Sidney Yellow Jackets high school football preview

High school: Sidney Yellow Jackets

Division: II

Region: Region 8

League/conference and division: GWOC American North (formerly GWOC North).

Head coach: Adam Doenges, 6th year as head coach, 12th overall at Sidney. Career record of 16-34.

Team website: yellowjacketfootball.com

Team Twitter: @Sidney_Football

Assistant coaches: Kyle Colemen (DC), Greg Snyder (OC), Wes Branscum, Frank Guillozet, Joey Stockton, Shane Kelly, Mike Ward, Terry Ward.

2015 record, conference / overall: 2-3, 6-4.

2015 highlights:

• First winning season since 2003; the 11th in the past 42 years.

• Total defense 5th overall in GWOC, 2nd in the North. Highest ranking since being in the GWOC.

• Total Offense 5th overall in the GWOC, 2nd in the North. Highest ranking since being in the GWOC.

• Over 1000 total yards (100 per game) of offense than the previous 10 seasons.

• 30.9 pts/game, 4th most in school history.

• Least amount of points allowed per game since being in the GWOC.

• Least amount of yards given up on defense since 2009.

• Danny Dean breaks Dave Ross’ school record for PATs made in a season with 35 (was 32).

• Devin Santos breaks school record for longest fumble return for a TD.

• Beat a playoff team (Piqua) and a team that finished with a winning record for only the 2nd time in the past 10 years.

5 key returners

Conor Beer, 5-9, 166, sr., WR/DB: Two-time All-GWOC North Kick Returner, 3-year letterman.

Devan Rogers, 6-2, 285, jr., DT/LT: 1st Team All-GWOC North, Bowling Green offer.

Andre Gordon, 6-1, 176, so., QB; 2nd team All-GWOC North, honorable mention SW District, Iowa St offer.

Javon Purk, 6-3, 205, sr., DE: 2nd team All-GWOC North, two-year letterwinner, Morehead State offer.

Isaiah Bowser, 6-1, 195, jr., RB/LB: 2nd team All-GWOC North, Cincinnati offer.

Story lines

• Return 16 letter winners; 6 offensive starters and 6 defensive starters.

• Return a lot of fire power on offense, but need to replace 3 offensive line starters.

• Special teams take a major hit with the graduation of a 3-year starter at kicker, 2-year starter at punter, in addition the long snapper and holder.

• Entire varsity coaching staff returns for the first time 10 years.

• Team speed and strength has tremendously improved over the last six years.

• Three new teams on the schedule: Carroll, Xenia and Tippecanoe.

Coach's comments: "Using the momentum of last year's successful season, this year's offseason has been tremendous. Players are aware of how hard winning is and realize extra work was needed to take the next step. With Trotwood moving to another division, the division will have a new champion and we want to be part of that race. With our Thursday Night Lights game on Fox 45, the graduation of two seniors who secured college scholarships, and a handful of underclassmen that have been offered already, people are starting to find Sidney and we hope to continue that this season."

Schedule

Week 1: Fri., Aug. 26 at St. Marys Memorial

Week 2: Fri., Sept. 2 host Bellefontaine

Week 3: Fri., Sept. 9 at Carroll

Week 4: Fri., Sept. 16 host Xenia

Week 5: Fri., Sept. 23, at West Carrollton

Week 6: Thu., host Piqua

Week 7: Fri., Oct. 7 at Tippecanoe

Week 8: Fri., Oct. 14 at Troy

Week 9: Fri., Oct. 21 host Vandalia-Butler

Week 10: Fri., Oct. 28 host Greenville

* All games at 7 p.m.