen Alber, sr., OL
Connor Domsitz, jr., OL/DL
Cameron Dunn, OL/DL, sr.
Jake Harrison, sr., QB
Chad Webster, sr., RB/LB
Dylan Whorton, sr., WR/DB
Eric Wolfe, sr., OL/DL
Extra points:
The Blue Devils are pulling a reverse from the 2009 season: The offensive line is a strength for ‘10 - led by three seniors - and the backfield comes in inexperienced. Harrison, though, does provide some stability.
“Last year going into the year we lost about our entire line and had two or three backs back. Now we have our line back, but our backfield is kind of inexperienced except for our quarterback,” Hetrick said.
Road Warriors serves as the team theme for the season. The first four games are on the road, as are six of their 10 overall. Last season, Brookville played just four games on the road going 2-2.
The team finished .500 last season, but the Blue Devils went 0-5 versus teams with winning records. That’ll have to change for Brookville to recapture the magic from a 10-0 season and playoff appearance in 2008.
“We’re Division IV and playing in the big-school division. Out of the 14 teams we’re about the 11th-smallest school. We’re butting heads with the big schools, which is what we like, but it always makes it a little tough on us,” Hetrick said.
BROOKVILLE
Fri., Aug. 27 at Tri-County North
Fri., Sept. 3 at Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 10 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Sept. 17 at Eaton
Fri., Sept. 24 Dixie
Fri., Oct. 1 Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 8 at Monroe
Fri., Oct. 15 at Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 22 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 29 Valley View
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TweetFootball preview: Marshall
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
MARSHALL (D-IV, Region 16)
League: Dayton City League
Coach: Earl White, 10 years
2009 record: 4-0, 7-3
Key returners:
Timothy Cook, sr., LB
Desmond Dixon, sr., LB
Avontae Penn, sr. QB
Quincy Surles, sr., RB
Donovan Taylor, sr., DB
Extra points:
White has the numbers memorized.
“It was 5,745 yards in 10 games,” he said.
That was the Cougars’ rushing total last season, an astonishing performance that made Marshall one of the area’s most feared offensive teams. The team didn’t lose a game on the field, but we’ll never know how it would have performed in the playoffs.
Adding to the mystery of Marshall’s season was the team’s forfeiture of its first three games for using an ineligible player, which bumped it to 10th in the D-IV, Region 16 computer points, two spots away from the postseason.
That brings two significant questions entering this year: Can Marshall match its rushing prowess of a year ago, and can the program overcome the crushing loss of a perfect regular season to no postseason?
Leading the rushing attack will be Surles, the only one of Marshall’s four feared running backs returning this season, and Penn, who will enter his second season as the starting quarterback. The Cougars will add senior DeAntre Reece, senior Tavon Crist and sophomore Denzel Norvell to the running back rotation. Penn will likely run a little more this year as well, White said.
(Last year’s three senior running backs are all playing in college - Tavion Wright and Brandon Walker at Grand Rapids Junior College and Dionte Oliver at Central State.)
White said he’s particularly optimistic about Norvell.
“He played a little varsity last year as the starting nickel back, so he knows how to hit,” White said. “He could be a really good player for us.”
As for the forfeits, White said some frustration remains but the team has no choice but to it put it in the past.
“It was a real hard pill to swallow, but we’re trying to move on,” White said. “We’re telling the kids that we would be more disappointed if we flopped this year than in not making the playoffs last year.
“Another way we look at it is we didn’t end the season with a loss. We’re going on the promise that we didn’t lose last year.”
MARSHALL
Fri., Aug. 27 at Greenon
Fri., Sept. 3 Chaminade Julienne
Fri., Sept. 10 Jefferson
Fri., Sept. 17 at Greenville
Fri., Oct. 1 Meadowdale
Sat., Oct. 9 Columbus Bishop Hartley
Fri., Oct. 15 at Belmont
Fri., Oct. 22 at Dunbar
Fri., Oct. 29 Ponitz Tech
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Football Preview 2010, Football capsules
TweetFootball preview: Northmont
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
NORTHMONT (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC Central
Coach: Lance Schneider (12 years)
2009 record: 3-2, 6-4
Key returners:
Cameron Belton, so., QB
Jeremy Campbell, jr., DT
Eric Downing, sr., OL
Chavez Leath, sr., DL
Josh McClain, sr., WR
Brandon Reaman, sr., WR/RET
Kaleb Ringer, jr., LB
Jordan Taylor, sr., WR
Paul Winkler, sr., RB
Extra points:
The Thunderbolts will quickly find out if they’ve dug themselves a deep playoff hole or secured a spot in Week 11 after the first three games vs. Colerain at UC’s Nippert Stadium (in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown), then hosting Princeton and Moeller. That’s easily the toughest opening weeks of a season Northmont has ever put together.
