Legends of the Fall
E2 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Senior Player Surveys
Who in your life is legendary? “My brother Derek. He works harder than anyone I know.” — Parker Carmichael, Triway, QB/ DB “My brother Shawn Sheridan for holding the (NHS) interception record.” — Ryan Sheridan, Northwestern, WR/DB
Carmichael
“My mother. She battled cancer twice and hasn’t let it change her one bit. That speaks for itself.” — Isaiah Klenovich, Wooster, CB “My brother Jason. He golfed in high school and at Mount Union. After college, he got very sick for two or three years. He handled the adversity well.” — Dakota Fincham, Waynedale, RB/LB
AP file photo
The Cleveland Browns Dick Schafrath (77) leads the way for Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown as quarterback Frank Ryan looks on during the Browns’ 27-0 win over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL championship game. Schafrath, a 1955 Wooster High graduate, also won a national title while playing for Ohio State in 1957. The legendary 1964 Browns team was the last from Cleveland to win a championship in a major sport. Sheridan
What does it take to become legendary in high school football? “To work hard every practice and lay it on the line on Friday nights.” — Jon Miller, Smithville, DE “Go beyond what is asked and expected to make people remember you.” — Aaron Indermuhle, Chippewa, G/LB “Do something that no one else has done.” — J.D. Murphy, Dalton, OT/DT “People need to fear you when they play you.” — Jesse Mann, Dalton, OLB
Bo Jackson
Who’s the biggest football legend to you? “Jerry Rice. He’s the No. 1 receiver of all-time and his dedication was better than anyone else.” — Troy Haven, Triway, WR/OLB “My older brother Michael. He played center for Smithville during the 2002 season when they made it to state.” — Andy Benchoff, Smithville, WR/CB “Bo Jackson. He was an incredible athlete.” — Jesse Shircliff, Triway, DE/OT
Benchoff
“Larry Zuercher. I grew up hearing stories of how he was the greatest running back of all-time and how he never went down.” — Patrick McGinty, Dalton, RB/OLB “Johnny Manziel. I love the way he plays.” — Zach Ryder, Dalton, QB/CB
McGinty
Murphy
Indermuhle
Pamer
Miller
“God-given talent and the ability to turn anything into a big play.” — Trey Pamer, Wooster, WR/CB
What’s the most legendary football moment you’ve experienced as a player or fan? “First varsity touchdown. You’ll “Beating Norwayne last season never forget it.” and watching the fans rush the field.” — Ke’Ontae Owens, Orrville, RB/ — Josh Prichard, DB Chippewa, C/DT “Beating Triway on the opening night on their turf.” “When Adam (Wallace) complet— Corre Shaffer, Orrville, WR/LB ed the pass to Kaleb (Harris) to win the state championship.” “Beating Norwayne in 2011. We — Garrett Ball were their only loss.” — Ryan Smucker, Smithville, TE/ Norwayne, DE OLB
Ball
Owens
Besides football, what is someone on your team legendary for? “Parker (Carmichael). He’s one of the greatest leader I’ve ever been around.” — Dillon Kopp, Triway, WR/CB “J.D. Murphy for being dirty.” — Ryan Conner, Dalton, WR/LB “Nick Zollinger’s hair.” — Jake Gamble, Chippewa, OT/DT “Coach Kevin Covert. He’s always positive and makes us laugh.” — Josh Burns, Northwestern, LB/OL
Sasquatch
Which of these legendary creatures do you most think could be real? A) Sasquatch — 66% B) Loch Ness monster — 18% C) Vampire — 8% D) Werewolf — 8%
Wooster
* Millersburg * Orrville
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“Rambo” played by Sylvester Stallone Zollinger
In what way are your H.S. coaches legendary to you? “They’ve taught me a work ethic.” — Zach Fitzgerald, Orrville, WR/DT “They put in legendary effort, devoting most of their free time to finding the best way for us to win.” — Cooper Braun, Triway, C/DT “They can deal with our senior class.” — Harold Kennedy, Smithville, C/DT
Which of these legendary movie characters would make the best football player? A) Terminator — 10% B) Darth Vader — 28% C) Indiana Jones — 5% D) Rambo — 52% E) Dirty Harry — 5%
Best wishes for a healthy season to all area football teams & players
The Daily Record
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — E3
Legends of the Fall return, inspire current generation H
igh school football players all over the state will take to the field to open the 2014 seasons this week. Good teams and players are often remembered in their communities long after their playing days. The great ones might be recalled by an entire county or counties long after they’re done. The very best of the best will become “Legends of the Fall.” To help preview the upcoming season and get a better sense of the area’s football history, The Daily Record invited a top former player from 12 area high schools back to his alma mater to meet current standouts and pose for photos at a legendary location. We are thrilled with the cooperation we received from both the current head coaches, players and the alums to complete the preview edition you’re now reading. Nearly every alum we contacted agreed to participate. Some of the invitations took no time at all for us to decide on. When people talk about Wooster football, or area greats for that matter, the first name they should think of is Dick Schafrath, who won a national title while playing for Ohio State in 1957 and was on the Cleveland Browns’ last title team in 1964. He was legendary off the field as well, canoeing across Lake Erie and running 60 miles from Cleveland to Wooster after losing a bet.
the Seattle Seahawks. Other easy choices Aaron included Triway’s Keith Dorksen Snoddy and Dalton’s Larry Zuercher. Daily Record Sports Editor Snoddy helped the Titans win a league title in the 1975 season finale with no time left Wooster coach Doug as a senior with a long Haas said he’s like a kid touchdown pass and then in a candy store when a successful two-point Schafrath is around, listening to stories of block- pass before starring at Youngstown State. ing for the likes of Jim Zuercher averaged Brown and playing for more than 14 yards a Woody Hayes and Paul carry for the Bulldogs in Brown. Because there’s so much 1961 and better than 10 yards a run for his career time invested in a team before going on to play getting ready for footfor Kent State. ball games and so few of Fortunately, all five of them, Haas thinks that those gentlemen agreed makes the sport even to take part in our project more memorable. because it wouldn’t have “I look at us as a high been nearly the same school program and without them. we get a get a 10-game Smithville seniors Lance schedule with five of Bohlen, David Myers and those at home,” Haas Eddie Sherwood grew up said. “Christmas comes being told stories about once a year and there’s Kolic, whose incredible only five home football games — that’s not much strength and work ethic helped him also own the of an increase.” Ohio Class A shot put Smithville’s top player was a no-brainer as well. record for many years. “I always heard about Larry Kolic helped turn him growing up — that the Smithies into a great he was the best player to program before earning ever come through here,” the MVP of the Citrus Bowl as a senior for Ohio Bohlen said. “My uncle (Jack Eggeman) was a State in 1985 and he freshman when (Kolic) played for parts of three was a senior and said he seasons as a linebacker was a stud. It was great to for the Miami Dolphins. West Holmes’ legend is actually meet him.” Just meeting the former another easy choice. Joe Norman is the only other stars for our preview added to their legend in local included in our Legends preview with an some cases. Kolic told the NFL pedigree. After star- three Smithies seniors to ride with him to the ring for the Knights he historic Smithville Inn for was a tackling machine at linebacker for Indiana their photo shoot — in his customized Hummer. and played six years for
Aaron Dorksen photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Dalton football players (from left) Connor Clark, JD Murphy, Tristan Fitzwater, Andy Caillet, Isaiah Miller and Hayden Amstutz enjoy one of the best breaks from training camp imaginable: ice cream at the Dalton Dari-Ette and football stories from Bulldogs’ legend Larry Zuercher.
Aaron Dorksen photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Smithville players (from left) David Myers, Eddie Sherwood and Lance Bohlen not only got to meet Smithies legend Larry Kolic for the first time this summer, he also drove them in his customized Hummer to a photo shoot at the Smithville Inn. Those players are probably still smiling after riding with Kolic, who said he’s only been back to Smithville a few times since graduating in 1982. Zuercher was nice enough to drive over from Indiana and still looked fit enough to run the ball at age 70. The Bulldogs’ offensive linemen ate ice cream with him at the Dalton DariEtte and said he provided extra motivation to leave their own winning legacy. Norwayne’s Adam Wallace is the youngest former player spotlighted, having graduated in 2012. However, Wallace led the Bobcats to just the area’s second state title as a senior in an instant classic 48-42 Div. IV win over Kenton in which he threw for four touchdowns, ran for three more and also played linebacker. The play of the quarterbacklinebacker was legendary for any era and he’s now a redshirt sophomore starter at linebacker for Ashland University. Picking a legend who could return late this summer from the other schools wasn’t nearly as easy. Orrville leads the area with 22 playoff appearances and has routinely churned out Div. I players. A dozen or more Red Riders could have been featured, but 1989 graduate Jason Haley’s play at linebacker and fullback before his career was cut short by injury at Akron ranks among the best. And he’s remained on board at OHS to coach an incredible line of college linebackers since. Waynedale has produced many great ones, including current coach Matt Zuercher. Highlighting 1970s running back
Jon Thompson was a chance to showcase one of the area’s greats from that era. Chippewa has made only two playoff appearances, with one of those coming last year. When the modern Wayne County League was formed in the 1950s, though, the Chipps ran off three straight titles and won 21 straight games with lineman Butch Williams starring before going on to play for a national title winner at Bowling Green. Northwestern’s undersized running back Travis “Coop” Morris helped lead his school’s deepest playoff run as a sophomore in 2005 after making a legendary climb up the depth chart. Rittman’s Butch Ullman showed that players don’t necessarily have to be on a title team to leave their mark. His toughness as a tackler in the late 1960s before he went on to play linebacker at Akron is still talked about. Hillsdale’s Drew Austin was a fierce competitor in the midst of a terrible streak at his school, playing fullback and linebacker for the only winning team (1985) between the 1973-1992 seasons. Current stars featured on our “Legends of the Fall” cover have already made lasting marks, but have chances to add to the legacy of their teams themselves. Triway senior Parker Carmichael is already the area’s all-time career passing yardage leader and led the Titans to the second round of the Div. IV playoffs. Wooster senior Marquise Blair is the top returning receiver and tackler for his team and
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COACHES OF THE YEAR 2013 Mike Bohley (Chippewa) 2012 Joe Harbour (Norwayne) 2011 Joe Harbour (Norwayne) 2010 Tom Williams (Hillsdale) 2009 Doug Davault (Orrville) 2008 Kevin Maltarich (Norwayne) 2007 Tom Williams (Hillsdale) 2006 Doug Davault (Orrville) 2005 Mike Thut (Northwestern) 2004 Keith Schrock (Smithville) 2003 Bill Seder (Waynedale) 2002 Keith Schrock (Smithville) 2001 Mike Thut (Northwestern) 2000 John Lance (Loudonville) 1999 Brian Hessey (Chippewa) 1998 Bill McMillan (Orrville) 1997 Bill Seder (Waynedale) 1996 Jeff Souers (Triway) 1995 Bill Seder (Waynedale) 1987-94 No awards given 1986 Bob McFarland (Wooster) 1985 Jeff Souers (Waynedale) 1984 Keith Schrock (Smithville) 1983 Bill Kjerrumgaard (West Holmes), Keith Schrock (Smithville) 1982 Dan Evans (West Holmes)
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Index
Past DR football honorees PLAYERS OF THE YEAR 2013 Parker Carmichael (Triway) 2012 Jon Zimmerly (Norwayne) 2011 Adam Wallace (Norwayne) 2010 Derek Carmichael (Triway) 2009 Chase Hoobler (Orrville) 2008 Ben Cline (Triway) 2007 Thad Nofsinger (Waynedale) 2006 Kyle Simmons (Orrville) 2005 Ryan Kopina (Wooster) 2004 Tim Hiller (Orrville) 2003 Derek Jackson (Dalton) 2002 Mark Jameson (Dalton) 2001 Kyle Kauffman (Smithville) 2000 Rod Taylor (West Holmes) 1999 Rod Taylor (West Holmes) 1998 Dru Robinson (Orrville) 1997 Matt Zuercher (Waynedale) 1996 Tim Spires (Dalton) 1995 Pete Miley (Smithville) 1987-94 No awards given 1986 Tony Lee (Wooster) 1985 Jack Leeder (Orrville) 1984 Tom Bolyard (Orrville) 1983 Kyle Kerstetter (C.F. Northwest) 1982 Ken DePriest (West Holmes), S. Crossland (C.F. Northwest)
has committed to sign with Syracuse. Chippewa junior Bailey Breitenstine quarterbacked the Chipps from 1-9 to 9-3 and a Div. V playoff spot last year, showing a knack for being at his best in crunch time. “We went on a nice roll winning nine straight games last year and it was nice to see all the support for Triway football,” said Carmichael, who led several thrilling last-second wins during that 9-3 season. “It’s nice for our team to be talked about with some of the great ones at our school, but we have a lot more we want to do.” Blair said it would be memorable if the Generals could make a run at the playoffs after going 4-6 last year. “That would be huge for our program, to be the ones who got us back to winning,” Blair said. Breitenstine knows all about the lasting legacy of high school football. “People still talk about my dad’s Barberton team beating Massillon at the Rubber Bowl in 1982 when Chris Spielman was a sophomore,” Bailey said of Brian Breitenstine. “We wore leather helmets then,” Brian joked. “I sure couldn’t play quarterback anymore — I’d have to be a guard.” That’s alright, Brian. They’re still talking about what you did 32 years ago. Like the aforementioned players, that’s the stuff of legends.
Area schedules Chippewa Cloverleaf Dalton Hillsdale Loudonville Northwestern Norwayne OCC Preview Orrville New rule change Rittman Smithville Triway Tuslaw Waynedale WCAL preview West Holmes Wooster Kevin Lynch photo
The Daily Record sports staff that produced the “Legends of the Fall” football preview wear clothing that shows off the high schools where they learned to appreciate the game. From left are Art Holden (Chippewa High alum), Aaron Dorksen (Chardon), Zach Bolinger (Chippewa), Andrew Vogel (Decatur, Ga.) and Mike Plant (Wooster).
On the cover The cover was produced and designed by Pete Kiko of The Daily Record in conjunction with the sports department. The pictures of the current stars were taken by Daily Record photographer Dan Starcher. The vintage photos were collected from a variety of sources, ranging from DR files, to yearbooks and the past players’ personal collections.
E14 F1 F7 F4 F5 F8 F12 F2 E7 E6 E13 E9 E12 E10 F7 F6 E8 F10 E4
area football wins A look at the all-time winloss-tie totals for area football teams, followed by year their program started and total playoff appearances. Orrville Wooster Dalton Rittman Chippewa Waynedale Smithville Tuslaw Triway Cloverleaf W. Holmes N’western Norwayne Hillsdale
W 600 518 448 382 376 360 341 243 236 221 220 190 176 160
L 372 438 304 409 422 215 253 257 269 302 217 297 297 325
T 41 53 5 32 28 10 10 3 12 5 5 9 12 14
Year 1903 1899 1924 1923 1912 1955 1956 1960 1963 1960 1964 1963 1954 1963
PO 22 3 10 2 2 9 12 7 5 1 5 5 4 3
Note: Loudonville information not available.
Legends of the Fall
E4 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Wooster’s tale Started football in 1899. Made playoffs three times. Play in Ohio Cardinal Conference. Play at Follis Field. Coached by Doug Haas (7-13 entering third year leading Wooster). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. II, Region 5.
wooster generals
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 at Highland L, 17-45 Sept. 5 WADSWORTH L, 13-14 Sept. 12 at Green DNP Sept. 19 ASHLAND* L, 17-38 Sept. 26 at Madison* W, 48-24 Oct. 3 CLEAR FORK* L, 26-29 Oct. 10 LEXINGTON* W, 40-20 Oct. 17 at Mansfield* L, 21-45 Oct. 24 at West Holmes* W, 41-34 Nov. 1 ORRVILLE* W, 56-0 * Ohio Cardinal Conference game
Haas
Meet the starters
Mike Schenk photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Wooster legend Dick Schafrath visited Follis Field and posed for a photo next to the Charles Follis Monument at Follis Field, which has a new turf field this fall as part of a $750,000 stadium renovation project. Schafrath starred for the Generals in the 1950s and then played on championship teams for Ohio State (1957) and the Cleveland Browns (1964). Hoping to add to the Generals’ rich tradition are (from left) seniors Tyson Jackson, Cam Daugherty, Marquise Blair and Martavius Dyson.
Schafrath inspires current Generals By AARON DORKSEN Sports Editor The past, present and future of Wooster High School football all came together when Dick Schafrath visited Follis Field in late August. Schafrath is as legendary as they come as far as area sports personalities go, having starred for the Generals in the mid 1950s and then on championship teams for the Ohio State Buckeyes (1957) and Cleveland Browns (1964). The seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle was a bit undersized for a pro lineman at 6-foot-3 and usually weighing between 250-260 pounds, but his exploits were larger than life. In addition to blocking for three Hall of Fame running backs, Schafrath was the first person to canoe across Lake Erie and once ran 60 miles non-stop from Cleveland to Wooster after losing a bet. He also competed in eating contests to keep his weight up and wrestled bears at carnivals. Schafrath also owned a canoe livery and after his playing days served several terms in the Ohio Senate. Since last year, Schafrath has offered many words of wisdom as a volunteer coach at Wooster. Schafrath has more stories to tell than there are hours in a day and Wooster seniors Marquise Blair (WR-OLB), Cam Daugherty (QB-S), Martavius Dyson (RB-S) and Tyson Jackson (T-DT) are among the players who can’t hear enough of them. The four senior standouts gathered for a photo with Schafrath in front of a monument honoring Charles Follis at the field named for the school’s first football great. Follis was the captain of Wooster’s first team
in 1899 and went on to become the first black pro football player. “It’s so neat to be able to have a conversation with Coach Schafrath,” said Daugherty, who passed for 1,094 yards and 12 TDs last season. “He comes to our team dinners on Thursday and tells us stories about blocking for Jim Brown, or playing for Woody Hayes at Ohio State. He tells us how unselfish the Browns teams he was on were and how hard guys like Jim Brown and he worked.” In the distance, workers were putting finishing touches on a $750,000 stadium renovation project, highlighted by the installation of a new artificial turf field. Seeing what Schafrath has done and all the current support for the Wooster program gives the seniors confidence of what the future holds for themselves and the program. “It’s actually kind of weird to talk to him. You usually don’t talk to people like that every day,” said Blair, a Syracuse recruit who’s the top returning tackler and receiver. “He’s an example that people from Wooster have gone on to do some great things.” Jackson said it’s “unbelievable” to think about what Schafrath has done. Dyson, the top returning rusher with 1,180 yards and 16 TDs, enjoys hearing stories about Jim Brown. “He shows that if you work hard the kind of success you can have in life,” said Jackson, a Div. I special mention All-Ohio lineman in 2013. “He makes us want to work even harder to leave the best legacy we can at Wooster.” Schafrath grew up on a farm and never even saw a football game until he was in eighth grade. He played
Dick Schafrath file High School highlights: Dick Schafrath is known best for his time as an offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, but while at Wooster he was a hard-hitting fullback-linebacker. He earned AllOhio honors as a junior and senior when the Generals were 6-4 and 5-3-2, respectively. College highlights: Schafrath played for the legendary Woody Hayes at Ohio State and the offensive tackle-defensive end never lost against Michigan during his three seasons on varsity. He was a standout on the Buckeyes’ 1957 national championship team and a captain on the 1958 squad that won the Rose Bowl. He was inducted into the OSU Athletics HOF in 2012. Pro highlights: Despite being undersized for an NFL left tackle, the Browns selected the 6-foot3, 220-pounder in the second round of the 1959 draft. He wound up bulking up to a top weight of a reported 260 pounds, helped by entering eating contests, and started for 13 seasons at left tackle. He blocked for the likes of Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly and was named to the Pro Bowl seven times. Schafrath was inducted into the Browns Legends Club in 2003 and many people believe he richly deserves to be enshrined in the Pro Football HOF. Favorite football memory: “I’ve got so many great memories, but winning a championship is pretty special,” said Schafrath, of the 1964 Browns. “That was a great team on which everyone played their role and worked together.” Life today: The 77-year-old Schafrath lives in Mansfield and has seven grown children from four marriages and 21 grandchildren. He also has four brothers and one sister. After retiring from the NFL, Schafrath’s many endeavors included owning a canoe livery in Loudonville, serving in the Ohio Senate from 1986-2003 and completing his degree at Ohio State in 2006 at age 69. Since last year he has helped as a part-time volunteer coach at Wooster. Schafrath was voted The Daily Record area’s co-No. 1 greatest athlete of the 20th century along with his good friend Dean Chance in a 1999 series. all the sports he could at Wooster because it’s the only place he could take hot showers. “I owe so much to
the game of football,” Schafrath said. “There are so many great memories and it all started at Wooster.”
Wooster High roster SENIORS No. Name Ht. 4 Marquise Blair 6-3 7 Mason Woods 6-2 8 Martavius Dyson 5-10 10 Trey Pamer 6-0 12 Cameron Daugherty 6-5 15 Alex Hasapis 5-9 27 Isaiah Klenovich 5-8 33 Storm Nicholson 5-10 47 Aaron Saal 6-0 50 Tyson Jackson 6-2 61 Shea Hershberger 5-8
Wt. 190 235 185 160 225 160 165 185 190 290 230
Pos. WR/LB RB/LB RB/DB WR/DB QB/DB K WR/DB TE/LB TE/DE OL/DL OL/DL
JUNIORS 6 Kobe Russell 20 Tremaine Wilson 28 Jarrell Harden 45 Leon Griffith 56 Petey Bess 60 Staten Kirchhofer 78 Mason McGee
160 165 155 165 210 200 200
WR/DB RB/DB RB/DB WR/DB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL
5-10 5-9 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-2 6-1
81 Nick McGurk SOPHOMORES 5 William Snyder 9 Nick Johnston 11 Devon Holmes 14 Colt Morgan 19 Peyton Bennington 21 Antonio Crossty 24 Grant Berger 26 Andrew Bevington 32 Kory Hershberger 34 Nick Ballard 42 Eddie Rooney 44 Armand Rutter 52 Matt Webber 55 Stirling Musselman 59 Seth Folks 65 Anthony LaRocca 69 Titus Thind 72 Jacob Abramo 75 Sean Fead
5-9 170 TE/LB 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-4 6-2 5-9 5-10 5-9 5-9 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-8 6-4 5-10
145 185 160 180 175 165 165 155 175 175 185 185 175 232 225 185 185 195 175
K RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB TE/LB TE/DL TE/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
76 Tanner Hadorn FRESHMEN 1 Calvin Blair 2 Trevon O’Hearn 3 Trey-Quan Mathis 13 Justin Steele 16 Caleb Houk 17 Adam Swindll 18 Brad Stoll 22 J.R. Sample 23 Cole Lang 25 Avalon Harper 29 Dylan Hawkins 30 Taelonn Harper 31 Kendrick Corbin 35 Andre Floyd 46 Michael Cicolani 54 Chris Evege 57 Corbin Lanker 58 Parker Suggs 66 Zach Ntia
5-8 205 OL/DL 6-2 5-8 5-10 5-7 5-10 6-2 5-7 5-9 5-10 5-9 5-7 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-11 5-9 5-10 5-10
190 145 210 140 175 165 140 150 155 140 135 140 175 165 170 234 220 160 190
TE/DL WR/DB RB/LB RB/DB RB/LB QB/DB WR/DB TE/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB TE/LB TE/DL TE/DE OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
Pos. QB RB RB WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT K
OFFENSE Name Ht. Wt. Cam Daugherty 6-5 225 Martavius Dyson 5-10 185 Mason Woods 6-2 235 Marquise Blair 6-3 190 Colt Morgan 6-4 180 Storm Nicholson 5-10 185 Tyson Jackson 6-2 290 Seth Folks 5-11 225 Petey Bess 5-9 210 Mason McGee 6-1 200 Staten Kirchofer 6-2 200 Alex Hasapis 5-9 160
DE DT DT DE OLB ILB OLB CB CB FS/P S
DEFENSE Aaron Saal 6-0 190 Tyson Jackson 6-2 290 Shea Hershberger 5-8 230 Eddie Rooney 5-11 185 Marquise Blair 6-3 190 Petey Bess 5-9 210 Mason Woods 6-2 235 Isaiah Klenovich 5-8 165 Kobe Russell 5-10 160 Cam Daugherty 6-5 225 Martavius Dyson 5-10 185
Yr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Woods Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.
