Division / region: D-VI, Region 22
League / conference: Midwest Athletic Conference
Head coach: Bryan Rioch, 16 seasons as the Rockets' head coach; 106-43 career record.
Assistant coaches: KC Needles, John Holtzapple, Chris Duncan, Brett Ziegenbusch, Robb Flinn, John Bruce, DJ Heintz.
2013 record: 3-5 MAC; 4-6 overall.
2013 highlights / notable achievements: Began with a 40-14 hammering of Lehman Catholic, which was significant because Lehman went on to post a 10-2 season; but the Rockets couldn't maintain that momentum and dropped four straight MAC games to go 2-5; however, a 2-1 run to end the season was encouraging; there also was a relatively close 14-3 setback to unbeaten and eventual D-VII state champ Marion Local in Week 9; that's also significant because it was Local's second-closest game behind a 35-28 defeat of Covington in the regional semifinals; dropped Versailles (3-7) in Week 4 of the MAC rotation and picked up St. Henry (4-6) in Week 10.
5 key returners:
Christiaan Williams, 5-10, 210, sr., RB; first team All-MAC; 1132 yards rushing on 175 carries, 10 TDs (in 7 games); 7 receptions for 104 yards and 1 TD.
Chandler Cotterman, 6-4, 270, sr., OL/DL; second team All-MAC, 28 solo tackles, 24 assists, 5 TFL, 4 sacks; team’s best OL, receiving interest from OSU, Arkansas and MAC schools.
Wesley Showalter, 6-3, 225, sr., LB/TE; second team All-MAC, 65 solo tackles, 50 assists, 14 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries.
Shaun Wenrick, 6-1, 300, sr., OT/DT.
Ryan Counts, 6- 200, sr., QB/S.
Key newcomers:
Matthew Bruce, Jordan Jurosic, Nathan Arling, Nick Nolte, Shane Grieves, Kody Williamson, Erik Bensman, Nick Bice, Daniel Burd, Nathan Stiefel, Carter Huelskamp, Connor Rioch, Grant Glover, Blake Stephens, Jesse Egbert.
Coach's comments: We have a strong class of 24 seniors who are tired of being mediocre. With 88 players we feel that experience, speed and depth will be our strengths.
Schedule:
Fri., Aug. 29 vs. Lehman Catholic at Sidney, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 5 Brookville, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 12 Fort Recovery, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 19 at Parkway, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 26 Coldwater, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 3 at Marion Local, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 11 at Delphos St. John’s, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 17 New Bremen, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 24 at Minster, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 31 St. Henry, 7:30 p.m.
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