“These guys want to get that league title back here,” Wilhite said.
Offense
Wilhite called Jeron King his best “big-play threat” last season.
King led the Panthers with 17.1 yards per reception and five receiving touchdowns in 2009, and he will return as the only skill position player on an otherwise young squad.
King (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) will be a main target for junior quarterback Josh Little (6-2, 200), who never played quarterback until he won the position battle on the freshman squad two years ago.
Little will have plenty of protection in front of him with three returning linemen in Jake Rigg (6-2, 250), Tyler Damian (6-2, 225) and Josh Mayberry (5-9, 220). Sean Gleason (5-11, 240) and Sean Welsh (6-3, 255) also will help protect Little.
The line also will be opening lanes for a new set of running backs. Antoin Campbell, who rushed for 1,550 yards an 14 touchdowns, graduated, leaving the door open for senior Josh Lakes and junior Brandon Walker to step in.
“I think we’re solid up front and that’s going to help a young QB a lot,” Wilhite said. “It’s a good scenario for him to be in, and it should help us establish the run, which is the best choice for a young quarterback.”
Defense
Five starters are back in the 4-4 scheme, led up front by seniors Ryan Jackson (5-10, 205) and Tyler Banford (6-1, 185).
They’ll be complimented by juniors Chris Waldroff (6-4, 245) and Luke Miller (6-4, 215).
The secondary is where most of Springboro’s experience returns with Max Webb (6-3, 175) and Ryan Alvey (5-8, 175). Cory Banasiak (5-9, 175) will step in as well.
The concern Wilhite has for his defense lies in the middle, although he said senior returner Kyle King (5-10, 210) is the “most explosive guy” there.
“He’s a great blitzer,” Wilhite said of King. “The younger guys will have to grow up in that role, but (King) is a good guy to have them learning from.”
Outlook
Wilhite said he tells his players all the time that Springboro has never been to the Division I playoffs, only D-II.
“Which team will be the first to do that?” Wilhite said. “Region 4 is a bear, no question. It’s definitely good company to be in. We know we’re on the cusp of it, but we’ve just got to get over that hump.”
Audible
“Springboro is always fundamentally sound and it is exciting to have them as our main rival.”
— Shawn Lamb, Lebanon
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