Bess
Wooster plot While going 3-7 in coach Doug Haas’ first year at the helm in 2012 and then 4-6 last season, the Generals have shown flashes of excellence on both sides of the ball. However, too often Wooster been unable to make the big plays in the second half of close games, which has kept it from challenging in the OCC or playoff race. The Generals have one of the most explosive and seasoned group of skilled players in the area and most of those returnees also play defense. The lines are green on both sides of the ball, but if they can come of age Wooster has the potential for a special season on its sparkling new turf field.
Words of wisdom “Winning some games early would be huge,” Haas said. “We’ve harped on that and preached that really from Day 1 in terms of the difference between being 4-6 and potentially 7-3 last year. “It was 24-17 against Medina Highland (13-1 final record) at halftime, we were leading at halftime against Wadsworth and Ashland and it was a three-point game into the third quarter against Chagrin Falls. Those are just a few (losses) that stick in your craw. We’ve talked about the importance of taking steps to get over that hump so that we’re winning those types of games.”
Main characters Haas doesn’t downplay the talent of seniors Marquise Blair (WR-OLB), Cam Daugherty (QB-S) and Martavius Dyson (RB-S), often referring to them as a threeheaded monster. They’re arguably as talented as any trio in the area. Daugherty is the school’s career passing leader with more than 3,300 yards entering his senior season, including 1,094 stripes and 12 TDs last year. After seeing very little playing time in the first three games of 2013, Dyson exploded to finish the year with 160 carries for 1,202 yards and 16 TDs as he became the focal point of the shotgun-spread offense. Blair, who has verbally committed to sign with Syracuse, led the team in receiving (35 for 724, 11 TDs) and tackles (75). “Having those three makes it hard for defenses to gameplan against us,” Haas said. “That’s exciting, but we’re only going to go as far as those five or six guys up front and the fullback who leads them. Those guys are special when they get their hands on the ball and when they get a crease they can do some really neat things. Hopefully, the other 55 guys realize that and take pride in wanting to be a cog in the offensive wheel in regards to those guys.” Two of the biggest cogs are Tyson Jackson (T-DT) and Mason Woods (RB-OLB), who are both returning twoway starters. WR Colt Morgan also saw regular action, but other than Jackson the rest of the offensive line will be new. Shea Hershberger, Staten Kirchhofer, Seth Folks, Petey Bess and Mason McGee are being counted on to step in on the O-Line. With Blair and Woods at OLB flanking Bess in the middle, the Generals’ 4-3 defense is solid. Athletic Aaron Saal will step in on the D-Line along with Hershberger and Eddie Rooney to join returnee Jackson. The secondary is solid with Daugherty and Dyson at S and Isaiah Klenovich and Kobe Russell at CB. “The line is a key on the defense as well,” Haas said. “Can we get eight kids as a D-line group to rotate through because some of them are going to be playing offense as well? It’s a tough position to play and we need to be fresh in the fourth quarter.”
Keys to a memorable fall Haas said he’s not worrying about the other teams on the Generals’ schedule. Practice is the key to making the program better, Haas said. If the line can come together and Wooster can make a few more plays in the second half of games that have eluded them the last two years, it could truly be a memorable fall. “One of our turf committee members texted me and said, ‘Hey, it would be fun to be playing for an OCC championship on that new turf in Week 10,’” Haas said. “That’s obviously something we talk about every year — working to go out and win an OCC championship. I tell the seniors all the time that you have a chance to leave a legacy and to put 2014 on a banner in the gym. That’s why you do it, you want to win and to leave a little bit of a legacy.” — Aaron Dorksen
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — E5
GO GENERALS!
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Legends of the Fall
E6 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Orrville’s tale
orrville red riders
Started football in 1903. Made playoffs 22 times, highlighted by state title in 1998. Play in Ohio Cardinal Conference. Play at Red Rider Stadium. Coached by Doug Davault (55-35 entering ninth year leading Orrville). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. V, Region 16.
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 TOL. ROGERS DNP Sept. 5 TRIWAY W, 22-17 Sept. 12 at Northwest W, 28-22 Sept. 19 at Lexington* W, 16-9 Sept. 26 MANSFIELD* L, 0-45 Oct. 3 WEST HOLMES* L, 23-28 Oct. 10 at Ashland* L, 10-30 Oct. 17 MADISON* L, 10-20 Oct. 24 CLEAR FORK* L, 7-35 Nov. 1 at Wooster* L, 0-56 * Ohio Cardinal Conference game
Davault
Meet the starters Pos. QB TB HB WR WR WR T G C G T K
Name Luke Smith Austin Domer Corre Shaffer Keontae Owens Nick Fetty Zach Fitzgerald Amir Simpson Matt Chuning Korbin Sprowls Jake Hochstetler John Jack McClure Cole Duskey
OFFENSE Ht. Wt. 6-2 170 5-8 160 6-0 180 6-1 180 5-9 150 5-11 185 6-4 230 5-11 198 6-0 200 6-0 270 6-4 235 6-0 175
Yr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Sr.
DE DT NT LB LB LB Rov. DB DB DB DB P
Zach Fitzgerald Amir Simpson Jake Hochstetler Matt Chuning Caleb Criss Colton Shrader Zach Ramsdell Corre Shaffer Keontae Owens Jake Hershberger Nick Fetty Mike Barr Austin Domer Luke Smith
DEFENSE 5-11 185 6-4 230 6-0 270 5-11 198 5-5 150 5-8 206 5-8 175 6-0 180 6-1 180 5-8 170 5-9 150 6-0 165 5-8 160 6-2 170
Sr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Jr.
Simpson
Fetty
Orrville plot After back-to-back losing seasons, including a 1-13 Ohio Cardinal Conference record, Orrville head coach One of the traditions at Orrville is painting the bridge on Crown Hill Road entering the town from Back Orrville Road. The Red Riders will also look to add to their area-best 22 playoff appearances, Doug Davault and his team will go to a new plan of several made when Jason Haley (back, middle) played in the late 1980s. Flanking Haley are Corre attack this season. Knowing the challenges of OCC teams physically, the undersized and inexperienced Shaffer (left) and Luke Smith, while Keontae Owens (left) and Austin Domer are kneeling in front. Red Riders will take to the air in 2014, with junior QB Luke Smith throwing to as many as five wide receivers in a spread offense. The good news is that three starters return on the offensive line, including T Amir Simpson, the biggest Rider at 6-4, 235. The numbers are down in Orrville, and Davault’s team doesn’t have a wealth of size or experience. They can’t look past Week 1 when Toledo Rogers comes to on the team has a lot of By MIKE PLANT town, and a best-case scenario would be going at least camaraderie, and we’ve Sports Writer 2-1 before hitting the OCC. got a lot of chemistry on Most of Jason Haley’s the field and off the field,” High School highlights: LB/FB was a threefootball career has been Owens said. “I feel we can Words of wisdom year letterman for Orrville, and earned first-team affiliated with Orrville do great things.” “In the league we’re in and with what we have, to All-Ohio honors as a senior LB when he made High, where he’s currently In his role as a coach, line up and say ‘Here we come,’ that’s difficult,” said 201 tackles, the second-best total in area history an assistant coach. Haley makes sure the Davault of the decision to switch offenses. “We’re behind fellow legend Joe Norman, including 36 As a player at OHS from current players are aware gonna have to spread it around so everyone gets tackles for loss. 1985-88, Haley followed of those who have come touches. College highlights: Earned full-ride scholarship Jack Leeder as an All- before them. “We really wanted to integrate this more last year, to the University of Akron, but injuries cut his Ohio linebacker, and is a “You try to instill that but we ran the ball so well the first half of last year out career short. link in the chain of great in the kids, but generaof a two-back set,” he added. “Once we got into the Favorite football memory: “Always it was playRed Rider LBs. tions are different now,” meat of the OCC, we knew we were gonna have to do ing the Wooster game in Week 10. My senior year Much is made of Haley said. “You don’t something else in order to compete. Running the ball we beat them 13-10 at Maurer Field. Coaching in Orrville’s long football have those names like the wasn’t allowing us to do that, and you’re gonna see us state semifinal game and both Genoa (playoff) tradition, but Haley lives DeHarts and the Densons go to the spread all the way through the program down games was also pretty intense.” it. here — some of the kids into the junior high. Life today: Haley, 44, lives with his wife, Sta“It’s always been big at now aren’t born and bred “It’s a work in progress — we’ve been a spread team cey, in Orrville. The couple has a son, 11-year-old Orrville High School,” he here, so you have to try to before, so it’s not a huge departure, but it’s a different Cooper, and daughter Averi, 9. Haley is Safety said. “When I was young- keep that going and instill focus than we’ve had the last few years. It’s trying to fit and Security monitor at Wayne County Schools er, I looked up to Jack it in them.” what we do to our personnel. Career Center. Defensive coordinator at Orrville Leeder, Todd Blake, guys One second-generation High. that came ahead of me. player who didn’t need Highlight: When I was a little kid, indoctrinated is sophoMain characters “Always it I always wanted to be a more Austin Domer, who Smith (6-3, 175) should at least double his stats from was playing Red Rider, run out on that will run and catch the ball a year ago, when he was 81-of-165 through the air for the Wooster field and help carry on this year, as well as play 1,070 yards, eight TDs and 10 INTs as a sophomore. game in Week that Red Rider tradition.” safety. Domer’s father, Smith dealt with a collapsed lung during the summer, 10. My senior The Red Riders have Kyle, was a star RB for but Davault said his QB has been cleared to go. “Menyear we beat won just one Ohio Car- the Riders who is No. 5 on tally and knowledge-wise, Luke’s made huge strides,” them 13-10 at dinal Conference game the school’s all-time rushthe coach said. “His footwork is vastly improved, as Maurer Field, the past two seasons and ing list. have his poise and decision-making. He’s a 6-3 quarand coaching five games overall, which “My dad played and I terback with good skills, and we think this offense is in state semidoesn’t happen very often watched his highlight vidtailor-made for him.” final game in Orrville. This year’s eos when I was younger, Keontae Owens ran for most of his 721 yards in the and both team will be a mix of a few that’s all I watched. I’ve first half of last season. This year, the senior will do Genoa (playveterans and lots of young grown up on Orrville footmore of his damage as a receiver. Sophomore Austin off) games players, but senior RB/DB ball,” Domer said. “It’s Domer (282 yds. rushing as a freshman) and seniors was pretty Keontae Owens believes about always working Corre Shaffer, Nick Fetty and Zach Fitzgerald will be intense.” it can be a winning blend. hard and staying togethother targets. “Owens, Domer and Shaffer will run a “I feel like everyone er.” little and catch the ball,” Davault said. “Keonte, truthfully, is better suited for wide receiver than running Orrville roster back. He has good hands, and both he and Domer are perfect fits for the dual-role. Hopefully we can get the SENIORS 34 Colten Dombroski 5-11 150 RB/TE ball to them in space and get them opportunities, but No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. 41 Jacob Hershberger 5-8 170 RB/SS we’ve got to be satisfied with throws getting us 5-to-8 1 Keontae Owens 6-1 180 RB/CB 50 Matt Chuning 5-11 198 OL/DL yards.” 12 Colton Shrader 5-8 206 QB/SS 52 Zach Ramsdell 5-8 175 OL/LB Simpson, G Jake Hochstetler and C Corbin Sprowls 15 Cole Duskey 6-0 175 P/K 54 Caleb Criss 5-5 150 OL/DL are all back for a second year starting, with Matt Chuning, John Jack McClure and freshman Sam Auble bat26 Corre Shaffer 6-0 180 RB/LB 70 John McClure 6-4 235 OL/DL tling for the other spots. “I think we’ve got potential up 74 Amir Simpson 6-4 230 OL/DL 77 Eric Smothers 6-0 260 OL/DL front, they’re starting to understand what’s going on,” 82 Zachery Fitzgerald 5-11 185 TE/DL Davault said. “Very simply, they have to give Luke the 85 Nick Fetty 5-9 150 WR/DB FRESHMEN time when he needs it, and he needs to get it out of 9 Brandon Luangraj 5-9 140 QB/DB there when they bring everyone (on a blitz).” JUNIORS 14 Austin Shaffer 5-0 100 WR/DB On the other side of the ball, most of the offensive starters will play defense. Shaffer had 96 tackles at LB 3 Luke Smith 6-2 170 QB/DB 22 Taylen Tomes 5-8 120 WR/DB last year, but most of the secondary and line are new. 56 Korbin Sprowls 6-0 200 OL/DL 23 Jaden Barnhill 6-0 170 WR/LB “That’s where we’ll be youngest, but we’re looking 58 Schuylar Tomes 5-9 150 OL/DL 24 Taylor Donahue 6-0 170 RB/SS for improvement,We’ve got new guys everywhere,” 76 Jake Hochstetler 6-0 270 OL/DL 31 Shelton Smothers 5-7 135 WR/DB Davault said. 80 Mike Barr 6-0 165 TE/LB 45 Cooper Van Doren 5-1 110 WR/DB “Traditionally, our kids aren’t the biggest, but they’re 48 Jakob Davis 6-1 180 TE/LB all scrappy,” the ninth-year coach added. “But if teams SOPHOMORES 67 Sam Auble 6-0 175 OL/LB come out and want to shove it down our throat, we Mike Plant photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Haley grew up on Orrville football Jason Haley file
4 Cohen Nichols 21 Austin Domer
5-8 5-8
150 160
QB/DB RB/SS
73 Cameron Vanbrunt 87 Seth Hill
5-9 6-1
165 150
OL/DL TE/LB
See Pg. E7 — ORRVILLE
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — E7
Ohio Cardinal Conference: How They’ll Fare By AARON DORKSEN Sports Editor (The Daily Record staff’s predicted order of finish) MANSFIELD SENIOR (11-1, 7-0 in 2013) — The Tygers had an historic fall as they won the OCC title, compiled the first 10-0 regular season in the program’s 118-year history and won a home playoff game. Despite losing three-year quarterback Jalen Reese, coach Chioke Bradley has enough residual excitement and talent to be labeled as OCC preseason favorite. “There is definitely some momentum established by that phenomenal senior class,” Bradley said. “They have definitely set the bar high, but now it’s the next group’s turn.” Junior RB Tyquan Vickers is back after rushing for 1,460 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns despite seeing limited action in the first three games. The WR corps is athletic with sophomore Brian Benson (move-in from Toledo) and Asante Wilder (35 for 435 rec.), while TE Mitchell Nixon (6-3, 215) is getting recruiting interest from the MidAmerican Conference and is also the backup quarterback. The shotgun pistol offense will be turned over to junior QB Brandon Swindal. Making Swindle’s job easier in addition to the skilled returnees will be a big, veteran line led by highly recruited left
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tackle Marshall Levins (6-6, 265). The 3-4 defense has more holes to fill than the offense, but an experienced linebacking group led by junior Marvin Parker (6-0, 205) is a strength. “We’ve got the talent to do great things, talent all over the place,” said Bradley, whose team will rely heavily on underclassmen with just eight seniors. “The only thing they lack is Friday-night experience. There’s only one way to get that.” Playoff odds: Div. II, Region 5 (**** out of five) WOOSTER (4-6, 4-3) — The Generals last made the playoffs in 2004, but if they can get off to a better start they have the potential to snap that dryspell. Wooster’s senior trio of Marquise Blair (WR-OLB), Cam Daugherty (QBS) and Martavius Dyson (RB-S) has as much big-play potential as anyone in the league. Blair was the top receiver (35 for 724, 11 TDs) and tackler last year, while Daugherty has more than 3,300 career passing yards entering his third season as a starter and Dyson ran wild with 1,180 yards and 16 TDs. The Generals also have true standouts back in Tyson Jackson (T-DT) and Mason Woods (RBOLB). The big question is whether or not Wooster can rebuild its offensive and defensive lines, which have only Jackson back as a starter. The Generals also need to learn to win
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as they’ve let several close games slip away over the last two years. Wooster coach Doug Haas said if the Generals practice the right way, everything else will tale care of itself. “This is cliche´, but I don’t worry about (the OCC race),” Haas said. “I worry so much more about us and what we can control and our preparation. I’ve told our kids time and time again that we are about practice. “It’s such a good league that you can’t count anybody out and there are some very good coaches in our league. There’s no haves and have-nots in the OCC and as a coach that’s what you want week-in and week-out.” Playoff odds: Div. II, Region 5 (*** out of five) ASHLAND (7-3, 6-1) — The Arrows have been “Quarterback High” under coach Scott Valentine. One outstanding signalcaller graduates and another steps in, ranging from Taylor Housewright, to Marcus Fuller up to Tyson Vogel and Nick Zurcher (2,547 yds passing, 26 TDs, 888 yds rushing, 8 TDs last year). Expected to take over this year is sophomore QB Grant Denbow (6-5, 190). There are many other holes to fill as well, with the leading receivers also graduated and the likes of Lonzo Dampier IV (28 for 239 rec.) and Cole McQuate (12 for 132) being asked to fill bigger roles. Senior T Drew Dickinson (6-4,
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Orrville
285) is getting some Div. I college looks as one of six starters back on offense, but there are only three regulars back on defense. The defense also has many new faces, but Valentine and staff have shown they should never be counted out as winners of four of the last eight OCC titles. “We like throwing the ball, that’s our history,” said Valentine, the dean of OCC coaches with a 94-41 record over 12 seasons. “We feel we have some good skill players, but just not a lot of Fridaynight experience.” Playoff odds: Div. II, Region 5 (*** out of five) WEST HOLMES (6-4, 3-4) — The Knights return five starters on both sides of the ball as they try to continue their winning ways under fifth-year coach Kevin Maltarich. Senior RB-LB Luke Ogi headlines the list of returnees after carrying the ball 136 times for 1,400 yards and a staggering 10.3 yards per carry. QB-CB Brody Miller is also back after passing for 516 yards and six TDs and the Knights return standout K Logan Gallion. Two-way lineman Alex White and TE-DE Levi Jones are also key performers to watch. “I think Wooster easily has the most athletes of anyone in the league. They can throw the ball, they can run the ball, they’ll have some great athletes on defense. I think they’re the leaders this year,” Maltarich said. “You can never
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See Pg. F11 — OCC
(From Page E6) won’t know if we can stand up to that for a while. We’re gonna have to defend a lot. West Holmes wants to run it, and Wooster, then you’ve got teams like Triway and Ashland who spread you out. The goal is to always get the best 11 out there, and then we’ll try to put them in position to make plays. That’s easier said than done.”
Keys to a memorable fall With 22 playoff appearances, there have been many memorable falls at Orrville. And while this may be one of the biggest challenges Davault has faced in his tenure, he’s not lowering the bar.
Good Luck Riders
“Our expectations aren’t ever going to drop down,” Davault said. “We still hope we’re capable of playing Orrville football, and we have those expectations every year, founded or not. The difference is, we lack depth, and some young kids will have to play on Friday nights. We’re looking at young guys everywhere — wideout, linebacker, linemen — they’re all over the place. “We’ve had a sign in our locker room since I’ve been here that says just ‘5.1,’ which is how long a play lasts,” he added. “If you’ve got 25 seconds to rest between plays, you should be able to do anything for 5.1 seconds. I won’t predict wins and losses. We’re not what Orrville teams have been, but we’re still Orrville. I think these kids will respond to that, then we’ll see what we can do.” — Mike Plant
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Legends of the Fall
E8 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Wayne County Athletic League: How will they fare? By MIKE PLANT Sports Writer (The Daily Record staff’s predicted order of finish) CHIPPEWA (9-3, 6-1 in 2013) — Coming into last season, Chippewa was on a 1-29 streak over the previous three years, but new head coach Michael Bohley led the Chipps to a complete turnaround. Not only did the Chipps win, they won big, finishing second to Northwestern in the league and winning a playoff game. With a multitude of starters back on both sides of the ball, they were the unanimous pick as this season’s WCAL favorite. Bailey Breitenstine threw for 1,829 yards, ran for 332 more and accounted for 27 total touchdowns as a sophomore last year, and he’s back for a third year at QB. Nick Zollinger added 831 yards and 12 TDs rushing, Austin Durbin had 20 receptions, and mammoth lineman Jake Gamble (6-6, 295) returns up front. Defensively, Trent Abel had 12 1/2 tackles for loss a year ago, while Durbin and Breitenstine combined for 10 interceptions. “I don’t know what to say about being the favorite, or if there really is one,” Bohley said. “Waynedale will be really good, Norwayne is still as athletic as they come, Dalton will be very improved and Smithville’s young kids are a year older. We just can’t get ahead of ourselves. “To go from Week 1 last year when we played in front of the band and parents to half the school coming down on the field to celebrate with us, that was kind of surreal,” he added. “I feel we do have a lot of experience back, a lot of guys who played in tight games, so I don’t think any situation is going to be too big for our kids.” Playoff odds: Div. V, Region 16 (**** out of five) NORWAYNE (7-3, 5-2) — The two-time defending league champs dropped to third last year, and among the losses to graduation were record-setting QB Joe Dreher and Div. I recruits Kaleb Harris (Marshall) and Trevahn Beery (Bowling Green). Back, though, is RB Jeremy Miller (991 yds., 11 TDs), running behind a line returning with four starters back, including 240-pound RG Chris Scruggs and 260-pound RT Christian Steiner. Miller also made 113 tackles a year ago, and will be at MLB surrounded by plenty of experienced talent, as most of the defensive Bobcats started last season. Clayton Wheeland is back at SS, and both corners and free safety Noah Tomasseti all return.
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past WCAL champs Year 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984
WAYNE COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE Annual football champions School Northwestern Norwayne Hillsdale, Norwayne, Smithville Hillsdale Dalton Norwayne, Waynedale Northwestern, Waynedale Northwestern Dalton, Smithville Smithville Dalton, Smithville, Waynedale Smithville Northwestern, Smithville Smithville Chippewa Waynedale Waynedale Dalton Waynedale Smithville Dalton, Smithville, Waynedale Dalton, Waynedale Dalton Smithville Waynedale Smithville Smithville Rittman Waynedale Smithville
Playoff odds: Div. V, Region 16 (**** out of five) WAYNEDALE (6-4, 4-3) — Two years after going 0-10, the Golden Bears look ready to keep climbing the WCAL ladder, keyed by a big and talented junior class. Among the 11th-graders back are RB/ LB Reid Stanley, who rushed for 952 yards and nine TDs and led the Bears with 113 tackles, WR/LB Ant-Juan Lewis (21 catches) and RB/LB Nick Strausbaugh (3 INTs). Waynedale won’t overwhelm anyone with its size, although two-way lineman Shayne Weaver is a 6-0, 225-pound junior standout, but team speed is a real asset. Playoff odds: Div. V, Region 16 (*** out of five) HILLSDALE (4-6, 3-4) — In some years, 4-6 would have been good enough for a tickertape parade through Jeromesville, but not with Hillsdale’s recent success (three playoff berths in the last five seasons). However, injuries helped send the Falcons to that sub-.500 mark in 2013. The biggest one was to RB Corbin Mager, who after rushing for a school-
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1983 Smithville 1982 Waynedale 1981 Waynedale 1980 Rittman, Smithville 1979 Rittman 1978 Waynedale 1977 Dalton 1976 Dalton 1975 Rittman 1974 Dalton 1973 Waynedale 1972 Waynedale 1971 Dalton 1970 Chippewa 1969 Chippewa 1968 Dalton 1967 Dalton, Northwestern 1966 Dalton 1965 Norwayne 1964 Rittman 1963 Dalton 1962 Smithville 1961 Dalton 1960 Waynedale 1959 Dalton, Waynedale 1958 Rittman 1957 Doylestown 1956 Doylestown 1955 Doylestown 1954 Dalton, Doylestown Championships by school: Dalton (18), Waynedale (17), Smithville (16), Chippewa (7), Rittman (6), Northwestern (5), Norwayne (4), Hillsdale (2). record 1,574 yards (and 18 TDs) as a sophomore was limited by a bad ankle to just 440 as a junior. Mager’s back and feeling good, QB Troy Marksberry (946 yds., 11 TDs passing, 535, 7 TDs rushing) is back for a second season, and the front line averages between 220 and 265 pounds, with three starters back. Nine starters are back defensively, too, including All-Ohio DB Doug Cline, who led the area with six picks last season. Picking an order for the top five was difficult, and the Falcons have the talent to contend, especially with a healthy Mager, one of the area’s top players. Playoff odds: Div. VI, Region 19 (*** out of five) DALTON (3-7, 2-5) — After languishing in the league’s second division the past few seasons, the senior-dominated Bulldogs want to push their way back into the league race. Having 6-1, 310-pound lineman J.D. Murphy paving the way will help. In fact, the smallest DHS offensive lineman is C Andy Caillet, and he’s 5-10, 220. The backfield of new QB Zach Ryder, Mario McFarren (564 yds. last year) and Patrick McGinty is athletic, while not many
schools have a 6-6, 240-pound TE like Connor Clark, who caught 23 balls as a junior. A lot of those same names will play defense, too, with 6-3, 210-pound Jerry Morehart anchoring things at MLB. Morehart had 121 tackles last year, while McGinty added 76 tackles, sophomore LB Cody Fitzwater had 96 stops and Ryder had five INTs. Playoff odds: Div. VI, Region 19 (*** out of five) SMITHVILLE (1-9, 1-6) — Sometimes, a program has to suffer through a rare bad season to get back to the good times. And good times in Smithville include winning, but the traditional league power has been over .500 just once since 2009. A lot of young players gained experience a year ago, including skill players Isiah Ajian and SE Isaiah Viator, and the offensive line averages 215 and starts four seniors. Defensively, ILBs Gus Boyd and Lance Bohlen will both earn their third letters. Playoff odds: Div. VI, Region 19 (** out of five) NORTHWESTERN (9-2, 7-0) — No area team was hit harder by graduation than Northwestern, which ran the table a season ago but lost one of the area’s all-time leading rushers in Tyler Smith as well as two-way stars Malachi Nolletti and Matt Kohler and nearly all the key players on both lines. Playoff odds: Div. V, Region 16 (** out of five) RITTMAN (1-9, 0-7) — There’s nowhere to go but up for Rittman, and new coach Levi Nelson does have 14 lettermen back, including QB Ty Ramsier, who threw for 708 yards, eight TDs and just two INTs after taking over last year. Seven more seniors and six juniors return, and Nelson lists 15 more promising newcomers. That doesn’t include 13 sophomores on the roster. Playoff odds: Div. V, Region 16 (* out of five)
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Good Luck Indians!