“A part of it is out of necessity because it’s hard to find people to play,” said Schneider, whose Bolts played perennial D-I state title contender Cleveland St. Ignatius the last two seasons.
“We go 0-3 and people will line up to play us.”
Schneider committed Northmont to be a state contender midway through his tenure, and lining up a formidable non-league schedule was only part of the master plan. The other part was ratcheting up the defense and essentially grounding the Air-Schneider offense. And for the most part that has worked, until missing the playoffs for only the second time in nine years last season.
“People think of us as offensive guys, but the last 8-9 years we’ve stacked our guys on defense instead of offense,” Schneider said. “Really, when Elder beat us (33-7) in 2003 in the playoffs, I figured out football then. How are we ever going to get out of Region 4? We needed multiple personnel groupings and formations and playing GCL football, basically.
“That was the epiphany that I got and I’ve stayed true to it since then. Those are the teams that you have to beat. Two years ago we lost 13-10 to Elder and should have won the game. We’ve made great strides.”
If Northmont is to return to the postseason, it’ll have to get big-time play from Ringer, the third of four brothers and a nephew of former CJ standout and current Titans RB Javon Ringer. An outstanding LB prospect, he’s destined to be Northmont’s next national recruit.
Besides Ringer, the defense is loaded with proven returnees, including the entire front seven. The down side is the entire secondary is new.
The offense has been turned over to sophomore QB Cameron Belton, the youngest brother of former Northmont standouts and DDN D-I players of the year Clay and Chase Belton. Schneider likens Cameron to the best of both, inheriting Clay’s ability to pass and Chase’s off-tackle presence and running back speed.
The Bolts are solidly entrenched - with Centerville and Wayne - among the area’s best three D-I programs and there’s no reason - after the first three weeks - that the Bolts should deviate. In the past 12 years more than 100 former Bolts have played college ball, including 25 at the D-I level. Defensive back CJ Barnett is a redshirt freshman at OSU, the most high profile of 23 former Bolts playing at the next level this fall.
“If you want to count (rookie) Kurt Coleman with the (Philadelphia) Eagles, that’s 24,” said Schneider.
It was just two seasons ago that Northmont was 10-2 and lost only to D-I state winner St. Ignatius and D-I state runner-up Elder.
“Football is a big deal here, as it should be,” Schneider said.
“We’re not just playing football at a high level locally, we’re playing on a national scale when we play these kinds of teams like St. Ignatius and our first three games this year.”
NORTHMONT
Sat., Aug. 28 vs. Colerain at UC’s Nippert Stadium, 8:15 p.m., Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown
Fri., Sept. 3 Princeton
Fri., Sept. 10 Cin. Moeller
Fri., Sept. 17 at Sidney
Fri., Sept. 24 at Lebanon
Fri., Oct. 1 Beavercreek
Fri., Oct. 8 at Centerville
Fri., Oct. 15 at Fairmont
Fri., Oct. 22 Wayne
Fri., Oct. 29 Springfield
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TweetFootball preview: Oakwood
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
OAKWOOD (D-III, Region 12)
League: SWBL Southwestern
Coach: Paul Stone (14 years)
2009 record: 1-5, 1-9
Key returners:
Matt Carpenter, sr., QB/DB
Trent Jervis, jr., RB/LB
Tucker Jones, sr., OL/DL
Kevin Lee, sr., RB/DB
Levi Miller, jr., WR/LB
Colin Morris, sr., RB/DB
Dan Roll, jr., RB/LB
Extra points:
The bad news: The Lumberjacks relied heavily on sophomores last season. The good news: Those sophomores are now juniors and bring back some hard-knock experience. Of the 48 players on the roster in 2009, 17 were sophomores. Or to put it another way, just two less than the senior and junior classes combined.
