Stebbins focused on ending football losing streak

Indians look to break through and snap a 37-game skid this fall.

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By Marc F. Pendleton, Staff Writer Updated 12:02 AM Sunday, July 18, 2010

CLAYTON — No area team has more to gain this coming high school football season than Stebbins.

Except for a few Ron Story-and-Jamal Robertson-led years, far too often the Indians have struggled. They enter this coming season with one goal: To win a game.

At Stebbins, that’s not as easy as it sounds. The Indians are mired in a 37-game losing skid, the longest of any area team.

Despite those repeated setbacks, senior defensive back Ian Wells has been a hot recruit. The 6-foot, 180-pounder has verbally committed to Ohio University after also drawing interest from other Division I programs, including Wisconsin and Mississippi State.

Beating West Carrollton in the season opener “would be amazing,” said Wells during the Thunderbolt 7-on-7 passing tournament Saturday, July 17, at Northmont. “It would be crazy in Riverside. I think we’re going to shock a lot of people this year.”

That’s what head coach Trace Smitherman is counting on. The former Central State University player secured his second straight season with the Indians just last month after serving as interim coach last year. “We hope to get off the schneid here,” Smitherman said. “It really depends on what we do this year. There are still a lot of kids walking the halls that I’d love to have out.”

SUMMER DAZE: Events like this weren’t available until summer coaching rules were relaxed by the Ohio High School Athletic Association in the mid-1990s. Now, programs have 10 days of structured coaching in July. The only rules still in place are no contact and no pads except for a helmet.

“You could go to 10 of these (7-on-7 tournaments) if you wanted to,” said Northmont coach Lance Schneider, whose Thunderbolts were knocked out of the winner’s bracket by Vandalia Butler.

“It’s only July, thank gawd. All the defensive coaches call it fantasy football, and it kind of is. At least you get to work on coverages and timing.”

Sophomore quarterback Cameron Belton has already taken over the T-Bolts offense. He’s the younger brother of former Northmont standout QBs Clay and Chase Belton.

“He’s a mix of his brothers,” Schneider said. “He’s got Clay’s arm and Chase’s speed. He’s a pretty complete package.”

BREAK IT UP: Count Covington coach Dave Miller among those former players who never participated in a 7-on-7 summer tourney. Miller was a standout QB at Centerville in the 1980s.

“I just remember Monday, Wednesday, Friday, morning and night,” Miller said. “Then you got to go play a couple scrimmages after about three years of two-a-days.”

JUST THE FACTS: Every series started at the 40-yard line, and QBs had three seconds to throw. Possession changed after running out of downs, scoring or an interception. There was no rushing.

THEY SAID IT: A Stebbins player after heaving an interception, “The ball slipped.” Countered coach Trace Smitherman, “Well, slip over there and do some push-ups.”

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