Coach: Scott Clodfelter (7 years; 1 year at Dixie)
2009 record: 0-5, 4-6
3 key returners:
Nathan Bartell, sr., OL
Evan Desjardins, sr., DB
Joe Desjardins, 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 Princeton game is a one-year deal and will be replaced by Fairfield in 2011.
Schedule
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
CENTERVILLE (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Ron Ullery, 11 years (34th season overall with Elks, including assistant years)
2009 record: 4-1, 8-3
3 key returners:
Michael Bennett, sr., OL/DL
Mike Replogle, sr., LB
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 to form a fearsome defensive front.
The key unknown is at quarterback, which will be decided between sr. Chris Kuzma, sr., Jon Overstreet and jr. Janson Matthews.
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.
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 AD, expects capacity crowds at all the home games.
“It’s a great home schedule,” he said. “ I should have tripled the price of season tickets.”
Schedule
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
FAIRMONT (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Andy Aracri (1st year)
2009 record: 2-3, 4-6
3 key returners:
Nick Bower, jr., QB
Chet Deaton, sr., FB/TE
Tim Trummer, sr., OL
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.
Schedule
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
NORTHMONT (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Lance Schneider (12 years)
2009 record: 3-2, 6-4
3 key returners:
Cameron Belton, so., QB
Jeremy Campbell, jr., DT
Kaleb Ringer, jr., LB
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.”
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, he’s destined to be Northmont’s next BCS recruit.
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.
Schedule
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
SPRINGFIELD (D-I, Region 3)
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
3 key returners:
Josh Bass, sr., WR/DB
Tyler Compston, sr., OL
Trey DePriest, sr., RB/LB
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.
DePriest doubles as an elusive running back (721) yards.
Schedule
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
WAYNE (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Jay Minton (13 years; 20 overall, including 7 at Boca Raton, Fla.)
2009 record: 4-1, 7-4
3 key returners:
Braxton Miller, sr., QB
Tre Moore, sr., DB
Lovell Peterson, so., OL
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.
“He’s at the point that he can handle all of this,” Minton said.
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.
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.
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.
Schedule
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
GWOC NORTH
PIQUA (D-II, Region 8)
Coach: Bill Nees (17 years)
2009 record: 1-3, 3-7
3 key returners:
Brandon Emerick, sr. DE
Cody Hughes, sr., DE
Josh Niblick, sr., DL
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.
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.”
Schedule
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
SIDNEY (D-II, Region 8)
Coach: Dan Cairns (6 years, 13 overall, including 7 at Brookside, Ind.)
2009 record: 3-1, 5-5
3 key returners:
Colin Beer, sr., QB/DB
Aaron Burns, sr., RB
TJ Golden, sr., RB
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.
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.”
Schedule
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
TROTWOOD-MADISON (D-II, Region 8)
Coach: Maurice Douglass
2009 record: 4-0, 9-4
3 key returners:
Bam Bradley, jr., DB
Antwan Gilbert, sr., RB
Marcus Graham, sr., QB
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.
Schedule
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
TROY (D-I, Region 3)
Coach: Steve Nolan (27 years; 31st overall, including 4 years at Conneaut)
2009 record: 2-2, 5-5
3 key returners:
Brad Armstrong, sr., QB/DB
Lee Blackford, sr., OL
Marcus Foster, jr., RB
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.”
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.
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.
Schedule
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
VANDALIA BUTLER (D-II, Region 8)
Coach: Greg Bush (2 years, 23 seasons total, including assistant seasons at Valley View, Miamisburg and Butler)
2009 record: 0-4, 2-8
3 key returners:
Devontre Burks, sr., RB
Miles Eaton, jr., OL
Nathan Martin, so., FB
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.
Burks is the featured tailback and has the ability to elude defenders and run through them. Paving his way up front is massive Eaton (6-3, 305).
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.
“I think we’re going to be the surprise team in the Miami Valley,” Bush said. “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.”
Schedule
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
GWOC SOUTH
FAIRBORN (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Roy Thobe (9 years; also 2 years at Trotwood in 1995-96)
2009 record: 2-2, 6-4
3 key returners:
Devon Hamilton, jr., WR
Billy Jackson, jr., WR
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.
Schedule
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
LEBANON (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Shawn Lamb (6 years; previously 8 years as a Lebanon assistant)
2009 record: 4-0, 8-2
3 key returners:
Aaron Abbott, jr., RB
Chris Benton, sr., LB
Nick Stotts, sr., OL
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 teamsn.
Defending its South title and making the playoffs could well come down to Week 10.
Fittingly, that’s when Lebanon will host Springboro.
Schedule
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
MIAMISBURG (D-I, Region 4)
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
3 key returners:
Shawn Barkalow, sr., LB
Kyle Brewer, sr., WR/DB
Cody Hamblin, jr., RB
Extra points:
The levy 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. Now, Lewis reports the team has swelled to a robust 65.
“The bottom line is, they’re tired of losing,” said Lewis, who was a Vikings assistant and landed the head position again when Zach Cline resigned.
Schedule
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
SPRINGBORO (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Ryan Wilhite (5 years; previously offensive coordinator at Wayne)
2009 record: 3-1, 8-2
3 key returners:
Ryan Alvey, sr., DB
Ryan Jackson, sr., DL
Kyle King, sr., LB
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.
Boro last was in the D-II playoffs in 2005.
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.
Schedule
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
XENIA (D-I, Region 4)
Coach: Bob Delong (2 years; 15 overall, including 13 at Tecumseh)
2009 record: 1-3, 2-8
3 key returners:
Zach Newsock, jr., QB
Nathan Nichol, sr., OT
Julius Young, sr., DL
Extra points:
It’s always easier the second time around. That’s what Delong is hoping. After 13 mostly successful and sometimes outstanding seasons at Tecumseh, Delong landed with the Bucs.
“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.
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.
Schedule
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