“To be honest a lot of them weren’t ready for it. Now as juniors they feel a lot better and the game is going to slow down for them. We don’t have a lot of seniors, but the ones we do have are tremendous leaders,” Stone said.
Eight seniors are on the roster this season, including Carpenter, Jones, Lee and Morris.
Carpenter toured college camps this summer and is getting looks from the MAC and Ivy League, especially for his defensive talents.
“Matt has really caught some eyes, not just offensively but defensively, too. … As a quarterback the MAC schools have talked about him, but they really like him as an outside linebacker or free safety type player. Princeton has been very interested in him. Northwestern has shown interest. … I told Matt the best recruiting he can do is to win games. But he’s going to play football next year, that’s for sure,” Stone said.
The losing season was Stone’s first at Oakwood. A 17-14 win against Bellbrook in Week 9 was the Lumberjacks’ lone win.
“To be honest we haven’t even mentioned 1-9. We just talk about getting better and getting stronger. Faster and stronger always makes you a better coach, in my opinion,” Stone said.
Depth and size continue to be a concern for the Lumberjacks, but they hope to counter some of that with improved speed and quickness. The team showed some flashes last season but struggled to score points. Oakwood scored 14 points or less in seven games. Opposing offenses, meanwhile, scored 28 or more points in eight games.
OAKWOOD
Fri., Aug. 27 Bishop Fenwick
Fri., Sept. 3 at Milton-Union
Fri., Sept. 10 Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 17 at Valley View
Fri., Sept. 24 Eaton
Fri., Oct. 1 at Brookville
Fri., Oct. 8 Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 15 Monroe
Fri., Oct. 22 at Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 29 at Franklin
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TweetFootball preview: Carroll
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
CARROLL (D-II, Region 8)
League: GCL North
Coach: Steve Bartlett, 16th season at Carroll, 25th season as a head coach
2009 record: 5-2, 6-4
Key returners:
Ryan Adams, sr., K
Ryan Blanford, sr., DL
Neal Cates, sr., OL
Matt Fornshil, sr., WR
Kyle Johnson, sr., LB
Ben Lange, sr., DL
Alex Wolodkiewicz, sr., RB
Extra points:
Two years ago, Carroll broke a significant playoff streak with an unusual 5-5 season. That was because many of the players Bartlett was forced to use were sophomores.
“They had to kind of take their lumps,” Bartlett said.
But this season could be the benefit. With plenty of experience returning - including last season’s team MVP Johnson, defensive player of the year Lange and offensive player of the year Fornshil - Bartlett said he’s confident Carroll to burst out of the two-season, 11-9 stretch that has built the current senior class.
Carroll, after all, has always been focused on two things: Stern defense and the running game. Experience returns in both. Wolodkiewicz, in eight games last season before some minor injuries limited his time, rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in his first season as a starter.
“He has some decent breakaway speed, and he’s not afraid to put his shoulder down,” Bartlett said.
Johnson will begin his third season as a starter and pairs with Lange to lead an experienced defense that improved last season as Carroll won five of its final seven games to miss the playoffs by one spot.
“He calls the entire defense, he just runs that defense on the field,” Bartlett said of Johnson. “He’s kind of our heart and soul out there.”
Carroll also claims an often overlooked and important weapon: An extremely skilled kicker. Bartlett said Adams was invited to a camp supposedly including the nation’s top 400 kickers in Wisconsin this summer and finished with the 34th-best performance. He is ranked Ohio’s No. 5 kicker in the Class of 2011 by Ohio Varsity, an Ohio-focused arm of Rivals.com.
“He doesn’t have any major offers yet, but he’s hearing from LSU, Alabama, Kentucky, UC, West Virginia, a lot of the big schools,” Bartlett said. “He gives us that part of the game we need, too.”
CARROLL
Fri., Aug. 27 Xenia
Fri., Sept. 3 at Beavercreek
Fri., Sept. 10 Bellbrook
Sat., Sept. 18 at Badin
Fri., Sept. 24 at Roger Bacon
Fri., Oct. 1 at Purcell Marian
Fri., Oct. 8 Alter
Fri., Oct. 15 at Chaminade Julienne
Fri., Oct. 22 McNicholas
Fri., Oct. 29 Fenwick
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TweetFootball preview: Wayne
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
WAYNE (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC Central
Coach: Jay Minton (13 years; 20 overall, including 7 at Boca Raton, Fla.)