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Legends of the Fall
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — E9
Rittman’s tale
Rittman indians
Started football in 1923. Made playoffs two times. Play in Wayne County Athletic League. Play at Indians Stadium. Coached by Levi Nelson (0-0 in first year at Rittman). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. VI, Region 19.
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 NORTH L, 34-42 Sept. 5 GROVE CITY CHRISTIAN W, 41-38 Sept. 12 MAPLETON L, 6-41 Sept. 19 at Chippewa* L, 14-53 Sept. 26 DALTON* L, 0-36 Oct. 3 at Smithville* L, 13-14 Oct. 10 HILLSDALE* L, 0-25 Oct. 17 at Northwestern* L, 0-57 Oct. 24 at Waynedale* L, 6-49 Oct. 31 NORWAYNE* L, 0-42 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Nelson
Meet the starters
Dan Starcher photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Indians Stadium is one of the oldest landmarks in Rittman — it’s the same field where Butch Ullman (’69) starred as a fullback and linebacker nearly 50 years ago. As a senior, Ullman helped the Tribe engineer a turnaround season and current seniors (from left) Ty Ramsier, Jordan Barnes and Brandon Daso are looking to pull off a similar feat under new coach Levi Nelson.
Ullman knows about a turnaround By ANDREW VOGEL Sports Writer For Butch Ullman, a 1969 Rittman grad who went on to play linebacker at the University of Akron, the memory of his senior year sticks out in particular. During Ullman’s sophomore and junior years, the Indians finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Wayne County League before breaking through under new coach Bob Wachtel and going 6-3-1 in 1968. “That was a big turnaround,” Ullman said. “We were the doormat of the league for a couple years and the big thing was he brought in a discipline.” Sounds quite similar to the culture new Tribe coach Levi Nelson is trying to create. After going just 4-26 the previous three years, senior quarterback Ty Ramsier, running back Brandon Daso and offensive lineman Jordan Barnes said the 27-yearold Nelson and his young, enthusiastic coaching staff have brought a new energy that’s been wellreceived by the entire squad. “Everyone’s bought in this year,” Ramsier said. “It’s a new start and a new atmosphere.” “It’s a younger staff with more enthusiasm,” Barnes said. “They’re excited about the game.”
Nelson is slowly making believers out of this year’s Indians, just as Wachtel did for Ullman and his teammates in the late 1960s. Ullman, who was named All-WCAL as a junior and senior and also played fullback, admitted he was never the fastest player, but he was physical. “I loved hitting people,” he said with a smile. Wachtel instilled a toughness that changed the culture in Rittman. “If you jumped offsides, the whole team got corrected,” Ullman said. “He developed a cohesiveness and an attitude that we could be better. If he told us we thought we could run down the field on somebody, we thought we could do it.” For a team that has notched just four wins in the last three years, that’s the challenge Nelson now faces. He’s started by focusing on teaching more fundamentals, as well as lifting morale in the locker room. “He’s making sure we know what routes to run, who we need to block and what guys we need to hit,” Daso said. “He’s opening our eyes to a new game. Everyone in town’s watching to see if things are going to change.” Ullman, who helped the Indians turn things around in 1968, will be among those waiting to see if this year’s team can pull off a similar feat.
Butch Ullman file High School highlights: Butch Ullman, a 1969 Rittman grad, was a fullback and linebacker for the Indians. Ullman’s big senior season helped the Tribe go 6-3-1 in 1968 after going a combined 5-12-2 the previous two seasons. Ullman was named All-Wayne County Athletic League as a junior and senior. College highlights: Ullman played special teams and linebacker at the University of Akron. Two of Ullman’s opponents included Youngstown State’s Ron Jaworski, the legendary Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, as well as Daryl Hall, whom he had blocked for when they were teammates at Rittman. Favorite football memory: The biggest win of Ullman’s high school career was a 6-0 upset over Waynedale. “We had a goalline stand and won,” Ullman said. “That was a fun night. Waynedale was one of those teams we had a hard time beating.” Life today: Ullman lives in Rittman with his wife Susan and has three grown children and five grandchildren. He is currently the superintendent of the Rittman Academy, a community school sponsored by Rittman Exempted Village Schools. He has been involved with the Rittman school system for over 25 years, serving as Rittman’s middle school principal from 1989-91 and the high school principal from 199296. He served as Rittman’s superintendent from 1996-2007.
Pos. QB RB WR WR WR HB T G C G T K
Name Ty Ramsier Josh Miller Tristan Kidd Matt McMillan Tyler Gault Jeremiah Butcher Brandon Cutright Jacob Carr Brian Ramsier Deion Bais Jordan Barnes Tyler Gault
OFFENSE Ht. Wt. 6-2 185 5-10 155 5-8 140 6-2 165 6-3 180 6-0 175 6-2 250 6-0 195 5-11 205 5-11 230 6-0 215 6-3 180
Yr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr.
DE DT DT DE LB LB LB CB CB SS FS P
Tyler Gault Brandon Cutright Deion Bais Austin Endress Jeremiah Butcher Nick Andre Shane Wilmoth Brandon Daso Tristan Kidd Josh Miller Todd Ramsier Austin Endress
DEFENSE 6-3 180 6-2 250 5-11 230 6-2 170 6-0 175 5-11 185 5-9 180 5-8 170 5-8 140 5-10 155 6-0 140 6-2 170
Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr.
Andre
Butcher
Rittman plot The Indians are looking to put a turbulent 2013 campaign behind them, when former coach Bill Dennis resigned two games before the end of the regular season, capping a tenure in which he went 4-24 in three seasons. After serving as an assistant for five years at Tallmadge under Joe Vassalotti, the 27-year-old Nelson inherits his own program. He knows it is a significant rebuilding job — the Tribe’s last winning season was in 2005 and it has averaged just over one win per season in the last eight years. However, Nelson and his young staff have brought an energy and enthusiasm that may provide the shot in the arm the program needs.
Words of wisdom “I’ve wanted to be a high school football coach for as long as I can remember and I’ve got that opportunity now,” Nelson said. “I’m here and I’m committed. I’m trying to set an an example by doing. I’ve lifted with them and that’s different from what they’re used to.”
Main characters One luxury that Nelson will have right off the bat is a healthy Ty Ramsier at QB. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior tore his ACL during Week 4 last fall, but is fully recovered and will be arguably the most crucial piece on offense as Nelson installs his spread attack. Before his injury last fall, Ramsier completed 45-of-78 passes for 708 yards and eight scores with just two interceptions. “To walk into a situation with a quarterback who’s been around the game, it’s awesome,” Nelson said. Brandon Daso, Josh Miller and Jeremiah Butcher could all see his carries in the backfield. Meanwhile, Nelson is excited about the players he has on the outside in WRs Tristan Kidd, Tyler Gault (6-3) and Austin Endress (6-2). Jordan Barnes, Brandon Cutright and Deion Bais will anchor the line. The new coach is excited about the potential of his offense with Ramsier throwing to that trio. “We have a good, young group at receiver and we want to get the ball in their hands as much as we can,” Nelson said. Defensively, the strength of the Indians is at LB. Nick Andre, Butcher, Tyler Murdock and Shane Wilmoth are all seniors and Nelson expects them to step up and anchor the defense, especially early in the season. Nelson is open to having a number of players go both ways, meaning that Ramsier, as well as perhaps Daso and Miller, could also see time in the defensive backfield. “There are a lot of guys fighting in that secondary,” Nelson said. “We’re going to put our best 11 on offense and defense.”
Keys to a memorable fall
Rittman roster SENIORS No. Name 8 Shane Wilmoth 11 Ty Ramsier 22 Jeremiah Butcher 23 Tim Miller 52 Tyler Murdock 72 Nick Andre 77 Jordan Barnes 80 Brandon Daso
Ht. 5-9 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-11 6-0 5-8
Wt. 180 185 175 185 200 185 215 170
Pos. HB/LB QB/DB HB/LB WR/DB OL/LB OL/LB OL/DL RB/DB
JUNIORS 1 Tristan Kidd 3 Sam Wilson 4 Matt Evans 6 Matt McMillan 9 Josh Miller 12 Austin Endress 15 Caleb Keck 30 Tyler Gault 54 Brian Ramsier 59 Zack McComas
5-8 5-11 6-1 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-11 5-10
140 160 185 165 155 170 160 180 205 200
WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB WR/DL WR/DB WR/DL OL/DL OL/DL
68 Brandon Cutright
6-2
250
OL/DL
SOPHOMORES 7 Michael Feldon 10 Todd Ramsier 14 Tyler Smead 20 Sean Kavanagh 25 Jackson Yontz 28 Dray Kirsch 32 Ethan Labouf 48 Austin Carder 53 Grant Yarman 55 Aaron Reagon 56 Derek Crawford 65 Deion Bais 73 Ryan Archer
5-9 6-0 5-10 5-8 5-8 5-11 5-5 5-8 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-2
150 140 150 140 135 150 130 145 160 225 185 230 235
RB/LB QB/DB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB HB/LB QB/DB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
FRESHMEN 50 Jacob Carr 51 Justin Flaisman 58 Brandon Bowes
6-0 6-7 6-0
195 200 140
OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL
In one sense, there’s nowhere to go but up for the Tribe. The Indians have had more than one WCAL victory just twice in the last eight seasons. Nelson knows that it will be a process, but the first step is establishing trust in the locker room and continuity within the program. “They understand we’re on them because we care about them,” he said. “My favorite quote is, ‘They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.’” There are some pieces to work with — namely Ramsier, who has started for portions of the last two years but could break out in his first full season as the signalcaller. The question will be whether the Indians have enough athletes around him to be competitive in the WCAL. In order to do so, the Indians have to be stronger at the line of scrimmage than they have in recent seasons, as well as cut down on the turnovers. On paper, Rittman will again be picked to finish at the bottom of the league, but Nelson is working to turn that into a motivating factor. He can also point to the fact that rival Chippewa, the other perennial WCAL bottom-feeder, just completed the area’s biggest turnaround by winning a playoff game last fall. — Andrew Vogel
Legends of the Fall
E10 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Triway’s tale
triway titans
Started football in 1963. Made playoffs six times. Play in Principals Athletic Conference. Play at Jack Miller Field. Coached by Tony Lee (34-20 entering sixth year leading Triway). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. IV, Region 12.
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 WEST HOLMES L, 35-54 Sept. 5 at Orrville L, 17-22 Sept. 12 at Waynedale W, 29-14 Sept. 19 TUSKY VALLEY W, 32-13 Sept. 26 at Fairless W, 29-26 Oct. 3 TUSLAW W, 35-6 Oct. 10 CVCA W, 43-21 Oct. 17 at Indian Valley W, 35-34 Oct. 24 at Manchester W, 34-14 Oct. 31 TIMKEN W, 42-20 * Principals Athletic Conference game
Lee
Meet the starters Pos. QB RB WR WR WR WR T G C G T K
Name Parker Carmichael Kyle Strock Logan Garrett Dillon Kopp Troy Haven Jordon Miller Stephen Shock Curtis Burgan Cooper Braun Tyson Cook Logan Kendall Timmy Ritchey
DE Jesse Shircliff DT Bryce Garman NT Curtis Burgan DE Tyson Cook DT Cooper Braun ILB Devin Durbin OLB Stephen Shock OLB Kyle Strock CB Jordon Miller CB Daimen Tucker S Dillon Kopp P Jay Duncan
Mike Schenk photo
Getting their photo taken at the iconic Purple Pumper, Triway legend Keith Snoddy stands with Titans seniors Jay Duncan (11), Parker Carmichael (12), Dylan Kopp (7), Troy Haven (20) and Jordon Miller (1).
Glory days return for Triway football By AARON DORKSEN Sports Editor Everybody who’s been to Triway also knows of the Purple Pumper, said senior wide receiver Jordon Miller. “As soon as people hear you’re from Triway, they say ‘Oh yeah, the Purple Pumper.’” The oil pumper sits on the corner of Route 3 and Blachleyville Road in Wooster. It marks the entrance to Ken Miller Supply, Inc., which has been an institution as an oilfield supply store since 1959. The late Ken Miller founded the company and his son Jack Miller now runs it along with grandson Kirk Miller. Jack Miller was the lead donor when Titans Stadium was outfittted with artificial turf last year. The Millers have always supported Triway athletics and with Jordon Miller, Kirk’s son, now teaming up with fellow wide receivers Troy Haven, Dillon Kopp and Jay Duncan to catch aerials from senior classmate Parker Carmichael, football fever is as high as ever in Titan Country. Carmichael, who’s already the area’s all-time career passing leader with 7,473 yards, has followed in the footsteps of his dad, Sean, and older brother, Derek, as a standout QB at the school. Keith Snoddy still has to go down, though, as the school’s all-time football legend. He led a fantastic finish in the season finale to beat Wadsworth with no time left on the clock to win the Chippewa Con-
ference in 1975 and then starred at Youngstown State for three seasons. “I’d have had a lot of fun playing in the offense these guys use now,” said Snoddy, of current coach Tony Lee’s shotgun spread attack. “They throw for more yards in three games than I did in an entire season. “But I had a lot of fun playing the style we used. The fact that I could run the option helped get me my scholarship to YSU.” The current Titans won a school-record nine straight games in going 9-3 last year, but have set a goal to advance much further than the second round of the playoffs. “It’s great to have someone around like coach Snoddy to talk to, and my dad and brother who have experienced some of the same things I have as a quarterback,” Parker Carmichael said. “(Snoddy) is a legend here and it’s great that we’ve brought a lot of excitement, too, but we have a lot more work to do.” Haven, who caught an area record 109 passes last year, which went for 965 yards and 13 TDs, knows the team has more it can accomplish. “We just have to keep a cool head and focus on the task at hand,” Haven said. Jordon Miller, who pulled in 84 passes for 1,163 yards and 11 TDs last year, wants Triway football to be known statewide. “It’s real exciting,” Miller said of the team’s potential, “but we know we have a lot more work to do.”
Keith Snoddy file High School highlights: Keith Snoddy had a dream ending to his career at Triway in 1975, throwing a 41-yard touchdown pass to Mike Coleman on the final play of the last game to pull Triway within 13-12 of Wadsworth at Titans Stadium. Snoddy then completed a two-point pass to Keith Marcum and give the Titans a 14-13 win and the Chippewa Conference championship. The three-year starter was first-team all-state as a senior after missing most of junior season due to injury. College highlights: After backing up future NFL QB Cliff Stoudt for one year at Youngstown State, Snoddy went on to start for the Penguins from 1977-79. YSU was 11-2 and the Div. II national runner-up in 1979 and 10-2 and reached the semis in 1978. Snoddy was an adept runner and passer who set numerous records. Favorite football memory: “Beating Wadsworth like we did with no time left on the clock was a finish a lot of people still remember,” Snoddy said. “I had some great coaches and teammates at both Triway and Youngstown State.” Life today: Snoddy lives with his wife, Cheri, in Shreve. The couple has three daughters, Kate G e i t g e y, Vicki and Maggie, and two grandkids. He owns Wasuka Farms, Inc., is co-owner of Carmichael Sports and retired as Triway boys basketball coach in 2013 with a 159-104 record and two state runner-up teams. Snoddy was voted The Daily Record area’s No. 16 greatest athlete of 20th century in a 1999 series.
Triway roster SENIORS No. Name Ht. 1 Jordon Miller 5-7 7 Dillon Kopp 6-0 9 Timmy Ritchey 6-0 11 Jay Duncan 6-1 12 Parker Carmichael 5-10 19 Andy Mairs 5-4 20 Troy Haven 5-9 35 Zach Sidel 5-11 44 Chandler Armstrong 5-10 51 Jesse Shircliff 6-1 52 Cooper Braun 6-0 55 Tyson Cook 6-0 65 Bryce Garman 5-10 77 Stephen Shock 6-2
Wt. 162 161 170 180 165 155 175 165 150 185 202 180 220 210
Pos. WR/DB WR/DB K/WR WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/LB TB/LB TB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL DL/LB
JUNIORS 5 Sean Lacey 6-1 15 Mason Plant 6-1 16 Nick Chuma 5-6 21 Daimen Tucker 5-9 22 Logan Garrett 6-2 26 Kyle Strock 5-9 32 Devin Durbin 5-7 40 Logan Teague 5-10 57 Logan Kendall 6-1 60 Marcus Kruit 5-9 63 Colton Shanley 6-1 65 Seth Miller 5-10 68 Anthony Stephenson 5-10 75 Dominic Watson 5-10 78 Forrest Lang 6-0 88 Trevor Elser 5-8
163 150 155 165 165 175 145 160 190 190 185 184 155 157 224 125
QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB TB/LB TB/LB K OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB
SOPHOMORES 25 Justin Mackey 33 Dylan Allison 36 David Connor 38 Conner Schlauch 45 Ricky Hurt 48 Dylan Prost 59 Curtis Burgan 62 Michael Yacapraro 66 Parker Ackerman 69 Jared Groves 71 Kevin Rice 79 Eddie Gibson 82 Hunter Brown 87 Dillon Yankello
5-7 5-9 5-8 5-7 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-5 6-0 5-8 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-7
145 170 150 135 150 155 240 150 215 158 172 320 155 130
WR/DB WR/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/LB TB/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB WR/DB
OFFENSE Ht. Wt. 5-10 165 5-9 175 6-2 165 6-0 161 5-9 175 5-7 162 6-2 210 5-11 240 6-0 202 6-0 180 6-1 190 6-1 170 DEFENSE 6-1 185 5-10 220 5-11 240 6-0 180 6-0 195 5-7 145 6-2 210 5-9 175 5-7 162 5-9 165 6-0 161 6-1 180
Yr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr.
Shock
Strock
Triway plot Quite simply, this is the season Triway has been waiting for, as a group that has been contributing for as many as three years is now seniors. Coming off a PAC title and second-round playoff berth, and guided by record-setting QB Parker Carmichael and a host of talented, fast receivers, as well as a veteran line and defense, the Titans have their sights set even higher. “Their goal is to go further than any other team here (second round),” said head coach Tony Lee. “We’ve progressively seen our expectations go higher and higher, because we have so many veteran kids, and not just skilled kids. We’ve got some very good linemen and linebackers. That’s the key, it’s just not the seniors, it’s everyone. “But you can’t be consumed with it, and we haven’t done anything yet. West Holmes spanked us last year, and we haven’t lined up against them this year.”
Words of wisdom “I told the kids that, yeah, on paper, we can be pretty good. But you don’t play games on paper,” Lee said. “That’s a cliche, but we’ve got to stay grounded. I told the kids we’ve got to be humble, and we’ve got to make sure we bust our rear ends even more so to stay focused and get the job done.”
Main characters Carmichael (5-10, 165) will begin his fourth season as the QB, and he will own all of the area’s passing marks when he’s done. Last year, he was 308 of 453 for 3,336 yards, 32 TDs and 15 INTs, and added another 397 yards and 13 TDs rushing. “He’s deceptively quick and athletic, and he’s got a great arm,” Lee said. “He can throw the quick pass and he can throw the deep one better, he’s gotten stronger. More than anything, he knows the game. he’s very hard on himself, he’s not satisfied ever. He’s been around the game and me a long time, he’s been throwing a lot of passes, and he’s got confidence in his guys to make things happen.” The targets include seniors Troy Haven (109 rec., 965 yds., 13 TDs) and Jordan Miller (84, 1,163, 11) and Dylan Kopp (41, 615, 5), as well as Jay Duncan (28, 257, 1) and 6-2 Logan Garrett, a junior. RB Kyle Strock (5-9, 175, jr.) is the fastest Titan. “Our receivers, when you’re returning your top four receivers and we’ve worked to develop two or three other guys. Garrett, (Daimen) Tucker and Andy Mairs — we’ve got to be able to get some of those other guys in there, because those four guys are on defense, too,” Lee said. “Kyle Strock is by far the fastest tailback we’ve ever had and we’re gonna put him out on the perimeter to do some things, too. Devin Durbin’s back at tailback, too, so we’ve got eight kids who are pretty athletic. We have to run the ball more. Teams will drop eight, and we’ve got to be able to run the ball more. With Kyle’s power and speed, I want to, and the line wans to run it better than we did last year.” Up front, C Cooper Braun, G Tyson Cook and T Stephen Shock (6-2, 210), one of the team’s top two-way performers, will be joined by junior T Logan Randall and sophomore G Curtis Burgan (5-11, 240). “You can’t do the things we do without an offensive line,” Lee said. “We don’t run the ball all that much, but these guys, we ask them to do a lot.” One of the keys to Triway’s nine-game winning streak a year ago was the improvement on defense. Cook and Jesse Shircliff are the DEs, Burgin, senior returnee Bryce Garman and Braun will line up inside, while Shock, Durbin and Strock are the LBs. Kopp, Miller, Tucker and Duncan give the Titans an experienced secondary. “We’ve got to play assignment football on defense. If we’re gonna stunt or slant, we’ve got to be in the right spots, because if you create a bubble, teams we play like West Holmes, Indian Valley and Manchester are gonna tear you apart,” Lee said. “We’ve got a little more depth, and that’ll be a key for us, because we’ve got so many going both ways.” The experience even extends to special teams, as K Timmy Ritchey and P Duncan both possess booming See Pg. E11 — TRIWAY
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — E11
Triway son. The Titans begin with three rivalry games — West Holmes, Orrville and legs. Waynedale — before defending their PAC crown in a league that boasted four playoff teams in 2013. Keys to a memorable fall So, a good start out of the gates, while Last year, before the winning came a not guaranteed, could put Triway in solid two-game losing streak to open the sea- position to begin defense of its PAC (From Page E10)
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2013 standings
PA 133 237 243 277 266 306 268 394
PRINCIPALS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE School Lg. Overall PF PA Triway*# 7-0 9-3 363 291 Manchester# 5-2 11-3 N/A N/A Indian Valley# 5-2 10-2 323 203 Fairless 4-3 7-3 387 277 CVCA 4-3 5-5 236 229 Tusky Valley 2-5 4-6 224 306 Tuslaw 1-6 2-8 181 344 Timken 0-7 3-7 228 291 OTHERS School Lg. Overall PF PA Loudonville (MBC)# 3-0 10-2 430 143 Cloverleaf (SL) 0-7 2-8 182 342 * league champion # playoff qualifier
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final 2013 individual staTISTICs
WAYNE COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE School Lg. Overall PF PA Northwestern* 7-0 9-2 422 149 Chippewa 6-1 9-3 453 278 Norwayne 5-2 7-3 375 221 Waynedale 4-3 6-4 296 226 Hillsdale 3-4 4-6 218 232 Dalton 2-5 3-7 198 288 Smithville 1-6 1-9 133 380 Rittman 0-7 1-9 114 397 OHIO CARDINAL CONFERENCE School Lg. Overall PF Mansfield*# 7-0 11-1 401 Ashland 6-1 7-3 340 Clear Fork 5-2 7-3 309 Wooster 4-3 4-6 294 West Holmes 3-4 6-4 378 Madison 2-5 3-7 228 Orrville 1-6 4-6 158 Lexington 0-7 1-9 245
GO TITANS!
