High school football preview: Fort Loramie

The following is a brief high school football preseason preview.

High school: Fort Loramie Redskins

Division / region: D-VII, Region 26

League / conference: Northwest Central Conference

Head coach: Matt Burgbacher, sixth season at Fort Loramie, 44-14 career record, all with the Redskins.

Assistant coaches: Aaron Rose, Chuck Seaver, Dan Holland, Ty Parks, Nick Turner, Brad Frilling.

2013 record: 5-1 NWCC; 8-3 overall.

2013 highlights / notable achievements: Qualified for the playoffs for the fifth year in a row in only nine varsity seasons of football; lost only to Tinora (10-2), Lehman Catholic (10-2) and Marion Local (15-0) in the first round of the playoffs; held opponents to eight points or less in six games and posted three straight shutouts; no schedule change.

Key returners:

David Ahrns, 6-0, 310, sr., OL/DL; two-year All-Ohioan.

Andy Grewe, 5-9, 168, sr., QB/DB; 700 yards passing, 8 TDs; 34 tackles, 5 pass breakups.

Cole Cordonnier, 5-11, 161, sr., RB/DB; 60 tackles.

Tristan Stripling, 5-11, 221, sr., OL/K; honorable mention All-Ohio as a kicker; converted 55 of 61 extra point kicks.

Brad Pleiman, 6-0, 148, jr., RB/DB; 58 tackles, 2 INTs.

Luke Gigandet, 5-9, 172, sr., OL/LB; two-year starter on the OL.

Clay Eilerman, 5-6, 225, sr., OL/DL; 31 tackles, 9 tackles for loss.

Jacob Kitzmiller, 5-6, 155, jr., OL/LB; started four games at center.

Logan Brackman, 6-1, 177, jr., WR/DE; 51 tackles, 7 for a loss.

Nate Pleiman, 6-1, 180, so., LB; 63 tackles, 8 for loss, 3 sacks.

Key newcomers:

Grant Olberding, 6-4, 196, sr., WR/LB; will be our go-to receiver.

Clint Ratermann, 5-9, 161, sr., WR/DB; key slot receiver.

Luke Gephart, 5-9, 176, sr., RB/LB; key minutes at LB.

Blake Gaier, 6-2, 159, jr., WR/LB; has size and good hands.

Coach's comments: We lose eight starters on offense and six starters on defense, so we will have some inexperience to start with. We will rely heavily on the guys coming back with Friday night experience. We need some young guys to step up into starting roles and we will need others to step into the spotlight. We have no superstars on this team, but a great group of young men. We are very excited to see what we can do with this group.

Schedule:

Fri., Aug. 29 Minster, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 5 at New Bremen, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 12 at Defiance Tinora, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 19 at Ada, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 26 Waynesfield Goshen, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 3 Ridgemont, 7 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 11 vs. Lehman Catholic at Sidney, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 17 Upper Scioto Valley, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 24 Lima Perry, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 31 at Riverside, 7 p.m.

About the Author