2009 record: 4-1, 7-4
Key returners:
Michael Bonner, sr., DB
Braxton Miller, sr., QB
Tre Moore, sr., DB
Lovell Peterson, so., OL
Seth Stuart, sr., WR
Anthone Taylor, sr., RB
Trey Thomas, sr., DB
Teven Williams, sr., LB
Extra points:
The Braxton Miller promotional machine has been whirring non-stop since spring. After verbally committing to OSU, the 6-3, 200-pounder vaulted to the top of virtually every .com recruiting service. Then came the topper, a full-page feature in the Aug. 2-9 Sports Illustrated.
How is a QB of such stature able to cope?
“He’s at the point that he can handle all of this,” Minton said.
Former Fairmont head coach Brian Blevins is Wayne’s new offensive coordinator, and Minton said his impact on Miller has been immediate.
Protection to Miller, both on the field and from injury, is key to the Warriors’ success. And that hasn’t been easy. A gifted runner and thrower, he’s missed nine games - nearly a regular season - in his three previous Wayne seasons to an assortment of ankle and leg injuries.
“He’s probably in the best shape he’s ever been health-wise and strength-wise,” Minton said. “He means a lot for what we do. It’s important that he stays healthy.”
Much of that pocket protection will be provided by Wayne’s next great recruit, 6-3, 270-pound sophomore left tackle Lovell Peterson, who Minton likens to a man-child. Peterson’s switch from guard to tackle in midseason made an instant impact on the Warriors’ featured QB.
“Braxton’s total demeanor changed when we put (Peterson) in there,” Minton said. “Recruiters look at him and just shake their heads.”
Defensively, Wayne is set up front and three of its DB’s - Bonner, Moore and Thomas - already have MAC offers.
The Warriors will open at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29 vs. Moeller at Cincinnati St. Xavier in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. Advance tickets are $10 and are available at the Wayne athletic department. That’s also good for the earlier 3 p.m. contest featuring St. X vs. Good Counsel (Md.), both of which are nationally ranked.
The following Sunday Wayne will square off with Canton McKinley at OSU’s Ohio Stadium in the Kirk Herbstreit Series at 3:30 p.m. The Warriors blitzed the Bulldogs 27-14 at Canton last season. Two additional meetings have been locked up, at Canton in 2011 and at Wayne in 2012.
Adult tickets for the McKinley game are $15 and $10 for students. They’re also available at the athletic department and the event’s web site. Both the Moeller and McKinley games will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
Wayne’s home opener is Week 3 vs. Seneca (Ky.) Louisville, a one-year deal that Minton, also the AD, was fortunate to fill. Greeting home fans at Heidkamp Stadium will be a rebuilt home side and new press box.
Wayne’s front end of the schedule is stacked and it doesn’t let up later: Weeks 8-9 are reserved for Centerville and Northmont, both on the road. Those games will make or break the Warriors’ playoff hopes.
Even with Miller and a great supporting cast, it’ll be tough for Wayne to go unscathed during the regular season. Minton conceded potential perfect records long ago for, ironically, his players.
“There’s coaches who always want to go 10-0, but it’s more important to me that the kids get exposed and you can’t get that not playing these kinds of teams,” Minton said.
“I can’t send out enough film. However we come out of it, it’ll be worth the national exposure. Playing in the Horseshoe, how can you deny a kid an opportunity to play in that?”