PASSING (players ranked by yardage) Player Com-Att Yds TD P. Carmichael, Tri 308-453 3336 32 J. Dreher, Nor 165-239 2710 39 B. Breitenstine, Chi 95-177 1829 23 G. Flora, Clo 125-223 1603 12 J. Burke, Dal 106-181 1515 12 M. Nolletti, Nwn 79-156 1377 11 G. Lau, Tus 118-226 1309 7 R. Weaver, Way 76-150 1241 12 K. Edmondson, Lou 75-143 1094 12 C. Daugherty, Woo 77-178 1094 12 L. Smith, Orr 81-265 1070 8 T. Marksberry, Hill 58-129 946 11 T. Ramsier, Rit 45-78 708 8 B. Miller, WH 21-46 516 6 H. Snyder, Tus 20-55 483 5 M. King, Smi 28-76 433 4 ——— RUSHING (players ranked by yardage) Player No. Yds K. Edmondson, Lou 204 1675 T. Smith, Nwn 267 1635 L. Perone, WH 241 1608 L. Ogi, WH 136 1400 R. Weaver, Way 144 1248 R. Weber, Lou 160 1200 M. Dyson, Woo 160 1180 B. Whetsell, Chi 164 1142 B. Bauman, Smi 223 1108 D. Cunningham, Clo 206 1035 J. Miller, Nor 181 991 R. Stanley, Way 159 952 N. Zollinger, Chi 129 831 Q. Raines, Dal 130 752 M. Nolletti, Nwn 112 721
Int 15 8 6 12 14 6 9 7 4 10 10 11 2 2 2 9
TD 25 29 21 15 13 16 16 11 10 7 11 8 12 9 6
K. Owens, Orr T. Trogdon, Smi D. Eberly, Hill M. McFarren, Dal T. Marksberry, Hill
158 721 107 702 78 571 139 564 103 535 ——— RECEIVING (players ranked by receptions) Player No. Yds T. Haven, Tri 109 965 J. Miller, Tri 84 1163 G. Miller, Tus 65 1074 T. Beery, Nor 52 761 A. Smith, Clo 49 797 D. Kopp, Tri 41 619 D. Cunningham, Clo 41 340 S. Epling, Chi 40 1032 B. Dennis, Rit 38 328 A. Metzger, Dal 37 575 M. Blair, Woo 35 724 T. Davis, Nor 34 512 M. Kohler, Nwn 32 539 K. Harris, Nor 29 707 Mas. Karn, Tus 28 286 J. Duncan, Tri 28 257 D. Reed, Nor 26 306 J. Lidge, Woo 25 213 ——— SCORING Player TD 1-xp 2-xp FG T. Smith, Nwn 33 0 3 0 K. Edmondson, Lou 26 0 3 0 L. Perone, WH 21 0 0 0 S. Epling, Chi 17 0 1 0 N. Zollinger, Chi 16 0 0 0 R. Weber, Lou 16 0 0 0 M. Dyson, Woo 16 0 0 0 B. Arnold, WH 15 0 0 0
5 0 5 0 7
TD 13 11 9 11 9 5 1 16 6 5 11 8 4 13 2 1 4 1 Tot 204 162 126 104 96 96 96 90
L. Ogi, WH R. Weaver, Way P. Carmichael, Tri T. Haven, Tri M. Blair, Woo Q. Raines, Dal K. Harris, Nor J. Miller, Nor T. Beery, Nor Tu. Bender, Lou B. Whetsell, Chi R. Stanley, Way J. Miller, Tri G. Miller, Tus B. Bauman, Smi
15 0 0 0 90 14 0 3 0 90 13 0 5 0 88 14 0 0 0 84 14 0 0 0 84 13 0 1 0 80 13 0 0 0 78 13 0 0 0 78 12 0 0 0 72 2 45 1 3 68 11 0 0 0 66 9 0 6 0 66 10 0 2 0 64 10 0 1 0 62 10 0 0 0 60 ——— DEFENSE (players ranked by tackles) Player Tkls TFL Sacks R. Weber, Lou 142 19.5 9.5 Tr. Bender, Lou 142 8.5 0 C. Huffman, Tri 132 7.5 1 J. Morehart, Dal 121 12 1 R. Stanley, Way 118 2 2 L. Perone, WH 117 8 3 J. Miller, Nor 113 10 1 T. Haven, Tri 106 9.5 0 A. Wengerd, WH 105 5 0.5 T. Summers, Orr 104 11 3 G. Miller, WH 104 5 2 Z. King, Way 100 5 3.5 L. Ammond, Tus 98 0 0 T. Abel, Chi 96 12.5 5.5 C. Fitzwater, Dal 96 6 1 C. Shaffer, Orr 96 8 0 M. Kohler, Nwn 94 5 1 A. Lewis, Way 94 4 1.5 D. Eberly, Hill 92 11 0
C. Brewer, Way J. Miller, Chi R. Bee, Hill R. Harpster, Hill B. Fortune, Nwn L. Ogi, WH M. Henderson, Lou T. Topp, Nwn S. Weaver, Way C. Stutzman, WH Z. Rowley, Dal J. Butcher, Rit
91 0 90 8 88 24 87 4 86 5 86 4 85 10 85 5 85 6 85 1 82 2 82 4 ——— INTERCEPTIONS Player Int. D. Cline, Hill 6 A. Durbin, Chi 5 B. Breitenstine, Chi 5 Z. Ryder, Dal 5 C. Figley, Hill 4 A. VanSickle, Lou 4 H. Shue, Nor 4 T. Weaverling, Nwn 4 J. Butcher, Rit 4 C. Blair, Woo 4 M. Vespucci, Clo 3 A. Lewis, Way 3 A. Flores, Hill 3 Tu. Bender, Lou 3 M. Nolletti, Nwn 3 T. Beery, Nor 3 P. Carmichael, Tri 3 D. Kopp, Tri 3 J. Miller, Tri 3 Mas. Karn, Tus 3 G. Lau, Tus 3 N. Strausbaugh, Way 3 T. Bridenthal, WH 3
2 4.5 15 0 0 0 1 0 0.5 0 0 1 TD 0 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Legends of the Fall
E12 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Smithville’s tale
smithville smithies
Football started in 1955 at Smithville. Made playoffs 12 times, including a Div. V state runner-up finish in 2002. Plays in Wayne County Athletic League at Smithville Stadium. Coached by Smithie alum Brent Besancon (6-14 entering his third season). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. V, Region 19.
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 TUSLAW DNP Sept. 5 at Mogadore L, 14-49 Sept. 12 at Fairless L, 26-48 Sept. 19 HILLSDALE* L, 13-50 Sept. 26 at Northwestern* L, 2-35 Oct. 3 RITTMAN* W, 14-13 Oct. 10 at Norwayne* L, 20-41 Oct. 17 CHIPPEWA* L, 25-46 Oct. 24 at Dalton* L, 0-14 Oct. 31 WAYNEDALE* L, 13-36 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Besancon
Meet the starters Pos. QB FB TB WB TE SE RT RG C LG LT K
OFFENSE Name Ht. Wt. Isaiah Ajian 5-8 175 Cody Tipple 5-11 190 Michael Lengacher 5-5 145 Noah Schonover 6-0 165 Colt Ullman 6-0 230 Isaiah Viator 6-2 170 Eddie Sherwood 5-5 215 Lance Bohlen 5-10 200 Harold Kennedy 5-8 215 Wyatt Loving 6-2 215 David Myers 6-0 225 Justin Kauffman 6-4 170
Yr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr.
DE DE DT DT ILB ILB OLB OLB CB CB FS P
DEFENSE Brent Rosenbaum 6-5 205 Wyatt Loving 6-2 215 Roger Gehring 5-6 175 David Myers 6-0 225 Lance Bohlen 5-10 200 Gus Boyd 5-11 190 Colin Cottrell 5-11 170 Ryan Smucker 6-1 175 Isaiah Ajian 5-8 175 Isaiah Viator 6-2 170 Justin Fath 5-10 170 Cody Tipple 5-11 190
Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr.
Tipple
Loving
Smithville plot Aaron Dorksen photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Smithville football legend Larry Kolic’s talents took him to Ohio State, where he was MVP of the Citrus Bowl in 1985, and then to the Miami Dolphins for parts of three seasons (1986-88). Kolic returned to share some knowledge with current Smithies (from left) Eddie Sherwood, Lance Bohlen and David Myers at the historic Smithville Inn.
Kolic master of ‘old school’ football By ZACH BOLINGER Sports Staff Larry Kolic said it had been more than 30 years since he graced the streets of Smithville. “Probably 1985. After I won the Citrus Bowl MVP and left the trophy on (Smithville coach Keith) Schrock’s doorstep,” Kolic said. Kolic returned this August for our Legends of the Fall preview, agreeing to spend some time with part of this year’s Smithie team — three lineman in particular who are ready to return Smithville football to a physical style. “Coach Besancon has honestly been talking about ‘old-school Smithville football,’ and that’s kind of become our motto,” senior lineman Eddie Sherwood said. Fellow senior linemen David Meyers and Lance Bohlen, who join Sherwood as returning starters, also participated in the day’s activities. They knew all about Kolic, who was the 1980 WCAL MVP, a starter at Ohio State and spent a stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. “Coach (Besancon) talks about how important the weight room is, and from what I understand, Kolic was the king of the weight room,” Meyers said. “I heard the fans used to call him a tank, because
he made his way through anything.” The three players and Kolic were photographed at various spots in town, but the Smithville Inn — which opened in 1818 — was ultimately the natural choice for a legendary site. It’s also where Kolic ate Sunday dinners with the Besancon family. On the gridiron, Kolic ate up the competition. The fullback-linebacker, who was just 16 as a senior at Smithville, hit people with vigor —whether he was carrying the ball or tackling. “People talk about Stark County, where they produce a lot of Div. I athletes,” Kolic said, “but pound-for-pound, and for the amount of schools and kids there are in Wayne County compared to Stark County, Wayne County is equally impressive.” It was surreal for Kolic to see the old high school and middle school being torn down in Smithville, and also admitting that he’ll turn 50 on Aug. 31. But it didn’t take Kolic long to embrace the O-linemen from this year’s team. He took them for a ride in his deckedout Hummer, providing smiles around. After a 1-9 season this past year — its worst since 1977 — the Smithies’ hope to provide their fans some smiles like Kolic did in the early 1980s.
Larry Kolic file High School highlights: Tackles and yards rushing will always be part of Kolic’s legendary status, but as Kolic said in 1999, when he was No. 8 in The Daily Record’s Top-50 athletes of all time series: “Truth be known, I’m more proud of my track career than my football career. I was a better running back than linebacker. I don’t know how I was an all-state linebacker, but that’s politics.” Kolic was an all-state first-team ‘A’ division linebacker. College highlights: Kolic played on special teams, goal-line defenses and was a second-team linebacker his first two seasons at Ohio State, but he was redshirted his junior season because of the depth at linebacker. He started at inside linebacker in 1984 with eventual long-time NFL star Pepper Johnson, with Chris Spielman joining the Buckeyes, which led to Kolic eventually being shuffled out of the rotation. Kolic accepted a move to noseguard his final season and the Buckeyes finished 9-3 with a 10-7 victory over Brigham Young in the Citrus Bowl, a game in which Kolic intercepted two passes after dropping into coverage. Favorite football memory: “I’d have to say being the MVP of the (1985) Citrus Bowl,” Kolic said. “(Ohio State coach) Earle (Bruce) basically moved me to nose guard to punish me that year, and then I’m the MVP. In high school, it has to be winning the (1980) WCAL championship and just basically starting the turnaround. Guys like Bob Perry, Scott Rehm, Ray Fiscus — and some others — helped turn things around.” Life today: Kolic lives in Canton with his wife, Sarah (Steiner), who was his high school sweetheart. He owns a landscaping business and a general contracting company, working with the government to build low- and mediumincome housing. The Kolics have three children, Luke, 28, Matt, 26, and Eric, 24.
Smithville roster SENIORS No. Name 3 Kent Mast 7 Gus Boyd 10 Isaiah Ajian 12 Tyler King 23 Andy Benchoff 32 Jordan Buss 44 Ryan Smucker 51 Jon Miller 55 Harold Kennedy 66 Lance Bohlen 67 Roger Gehring 71 David Myers 73 Eddie Sherwood
Ht. 6-0 5-11 5-8 6-0 5-8 5-7 6-1 6-3 5-8 5-10 5-6 6-0 5-5
JUNIORS 1 Noah Schonover 6-0 5 Collin Cottrell 5-11 11 Isaiah Viator 6-2 21 Michael Lengacher 5-5 22 Cody Tipple 5-11
Wt. 230 190 175 145 135 180 175 205 215 200 175 225 215 165 170 170 145 190
Pos. RB/LB WB/LB QB/DB WR/DB WB/DB RB/DB TE/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL QB/DB QB/LB WR/DB RB/DB RB/LB
40 43 53 56 62 65 68 74 80
Colt Ullman 6-0 Justin Kauffman 6-4 Jacob Griffith 6-0 Colton Brummage 5-8 Ryan James 6-1 Wyatt Loving 6-2 Jason Schaffter 5-11 Brent Rosenbaum 6-5 Nate Smith 6-1
230 170 215 205 185 215 220 205 170
TE/DL TE/LB OL/DL OL/DL RB/LB OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL WR/DB
SOPHOMORES 20 Dylan Davis 5-10 24 Gavin Brummage 5-6 25 Spencer Anderson 5-6 30 Aidan Hostetler 5-8 31 Jason Newlan 5-10 33 Tyler Banton 5-10 34 Bailey Blair 5-11 39 Justin Fath 5-10 50 Michael Thompson 5-8 52 John Kelbly 5-9 61 Garrett Carraway 5-9
130 185 175 145 165 150 150 170 205 200 155
WR/DB RB/LB RB/DB WB/DB RB/LB WB/DB RB/OLB QB/DB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
63 64 72 77 88 97
Tristen Stoll Josh Calender Kelby Hartshorne Brett Bauman Hunter Snell Sebastian Samayoa
FRESHMEN 42 Trent Shane 49 Garrett Fetzer 58 Ethan Snyder 59 Shane Christman 60 Brandon Sugg 75 Jared Wyatt 76 Alex Lukezic 78 Brett Endsley 82 Cole Smith 84 Jeremy Woodarski 86 Riley Smucker 94 Trent Kauffman 95 Zack Smith 99 Tommy Stewart
5-1 5-6 5-9 6-0 6-2 5-9
6-0 5-5 6-2 5-8 5-8 5-9 5-10 5-9 6-2 5-8 5-6 6-0 5-9 5-7
190 175 280 195 200 130
OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL TE/LB WR/DB
160 QB/OLB 130 RB/DB 230 OL/DL 230 OL/DL 205 OL/DL 150 OL/DL 165 OL/DL 170 OL/DL 180 TE/LB 135 QB/DB 130 WR/DB 155 RB/LB 180 RB/LB 125 WR/DB
Smithville struggled to a 1-9 finish a season ago, matching three other Smithie squads (1967, 1969, 1978) for the worst mark in a single season. But Smithville has “somewhere around 17, 18, 19” returning letterwinners, according to Besancon, and this year’s version should be improved — on paper, anyhow. The Smithies must be better on defense, first and foremost, as they surrendered a school-record 380 points a season ago. Perhaps all the sophomores Smithville played a season ago have matured both physically and mentally, which will go a long way in the standing. That, and improving a minus-17 turnover ratio, as the Smithies threw 11 interceptions and fumbled it away another 16 times.
Words of wisdom “One thing I can say about last year, and I hate to bring up youth, but I think we have a lot of guys who realized how big of a step it is transitioning from freshman to varsity,” Besancon said. “We played a lot of sophomores and they just weren’t ready. It was what it was. ... We did gain a lot of experience, in terms of understanding what type of speed and aggressiveness it takes to play at this level. Our offseason focused on weight training and speed training, and so far — and I emphasize so far — I feel pretty good where we sit in those areas.”
Main characters Smithville did graduate seven seniors, but not all were seeing extended action at season’s end a year ago. Two of those — Bryce Bauman and Tyler Trogdon — were, combining for 1,810 of the Smithies’ 2,159 rushing yards in 2013. Junior tailback Michael Lengacher returns as Smithville’s top rusher (148 yards on 35 carries). Noah Schonover, a junior wing back, and Isaiah Ajian, a senior battling sophomore Justin Fath for the starting quarterback spot, combined for 45 rushing attempts. Cody Tipple, who will start at fullback, had just 12 carries, while Isaiah Viator is also back after 14 receptions (224 yards) and two scores. “(Lengacher) is shifty, elusive. Tipple is the typical wing-T back we’ve had in the past,” Besancon said. “I also think our wingbacks will be in the mix a little more, carry the ball a little more than what we’ve usually done in the past.” Still, the Green Machine has a bunch of greenhorns ready to handle the ball. It’s a good thing they’ll have an experienced line to run behind. At season’s end, five of the six up front, including tight end Colt Ullman, were active in the rotation. Right tackle Eddie Sherwood, right guard Lance Bohlen, left guard Wyatt Loving and left tackle David Myers all lettered in 2013. Center Harold Kennedy is the lone newbie. “This whole offseason that group was looking forward to returning as a core. They wanted to put this team on their shoulders,” Besancon said. “It’s a selfimposed pressure they put on themselves, and with strong reps, they should get better week after week.” Defensively, Smithville has traditionally showed a 4-4 front. It’s likely to see a little more 4-3 this season with lack of depth at linebacker, but a wealth of defensive backs returning. Safety Colin Cottrell will be one to watch, while Fath and Trent Shane battle for another safety spot. The cornerbacks are strong with Ajian, Viator and Schonover in the rotation. Ryan Smucker will be an inside backer with much importance. Outside backer Gus Boyd, defensive tackle Roger Gehring and defensive end Brent Rosenbaum are one-way players, all looking to help shore up a defense that surrendered 7.1 yards per carry in 2013.
Keys to a memorable fall A challenging non-league gauntlet will be a good measuring stick. That schedule includes Tuslaw, which looks to be significantly improved, traditional-power Mogadore, and Fairless, which returns many key See Pg. E13 — SMITHVILLE
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — E13
Second-half running clock in blowouts to debut this fall By DOUG HAIDET Times-Gazette Are you ready for some faster football? That’s the question that needed to be asked in May when the Ohio High School Athletic Association adopted a new pointdifferential, running-clock rule for Ohio’s high school teams. Hopes are that the new rule will lower the risk of injuries in lopsided contests while also taking away some of the decision-making for coaches in such blowouts. “Lopsided games aren’t good for anybody,” OHSAA assistant commissioner Beau Rugg said in May’s release. “The risk of injury goes up and it can be a tense situation for coaches and players. The length of games is also a topic of conversation at the national level. This is just the right thing to do.” According to the release, after the first half, any time the score differential reaches 30 points or more, the clock will only be stopped when: n An official’s timeout is called either for an injured player or following a change of team possession; n A charged timeout is called; n A quarter ends; n A score occurs. Other than those four scenarios, the clock will continue to run after halftime as long as the difference on the scoreboard is at least 30 points. Any time the difference drops below 30, the game reverts back to regular timing. The rule also will apply to games at the seventh- and eighth-grade and freshman and junior varsity levels. And while it seems the OHSAA has good intentions with the
Smithville (From Page E12)
components. “We really haven’t looked any farther than Tuslaw,” Besancon said. “It’s been a while since we were 1-0, so right now, we’re only looking forward to opening night.” The Smithies will need some sort of threat at the quarterback position, be it throwing the football or running it. Smithville QBs completed just 41 passes (39.8 percent) a year ago, with nearly a 1-to-3 TD-to-INT ratio. Ajian, a senior, is listed at the top of the depth chart for the moment being. “His age, leadership, calmness in the huddle — those are all things we like,” Besancon said. And Fath, an up-and-coming sophomore, is right on his heels. “He has a lot to learn yet,” Besancon said, “but he has impressed us with a lot of the things he can do.” Besancon also joked that it was fitting The Daily Record’s football preview took on a “Legends of the Fall” theme this year. He’s been pushing that the Smithies get back to “old-school” football, where power running and stingy defense are a staple. Those, ultimately, will be Smithville’s keys to a competitive, or winning, season. — Zach Bolinger
Kids are only 25% of our population, But 100% of our future
idea — which it says is already used in different variations in other states — some area coaches say they don’t have to like it. “I think there are coaches that play their starters deep into the fourth quarter no matter the score and you just get teams that get humiliated. Well I couldn’t get my starters out quick enough,” said Loudonville coach Justin Todd, whose squad was on the good side of six games decided by more than 30 points last fall. “In 80 percent of our regular-season games (in 2013), our starters didn’t play the fourth quarter, and our younger guys got a lot of really cool experience; they want to play on Friday nights under the lights. “What bothers me is that (the new rule is) going to limit those kids’ reps, and they have every right to get those reps.” While Todd said he understands what the OHSAA is going for, he said there is too much of gray area when it comes to messing with the limited minutes on a varsity game night. What if a team gets a defensive stop out of halftime, he asked, then returns the ensuing punt to cut the game to three scores, but lost more than half the third quarter during its previous defensive stand because the clock never stopped? “I think what you’ve done is you’ve told your kids, ‘You’re down four scores and you’re out of the game,’ ” Todd said. “... One special teams play changes the entire momentum.” And what about programs that have built themselves into annual contenders because of the extra minutes they’re able to get their backups during those “mop-up” second halves, as well as the struggling programs who want to get their underclassmen more seasoning in varsity action to build for the future? Todd said coaches and teams who respect the game and their opponent can make the clock run on their own by not throwing the ball and not running up the score. Many veteran coaches in the area agree. Northwestern 15th-year coach Mike Thut, who will lead the Huskies in a game for the 150th time in Week 3, said he is not a fan. However, Hillsdale’s Tom Williams (entering 12th season) said he could see the benefits of the new rule. Williams said he doesn’t recall ever seeing a high school team overcome a 30-point deficit — and he’s never been involved in many games that had leads in the 20s that grew tense at the end. He said the Fal-
cons are used to running the ball and the clock as much as they can in blowouts, and even though his team was 2-3 last season in games decided by at least 30 points, he isn’t putting much into the new rule. “To be honest, I think people are going to be upset that it doesn’t make as big a difference as they were hoping for,” Williams said. “If a team that’s down is still passing it a lot and having turnovers a lot, those games are still going to get bad quick.” Some have suggested that making the number 40 points for the running clock would be more logical. When asked by the Times-Gazette if the OHSAA considered a higher number, Rugg said he looked at four or five states using the rule, and while some were higher than 30, some were lower, too.
He said the OHSAA settled on 30 with the thought that it was the equivalent of five touchdowns without extra points. Either way, the speed-up rule is sure to impact plenty of Friday nights throughout Ohio this season. “We are interested to see what the feedback is as the season progresses and we have games that actually fall into this rule,” Rugg said. “Everything now is conjecture. We know the environment in blowout games is awful in many respects and we think this rule will make these games better for coaches, players, fans and officials.” Contact Doug Haidet, sports editor, at 419-281-0581, ext. 245, or dhaidet@timesgazette.com.
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Chippewa’s Austin Durbin celebrates his sack on Columbia Station’s quarterback Jay Banyasz in last year’s first-round playoff game, which the Chipps walloped the Raiders 62-28. Under this year’s new blowout rules, a running clock would have been used in the second half when the Chipps were up by 30 points or more.
