Oakwood football preview

Outlook: Injuries and move-outs already have taken a toll on the Lumberjacks. Senior QB Max Banke is the real deal. He already holds a half-dozen Oakwood passing records. He must stay healthy for Oakwood climb out of the SWBL Southwestern lineup. Last year the Jacks lost him in Week 6 to a broken leg.

High School: Oakwood Lumberjacks

Division this season: IV

Division last season: III

Region: 14

League/conference and division: SWBL Southwestern.

Stadium/field: Mack Hummon Field.

Head coach: Rick Robertson, third year at Oakwood (2-18); 137-110-1 (24 years) overall at Springfield North, Fairmont and Springfield.

Assistant coaches: Andy Keating (OC), Kevin Schalnat (DC), TJ Smart (stats), Mike Akin, Joey Anderson, Tyler Ekberg, Ryan Robertson (son).

2012 record: 2-8 overall, 1-5 SWBL.

5 key returners:

Max Banke, 5-11, 185, sr., QB; 3-year starter, has six school records in passing, 3rd in career passing; broke leg in Week 6 last year; will also play CB; will graduate with 12 letters in football, basketball, baseball).

Chase Randolph, 6-2, 179, sr.; starter at corner and wide receiver; 9 receptions (1 TD) and 47 tackles with 2 INT.

Sam Falter, 6-1, 185, sr., FB; Second leading rusher last year with 449 yards (4.7 ave); also averaged 35.6 punting; will see action at LB as well.

Austin Payne, 6-1, 197, jr.,; third year starting at LB. 46 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT; will also see some action at FB.

Pat Roberts, 6-1, 251, jr., OL/DL; Two-way starter last year will move to center and anchor OL.

Key newcomers:

Markus Neff, 6-4 221, sr., playing for first time (letterman in basketball and baseball) should help on both sides of the line.

Andy Polenakovik, 6-5 250, jr., playing for first time (childhood leukemia); Hoping he develops on the OL.

Coach's comments: Rough start already. Four projected starters (two returning) moved out over summer and a two-way starter just had knee surgery and a starting OL has blood clots and is out for season. Numbers are low but we have a good core group, returning six starters on offense and seven starters on defense.

Schedule:

8/30 @ MARIEMONT, 7:30 PM

9/6 MILTON-UNION, 7:30 PM

9/13 @ CARLISLE, 7:30 PM

9/20 VALLEY VIEW, 7:30 PM

9/27 @ EATON, 7:30 PM

10/4 BROOKVILLE, 7:30 PM

10/11 @ WAYNESVILLE, 7:30 PM

10/18 @ MONROE, 7 PM

10/25 BELLBROOK, 7:30 PM

11/1 FRANKLIN, 7:30 PM