WAYNE
Sun., Aug. 29 vs. Cin. Moeller at St. Xavier, 7 p.m., Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown, ESPNU
Sun., Sept. 5 vs. Canton McKinley, at Ohio Stadium, 3:30 p.m., Kirk Herbstreit Series, ESPNU
Fri., Sept. 10 Seneca (Ky.) Louisville
Fri., Sept. 17 Trotwood-Madison
Fri., Sept. 24 at Xenia
Fri., Oct. 1 Springfield
Fri., Oct. 8 Beavercreek
Thu., Oct. 14 at Centerville, ESPNU
Fri., Oct. 22 at Northmont
Fri., Oct. 29 Fairmont
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TweetFootball preview: Bellbrook
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
BELLBROOK (D-III, Region 12)
League: SWBL Southwestern
Coach: Kevin Basinger, 14 years
2009 record: 2-4, 2-8
Key returners:
Bryan Baird, sr., OL/DL
Jake O’Boyle, sr., DL
Josh Easter, jr., LB
Nate Eater, jr., LB
Daveon Greene, soph., RB
Matt Longo, sr., TE
Justin Nevitt, sr., RB/LB
Extra points:
The Golden Eagles suffered just their second losing season under Basinger, who went 4-6 in his first season.
“It just seemed like we couldn’t figure out how to win. That was concerning. We’ve always been a team over the years where we found a way to win. I think our luck kind of ran out on that,” Basinger said.
Five offensive starters and six defensive starters return, a good foundation to helping Bellbrook earn its first winning season since going 6-4 in 2006. The program also recorded 5-5 seasons in both 2007 and 2008.
It’s not a stretch to say Bellbrook had playoff potential in 2009. Of those eight losses, six were by seven points or less. A seventh was by 13 points. And those two wins were no slouches, either. Bellbrook beat Valley View and Milton-Union, which both finished with winning records.
“Last year was such a strange year with the number of losses we had by a touchdown or less. We were in every game. Our big thing we’re trying to stress is we competed last year but we didn’t do what we needed to win the games,” Basinger said.
Baird - a 6-foot-4, 227 pound lineman - has verbally committed to Ball State. He had 88 tackles, nine for loss (including five sacks) and forced five fumbles. He also looks be a leader on an offensive line that should be improved from last season.
BELLBROOK
Fri., Aug. 27 Miamisburg
Fri., Sept. 3 at Xenia
Fri., Sept. 10 at Carroll
Fri., Sept. 17 Milton-Union
Fri., Sept. 24 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 1 at Valley View
Fri., Oct. 8 at Eaton
Fri., Oct. 15 Brookville
Fri., Oct. 22 Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 29 at Monroe
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TweetFootball preview: Alter
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
ALTER (D-IV, Region 16)
League: GCL North
Coach: Ed Domsitz, 12 years (19 years total in two stints with Alter)
2009 record: 7-0, 15-0
Key returners:
Dylan Ames, sr., DL/LB
T.J. Dorow, sr., DB
Matt Hurtubise, sr., RB
Teddy Link, sr., DB
Zane Pitzer, sr., QB
Joe Thuney, sr., OL
Justin Winters, sr., RB
Extra points:
Alter enters the season as the two-time defending state Division IV champion on a 30-game winning streak (although two of those victories were later forfeited for using an ineligible player for the first two games of the 2008 season). It’s difficult to make expectations higher than that.
Nine starters return for the Knights, who expect six players from last season’s team — defensive back Cody Byers (Wisconsin), wide receiver Connor Cummins (Wisconsin), running back Cody Taulbee (Brown), offensive lineman Ryan Cronin (Dayton), safety Nolan Plate (Akron) and defensive lineman Cody Conley (Cincinnati) - to be on NCAA Division I rosters this season.
That leaves plenty of holes to fill, as well.
Thuney is the most highly regarded recruit of the current Alter seniors. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound lineman holds offers from Vanderbilt and Michigan State, among others, partially because of his 4.2 grade-point average.
“I think Joe’s as good of a lineman as we’ve had around here in awhile,” Domsitz said.
Pitzer ran the ground-oriented offense last season, but there’s no guarantee he’ll return to the starting job. Domsitz said sophomore Malik Zaire, also a highly regarded basketball player, will compete to start when practices open. Pitzer could also be used as a running back, Domsitz said.
“He’s taller than Zane, but of course he doesn’t have the experience,” Domsitz said. “But he went to a lot of camps, and he did well at every camp.”
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the Knights’ state championship run last season was the defense. In 15 games, Alter allowed an average of just 6.7 points per game, including a total of 20 points in five postseason games. In one streak, the Knights recorded four shutouts in five games. Returners Dylan Ames, Teddy Link and T.J. Dorow will attempt to lead another strong group.