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Legends of the Fall
E14 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
SANTMYER OIL COMPANY LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
HAS ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES CHIPPEWA
NORWAYNE
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RITTMAN
WOOSTER
SMITHVILLE
THE COLLEGE OF WOOSTER
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
at Mapleton WATERLOO at Tuslaw RITTMAN at Norwayne at Waynedale DALTON at Smithville HILLSDALE at Northwestern
at Northwest KEYSTONE at Buckeye at Revere at Nordonia WADSWORTH GREEN at Copley TALLMADGE HIGHLAND
DALTON Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
at Garaway TUSLAW at Timken NORTHWESTERN at Rittman NORWAYNE at Chippewa WAYNEDALE SMITHVILLE at Hillsdale
HILLSDALE Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
at Manchester WILLARD at Loudonville at Smithville WAYNEDALE NORTHWESTERN at Rittman NORWAYNE at Chippewa DALTON
LOUDONVILLE Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 25 Oct. 31
SPA. HIGHLAND at Crestview HILLSDALE LOGAN WILLARD LUCAS at Bishop Ready at Danville at Gilmour Academy at Shelby
NORTHWESTERN Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
FAIRLESS BLACK RIVER COLUMBIA at Dalton SMITHVILLE at Hillsdale at Waynedale RITTMAN at Norwayne CHIPPEWA
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Nov. 1
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
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TOL. ROGERS TRIWAY at Northwest at Lexington MANSFIELD WEST HOLMES at Ashland MADISON CLEAR FORK at Wooster
NORTH GROVE CITY CHR. MAPLETON at Chippewa DALTON at Smithville HILLSDALE at Northwestern at Waynedale NORWAYNE
TUSLAW at Mogadore at Fairless HILLSDALE at Northwestern RITTMAN at Norwayne CHIPPEWA at Dalton WAYNEDALE
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Nov. 1
Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 8 Nov. 15
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TRIWAY Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
WEST HOLMES at Orrville at Waynedale TUSKY VALLEY at Fairless TUSLAW CVCA at Indian Valley at Manchester TIMKEN
TUSLAW Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31
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Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — F1
Chippewa’s tale
Chippewa Chipps
Began playing in 1912. Have made playoffs twice, back in 1999 (10-2) and then last season (9-3). Play in the Wayne County Athletic League and at Doylestown Community Stadium. Coached by secondyear boss Michael Bohley. Assigned by OHSAA to Div. V, Region 16.
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 at Mapleton W, 47-7 Sept. 5 WATERLOO W, 61-13 Sept. 12 at Tuslaw L, 26-27 OT Sept. 19 RITTMAN* W, 53-14 Sept. 26 at Norwayne* W, 48-38 Oct. 3 at Waynedale* W, 28-24 Oct. 10 DALTON* W, 27-12 Oct. 17 at Smithville* W, 46-25 Oct. 24 HILLSDALE* W, 20-13 Oct. 31 at Northwestern* L, 14-28 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Meet the starters
Art Holden photo
Chippewa legend Ron Williams knows a little bit about winning football games, as his high school team had a streak of 21 victories in a row when he graduated in 1957. Looking to keep up their winning ways after last year’s playoff run are current Chipps (from left) Bailey Breitenstine, Jacob Gamble and Nick Zollinger. The four are pictured at the Doughboy Monument in the center of Doylestown.
Chipps looking for ‘bling’ like Williams’ By ZACH BOLINGER Sports Staff Ron “Butch” Williams is proud that each and every play started with him. For the legendary Doylestown and Bowling Green center, the finished product wasn’t bad, either. The Chipps had won 21 consecutive games when Williams graduated in 1957. Moreover, BGSU was undefeated in 1959 and the “collegiate” division national champion. So, when Williams joined current Chippewa players Bailey Breitenstine, Jake Gamble and Nick Zollinger at the legendary “Dough Boy” statue in the middle of town, he flashed more than just a smile at the photo shoot. Williams showed a little bling — a hefty ring — from that 1959 title team, but he still holds his high school days in higher regard. “That class of ’57 still gets together a lot,” Williams said. “We have lunch the first Friday of each month at a local restaurant. We have an annual picnic at the Busson Pavilion and we have a Christmas party. It was a special group.” Williams and Co. fin-
ished the 1954 (7-2) season with three wins, then went 9-0 in both 1955 and 1956. Those final two years, the Chipps outscored opponents by an average of 37-7 with Williams earning All-Wayne County League honors at center and middle guard (nose tackle). His senior year also included a basketball season in which the Chipps lost just two games, and a baseball campaign in which the state championship game was the only contest Doylestown lost. Williams’ first wife was a classmate of Ron’s, and kept extensive scrapbooks. There were countless games and milestones to reflect back on, but one of Williams’ top memories was actually after a game. “Dalton had a brand new field, and it rained all day Thursday and Friday,” Williams said. “The game was postponed to Saturday, but it downpoured Saturday morning, too. The field was solid mud, so before each play I would find a puddle to clean my hands. After the game and bus ride, I had to walk home and carry my equipment and uniform. That was tougher than the game.”
Chippewa roster SENIORS No. Name Ht. 6 Calvin Holbert 6-0 14 Marcus Reyes 5-6 23 Austin Durbin 5-6 26 Nick Zollinger 5-7 32 Trent Abel 6-0 33 Adam Vasilatos 5-11 54 Aaron Indermuhle 5-11 59 Jake Gamble 6-6 62 Josh Prichard 6-0 74 Zach Evans 6-0 76 Devin Hawkins 6-2 89 Brent Zacour 6-0 JUNIORS 2 Ray Sales 5 Zack Zollinger
Wt. Pos. 170 WR/DB 180 RB/LB 150 WR/DB 170 RB/LB 185 RB/LB 170 RB/LB 195 OL/LB 290 OT/DT 225 OL/DL 290 OL/DL 265 OL/DL 175 WR/DL
5-11 155 WR/DB 5-9 135 RB/DB
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Ron Williams file High school highlights: Ron Williams earned 14 varsity letters, and also pointed out that freshmen weren’t allowed to letter in football under coach Ken Black. He was the offensive and defensive line anchor for Doylestown teams which won Wayne County League championships in 1954, 55 and 56. The ’56 season was the first with seven teams in the WCL, with the Chipps outscoring league opponents 274-19. Williams was one of three Chipps on the ’56 squad to be named among the Daily Record’s Top 100 athletes of all time. College highlights: Williams lettered as a junior and senior at Bowling Green, playing both ways. He was strongest at middle guard on defense, by his own admission. Falcons were undefeated and won the 1959 collegiate division national championship, with Williams earning honorable mention Mid-American Conference honors. Favorite football memory: “Probably beating Ohio University my junior year. The only game they lost was to us,” Williams said. “In high school, we didn’t have that many close games. So I would say the Manchester games both my junior and senior year (20-6 and 20-12 victories).” Life today: Williams retired after 41 years as an educator, Williams lives in his beloved Doylestown with his wife, Mary. Williams just celebrated his 75th birthday and enjoys gardening and spending time with his five children, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
OFFENSE Pos. Name QB Bailey Breitenstine RB Nick Zollinger RB Jake Hecker RB Adam Vasilatos WR Austin Durbin WR Jerry Bennett TE Matt Blair T Trent Harrell G Aaron Indermuhle C Josh Prichard G Travis Moore T Jake Gamble K C. Gerstenslager
Ht. 5-7 5-7 6-0 5-11 5-6 6-1 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-6 5-8
Wt. Yr. 165 Jr. 170 Sr. 170 Jr. 170 Sr. 150 Sr. 170 Jr. 190 Jr. 215 So. 195 Sr. 225 Sr. 205 So. 290 Sr. 140 Jr.
DEFENSE DE Marty Harrell DT Jake Gamble DT Nick Willig DE Lance Zierau OLB Nick Zollinger ILB Aaron Indermuhle OLB Trent Abel CB Jerry Bennett CB Austin Durbin S Bailey Breitenstine S Luke Brown P Jerry Bennett
6-1 6-6 6-1 6-3 5-7 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-6 5-7 5-9 6-1
190 Jr. 290 Sr. 275 So. 170 So. 170 Sr. 195 Sr. 185 Sr. 170 Jr. 150 Sr. 165 Jr. 160 So. 170 Jr.
Chippewa plot
Bohley
Abel
Durbin
Can they do it again? Bohley’s first season (2013) guiding the Chipps was one of the school’s most memorable. Not many expected the Chipps — who were picked to finish in the bottom half of the WCAL after a 1-9 season in 2012 — to be in the league hunt and playoff picture a year ago. But they only lost one league game (Northwestern) and whipped the region’s top seed, Columbia Station, before falling to eventual state champion Coldwater. And while Bohley will say his team lost some key pieces, the squad has a long list — 20 to be exact — of returning letterwinners. “All offseason we’ve put an emphasis on staying focused, staying grounded. Our mantra or motto has been ‘Take the next step,’” Bohley said. “‘Take the next step’ could be a personal goal, it could be a certain team goal — not just winning the league, or making the playoffs again.” First things first, as the Chipps have had just one instance (1999-2000) of back-to-back winning seasons in the last 38 years. The Chipps have returners at nearly each level of the defense and a three-year starter at QB (Bailey Breitenstine) to lead a deep skill-position offense. “To go from Week 1 last year, where we were playing in front of the band and mostly parents, to winning a playoff game and having half the school celebrate on the field — it was kind of surreal,” Bohley said. “To lose to the eventual state champ is never a bad way to finish. Now we just need to build on that.”
Words of wisdom “It’s a lot of the same kids we had last year. In fact, our offseason numbers have been bigger than last year, so they’ve kind of embraced it,” Bohley said. “During two-a-days we’ve had some phenomenal days and there have been lulls. For the most part we’re happy with their intensity and athleticism ... but to say every practice has been laser-point focused would be a lie. “I do feel like we have a lot of experience back, so we shouldn’t be shocked by anything,” Bohley added. “I don’t think there will be any situation too big for our kids. They should be accustomed to tight games and situations that come with it.”
Main characters
In Breitenstine, the Chipps have a signal caller who has ‘been there, done that.’ The junior completed just 95 passes last season, but 23 went for TDs. He also rushed for nine more scores, and according to Bohley, is primed for his best season yet. “The biggest difference is his body,” Bohley said. “Yes, he’s still five-foot nothing, but he’s been the first kid in the weight room all offseason. ... He’s our vocal and emotional leader 7 Jerry Bennett 6-1 170 WR/DB 41 Lance Zierau 6-3 170 WR/DL and the other kids feed off him.” Senior Nick Zollinger 9 Mike Sabbetta 5-10 185 QB/LB 43 Tyler Rowe 5-8 155 WR/DL will join him in the backfield after rushing for 800-plus 12 Bailey Breitenstine 5-7 165 QB/DB 44 Jake Hall 5-9 175 TE/LB yards and scoring 12 TDs a year ago. In the Chipps’ 13 Garrett Hall 5-6 150 RB/DL 48 Cody Spry 5-10 175 RB/DL 16 Chandler Gerstenslager 5-8 140 P/K 52 Travis Moore 6-2 205 OL/DL wing-T attack, running backs Jake Hecker and Adam 21 Doug Price 5-9 165 RB/LB 53 Ben Epling 6-1 190 OL/DL Vasilatos look to be primary options. On the outside, 24 JT Koprivec 5-5 140 WR/OT 56 Trent Harrell 6-2 215 OL/DL Austin Durbin (20 receptions last year) and Jerry Ben40 Marty Harrell 6-1 190 TE/DL 72 Nick Willig 6-1 275 OL/DL nett will be starters, while TE Matt Blair (6-foot-3, 190 45 Jake Hecker 6-0 170 RB/DB pounds) is a big target. The Chipps’ offensive line will 51 Abe Nagy 5-11 205 OL/DL FRESHMEN have four letterwinners returning, anchored by 29071 Nick Thompson 5-11 235 OL/DL 4 Alex Kramer 5-5 125 WR/DB pound tackle Jake Gamble and seniors Aaron Inder75 Timmy Johnson 5-8 180 OL/DL 46 Justin King 5-10 140 TE/LB muhle (G) and Josh Pritchard (C). “Now that we’re in 88 Matt Blair 6-3 190 TE/DL 60 Clay Troup 5-6 175 OL/DL the second year of the system, I think we’ll evolve and 64 Dakota Hensel 6-1 185 OL/DL SOPHOMORES 66 Anthony Brown 5-8 155 OL/DL expand both philosophy wise and schematically,” Boh3 D’Michael King 5-6 170 WR/DB 79 Eli Muckley 5-8 220 OL/DL ley said. “Our main goal, like many teams, is to have equal balance between the run and pass.” 10 Luke Brown 5-9 160 RB/DB Chippewa will have six players going both ways, as 30 Ramsden Shy 5-4 130 RB/LB the starting defense will include Breitenstine (S), Zollinger (OLB), Durbin (CB), Bennett (CB), Indermuhle (ILB), Kids are only 25% of our population, and Gamble (DT). Durbin and BreBut 100% of our future itenstine each had 5 interceptions last season, while Trent Abel (OLB) also returns and led the squad with 96 tackles a year ago. Sophomore DT Nick Willig, at 275-pounds, is highly touted and will help clog the middle with Gamble. TIRE & AUTO CENTER “There is an old saying that offense (Next to Pallotta Ford) puts people in the stands and defense Your used car Leader! wins important games,” Bohley said.
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Legends of the Fall
F2 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Norwayne’s tale Started football in 1953. Made playoffs four times. Play in Wayne County Athletic League. Play at Bobcats Stadium. Coached by Adam Indorf (0-0 entering first year leading Norwayne). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. V, Region 19.
norwayne bobcats
Dates to remember
DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 at Wellington W, 47-7 Sept. 5 CVCA L, 28-32 Sept. 12 ONTARIO W, 42-34 Sept. 19 at Waynedale* W, 41-30 Sept. 26 CHIPPEWA* L, 38-48 Oct. 3 at Dalton* W, 54-14 Oct. 10 SMITHVILLE* W, 41-20 Oct. 17 at Hillsdale* W, 42-6 Oct. 24 NORTHWESTERN* L, 0-30 Oct. 31 at Rittman* W, 42-0 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Indorf
Meet the starters
Mike Plant photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Just 21, Adam Wallace (left) became legendary in 2011 when he led Norwayne to the Div. IV state title. Current players sitting with Wallace at the United Producers, Inc.’s Livestock Sale Barn, next to the high school in Creston, are (from left) Devin Reed and Christian Steiner, who were freshmen on the 2011 squad, and Jeremy Miller, who watched from the stands as an eighth-grader. The livestock sale barn is owned and operated by farmers.
Seniors had good look at title team By MIKE PLANT Sports Writer When Adam Wallace was leading Norwayne to the 2011 state championship, Devin Reed and Christian Steiner had two of the best vantage points in Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. As freshmen, the two dressed for the Bobcats’ five-game playoff run, and were on the sidleines when Wallace capped maybe the best overall individual season in area history. He finished with more than 4,000 yards and 60 TDs at quarterback and 188 tackles at linebacker. “He was the go-to guy and the leader on and off the field,” said Reed. “Everyone respected him,” Steiner added. “He always had the last say and he could back it up.” Wallace, now 21, is a redshirt outside linebacker at Ashland. It’s been almost three years since he led the Bobcats down the field to the winning TD in the final minute of a heartstopping 48-42 victory over Kenton for the Div. IV state crown. “It doesn’t feel like it’s
been that long,” Wallace said. “Once we did it, it didn’t really sink in, it was like we had another game to get ready for. We bring it up here and there, and people in the county will come up and say how awesome it was. It’s nice to have that support still.” Jeremy Miller was an eighth-grader that championship season. Last year, as a sophomore, he just missed a 1,000-yard rushing season and Norwayne just missed another playoff berth and WCAL title. “I expect a lot out of our team,” Miller said. “We’re practicing hard and I think everyone is focused on what we have to do.” If he has time, Wallace plans to make it to some Norwayne games this fall, when he’ll be the one watching those who once watched him. “High school is the best time of your life, especially that last season,” he said. “They should just enjoy it with their friends, and have faith in each other. They need to believe that they can achieve the greatest goals, that they can be the best.”
Adam Wallace file High School highlights: Adam Wallace quarterbacked Norwayne to the 2011 Div. IV state championship in one of the best finals in Ohio history. Wallace and the Bobcats won the WCAL’s first state crown on his touchdown pass in the final minute to beat Kenton and finish 14-1. Also excelled as an inside linebacker, and lettered four times. College highlights: Wallace is currently a redshirt sophomore at Ashland University, where he is set to start at outside linebacker in the Eagles’ opener next Saturday against Lake Erie College. Favorite football memory: Winning the 2011 Div. IV state football championship. Life today: Wallace turned 21 recently, and is in his third year as a student at Ashland University.
Norwayne roster SENIORS No. Name 1 Devin Reed 12 Nick Underation 13 Kollin Moore 17 Clayton Wheeland 21 Noah Tomassetti 48 Austin Jones 53 Garret Ball 61 Garrett Jones 64 Chris Scruggs 66 Brendon Meng 71 Christian Steiner 76 Lane Brown 89 Zach Pine
Ht. 5-7 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-7 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-0 5-10
Wt. 145 160 165 165 150 200 185 230 240 175 260 220 155
Pos. WR/DB WR/DB K/P RB/DB/LB WR/DB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB
JUNIORS 9 Jared Davis 14 Tyler Hankins 15 John Dreher 26 Jeremy Miller 37 CJ Keith 38 Wesley Schwartz 55 Grant Holcomb 57 Tavis Stika 63 Trent Hankins 65 David Anderson 75 Elliot Gerber
6-2 5-6 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-9 6-4 6-0 5-7 5-7 5-9
175 150 145 205 140 145 220 220 155 140 250
WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB RB/LB K/P K/P OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
77 83
Coit Anderson Tyler Armbrust
6-2 5-6
225 130
OL/DL WR/DB
SOPHOMORES 2 Zach Steiner 5 Brevin Harris 8 Nate Weinman 10 Quintyn Hall 11 Elmer Zollinger 22 Spenzer Arnold 23 Brevin Hostetler 24 Joshua White 32 Chase Gasser 50 Bryce Rohrbaugh 58 Wyatt Wyckoff 60 Jakob Robinson 62 Jacob Sattelmaier 67 Dillion Pittman
5-11 6-4 6-4 5-6 6-2 5-10 5-8 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-7 5-8 6-0 5-8
165 170 170 140 165 160 146 170 190 165 200 168 195 155
WR/DB WR/DB WR/DE WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WDR/DB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB
FRESHMEN 16 Gavin Stika 28 Weston Garman 33 Ben Burke 44 Colin Gerber 59 Dakota Morrison 68 Hunter McCord 74 Bret Hall
5-4 5-7 5-7 5-6 5-11 6-0 5-7
124 159 171 136 152 165 230
QB/DB RB/DB RB/LB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
Pos. QB RB WR WR WR WR T G C G T K
Name John Dreher Elmer Zollinger Jeremy Miller Noah Tomassetti Nick Underation Nate Weinman Devin Reed Coit Anderson Brendon Meng Tavis Stika Chris Scruggs Christian Steiner Kollin Moore
OFFENSE Ht. Wt. 5-10 145 6-2 165 6-0 205 5-7 150 5-10 160 6-4 170 5-7 145 6-2 225 6-0 175 6-0 220 6-0 240 6-1 260 5-10 165
Yr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.
DE DT NT DE SS ILB ILB WS CB CB FS P
Brendon Meng Christian Steiner Lane Brown Jacob Sattelmaier Clayton Wheeland Jeremy Miller Austin Jones Zach Steiner Devin Reed Nick Underation Noah Tomassetti John Dreher Elmer Zollinger
DEFENSE 6-0 175 6-1 260 6-0 220 6-0 195 5-9 165 6-0 205 6-2 200 5-11 165 5-7 145 5-10 160 5-7 150 5-10 145 6-2 165
Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So.
Underation
Tomassetti
Norwayne plot The Bobcats are coming off the winningest five-year run in program history and one of the best ever in the area with a 48-13 record under coach Joe Harbour, highlighted by winning the Div. IV state title in 2011. This is a major transition year, though, as Harbour stepped down as coach for family reasons after going 7-3 last year and assistant Adam Indorf took over the program. Norwayne also graduated two Div. I signees — Kaleb Harris (Marshall) and Trevahn Beery (Bowling Green) — along with record-setting QB Joe Dreher. The cupboard is hardly bare, though, as the rest of the coaching staff is also back, along with leading rusher Jeremy Miller and all but one starting lineman. The Bobcats are confident they can continue their winning ways, although the style may be a little different with more of an emphasis on the running game.
Words of wisdom “I feel pretty confident that if we continue to work hard through the season we’ll be able to at least compete week-in and week-out,” Indorf said. “It all depends on how quickly our young skill guys gain experience and they progress as to how we’ll ultimately finish in the league.”
Main characters Norwayne will hang its hat on a strong running game out of its shotgun-spread offense and a veteran line. Junior RB Jeremy Miller carried the ball 181 times for 991 yards and 11 TDs last year and will have returning starters Christian Anderson and Coit Anderson at T, along with C Tavis Stika and G Chris Scruggs back to lead the way. “Jeremy definitely has a lot of experience and we’re going to have to start there and see where he can take us,” Indorf said. “As the other skill guys come along, I think we can utilize them more and become more balanced.” After graduating Joe Dreher (2,710 yards passing, 39 TDs last year), who ranks among the all-time Wayne County leaders in numerous passing categories, the Bobcats have had quite a QB battle in camp between sophomore Elmer Zollinger and junior Jon Dreher (Joe’s brother). “We’re just waiting to see,” Indorf said. “It might be a rotation or clear-cut winner. They both do a lot of good things and we’re trying to see who does the least negative things and who will benefit us most.” Devin Reed is the top returning WR after catching 26 passes for 306 yards and four TDs, but Indorf believes he has a “slew” of players who can step up. WR-DBs Nick Underation and Noah Tomassetti also are key players to watch. Assistant coach Jude LaChance will continue to call the offensive plays, while Indorf will direct the 4-2-5 defense. “Defensively, I think we have a good crew,” Indorf said. “It’s pretty balanced. I’d like to say the D-line is the best being their position coach, but I think we have a lot of good kids everywhere.” Miller returns as the leading tackler at ILB after making 113 stops last year, while Austin Jones saw lots of action at ILB. Other regulars back include DTs Christian Steiner and Lane Brown and DBs Zach Steiner and Tomassetti.
Keys to a memorable fall With most of the coaching staff back and plenty of proven veterans the Bobcats still have the look of contenders. If the Bobcats’ QB and WRs can progress enough to complement Miller’s running, the offense will be hard to stop again. Norwayne has built quite a tradition in recent years and still knows how to win despite the changes. “We have a few third-year starters and a good number of second-year guys,” Indorf said. “We have to rely on them for their knowledge and composure during the games to bring the young guys along. We’re really worrying about getting better in practice every day and if we do that the big picture will fall into place.” — Aaron Dorksen
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
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Legends of the Fall
F4 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Dalton’s tale Started football in 1924. Made playoffs 10 times. Play in Wayne County Athletic League. Play at McFarren Field. Coached by Mike Doty (9-21 entering fourth year leading Dalton). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. VI, Region 19.
Dalton Bulldogs
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 at Garaway L, 28-35 Sept. 5 TUSLAW W, 27-21 Sept. 12 at Timken L, 29-32 Sept. 19 NORTHWESTERN* L, 12-47 Sept. 26 at Rittman* W, 36-0 Oct. 3 NORWAYNE* L, 14-54 Oct. 10 at Chippewa* L, 12-27 Oct. 17 WAYNEDALE* L, 19-31 Oct. 24 SMITHVILLE* W, 14-0 Oct. 31 at Hillsdale* L, 7-41 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Doty
Meet the starters Pos. QB RB RB WR WR TE T G C G T K DE DT NT DE OLB ILB ILB OLB CB CB S P
OFFENSE Name Ht. Wt. Zach Ryder 6-0 155 Mario McFarren 5-11 190 Patrick McGinty 5-9 170 Jesse Mann 5-10 170 Brandon Werntz 5-10 155 Conner Clark 6-6 240 Hayden Amstutz 6-3 280 Isaiah Miller 6-0 235 Andy Caillet 5-10 220 Tristan Fitzwater 5-10 230 JD Murphy 6-1 310 Conner Clark 6-6 240
Yr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Ryder Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.
DEFENSE Isaiah Miller 6-0 235 JD Murphy 6-1 310 Tristan Fitzwater 5-10 230 Mario McFarren 5-11 190 Jesse Mann 5-10 170 Jerry Morehart 6-3 210 Cody Fitzwater 5-10 175 Patrick McGinty 5-9 170 Zach Ryder 6-0 155 Brandon Werntz 5-10 155 Mitchell Clark 6-4 185 Patrick McGinty 5-9 170
Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr.
Morehart
Dalton plot
Aaron Dorksen photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Most people who drive through Dalton see the Dalton Dari-ette located off of US route 30 and even though Larry Zuercher played for the Bulldogs more than five decades ago most sports fans there know his name, too. Zuercher (center), who averaged more than 10 yards a carry for his career, posed for a photo with Dalton linemen (from left) Connor Clark, JD Murphy, Tristan Fitzwater, Andy Caillet, Isaiah Miller and Hayden Amstutz.
Zuercher loves this year’s Dalton line By AARON DORKSEN Sports Editor Larry Zuercher couldn’t have picked a more comforting group to help welcome him back to Dalton. Even though it’s been 53 years since he starred as a running back for the Bulldogs, he still appreciates a big, strong offensive line. “That would be nice to have ran behind those guys, they could have really opened up some holes,” Zuercher said with a smile, as he looked at the all senior lineup of center Andy Caillet (5-foot-10, 220), guards Tristan Fitzwater (5-10, 230) and Isaiah Miller (6-0, 235), tackles JD Murphy (6-1, 300) and Hayden Amstutz (6-3, 280) and tight end Connor Clark (6-7, 240). “I had a pretty good line when I played, but the players back then were nowhere near as big as today. “We didn’t lift weights back then. Our biggest lineman was Bob Geisler and I think he was about 6-1 and just over 200 pounds.” The Dalton linemen knew all about Zuercher, one of the all-time legends in not only Dalton but
area football history. “First-down Larry,” Murphy said, when asked if he’d heard of Zuercher’s exploits. “We’ve heard just a little,” Clark answered sarcastically, as they visited at the Dalton Dari-ette, a legendary location in the town that’s been around for many decades. “He averaged 10 yards a carry for his entire career — that’s amazing. I look at the teams they had and it would be cool to do some of the things they did.” At 5-8, 165, Zuercher averaged an astonishing 14 yards a carry in his senior year of 1961. He ran for 1,585 yards and 29 TDs on just 113 carries as Dalton went 8-0-1 (5-0-1). “Dalton’s had a lot of good coaches, good families and good kids to build its football tradition,” said Zuercher, who went on to teach and coach in the district. Miller hopes the current line can help establish Dalton as a powerful team again. “I think we can help provide a smashmouth identity for our team,” Miller said. “We want to make it easier for our backs.”
Larry Zuercher file High School highlights: “First-down Larry” averaged 10.6 yards a carry over four-year career, racking up 3,861 yards and 60 TDs. He averaged 14 yards a carry as a senior in 1961, when he rushed for 1,585 yards and 29 TDs on only 113 carries for WCL champs. College highlights: A member of Kent State’s team for four years, Zuercher saw his bulk of action as an underclassman before being hampered by separated shoulder. Favorite football memory: “The games I remember most are the ones we lost,” said Zuercher, whose teams were fourth, second, third and, finally, first in the WCL. “One win that stands out was the last one my sophomore year when we trailed Norwayne 20-0 at the half. Coach (Billie J.) McFarren really got on us in the locker room and when we came back out Dutch Martin hit me with a perfect touchdown pass to get us going. We wound up winning 34-20.” Life today: Zuercher, 70, lives with his wife, Connie, in Granger, Ind., near the Michigan border. The couple has two daughters, a son and five grandkids. The retired teacher was voted Daily Record area’s No. 13 greatest athlete of 20th century in 1999 series.
Dalton roster SENIORS No. Name 2 Patrick McGinty 3 Conner Clark 5 Jerry Morehart 7 Zach Ryder 9 Mario McFarren 11 Jesse Mann 33 Brandon Werntz 52 Tristan Fitzwater 55 Isaiah Miller 74 Hayden Amstutz 76 Andy Caillet 78 JD Murphy 85 Ryan Conner
Ht. 5-9 6-7 6-3 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-1
Wt. 170 240 212 155 190 170 155 230 235 280 220 300 170
Pos. RB/LB TE/DE FB/LB QB/DB RB/DE WR/LB WR/DB G/DT G/DE T/DT C/DT T/DT WR/LB
JUNIORS 4 Anthony Weaver 12 Cody Steiner 14 Taylor Reynolds
5-11 6-2 5-10
145 165 155
WR/FS WR/DB FB/LB
SOPHOMORES 10 Mitchell Clark 13 Broc August 17 Evan Hershberger 21 Cody Fitzwater 51 Cole Boggs 53 Logan Menuez 64 Ike Neuenschwander
6-4 5-8 6-1 5-10 5-8 5-9 5-5
185 150 155 175 220 215 165
QB/FS WR/CB QB/FS RB/LB C/LB T/DT G/DT
FRESHMEN 20 Kenton Troyer 24 Spencer Horst 25 Derek Ramseyer 28 AJ Kandel 32 Alex Alger 34 Dominic Dalessandro 50 Nathan Nussbaum 54 Dylan Hackett 67 Cole Geiser 75 Landry Amstutz 77 Nathan Basinger 86 Tommy Caillet
5-9 5-7 5-6 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-11 5-6 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-11
155 140 135 160 180 160 185 150 180 245 180 158
RB/LB RB/LB WR/DB TE/LB FB/LB QB/DB T/DE T/LB G/DE T/DT C/DE WR/DB
The challenge for coach Mike Doty and his team in 2014 can be boiled down to this: Get back to playing Dalton football. That means a power running game, hard-nosed defense and, most importantly, winning football games. In his fourth year as head coach after a longtime tenure as an assistant, Doty thinks he has the players to have a winning season for the first time since the Bulldogs made the playoffs in 2010. The Dawgs have eight starters back on both sides of the ball, with the offensive line and linebacking corps looking to be among the strongest in the WCAL. If Dalton can limit turnovers, it could make a run at the postseason.
Words of wisdom “We want to be a much more stingy, hard-nosed defense this year,” Doty said. “We want to bring back the identity that Dalton has had over the years, which I think is that of having a tough defense and an offense that is just going to grind it out, control the clock and win games in the fourth quarter.”
Main characters Dalton doesn’t have a lot of players, but Doty feels he has plenty of quality in terms of returnees and newcomers. A combined 10 returning letterwinners all played at least some on both sides of the ball and will do so again. A strong freshmen class didn’t lose a junior high game and a few of those players could see early action, while a mix of juniors and sophomores will contribute as well. Mario McFarren returns at RB after carrying the ball 139 times for 564 yards last season. Looking to add depth in the backfield as Dalton will go to more two-back sets out of its no-huddle, shotgun spread offense are Cody Fitzwater, Patrick McGinty and Jerry Morehart. Leading the QB derby to replace graduated Jack Burke is senior Zach Ryder, who saw limited action in passing for 45 yards last year. Sophomores Mitchell Clark and Evan Hershberger, along with freshman Dominic Dalessendro are also competing for the job. “All four of those guys have the potential to play somewhere on Friday nights if they’re not at quarterback,” Doty said. The big offensive line is led by returning starters JD Murphy, Isaiah Miller and Hayden Amstutz, with a fourth senior in Andy Caillet vying to play C and Tristan Fitzwater joining the group as well after mainly playing DT last year. Add in 6-7 Connor Clark (23-for-339 receiving last year, 2 TDs) at TE and it’s one of the bigger lines you’ll see in Div. VI. The Bulldogs return their top two tacklers to lead the defense in Morehart (121) and Fitzwater at ILB, while OLBs McGinty and Jesse Mann are also playmakers. “That’s a pretty strong linebacker group,” Doty said. “I think they’ll compete to be the best four in the league. Up front we’re bringing back some good experience as well and I think our depth in the secondary is the best since I’ve been here.” Murphy, Tristan Fitzwater, Miller and Connor Clark will be on the defensive front, while the switch of McFarren to DE from LB gives them a playmaker opposite Clark. Ryder (5 INTs) is the lone returnee in the secondary, but Mitch Clark, Cody Steiner, Anthony Weaver and Brandon Werntz all looked good in the preseason. “I feel real good about our team,” Doty said. “We have a real good senior group that worked hard in the offseason like you’d expect. They’re just a real positive group.”
Keys to a memorable fall Dalton seems to have the talent to move up in what most people think will be an extremely competitive, evenly matched WCAL race. Limiting the mistakes that plagued them last year will be one of the biggest keys for the Bulldogs. “We have a winning tradition and we’re setting our goals high,” Doty said. “We feel the league is going to be pretty competitive this year, with a lot more parity, and we feel that we’re going to be a league contender. “That’s always a goal as well as making the postseason. We don’t want to just make it to the playoffs, we want to be able to get some games in and see what happens.” — Aaron Dorksen
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — F5
Hillsdale’s tale
hillsdale falcons
Started football in 1963. Made playoffs three times. Play in Wayne County Athletic League. Play at Community Stadium. Coached by Tom Williams (68-48 entering 12th year leading Hillsdale). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. VI, Region 19.
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 at Manchester L, 6-8 Sept. 5 WILLARD DNP Sept. 12 at Loudonville L, 13-46 Sept. 19 at Smithville* W, 50-13 Sept. 26 WAYNEDALE* L, 14-36 Oct. 3 NORTHWESTERN* L, 7-41 Oct. 10 at Rittman* W, 25-0 Oct. 17 NORWAYNE* L, 6-42 Oct. 24 at Chippewa* L, 13-20 Oct. 31 DALTON* W, 41-7 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Williams
Meet the starters
Mike Schenk photo
Hillsdale legend Drew Austin (1986) poses with current Falcons Doug Cline (left) and Corbin Mager at the Hayesville Opera House. The Opera House was built in 1886, and still hosts live plays, concerts and movies.
Austin, Falcons seek the good times By ZACH BOLINGER Sports Staff Doug Cline and Corbin Mager are more than a pair of All-Ohioans and two-way starters for the Hillsdale Falcons. They were salesmen recently for the Hillsdale Booster drive, and made a stop at 1986 graduate Drew Austin’s house. What the two didn’t realize at the time is that Austin was one of the few bright spots between the 1973 and 1992 seasons at Hillsdale. Austin was the leader of the Falcons’ 1985 team, which posted the only winning gridiron campaign (6-4) in a 20-season stretch for the school. He was also a three-year starter at fullback and linebacker, earning Honorable Mention AP “AA” All-State honors as a senior. “I can remember my brothers’ teams getting stomped 50-0 and 60-0 at times. It wasn’t pretty for a long time,” said Austin. Times have changed at Hillsdale, which had its streak of six consecutive winning seasons snapped last year (4-6). Mager, a 1,600-yard rusher as a sophomore,
missed most of last season due to an ankle injury. The LB-RB will be back at 100 percent this season, hoping to cap a career in memorable fashion — much like Austin, who played the same postions, was able to do in 1985. Austin, who graduated at 145 pounds — averaged more than 6 yards per carry and ran for 1,200 yards and led the Wayne County League in scoring with 92 points. Austin ran for more than 2,200 yards total in three seasons, but the 1985 campaign will forever carry a special spot. As Austin put it, “We were all like one big family. ... Guys who were part of the first flag football program the school started, all the way up through high school. Our line averaged something like 225 (pounds), which was huge for back then.” To which Mager replied: “That sounds about like our line this year. They should be pretty good.” “I think we’re looking for something like 8-2 and 9-1. And the playoffs,” said Cline. To which Austin said, “Good luck. I’ll be there to watch.”
Drew Austin file High School highlights: Leading the Wayne County League in scoring and helping post just the third winning season in school history at that time were important to Austin. Hillsdale started football in 1963, with the six victories in 1969 and Austin’s 1985 season setting the school standard. Not until 1999 did Hillsdale finally hit the sevenwin mark. Earning All-Ohio honors and getting to play in the North Central Ohio All-Star Football Classic. College highlights: The big schools didn’t come calling, but Austin received plenty of interest from Div. III schools such as Baldwin Wallace, Oberlin and others. “I still have the letters they sent to me,” Austin said. “My parents would’ve had to pay for mostly all of it, and even though my dad worked hard his entire life, I knew we didn’t have the money for me to do that. I wasn’t about to ask them to do that.” Favorite football memory: Hillsdale had never beaten Chippewa, but Austin busted loose for 267 yards and four scores in a season-ending 46-0 victory. Austin had an 80-yard TD run called back due to penalty that night and didn’t even play the fourth quarter. “I also remember (Chippewa) had an interception near the end zone, and I was on the other side of the field. I came all the way across the field, had the angle, and ran him down. It made it so we could shut them out.” Life today: Austin lives just outside of Jeromesville. He is a concrete foreman for Fechko Concrete, based out of Medina. Austin raised four daughters and now has one grandchild and another on the way.
Hillsdale roster SENIORS No. Name Ht. 3 Cole Figley 5-7 8 Doug Cline 6-0 10 Troy Marksberry 5-7 12 Corbin Mager 5-11 15 Clay Sloan 5-9 16 Jake Bon 5-9 21 Sam Kellogg 5-9 31 Dylan Miller 5-8 36 Trevor McCoy 5-9 43 Dale Cable 6-0 51 Chaim Nethero 6-3 52 Taylor Kirby 5-8 56 Skyler Ward 6-3 59 Brody Butdorff 5-9 61 Dylan Chio 5-11 76 Walker Summerfield 6-0
Wt. 145 160 160 185 150 150 155 170 205 170 230 170 255 180 265 240
Pos. WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB RB/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB RB/DL RB/LB OL/DT OL/LB OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL
JUNIORS 4 Eric Pickering 5 Zach Glass 14 Iverson Traylor 23 Luke Summerfield 26 Brice Derr 37 Tyler Ohl 60 Logan Finley 72 Christopher Miller 74 Joey Nebergall 83 Rod Pfahler
6-4 6-1 6-2 5-9 6-1 5-7 5-8 5-10 6-3 5-11
175 155 145 175 170 150 265 310 265 155
WR/DE QB/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/DB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB
SOPHOMORES 7 Ethan Elliott 9 Ben Rogers 11 Andrew Wolf 22 Craig Cline 24 Gunnar Richter 41 Aidan Graham 53 Sean Fitzsimmons
5-8 6-4 5-11 5-9 6-1 5-11 5-10
150 195 150 180 160 160 210
RB/DB TE/DE RB/DB RB/LB RB/DB OL/DE OL/DL
54 Cole Casdorph 55 Dan Garn 71 Ryan Markley
5-7 155 OL/LB 6-0 165 OL/LB 6-0 220 OL/DL
FRESHMEN 2 Trey Williams 6 Kenny Carpenter 17 Josh Vinsack 18 Cole Shifflet 30 Trace Stiltner 32 Lucas Markley 40 Danny garman 62 Kameron Koster 65 Christian Pfahler 66 Caleb Ritter 67 Greg Heifner 77 Kyle Martin 80 Will Yeater 81 Caleb Bretz 85 Jeremiah Kurtz
5-11 5-6 6-0 5-8 5-11 5-10 5-8 5-8 6-2 5-10 5-6 5-10 5-6 5-6 5-7
145 115 140 130 160 160 150 160 180 215 140 190 120 115 130
QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB RB/DB RB/LB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DE OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB
Pos. QB FB RB RB WR WR LT LG C RG RT K
Name Troy Marksberry Craig Cline Corbin Mager Doug Cline Eric Pickering Cole Figley Joey Nebergall Skyler Ward Ryan Markley W. Summerfield Chaim Nethero Sam Kellogg
OFFENSE Ht. Wt. 5-7 160 5-9 180 5-11 185 6-0 160 6-4 175 5-7 145 6-3 265 6-3 255 6-0 220 6-0 240 6-3 230 5-9 155
Yr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr.
Nethero
DE DT NT DT DE LB LB SS SS FS CB CB P
DEFENSE Ben Rogers 6-4 195 Skyler Ward 6-3 255 Taylor Kirby 5-8 170 W. Summerfield 6-0 240 Eric Pickering 6-4 175 Dale Cable 6-0 170 Luke Summerfield 5-9 175 Corbin Mager 5-11 185 Craig Cline 5-9 180 Doug Cline 6-0 160 Cole Figley 5-7 145 Jake Bon 5-9 150 Brice Derr 6-1 170
So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.
Marksberry
Hillsdale plot A rash of injuries and inexperience last fall snapped a streak of six consecutive winning seasons. Prior to 2013’s 4-6 campaign, the Falcons were in the midst of the most successful run in program history, making the playoffs three times in four seasons. Hillsdale has the personnel to make last year’s performance seem like an aberration. Due to the injuries last fall, some of underclassmen may have been thrust onto the field before they were ready. However, that may pay dividends this year, with a bevy of returners that are ready to return Hillsdale toward the top of the WCAL and in contention for a playoff spot.
Words of wisdom “Some of our guys that are returning got thrown into the action because of other guys getting hurt,” Williams said. “We’re expecting them to play much better this year than last year.”
Main characters Arguably no player’s return in the whole area will have a bigger impact than RB Corbin Mager. As a sophomore in 2012, Mager set the school’s singleseason rushing record with 1,574 yards and 18 scores. However, he suffered a high ankle sprain during twoa-days last fall and was never quite right, notching just 440 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder is back to 100 percent this year and that gives the Falcons one of the top playmakers in the area. “He’s big and fast,” Williams said. “He’s able to take any play and make it a long touchdown run if guys can seal some blocks off. Usually as a high school coach, you don’t have a lot of home-run hitters and he’s one of ours.” Mager’s return should certainly make things easier for senior QB Troy Marksberry. As a junior, Marksberry completed just under 50 percent of his passes (58 of 129, 946 yards, 11 TD, 11 interceptions) and Williams expects him to gain more confidence in his second year under center. “We expect him to make that progression from being a first-year starting quarterback to being a second-year starter,” Williams said. “He’s seen things before and you’re able to make decisions a little bit easier and quicker.” Meanwhile, success for every team starts up front, but that’s especially true in Jeromesville. During the Falcons’ WCAL title seasons in 2010 and 2011, as well as its playoff runs in 2009, 2010 and 2012, Hillsdale dominated the line of scrimmage with an offensive unit that pushed a r o u n d front sevens like shopping carts. The Falcons
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Legends of the Fall
F6 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Waynedale’s tale Started football in 1955. Made playoffs nine times. Play in Wayne County Athletic League. Play at Golden Bears Stadium. Coached by Matt Zuercher (45-39 entering ninth year leading Waynedale). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. V, Region 16.
waynedale golden bears
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 at Tusky Valley W, 18-8 Sept. 5 at Ridgewood W, 40-19 Sept. 12 TRIWAY L, 14-29 Sept. 19 NORWAYNE* L, 30-41 Sept. 26 at Hillsdale* W, 36-14 Oct. 3 CHIPPEWA* L, 24-28 Oct. 10 NORTHWESTERN* L, 18-49 Oct. 17 at Dalton* W, 31-19 Oct. 24 RITTMAN* W, 49-6 Oct. 31 at Smithville* W, 36-13 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Zuercher
Meet the starters Pos. QB RB RB WR WR TE T G C G T K
OFFENSE Name Ht. Wt. Brevin Riebe 5-10 170 Reid Stanley 5-10 162 Nick Strausbaugh 6-0 176 Ant-juan Lewis 6-1 170 Aaron Spidell 6-1 170 Carter Brewer 6-0 195 Tristan Anderson 5-11 212 Tyler Sidle 5-11 260 Kristian Wanner 6-3 220 Shayne Weaver 6-0 225 Sam Farrar 6-0 230 Jarrett Wonsick 6-0 195
DEFENSE DE Tristan Anderson 5-11 212 DT Shayne Weaver 6-0 225 DT Nathan Fetzer 6-0 205 DE Ty Straits 5-9 230 OLB Ant-juan Lewis 6-1 170 ILB Reid Stanley 5-10 162 ILB Carter Brewer 6-0 195 OLB Titus Bixler 6-0 165 CB Brevin Riebe 5-10 170 CB Isaiah Menuez 5-7 145 S Nick Strausbaugh 6-0 176 P Jarrett Wonsick 6-0 195
Yr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Stanley Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.
Riebe
Waynedale plot Jon Zeltman Photo/www.buydrphotos.com
Jon Thompson (front), a 1974 Waynedale grad and two-time Wayne County Athletic League MVP, is shown here with current Golden Bears (from left) Tyler Sidle, Lloyd Latsch and Nathan Fetzer in front of the Apple Creek Bank, a venerable financial institution in the village since 1904. This year’s Bears are hoping to cash in on their experience and make a run at the WCAL title.
Thompson knows importance of line By ZACH BOLINGER Sports Staff When Jon Thompson was first contacted about the Legends of the Fall preview, and asked to participate, he deflected the praise. The 1974 graduate would’ve rather talked about the great offensive lines he ran behind, or the fact the 1972 and 1973 teams were both unbeaten. So when three offensive linemen from this year’s team — Nathan Fetzer, Lloyd Latsch, Tyler Sidle — showed up for the photo shoot at The Apple Creek Banking Co., he was thrilled. “Make sure you mention the offensive linemen and my fullback. It was like a Div. I line,” Thompson said. “You know, they were really good both years. When you have an argument about whether the line was better my junior or senior year, you know they were good.” Thompson’s comments sat well with the Golden Bears’ current trio of senior linemen. “(Coach Matt) Zuercher always says to play for Waynedale on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back,” Latsch said. “Play for the brother next to you, not just for yourself.” Thompson was literally playing for, and with, his brothers. He was the third in the line of Thompsons to suit up for Waynedale, joining Jim, Jeff, Joe and Josh. In 1972, the Golden Bears finished 8-0-1 overall and a Wayne County League best 6-0-1. Only three league opponents scored on the Bears. In 1973, the Golden Bears were 9-0, 7-0. Thompson led the conference in scoring both years, including 102 points in just six games his senior season, which was shortened due to injury. “If we had played 10 games both years, I think we would have made the playoffs,” he said. “We didn’t have enough points for the system at that time. But it was still quite a run for us. (Coach Bill) Kjerrumgaard had us in run-and-shoot as freshmen and sophomores, to a power team as junior and seniors.”
Jon Thompson file High school highlights: Jon Thompson was the back in Waynedale’s back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1972 and 1973. The two-time Wayne County Athletic League player of the year rushed for 1,066 yards as a junior and 1,339 yards as a senior — in a little over six games of action. Playing for two of the highest scoring teams in school history, he holds the school record for most touchdowns in a game: seven against Northwestern in 1973. He also holds the school record for most rushing yards in a game, busting free for 336 stripes against Triway in 1973. College highlights: Thompson attended Wittenburg and saw the field toward the end of his freshman season, but in his own words, “college really wasn’t for me.” It looked as if Thompson might play at the Div. I level before a serious ankle injury derailed his senior season early in Game 7. “I really thought I was going to Minnesota, but at the last minute they called and said they were cutting back on their scholarships,” Thompson said. “The game I got hurt my senior year, scouts from Ohio State and Michigan were there. ... The Michigan scout was nice enough to still come talk to me after the game, but he took one look at me and said, ‘Sorry, you’re too small.’” Favorite football memory: “The Triway game my senior year, when I had a whole crud load of yardage,” Thompson said. “Or just playing on some great teams and playing for Kjerrumgaard. ... There was one year he had a dress mailed to the school and the note said it was from (Dalton coach) Bill McFarren. And there was another time we warmed up at Waynedale before a game with Dalton, rode the bus over and got off and went straight to the field for kickoff. We actually got a penalty for delay of game.” Life today: Thompson has been a mason for 40 years, owning his own business (Thompson Masonry) since 1979. He officially lives in Wooster, but is quick to point out it’s in the Waynedale district. Thompson lives with his wife of 34 years, Deb, and enjoyed watching his children, Stacy (1999 graduate) and Seth (2001), play sports at Waynedale.
Waynedale roster SENIORS No. Name Ht. 2 Dillan Galehouse 5-5 30 Dakota Fincham 5-11 44 Carter Brewer 6-0 64 Nathan Fetzer 6-0 66 Lloyd Latsch 5-10 76 Tyler Sidle 5-11
Wt. Pos. 142 RB/LB 172 RB/LB 195 TE/LB 205 C/GD/DT 255 GD/DT 260 GD/DT
JUNIORS 3 Aaron Spidell 6-1 170 WR/S 4 Brevin Riebe 5-10 170 QB/S 5 Titus Bixler 6-0 165 RB/CB 10 Isaiah Menuez 5-7 145 RB/CB 15 Zach Coblentz 6-0 160 WR/CB 19 Jacob Welker 5-11 135 WR/CB 23 Garrett Higgins 5-5 160 WR/OLB
26 28 32 40 46 52 53 54 55 62 85
Ant-juan Lewis 6-1 Reid Stanley 5-10 Nick Strausbaugh 6-0 Ryan Chabak 5-9 Jarrett Wonsick 6-0 Kristian Wanner 6-3 Sam Farrar 6-0 Tristan Anderson 5-11 Shayne Weaver 6-0 David Yoder 5-10 Jake Fox 6-0
170 WR/OLB 162 RB/LB 176 RB/OLB 145 WR/S 195 TE/LB 220 C/DE 230 T/DE 212 T/DE 225 GD/DT 220 GD/DT 190 TE/DE
SOPHOMORES 12 Colten Purdy 5-9 145 QB/DB 16 Matt Zimmerly 6-0 135 WR/CB 25 Stephen Spidell 5-10 170 WR/OLB 29 Kyle Ice 5-11 185 RB/DE
63 Pierce Christensen 6-3 260 65 Austin Fraelich 6-0 210 78 Cole Geiser 6-1 220 FRESHMEN 24 Carson Ledford 5-10 33 Evan Hostetler 5-9 34 Austin Rogers 5-11 36 Ryan Weaver 5-6 42 Jared Geiser 6-2 48 Logan Stanley 5-10 50 Ty Straits 5-9 51 Dylan Amstutz 5-11 56 Ben Farrar 6-1 69 Keith Yoder 5-7 70 Abe Christensen 6-0 75 Brandon Wonsick 5-10
GD/DT C/DE GD/DT
135 QB/S 136 RB/LB 168 RB/LB 100 WR/CB 130 TE/OLB 148 RB/OLB 230 T/DE/LB 255 C/DT 200 T/DE 140 C/DE 190 T/DE 195 GD/DT
Now this is more like it. A year ago the Golden Bears were coming off the first winless campaign in school history, but went on to become one of the area’s biggest turnaround teams in 2013. At 6-4, they finished in the top half of the WCAL thanks to a much improved turnover differential as well as a strong running game. While dynamic dual-threat QB Rhen Weaver is gone, Waynedale has a solid core returning, including a talented junior class. The goal this fall is to continue last year’s progression and that means be in contention for the WCAL title.