But, that’s how Alter has been so dominant in the past two season, with frustrating defense and a running game that can eat up plenty of time.
The Knights will get a shot at two of the area’s biggest schools when they open at Fairmont in Week 1 and then travel to Centerville for one of the Miami Valley’s most anticipated games in recent seasons on Sept. 10. Then, it’s into the meat of the Greater Catholic League schedule.
As far as the pressure of defending two straight titles, Domsitz said each team is different.
“There’s always a challenge in trying to put something together coming off a championship or a great year,” he said. “There are a lot of intangibles, and each team has to figure that out.”
ALTER
Fri., Aug. 27 at Fairmont
Fri., Sept. 3 Cleveland East Tech (at Fairmont High School)
Fri., Sept. 10 at Centerville
Fri., Sept. 17 at Purcell Marian
Fri., Sept. 24 Badin (at Springboro High School)
Fri., Oct. 1 at McNicholas
Fri., Oct. 8 at Carroll
Fri., Oct. 15 Fenwick (at Franklin High School)
Fri., Oct. 22 Roger Bacon (at Centerville High School)
Fri., Oct. 29 Chaminade Julienne (at Fairmont High School)
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TweetFootball preview: Centerville
This is another in a series of capsules previewing area high school football for the 2010 season:
CENTERVILLE (D-I, Region 4)
League: GWOC Central
Coach: Ron Ullery, 11 years (34th season overall with Elks, including assistant years)
2009 record: 4-1, 8-3
Key returners:
Michael Bennett, sr., OL/DL
Tristan Boykin, sr., RB
Connor Donnini, sr., DL
Jay Mastin, jr. DB
Benny McGowan, jr., OL/DL
Mike Replogle, sr., LB
Brandon Reese, sr., DB
Kyle Rose, sr., DL
Extra points:
Plenty of offensive and especially defensive starters return from last season’s junior-dominated team. Bennett (OSU), Rose (West Virginia) and Replogle (Indiana) have already committed and will be joined by McGowan, out all last season with an elbow injury, on a fearsome defensive front. Boykin rushed for 749 yards in ‘09 and was the leading receiver (17 catches, 396 yards) in the Elks’ run-heavy attack.
The key unknown is at quarterback, which will be decided between sr. Chris Kuzma, sr., Jon Overstreet and jr. Janson Matthews. An old story there: Each of the last two seasons the Elks had first-year QB’s - Logan Hanes (‘08) and Zak Bertram (‘09) - and each were good for nearly 1,000 yards rushing and passing. “I’ll take that again,” said Ullery.
The Elks picked a great time to return a loaded team. They’ll host six games, including neighboring rival and two-time defending state D-IV champ Alter on Friday, Sept. 10 in what should be an epic showdown.
“It was kind of neat,” Ullery said in recalling when he broke the Alter game to the Elks. “It was what you could imagine.
“In a team meeting I told them that we were working on the schedule. I had nine games on the white board. As chance would happen, I got 3 letters out - ALT - and the room just erupted. Both schools have so many players who know each other and hang out together. It’s just a great game. It’s a game that needs to be played.”
And that’s just a warmup.
On Saturday, Sept. 18, 2008 D-I state champ Cleveland St. Ignatius visits. There’s also consecutive home games with GWOC Central rivals Northmont (Oct. 8) and Wayne (Oct. 14). Centerville’s first home game is Sept. 3 vs. Mason. Springboro also visits on Sept. 24 for its first game vs. the Elks.
Elks Stadium seats 8,000 and can hold an SRO crowd of 10,000-plus. Ullery, also the athletic director, expects capacity crowds at all the home games.
“That’s what the AD’s hoping for,” he said. “It’s a great home schedule. I should have tripled the price of season tickets.”
CENTERVILLE
Fri., Aug. 27 at Lakota East
Fri., Sept. 3 Mason
Fri., Sept. 10 Alter
Sat., Sept. 18 Cleveland St. Ignatius
Fri., Sept. 24 Springboro
Fri., Oct. 1 at Fairmont
Fri., Oct. 8 Northmont
Thu., Oct. 14 Wayne, ESPNU
Fri., Oct. 22 at Springfield
Fri., Oct. 29 at Beavercreek
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