Words of wisdom “Being able to get back, be competitive in every game and win more than we lost, the bar’s been raised,” Zuercher said. “The expectations are pretty high. The kids have worked hard. They’ve built off that momentum and they’re not satisfied being 6-4.”
Main characters Replacing Weaver will be a tall order. The fleet-footed senior ran for 1,248 yards (8.7 yards per carry) and 13 scores, passed for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns and was the catalyst for the offense. Brevin Riebe takes over under center and while the junior can’t match Weaver’s running ability — for that matter, hardly anyone can — he should be able to get the ball downfield to the Bears’ receivers. Riebe started one game last year when Weaver was injured and on the year completed 16-of-35 passes for 171 yards, with three scores and three picks. “Brevin’s not the same type of dynamic runner that Rhen was, but Brevin has strengths Rhen didn’t,” Zuercher said. “He throws the ball better.” Reid Stanley is the team’s leading returning rusher after amassing 952 yards and eight touchdowns last year. As much as Zuercher wants to establish the running game, he’d like to lighten Stanley’s load on offense in order to maximize his productivity at LB. “Reid was one of our main horses,” Zuercher said. “He became more effective on both sides of the ball as the season wore on and he didn’t have to carry the load 100 percent at running back.” Look for Nick Strausbaugh to also get carries in the backfield. Ant-Juan Lewis will be Riebe’s main target after catching 21 balls for 371 yards and four scores. Tyler Sidle and Shayne Weaver are back as standouts on the line, along with Tristan Anderson and Nathan Fetzer. Defensively, Stanley returns as the leading tackler with 118, followed by Lewis, who had 94 stops and was tops on the team with three interceptions. In addition to those two standouts, Strausbaugh, who also had three picks, figures into the mix at LB. Shayne Weaver, at DT, returns as a starter on the line with Tristan Anderson, a DE. After a strong freshman season, DE Kyle Ice should demonstrate improvement in the trenches as well. Riebe, Titus Bixler and Isaiah Menuez all provide experience in the secondary. Zuercher feels his team’s fortunes hinge on that side of the ball. “It starts defensively,” he said. “We improved drastically last year but we still weren’t good enough to win the biggest games on that side of the ball.”
Keys to a memorable fall On paper, the Bears have their best chance at returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and a share of their first WCAL title since 2008. However, that’s predicated on the fact that the offense can match last year’s productivity despite Rhen Weaver’s departure as well as further progression on defense. “The focus has been on getting back to a championship defense around here,” Zuercher said. “We’ve had a tradition of that — especially when we’ve been good. We have to force turnovers and be a little more aggressive on that side of the ball. When we’re aggressive, we’re always in a good position to win.” The Bears probably won’t rack up as many yards on the ground this fall, but should be more balanced with Riebe throwing to Lewis, who’s now in his third year as a starter. If the offense moves the ball and avoids turning it over, the Bears should be right in the thick of the title race. — Andrew Vogel
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — F7
Held hoping team chemistry equals team success By RANDY WORRELL Sports Staff The biggest challenge facing coach Nate Held during the offseason was developing chemistry. With 11 seniors on this year’s squad, and a mix of underclassmen who saw limited varsity playing time, the ninth-year Mustang mentor admits that meshing together early will play a vital role in the success of the 2014 season. “Being young last year gave a lot of kids experience, and the opportunity to see playing time on Friday nights,” Held said. “In the offseason, our objective was to build chemistry among our kids in different grade levels, and so far our guys have done a great job understanding the TEAM concept.
“Our seniors have provided great leadership here in the preseason, and our younger guys have matured as well. We won’t know, obviously, until we get on the field in our opener, but if our kids continue to understand and accept their roles, this could be a very exciting group to watch develop.”
Words of wisdom “Even though we are excited about our season, we also know we have to come out of the gates early and do well,” Held said. “We’re at Smithville and Dalton to open up, then have Chippewa, who is coming off a great season with a lot of kids returning. We then start our PAC schedule with Indian Valley after that, one of four teams in our league to make the playoffs. CVCA,
Tusky Valley, and Timken are also that defensively, keeping offenses off improved, and throw us in the mix too, the field. We are going to have to be and it should be a very exciting year in much improved in that area this year.” the PAC-7.”
Main Characters
Keys to a memorable fall
“Offensively, we are still kind of a multiple mixed style. Junior Harley Snyder has settled in as our QB, with senior Gage Lau playing a big role for us at receiver and in the secondary defensively. Scott Wohlheter, Devon Barker, and Andrew Hall provide us with some experience up front.” Two-way starter Mason Karn also returns for the Mustangs. “We are going to have to sustain drives and move the football, which will help us tremendously,” Held said. “Last year we didn’t do a good enough job of
After seven playoff appearances between 1998 and 2008, the Mustangs would love to make a run at a postseason spot, but Held knows that will be a tall order. “I’m not shooting for a straight number of wins, but more so of seeing improvement each and every week,” he said. “This is true for any of a number of teams, but our ability to stay healthy, and as I pointed out, our success in developing chemistry and seeing the improvement early in the season, are our two biggest keys to our season.”
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Colts much improved after taking their lumps in ’13 By JOSH McWILLIAMS Daily Record Sports Staff LODI — A year ago, Cloverleaf saw a good start, with wins over Keystone and Buckeye to go 2-1 through its first three games of the season, evaporate into the cool Friday Night winds. With a young roster and a tough Suburban League schedule, the Colts stumbled to 0-7 throughout the rest of the season to finish at 2-8 and the highlight was a week 9 loss to Revere 21-14. So with a year under the belts of the young players, Cloverleaf will be looking to make noise in the jungle known as the SL.
Words of wisdom “We have more experience,” said Colts coach Bob Lake. “Many of our players saw considerable playing time last year and our numbers are up which should provide more depth.”
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Main Characters One of the key returning players will be senior quarterback Garrison Flora, a returning three-year starter for Cloverleaf. Flora, who last year, tossed for 1,603 yards last year on 125-of-223 passing, will be looking to improve on a throwing efficiency that saw him complete 56 percent of his passes. More importantly and key to the Colts’ air attack will be his ability to take care of the football where a year ago, he threw 12 interceptions to go with his 12 touchdowns. A key steppingstone to Flora’s success will be derived off the three returning lettermen on the offensive line where he will welcome back seniors Kevin Chester and Jon Keene and junior Jon Doty. With an improved line protection, Flora will look to build chemistry with a new batch of receivers and break in some new backfield mates.
Headlining his receiving corp will the Tyler Hisson and Kyle Sasinkam while Jared Talmon, Tate Surrarrer, John Nespeca and Ryan Powell will anchor the running game. “We must stay healthy,” said Lake. “And continue to develop the wide receiver and defensive back position.” A key piece to the Colts’ success will be the play of the defense as they will look to slow down and contain the talent that is in the SL and give themselves a chance. Colton Tompot will anchor the defensive line from his nose tackle position and he will be joined by Levi Grimm on the defensive line, while Connor Carneal and Surrarer will lead the linebacking group. Hisson will command the defense from his strong safety slot.
Keys to a memorable fall “We have to improve and be more
physical,” said Lake. Overall, the team has a strong corp of senior leadership as it features 15 12thgraders. “As a team we have a group of high character young men,” added Lake. “They devoted themselves to accomplishing their goal of achieving the playoffs.”
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How far can this year’s Redbirds go? By RANDY WORRELL Sports Staff
Third-year coach Justin Todd feels he has all the pieces in place for another memorable year. “We have significant experience on both sides of the football,” he said. “We have an experienced defense with lots of speed, and we have a big, strong, offensive line who has the
With a host of starters and lettermen returning from last year’s 10-2 playoff team, the biggest question surrounding this season’s squad isn’t how good Loudonville will be, but instead, how deep of a postseason run can the See Pg. F14 — ’BIRDS Redbirds make in 2014.
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Legends of the Fall
F10 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
West Holmes’ tale Started football in 1964. Made playoffs four times. Play in Ohio Cardinal Conference. Play at Knights Stadium. Coached by Kevin Maltarich (23-20 entering fifth year at West Holmes). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. III, Region 9.
West Holmes
knights
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 at Triway W, 54-35 Sept. 5 N. PHILADELPHIA DNP Sept. 12 at Coshocton W, 55-7 Sept. 19 MADISON* W, 42-14 Sept. 26 at Ashland* L, 21-48 Oct. 3 at Orrville* W, 28-23 Oct. 10 MANSFIELD* L, 17-23 Oct. 17 at Lexington* W, 55-33 Oct. 24 WOOSTER* L, 34-41 Oct. 31 CLEAR FORK* L, 13-42 * Ohio Cardinal Conference game
Maltarich
Meet the starters Pos. QB HB FB HB WR WR TE T G C G T K
OFFENSE Name Ht. Wt. Brody Miller 6-0 205 Luke Ogi 6-1 215 Michael Workman 6-0 210 Sam Young 5-10 185 Trenton Bridenthal 5-11 165 Cody Straits 6-0 160 Levi Jones 6-5 215 Josh Goudy 6-5 263 Alex White 6-2 260 Wyatt Snow 6-0 215 Matt Eastep 6-0 235 Trevor Kiner 6-5 255 Logan Gallion 5-9 155
Yr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.
DE DT DT DE LB LB CB CB FS SS S P
DEFENSE Jake Mullet 6-2 175 Luke Eastep 5-9 185 James Baker 5-9 190 Garrett Ervin 5-10 190 Luke Ogi 6-1 215 Sam Young 5-10 185 Trenton Bridenthal 5-11 165 Cody Straits 6-0 160 Connor Roach 6-0 165 Levi Jones 6-5 215 Colt Tennant 5-9 155 Logan Gallion 5-9 155
So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr.
Jones
Workman
West Holmes plot
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Joe Norman (left), shown here with current West Holmes players Luke Ogi (front), Brody Miller (7) and Alex White at the courthouse in Millersburg, made a great case for the defense when he played for the Knights. His 217 tackles in 1972 is still the best for a single season in area history, and he went on to play at Indiana and for the Seattle Seahawks.
Norman did it all — and then some By MIKE PLANT Sports Writer Brody Miller is the quarterback of this year’s West Holmes Knights, while Luke Ogi is the team’s top running back and an inside linebacker. When Joe Norman played for the Knights from 1972-74, he did all that, and more. Norman was a rare combination of quarterback and inside linebacker at West Holmes. “I was a quarterback wearing a neckroll,” he said with a laugh. He went on to become an All-American linebacker at Indiana and play six seasons in the NFL with Seattle. “I know he’s the best player to ever come through here, and that he went to the pros,” said Ogi, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior who could also become one of the rare Div. I football recruits from the school. “You go into Pizza Hut and his picture’s up on the wall there.” “It motivates us to be the best we can,” added Alex White, a senior lineman. “Not many people are able to do what he did, and he came from
West Holmes.” Last season, the Knights followed up an 11-win campaign with a 6-4 record, with all four losses coming in the OCC. Ogi, who ran for 1,400 yards as a junior in just eight games, will look to exceed that in head coach Kevin Maltarich’s ground-oriented offense. “We’ve just got to work hard, now that we’re coming to the football part of it,” Ogi said. “Coach Maltarich has established the ground work here. We know what we’re supposed to do, and if we all do our jobs, we’ll be ok. We’ll be ready.” Miller threw just 46 times a year ago, for 51 yards a game. Even Norman threw more than that in the mid-70s, and as a 6-1, 210-pound signalcaller himself, he’d be a perfect fit at his alma mater today. “It’s a system, and Coach Maltarich takes what he has and fits it into his system,” Norman said. “Everything’s familiar, all the way down to the junior high and maybe even the (Peewee) Cobras. “Besides, you are what your record says you are, and it’s been pretty good.”
Words of wisdom
Joe Norman file High School highlights: QB/LB was a three-year letterman for West Holmes from 1972-74. His 217 tackles in 1972 are still the area record for a single season College highlights: Earned full-ride scholarship to Indiana, where he was a two-time team MVP, All-Big Ten first-team and an NEA All-American as a senior. Also MVP in the Japan Bowl. NFL highlights: Second-round pick in 1979 of Seattle Seahawks. Starting MLB by third year, but suffered knee injury and missed the next year. Came back and started in 1984, for six seasons overall. Favorite football memory: “Two from high school: My junior year, we beat Orrville for the first time in school history, and two, when I was a senior, we went up to Woodridge as an underdog and beat them 43-14, and it was probably my best game as a quarterback.” Life today: Joe Norman, 57, now in Internet sales, lives in Wooster with wife of 34 years Sallie, with three grown children.
West Holmes roster SENIORS No. Name 1 Brody Miller 10 Logan Gallion 17 Levi Kinstle 20 Colton Tennant 22 Samuel Young 31 Lukas Ogi 40 Matt Casey 45 Levi Jones 63 Bryce Burgett 74 Alexander White 75 Wyatt Snow
Ht. Pos. 6-0 QB/DB 5-9 K 6-3 SE/DL 5-9 RB/DB 5-10 RB/LB 6-0 RB/LB 5-10 RB/DB 6-5 OL/LB 6-0 OL/DL 6-2 OL/DL 6-0 OL/DL
JUNIORS 8 Michael Kashuba 13 Everett Baker 34 Cody Straits 52 Damon Harris
5-10 RB/DB 5-5 RB/LB 6-0 SE/DB 6-0 OL/DL
54 55 58 66 69
Trevor Kiner James Baker Aaron Butts Matthew Eastep Michael Workman
6-5 5-9 5-8 6-0 6-0
OL/DL OL/DL G/DL OL/DL OL/DL
SOPHOMORES 2 Isaac Wine 5 Connor Roach 6 Trenton Bridenthal 12 Bo Kandel 25 Terrell Yoder 26 Colton Baker 36 Garrett Ervin 50 Jordan Hoyman 53 Austin Cutright 56 Jacob Mullet 65 Ritchie Miller 67 Lucas Eastep
6-2 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-7 5-9 5-10 5-10 5-9 6-2 5-11 5-9
OL/DL QB/DB SE/DB OL/LB RB/DB RB/DL RB/DB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL
73 76 80
Josh Goudy Jedadiah Alexander Johnny Lee White
FRESHMEN 1 Bryce Myers 4 Brayden Chaney 11 Michael Taylor 15 Ethan Kinsey 28 Skylar Cline 61 Blake Judson 68 Jarrett Snow 77 Eric Barbey 78 Mark Lowe 79 Jeremy Butler 81 Brayden Vess * weights not provided
The Knights have some established starters, including one of the area’s best RBs in Luke Ogi and QB Brody Miller, but elsewhere will be relying on first-year starters. “We’ve got a mix of kids, most of them haven’t seen the field before, so they’re going to be greenhorns and learning on the run, but we’ve got a good mix of athletes and bigger kids and we’ve got to throw them into the fire and put them in positions to succeed, just put them out there and let them go,” head coach Kevin Maltarich said. “The kids are excited to prove themselves. A lot of these kids have waited their turn. Everyone knows we lost (RB) Layne Perone and (WR) Brady Arnold and a few linemen up front, and the kids kind of feel cheated when they hear people say we won’t be that good. Our kids are eager to go out and prove themselves.”
6-5 OL/DL 6-0 OL/LB 6-0 OL/LB 5-8 5-8 5-11 5-9 5-8 5-6 5-3 5-11 6-4 5-7 6-2
QB/DB RB/DB RB/DB SE/DB RB/DB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
“Each year is different and these kids want to make their own mark. I do think they don’t accept 6-4, and I think they’re starting to think that we’re getting to a bigger and better level, and the kids want to maintain that. I think now we’ve got the mindset that when we take the field, we can win every game. Now, it’s a matter of going out and doing it.”
Main characters Ogi (6-1, 215) has put on 20 pounds since last year, but hasn’t lost any of his 4.5 speed. He gained 1,400 yards in eight games as a junior — at over 10 yards a carry — and will be the focal point in the Knights’ runoriented offensive scheme, and the centerpiece of the defense at ILB. “Luke’s a game-changer, he’s one of those kids who can completely change a game,” Maltarich said. “He can take it to the house from anywhere on the field, he’s a threat to make a big play defensively. He’s one of the better all-around kids I’ve ever coached. He’s got an extreme amount of talent, and teams are gonna gameplan around him and we’re gonna gameplan around him. We’re gonna get the ball in his hands as many ways as we can ... If he gets in the open field, not many are gonna catch him.” Maltarich said Miller, now over 200 pounds as well, will be utilized in different ways this year, while Mike Workman is a typical WH FB at 210 pounds and Sam Young and Michael Kashuba will be outside threats. Up front, TE Levi Jones (6-4, 200), G Alex White and C Wyatt Snow are seniors, G Matt Estep and T Trevor Kiner are juniors and T Josh Goudy a sophomore. “There’s something about this group I really like,” Maltarich said of his line. “We’ve got a couple of 6-5, 250-pound tackles, we’ve got a 260- and 230-pound guard, and a 6-5 tight end. So we’ve got some size there, there’s some athleticsm there that I like, but we’ve got to develop that toughness component. Our kids are getting better every day and I think they can develop into something special.” Ogi and Young hold down the LB spots on defense, but the rest of the defense is young. The Knights will start three sophomores and a junior up front, and the back end, although Jones has great range at safety, includes a pair of sophomores and a junior first-year starter. “They’re not really big, but they’re quick,” Maltarch said of his front of sophs Jake Mullet, Garrett Ervin and Luke Estep along with junior James Baker. “They’re the type of kids if you tell them to go hit that brick wall 100 times, No. 100 is going to be as hard as No. 1. I like that aspect of them. The other aspect is that we keep the big lineman off the field. We’re only going to have three kids going both ways. “We’ve got young kids in the secondary, too, with two sophomores and a junior first-year starter, and Levi is a 6-5, 200-pound safety who can run and cover some ground. I really, really like our talent there, but we’re See Pg. F14 — WEST HOLMES
Legends of the Fall
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, August 28, 2014 — F11
OCC (From Page E7) count out Ashland and I think this is the class Madison has been waiting on. Clear Fork has numbers problems but they have a lot coming back. Senior’s always talented, and Orrville’s Orrville. Even Lexington, I heard they’ll be better. It’s like the SEC, it will be a gauntlet.” Playoff odds: Div. III, Region 9 (*** out of five) CLEAR FORK (7-3, 5-2) — Senior QB Kadin Chrastina is one of top returning players in the OCC after racking up 2,621 total yards last year. However, the Colts may not have enough other experienced players to make another playoff run. Clear Fork could start as many as six freshmen or sophomores on offense and five on defense. Ninth-grader Thomas Staab (5-9, 150) will be the starting tailback. “We have good speed,” Colts coach Dave Carroll said. “We need to play with discipline and heart.” Playoff odds: Div. IV, Region 12 (*** out of five) MADISON (3-7, 2-5) — The Rams were hit harder by graduation than any team in the league, with 20 seniors leaving after a tough season. That leaves only two returning starters on each side of the ball. Coach Sean Conway has had a winning resume´, though, and believes he has many talented newcomers to pick from and a
5
6
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big, strong line that could help the Rams surprise some people. Senior Austin Finley and junior Dakota Gombosch are battling for the QB spot, while there are plenty of RBs to choose from among seniors Alec Keen (5-8, 150), Juwan Howard (6-0, 155), Frank Douglas (5-8, 165), Kyle Galco (6-0, 190) and Logan Pack (6-0, 205). Promising WRs are sophomore Tyrell Ajian and 6-4 senior Jordan West. Playoff odds: Div. III, Region 8 (** out of five) ORRVILLE (4-6, 1-6) — After opening 2013 with four straight wins, Orrville struggled the rest of the way with six losses to close the season. The Red Riders suffered significant graduation losses and will open 2014 with just 32 combined players in grades 9-12 and only seven seniors. There are some good play-
7
VillageMotors
makers in the likes of QB Luke Smith, RB Keontae Owens and RB Austin Domer. Coach Doug Davault is used to low numbers at Orrville and along with his staff will try to get everything they can out of the small squad. He’s pointing to archrival Wooster as the team to beat. “Wooster’s got to be considered the top dog, if they can run the ball like they did at the end of last season,” Davault said. “They can run as many athletes out there as anybody, and you won’t find a better lineman in the league than Tyson Jackson. So I’d put them on top, I haven’t heard much about Mansfield Senior, if they’ve got the kids out, and you’ve got Ashland. West Holmes, with their offense, they’ll be in the mix and keep games close. Clear Fork is small in numbers, but they’re all players, Madison plays tough, ball-control football ... the OCC is strong, and if we can find a
Go Knights!
way to get three or four OCC wins, we can get in the (postseason) and win there.” Playoff odds: Div. V, Region 16 (** out of five) LEXINGTON (1-9, 0-7) — Taylor Gerhardt is the new head coach of the Minutemen after serving as an assistant the last three years. He has a tough job to do as he takes over a program that won just one game last year and will have many new starters. He’s hoping a ball-control offensive philosophy and veteran defense can give his team a chance to pull out some more victories. Junior Joey Vore will move from WR to QB, while sophomore T.J. Gerhardt is a good two-way player. Playoff odds: Div. III, Region 8 (* out of five) (NOTE: The Mansfield News-Journal contributed to this story.)
8
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Legends of the Fall
F12 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
Northwestern’s tale
Northwestern
Started football in 1963. Made playoffs five times. Play in Wayne County Athletic League. Play at Husky Stadium. Coached by Mike Thut (82-65 entering 15th year leading Northwestern). Assigned by OHSAA to Div. V, Region 16.
Huskies
Dates to remember DATE OPPONENT LAST YEAR Aug. 29 FAIRLESS DNP Sept. 5 BLACK RIVER W, 35-12 Sept. 12 COLUMBIA L, 42-43 Sept. 19 at Dalton* W, 47-12 Sept. 26 SMITHVILLE* W, 35-2 Oct. 3 at Hillsdale* W, 41-7 Oct. 10 at Waynedale* W, 49-18 Oct. 17 RITTMAN* W, 57-0 Oct. 24 at Norwayne* W, 30-0 Oct. 31 CHIPPEWA* W, 28-14 * Wayne County Athletic League game
Thut
Meet the starters Pos. QB RB WR WR WR TE T G C G T K
Name Cameron Taylor Jonah Ours Ryan Sheridan Isaac Sadzewicz Nate Schwartz Derek Koch Billy Smith Logan Ickes Brandon Edgell Josh Burns Will Bell Andrew Orosz
OFFENSE Ht. Wt. 6-2 185 6-0 220 5-10 185 6-3 180 5-11 170 6-8 220 6-0 180 6-0 220 5-11 175 5-10 185 6-2 185 5-9 150
Yr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.
DE NG DE LB LB LB LB LB DB DB DB P
Derek Koch Jared Grassman Logan Ickes Josh Burns Dave Agnes Chris Topovski Ryan Schwartz Kyle Cayse Hunter Edwards Nate Schwartz Ryan Sheridan Cameron Taylor
DEFENSE 6-8 220 6-0 250 6-0 220 5-10 185 5-10 190 5-9 175 5-9 170 5-9 155 5-8 150 5-11 170 5-10 185 6-2 185
So. So. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr.
Bell
Koch
Northwestern plot The Huskies are coming off back-to-back playoff
Andrew Vogel photo/www.buydrphotos.com appearances, led by a 16-member senior class that in
Northwestern legend Travis “Coop” Morris returned to West Salem and posed for a photo outside “Koenig’s Korner,” a popular take-out restaurant and convenience store that serves as a landmark into town. Morris was a little-known sophomore in 2005 before bursting onto the scene and helping the Huskies reach the playoffs for the first time. As they replace nearly all of the starters from last year’s WCAL championship team, (from left) Ryan Sheridan, Josh Burns, Cameron Taylor and Chris Topovski also hope to pull off a surprising breakthrough season.
Huskies’ Morris ‘came out of nowhere’ By ANDREW VOGEL Sports Writer Before Travis “Coop” Morris went on to reel off over 3,700 career rushing yards, the 2008 Northwestern grad was a littleknown sophomore buried on the depth chart. In fact, he only had the chance to start the opener after the player ahead of him on the depth chart was suspended. “He started Game 1 and I didn’t know what to expect,” said Northwestern coach Mike Thut. “You talk about a guy that came out of nowhere, he was the one.” Likewise, the bevy of new starters on this year’s Huskies team will also look to make the most of their opportunity. Linebacker Josh Burns is the only returning starter back on either side of the ball this fall for the Huskies, who last year won the Wayne County Athletic League with a 16-member senior class. This year that means the onus is on players like quarterback-safety Cameron Taylor, wide receiver-safety Ryan Sheridan and running back-linebacker Chris Topovski to jump into the starting lineup and make an immediate impact — just like Morris did. As a sophomore in 2005, Morris led the area in
rushing with 1,776 yards and 17 touchdowns. During that year, he helped the Huskies to the first playoff appearance in school history as Northwestern advanced to the Div. V regional final. As a junior, he ran for 841 yards and as a senior logged 1,092 more, with the Huskies winning the WCAL in both 2006 and 2007. Before his sophomore year, though, the 5-foot7, 170-pounder never had any idea he’d have that type of impact. In fact, he wasn’t even sure he’d come out for the team. “I wasn’t really expecting to play much,” he said. “I almost didn’t play and joined the golf team.” With so many new faces, the Huskies aren’t expected to match the success of the last two years, when the Huskies notched two playoff trips. However, Burns, who was a running back but has switched to the offensive line, feels this year’s core is ready to step in and contribute. “There are some big shoes to fill,” he said. “But they’ve played together for a while so I think they can handle it.” “I think we can surprise a lot of people,” Taylor said. If they need an inspiration for an underdog, they need to look no further than Morris.
Coop Morris file High School highlights: Travis “Coop” Morris was a little-known sophomore prior to the 2005 season, but went on to lead the area in rushing with 1,776 yards and 17 scores, helping the Huskies to the first playoff appearance in school history as they reached the Div. V regional final. In 2006, he ran for 841 yards and in 2007 he rushed for 1,092 yards and 14 scores, as well as making 70 tackles. He was named the WCAL MVP as a senior after helping the Huskies to three straight playoff appearances and WCAL titles in 2006 and 2007. College highlights: Morris opted not to play college football and attended the Ohio State Agrigultural Technical Institute. Favorite football memory: Far and away the greatest moment of Morris’ career was the Huskies’ unlikely playoff run, including the 14-13 victory over Barnesville in the first round on Nov. 4, 2005. “It was the first playoff game in school history and Al Yambor blocked the extra point to win the game,” Morris said. “It was nerve-wracking, but it was awesome as a team to do that.” L i f e t o d a y : Morris lives in Wo o s t e r and works as the assistant superintendent at Beechm o n t C o u n try Club in East Cleveland.
Northwestern roster SENIORS No. Name 4 Ryan Sheridan 10 Andrew Orosz 22 Cameron Taylor 24 Chris Topovski 54 Johnny Workman 58 Donnie Martin 59 Josh Burns 63 Will Bell 68 Spencer Sloan
JUNIORS 7 Nathan Schwartz 8 Logan Malott 14 Isaac Sadzewicz 23 Jonah Ours 28 Kyle Cayse 46 Angel Rivera 51 Brandon Edgell
Pos. WR/DB K QB/DB RB/LB OL/DL OL/LB RB/LB OL/DL OL/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB WR/DB OL/DL
60 Dalton Bloom 61 Travis Feltner 65 Logan Ickes 75 John Secrist 81 Hunter Edwards SOPHOMORES 6 Tristan Ammon 12 Brock Thut 21 Brandon Reed 26 Nick Letterly 30 Keaton Edwards 34 Ryan Schwartz 39 Nick Praisler 50 Kyle Wharton 53 Trevor Thompson 55 Billy Smith 64 David Agnes 72 Isaac Rivera 76 Jared Grassman 82 Derek Koch
OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB
WR/DB QB/LB WR/DB RB/LB WR/LB WR/LB WR/DB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL TE/DL
85 Nate Koch FRESHMEN 25 Adam Tanner 31 Mason Wilhelmy 32 Isaiah Peterson 33 Derek Duvall 36 Nick Hinton 37 Jared Leasure 52 Parker Smith 56 Jared Alberts 57 Robert Stinemetz 62 Chris Orosz 70 Austin Wood 71 Cody Starling 73 Jacob Skelly 74 Matt Pinkley 80 Devin Smith 83 Cody Tegtmeier 88 Garrett Dever 89 TJ Cromer
TE/LB
QB/DB QB/LB RB/DB RB/LB WR/DB RB/LB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB WR/DB WR/DB TE/LB TE/LB
2013 captured the school’s first WCAL title since 2007. However, that leaves large voids up and down the roster this fall, with just one returning starter, LB Josh Burns, back on either side of the ball. Those starting spots will be filled by many players on last year’s JV team, which went 8-0 last year. The Huskies’ success depends on how well the new crop of starters adjust to varsity play.
Words of wisdom “This year there’s a lot more competition,” Thut said. “Last year there were a lot of three-year starters so it was just a matter of fine-tuning things. Now we have to explain exactly what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. We spend more time teaching. It’s a whole different team with a whole different mindset than the year before.”
Main characters As the Huskies try to replace 10 starters on each side of the ball, there aren’t many returners to list off. Burns is the only holdover, back at LB after being a key member of last year’s stingy defense that allowed just 13.5 points per game. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior will be relied on especially as a team leader, as many of the new starters get acclimated to the positions and schemes on defense. On offense, Burns is a converted RB, but will play up front this year due to the team’s need for linemen. “He’s a tough kid,” Thut said. “He made the sacrifice for the team and he’s looked really impressive.” Under center, senior Cameron Taylor will step in for Malachi Nolletti at QB. Taylor has big shoes to fill as Nolletti was a three-year starter who led the Huskies to a pair of playoff appearances. While Taylor isn’t as mobile as his predecessor, Thut said Taylor has demonstrated plenty of arm strength to lead an attack that will likely pass more than it did a year ago. “He just got stuck behind Malachi,” Thut said. “He could’ve started for a lot of teams last year. He did a great job on our JV team and passed for a lot of yards.” WR Ryan Sheridan will likely be Taylor’s top target. One of the Huskies’ other intriguing receiving prospects is 6-foot-8 sophomore TE Derek Koch, who had a standout freshman season in basketball. Chris Topovski and Jonah Ours will get the bulk of the carries as the Huskies replace Tyler Smith, who finished as the area’s all-time leading scorer. Along with Burns, Will Bell should be one of Thut’s top performers on the OL. Even in replacing a talented backfield duo in Nolletti and Smith, right now the Huskies’ biggest question mark is on the line. After possessing one of the biggest units up front last year, the Huskies will now have one of the smallest. “The skill positions are light years ahead of the linemen on both sides of the ball,” Thut said. “It’s hard to coach your offensive linemen in the summer. In our 10 camp days, we went over how to do it, but until you get the pads on, you can’t really block.” Sheridan (DB), Topovski (LB) and Taylor (DB) will go both ways, also playing big roles on defense. Nate Schwartz, Isaac Sadzewicz and Hunter Edwards all provide depth in the secondary.
Keys to a memorable fall There’s no way around it — the Huskies have new starters at virtually every single position. Then again, for Thut, the longest-tenured coach in the area, this isn’t exactly the first time he’s been through the process. The Husky coach was in a similar position six years ago when the Huskies had to start a new era after See Pg. F14 — NORTHWESTERN
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Past Ohio Mr. Football honorees 2013 — Dante Booker, St. Vincent-St. Mary, LB, 6-4, 220, sr. Led the Fighting Irish to their second straight state championship, and became the ninth Ohio Mr. Football to play for Ohio State. He was only the second defensive player to win Mr. Football since 1995 when Andy Katzenmoyer was honored. 2012 — Mitch Trubisky, Mentor, QB, 6-3, 200, sr. Completed 264 of 393 passes (.672) for 4,065 yards and 42 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, ran for 835 yards and 18 TDs on 197 attempts, scoring 108 points for the Cardinals in the regular season and playoffs. Led team to 9-1 record, No. 7 ranking in regular season before several huge games in taking it to the state semifinals. North Carolina. 2011 — Maty Mauk, Kenton, QB, 6-2, 185, sr. Set national career passing records for yards (18,006), attempts (2001), completions (1,287) and touchdowns (209). During regular season led team to a 10-0 record, and also to state championship game. As a senior, completed 274 of 401 passes for 3,744 yards and 48 touchdowns with eight interceptions, plus ran for 1,204 yards. He and 2002 winner Benny Mauk become the first brothers to win the award. Missouri. 2010 — Akise Teague, Youngstown Ursuline, RB, 5-8, 176, sr. Carried 164 times for 1,756 yards (10.7 ypc) and 26 touchdowns for the season. Also
caught 25 passes for 545 yards (21.8 ypc) and five TDs. Returned 10 kicks for 328 yards and one TD, and 13 punts for 283 yards (21.8 ypr). As a DB, intercepted five passes and returned three for TDs while totaling 47 tackles, 3.5 for minus yardage. Accounted for 3,132 allpurpose yards and 35 TDs for state’s No. 1 team in Division V. Accounted for 212 points on 217 touches for the season, averaging 14.4 yards every time he touched the ball. Had 418 all-purpose yards in one game and scored six times. Ran for 112 yards and three TDs on nine carries in last year’s state championship game. University of Cincinnati. 2009 — Erick Howard, North Canton Hoover, RB, 5-11, 205, senior. Carried 337 times for 2,056 yards and 27 touchdowns for the season. In the regular season had 299 carries for 1,957 yards, 26 TDs; 102 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, caused 4 fumbles, 1 interception. Career: 6,013 yards rushing, 79 TDs, 478 points — all Stark County records. Yardage total ended up in the top 20 all-time in the state. Only second twotime Mr. Football (Robert Smith, 1988-89). Serving 30-year sentence for a home-invasion robbery and rape. 2008 — Erick Howard, North Canton Hoover, RB, 5-10, 210, jr. Carried 285 times for 1,795 yards and 25 touchdowns for No. 8 team in final AP rankings. Also had 2,322 all-purpose yards and
totaled 28 touchdowns. Led team to state semifinals for first time in more than 20 years, totaling 2,387 rushing yards and 32 TDs. 2007 — Bart Tanski, Mentor, QB, 6-2, 190, sr. Led Cardinals to second consecutive Division I state championship game. Completed 161-of-273 passes for 2,385 yards and 20 TDs with 4 interceptions during regular season. Also ran for 8 TDs. Walked on at Bowling Green. 2006 — Brandon Saine, Piqua, RB, 6-1, 219, sr. Heading into state championship game, has 281 carries for 2,035 yards and 30 TDs; 19 receptions for 345 yards and five TDs; 400 in return yards and one TD. A two-time defending state champion in the Division I 100 and 400 meters, state record holder in the 100 at 10.31 seconds. Ohio State. 2005 — Delone Carter, Copley, RB, 5-10, 200, sr. Rushed for 2,788 yards on 302 carries (9.2 average) with 49 total touchdowns (47 rushing, two receiving) in 12 games (10 regular season, two playoffs). In 2004, carried 324 times for 2,556 yards and 28 touchdowns in 13 games (three in playoffs). Spent first two seasons at Akron Hoban as backup to 2004 Mr. Football Tyrell Sutton. Syracuse. 2004 — Tyrell Sutton, Akron Hoban, RB, 5-10, 194, sr. 2004: 354 carries for 3,232 yards (9.1 average), 38 total TDs, 36 rushing, one receiving, one kickoff return, 228
points. Career: 117 TDs, 112 rushing, 1,090 carries for state-record 9,426 yards; 455 receiving yards; 1,038 return yards; staterecord 10,919 all-purpose yards. Rushed for 100 or more yards in final 38 games. Northwestern. 2003 — Raymond Williams, Cleveland Benedictine, RB, 5-11, 185, sr. Averaged 8.1 yards per carry, totaling 2,099 for regular season along with 27 TDs for state’s No. 1-ranked team in Division III. Totaled more than 6,000 career yards. After Benedictine won a state championship, he was arrested for his role in the death of a teammate and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Williams was put on probation; a three-year prison sentence and a $100,000 fine were suspended. West Virginia rescinded a scholarship offer after his arrest. 2002 — Benny Mauk, Kenton, QB, 6-2, 200, sr. Completed 434-of668 passes (64 percent) for 6,528 yards and 76 touchdowns; rushed for 1,385 yards and 18 touchdowns; set national career records for yards passing (17,523) and touchdowns (178); Led Kenton to Division IV title in 2001. Transferred from Wake Forest to Cincinnati, where he led Bearcats to bowl game. 2001 — Maurice Clarett, Warren Harding, RB, 6-0, 230 pounds, sr. Carried 139 times for 1,369 yards and 22 touchdowns in the regular season; also had 14 catches for 253
yards and three touchdowns, returned four punts for touchdowns and had another on a kickoff return. Led Ohio State to national championship as a freshman in 2002, then was suspended for lying to NCAA and university investigators looking into improper benefits. Sued NFL for early entry but lost in court. Serving jail time after pleading guilty to having a hidden gun in his sport utility vehicle and holding up two people outside a bar in a separate case. 2000 — Jeff Backes, Upper Arlington, RB-DB, 5-10, 180 pounds, sr. Set state record for rushing yards in a season with 3,353, including the Golden Bears’ run to the state title; scored 44 touchdowns on 354 carries, averaging 224 yards a game; also a standout at safety. Northwestern. 1999 — Brandon “Bam” Childress, Bedford Chanel, DB-WR-KR, 5-10, 175 pounds, sr. Only seven passes thrown his way in 14 games; one was completed for a 3-yard gain, he intercepted two, returning one for a touchdown, batted down two and two were overthrown; 41 receptions for 754 yards and 11 touchdowns; more than 700 yards on punt returns and 600 yards on kickoff returns. Ohio State. NFL. 1998 — Ryan Brewer, Troy, RB, 5-10, 205, sr.: 315 carries for then-staterecord 2,856 yards and 40 touchdowns; 14 straight games over 200 yards rushing; more than 7,700
career yards; punted for 44-yard average; kicked four field goals of 30 or more yards; two interceptions as defensive back. South Carolina. 1997 — Antoine “Tony” Fisher, Euclid, RB, 6-1, 203, sr.: 186 carries for 2,130 yards and 40 touchdowns, breaking Robert Smith’s school records for season scoring and yardage. Notre Dame. NFL. 1996 — Derek Combs, Grove City, RB-CB-KR, 6-1, 185, sr. Rushed for 2,042 yards on 214 carries (9.5 yards per carry) and scored 24 touchdowns; also caught 20 passes for 400 yards. Ohio State. NFL. 1995 — Andy Katzenmoyer, Westerville South, LB-RB, 6-4, 235, sr.: 53 solo tackles, 35 assists, 16 for minus yardage, 8 sacks, 6 caused bad pass, 8 passes broken up, 6 fumbles caused; also rushed for 250 yards as blocking back on offense. Ohio State. NFL. Retired due to injury. 1994 — Charles Woodson, Fremont Ross, RB-DB, 6-1, 190, sr.: 218 carries, 2,028 yards and 38 touchdowns; 2,596 allpurpose yards and 230 points. Michigan. Won Heisman Trophy. NFL. 1993 — Curtis Enis, Union City Mississinawa Valley, RB-LB, 6-3, 232, sr.: 256 carries for thenstate-record 2,764 yards (10.8 yards per attempt) and 37 touchdowns rushing; games of 440 yards and seven touchdowns, 371 yards and four touchdowns and 343 yards and four touchdowns. Penn
State. NFL. Retired. 1992 — Marc Edwards, Norwood, RB-LB, 6-2, 220, sr.: 234 carries for 1,721 yards and 26 touchdowns; 2,114 all-purpose yards; 113 tackles on defense. Notre Dame. NFL. Retired. 1991 — Derek Kidwell, Fostoria, QB-DE, 6-4, 225, sr.: 85-for-144 for 1,526 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions passing; rushed for 379 yards on 60 carries and five touchdowns; had 21 solos, 23 assists, two sacks and four fumbles recovered as defensive end. Bowling Green. Successful high school coach. 1990 — Bob Hoying, St. Henry, QB, 6-5, 210, sr.: 105-for-180 (58 percent), 1,736 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions passing; rushed for 201 yards on 39 carries with four touchdowns; as free safety intercepted seven passes. Ohio State. NFL. Retired. 1989 — Robert Smith, Euclid, RB, 6-2, 195, sr.: 203 carries for 2,042 yards and 31 touchdowns; career 548 carries for 5,038 yards, 67 touchdowns. Ohio State. NFL. Now a TV college football analyst. 1988 — Robert Smith, Euclid, RB, 6-2, 185, jr.: 177 carries for 1,564 yards (8.8 yards per carry); averaged 31 yards on 10 punt returns. 1987 — Buster Howe, Zanesville, WB, 5-11, 182, sr. All-purpose singlewing back, scored 25 points a game; also played defensive back, kicked. Ohio State.
F14 — Thursday, August 28, 2014
Chippewa kids along and we’ll do well finding people to fill their “We will be a strong 4-3 roles.” team, but can shift to a 4-4 rather easily if we need Keys to a to. We gave up 18 (points) per game last season and I memorable fall Chippewa seems to have would like to improve that.” The Harrell brothers, Trent enough size, athleticism and (OT) and Marty (DE) are overall talent to be among expected to give the Chipps the favorites in the WCAL. strong minutes, while fel- How will they handle that low returing letterwinners tag? Avoiding an off night, Travis Moore (OG), Zack like its overtime loss to TusZollinger (RB-LB), Devin law last season — one of Hawkins (OT), Calvin Hol- just two wins for the Musbert (S), Doug Price (LB) tangs — will be key for the and Lance Zierau (DE) give Chipps’ momentum. And a the Chipps varsity experi- mid-season stretch against many of the other WCAL ence and depth. “Guys like Stoney (Epling), favorites will be important. who had 16 (receiving) TDs Breitenstine only threw six and was a great safety and interceptions a year ago, punter, Josh Miller and Luke while Chippewa as a team Willig at linebacker, and returned five picks for TDs Bo Whetsell (1,142 yards itself. The Chipps were also rushing) will certainly be relatively slow starters a seamissed,” Bohley said. “There son ago, outscoring oppoare some holes we need to nents just 80-50 in the first figure out and fill, but I think quarter. — Zach Bolinger we’ve brought the younger (From Page F1)
Legends of the Fall
Northwestern (From Page F12) three consecutive playoff trips in 200507. “You have different skills for your kids and different levels from where you have to start from to get ready,” he said. “I love the challenge of it.” Well, given that the Huskies had so many new faces in preseason that they may as well have worn nametags, he can relish the work cut out for him this fall. The silver lining is that his starters know how to win — the JV went undefeated last year. Then again,
there’s quite a difference playing on Friday nights compared to Saturday mornings. With a smaller and more inexperienced unit up front, look for the Huskies to go to the air more than the last two years, when they utilized a run-heavy attack. Expectations are certainly much different than they were a year ago, but Thut, as well as his firstyear starters, seem eager for the challenge. The challenge starts Friday, when the Huskies host Fairless. — Andrew Vogel
THE DAILY RECORD, Wooster, Ohio
West Holmes (From Page F10) really green. Those kids will have to grow up very quick.” Logan Gallion is another Knights weapon as one of the area’s best kickers.
Keys to a memorable fall An upgrade to the schedule adds New Philadelphia in place of River View, sandwiched between traditional rivals Triway and Coshocton, and then OCC action kicks off. “I really like our schedule, there are really no weeks off,” Maltarich said. “The league is a big question. I think Wooster easily has the most athletes of anyone in the league. They can throw the ball, they can run the ball, they’ll have
some great athletes on defense. I think they’re the leaders this year. You can never count out Ashland and I think this is the class Madison has been waiting on. Clear Fork has numbers problems but they have a lot coming back. Senior’s always talented, and Orrville’s Orrville. Even Lexington, I heard they’ll be better. It’s like the SEC, it will be a gauntlet. “What I told my kids, we’ll be as good as we want to be,” Maltarich added. “If we want to be a great football team, we can be. It’s all about that thing between their ears. If they work hard and hustle and really get into this thing, the sky’s the limit. If we have mental breakdowns, we could go the opposite direction.” — Mike Plant
Hillsdale able names,” Williams said. “We expect to be have another sizable solid on that side of the group this year, with ball.” three returning starters in seniors Walker Sum- Keys to a merfield (6-0, 240), Skyler Ward (6-3, 255) and memorable fall Chaim Nethero (6-3, 230). After being in contenJunior Joey Nebergall tion for the WCAL crown (6-3, 265) and sophomore for a number of years, Ryan Markley (6-0, 220) the Falcons are almost a join them to give them a preseason afterthought starting five that averag- thanks to last year’s 4-6 es over 240 pounds from ledger. However, in a year when there’s not as much tackle to tackle. “For us offensively, we of a clear-cut league favorwant to establish the run,” ite, the Falcons have as Williams said, “so it’s good a shot as anyone to important for our linemen capture their third WCAL to do a good job up front. crown in league history. It sets up everything we “If we’re able to stay healthy and a couple of do.” On the other side of things go our way,” Wilthe ball, the Falcons will liams said, “we can be as have to replace 6-7 DE good as we’ve been. On Ryan Bee, who set the any given Friday night, we school record for sacks in should be able to match a season (15) and career up with anyone on our (32). However, nine other schedule.” starters return. DB Doug With a healthy Mager Cline, also a returning running behind one of the starter at receiver, led the biggest lines in the WCAL, team in interceptions (6) the Falcons should get and was a second-team back to their trademark running All-Ohioan. Ben Rogers smashmouth and Eric Pickering should attack and, with nine be a solid tandem at DE, starters back on defense, while Summerfield and that unit shouldn’t be too Ward give them big bod- shabby either. The Falies on the interior. Mager cons should be a healthy will also play linebacker. pick as one of the area’s “We have a lot of guys bounceback teams. — Andrew Vogel there that are recogniz(From Page F5)
’Birds (From Page F8) potential to develop in to one of the best we’ve had in my tenure.” Loudonville returns 16 starters from last season, but Todd says the Redbirds may be a little different team from the one fans saw in 2013. “We will put a major emphasis on throwing the ball this season, in an effort to distribute the ball to what we feel are a group of very dynamic athletes” he said.
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The Redbirds return a very talented group led by third-team all-Ohio QB Kolton Edmonson. Edmonson set a school-record for rushing yards last fall, while throwing for over 1,000 more. “Last season we relied heavily on the running game with Kolton and Ryan Weber,” Todd said. “While we feel our offensive line will be a great strength in time, we want to limit the hits Kolton takes, at least early on.” Also returning offensively are receivers Tristan and Tucker Bender, TE Joey Artrip, RBs Lane Harper and Josh Weber, and linemen Blake Cary, Kyle Graham, and Bryce Skok. Jordan Wright, Austin VanSickle, Luke Scarberry, and Garrett Quickle also are expected to be key players in the Redbird attack this season. “Health is always going to be a factor, but the plan is to stretch the defense laterally and vertically, all the while trying to maintain the inside running threat of Kolton,” Todd said. “Defensively, we are going to a stack, which we toyed with at times last season with success, to take advantage of our overall team speed. “We are hoping to employ that defense full time this year in an effort to defend all areas of the field as offenses to continue to evolve.”
Words of wisdom “The MBC has only three teams playing football, so we are basically an independent this year,” Todd said. “Danville always has an excellent program, and Lucas will be much improved. We are also playing a very demanding schedule overall, adding Bishop Ready and Gilmour Academy.” The Redbirds also play Sparta Highland, Crestview, Hillsdale, and Logan, all traditionally strong programs.
Keys to a memorable fall If Loudonville stay healthy, an even deeper run in to the postseason looks likely for the Redbirds in 2014. Edmonson leads an arsenal of weapons that are as talented as any in the area. But as talented as the Redbirds are, depth, and a demanding schedule are areas of concern for Todd. “Like a lot teams, overall depth will play will be a key factor for us, along with our schedule. We finish with four straight road games (Ready, Danville, Gilmour, and Shelby), too, which will be a challenge in its own right.”