TDN Fall Sports 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS 2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW EDITION

Dawn of a New Era Brewer takes over as Troy’s coach

COVER PHOTO BY ANTHONY WEBER AUGUST 23, 2012

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TROY

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

Dawn of a new era Brewer takes over at Troy

BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com

For the first time in decades, the Troy Trojans will take the field under the guidance of a coach that isn’t Steve Nolan. The coach of the Trojans for 28 years, Nolan retired in the offseason, and first-year coach Scot Brewer will take the reins this season.

Edition Editor Josh Brown Contributing Writers David Fong Josh Brown Colin Foster Rob Kiser Ben Robinson Photographers Anthony Weber Lee Woolery Jim Houser Ben Robinson Don Selanders Kyle Shaner Expression Studios Lifetouch, Inc. Mike Ullery Eric Castle

INSIDE Scot Brewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Troy Offense . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Troy Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Troy Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Piqua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Ohio State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Big Ten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Tippecanoe . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Miami East . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Milton-Union . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Covington . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Bethel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Bradford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Lehman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 2011 Year in Review . . . . . .16

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Troy High School football coach Scot Brewer works with the Trojans’ linebackers during a summer drill. ented. And that’s what makes him a great coach.

He’s not in it for himself.

He’s in it for the kids. He wants to put the kids in a position to succeed.”

STAFF FILE PHOTO

Scot Brewer (44), shown here during his playing days at Troy High School, will take over as the Trojans’ head coach this year. one of the most feared defenses in the Greater Western Ohio Conference.

This year, Scot Brewer takes over as head coach at his alma mater, inheriting a program as rich in football tradition as just about any other school in the state.

The Early Years Despite growing up in a football household — Brewer’s father played collegiately at the University of Memphis, while his mother Clarice fondly remembers living room football games between her two young sons wearing plastic football helmets and proclaiming themselves to be “Larry Czonka” and “Bob Griese” — family life did not begin and end on the gridiron for the Brewer brothers.

Far from it, actually.

Both sons were encouraged to play other sports — Scot excelled at both football and baseball for the Trojans, while Ryan was a nationally-ranked youth soccer player before giving up the sport in high school to focus on football.

“I was never really pushed to play football as a kid,” Brewer said. “I liked playing baseball, I liked skateboarding, I liked pole vaulting — I never really wanted to play football all that bad.

Then I started playing in the fifth grade and from there on out, it was all over. Once I got a taste of it, all I wanted to do was play football.”

Not only did he play football — he played it well. From the time he started playing youth football in Texas, through his

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Birth of a Coach In October of 1993, Brewer played his final high school football game.

After three years, he finally topped the elusive 1,000-yard mark as the Trojans rolled to a 42-13 victory over West Carrollton. Brewer figured that was the end of his association with Troy football.

As things turned out, it was only the beginning.

“When I graduated high school, I wanted to make a lot of money,” Brewer said. “I went to Wittenberg (University) to get a job that would allow me to make a lot of money.

When I left high school, Steve told me I should go into education. I thought he was nuts. I told him once I was out of high school, I was never coming back.”

Brewer spent two years at Wittenburg. He went there to play football for the Tigers, a Division III powerhouse, but found himself largely buried on the depth chart. In 1996, he returned home and began working at the sporting goods store, Total Team Sports.

While there, he found the clarion call of Troy football too strong to resist. By this time, his brother was a sophomore on a team that went 10-0, finished atop the final Associated Press regular season poll and was, at one point in time, nationally ranked by USA Today. While still working full time at Total Team Sports, Brewer began volunteering his time with the Troy High School football program.

“I was working at Total Team Sports, but I couldn’t wait to run over (to the stadium) with (former assistant coach) Jack (Hollon) and break down film,” he said. “I was getting up at 2 or 3 in the morning so I could get all my work done there and get over here and watch film with Jack, having him break down every single play. I was killing myself so I could coach

regional semifinals, with Piqua gaining vengeance in a 20-7 victory. It remains the only time in more than a century of playing football the two teams ever have met in a playoff game.

In 1993, it was again a packed house as Piqua defeated Troy 16-15 on the final play of the game in one of the most controversial meetings between the two schools.

In a three-game series loaded with high school superstars, future college players and household names, Brewer was largely overlooked by the casual fan. Brewer rushed for 1,000 yards his senior season, but during the course of his high school career, he largely shared carries with Deon Metz, Chad Dillow, Brad Clay and Winfred Stafford — all of whom also were 1,000yard rushers.

“If he had been around at another time, he would have been the featured back,” Nolan said. “There’s no doubt in my mind he could have been a threetime 1,000-yard rusher.”

Brewer, however, never sought the limelight, gladly clearing the way for his backfield mates with bone-crunching blocks.

The way Nolan sees it, that selflessness was a harbinger of what was to come from Brewer.

“He was always a very intense player,” Nolan said. “He’s the best blocking halfback I ever had. If you were to make a training tape on blocking, he’s the one you’d use — he would blow people up. He was very unselfish. He was always very team-ori- • See BREWER on Page C5

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junior high years in Columbus and all the way up until his sophomore year at Troy, Brewer’s teams did not lose a single game.

All of which made him a pretty hot commodity when the Brewers moved to Troy the summer before his freshman year in high school.

“I was living at a Holiday Inn and (assistant) Coach (Tom) Karns would come and pick me up there and take me to practice,” Brewer said.

Brewer arrived in Troy right around the same time the program was set to explode under former coach Steve Nolan. The freshman team on which Brewer played in 1990 went undefeated. Brewer worked his way into the varsity lineup as a sophomore on a team that went 8-2. All those first two years did, however, was set the stage for a junior year that saw many football fans in Miami County change the way they look at Troy football, specifically the Troy-Piqua rivalry.

In the fall of 1992, both the Trojans and Indians entered their Week 5 matchup undefeated and ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press Division I polls. Both communities nearly collapsed under the intense pressure and sheer electricity of the game, as nearly 15,000 people shoehorned their way into Troy Memorial Stadium to watch Troy defeat its bitter rival 22-7 in the 107th meeting between the two teams.

Six weeks later, Piqua and Troy squared off again in the Division I

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After months of research — and countless conversations with coaches, teachers, administrators and even co-workers who had a seemingly endless variety of opinions — the Brewer family had narrowed its decision down to three choices: Sidney, Piqua and Troy.

What would follow would be one of the monumental real estate decisions in Southwest Ohio high school football history.

In the summer of 1990, Gary Brewer’s job with Alcoa Inc. was about to take him and his family — including his two young sons, Scot and Ryan — from the suburbs of Columbus to Sidney. All that was left was picking which nearby community in which the Brewers would reside.

While it certainly wasn’t the only deciding factor involved, Scot and Ryan’s football futures would play a key role in the move. Sidney High School had just been to the Division I state playoffs the year before. Piqua High School was on the cusp of a run that would see the Indians make the playoffs five years in a row. Troy, meanwhile, also had just made a trip to the playoffs the year prior.

“My dad got the job in Sidney and we were going to live in either Troy, Piqua or Sidney,” Scot Brewer said. “If you remember, all three had great communities and all three were doing pretty well in football at that time. It was a tough choice.”

The Brewers would eventually settle on Troy — forever changing the football landscape of three schools.

At Sidney, the Yellowjackets have yet to again reach the heights they did in 1989, the last year they qualified for the playoffs. Sidney hasn’t won a game since the final contest of the 2009 season.

Piqua would recover nicely, making numerous playoff appearances, including winning a state championship in 2006 — however, there was a fouryear stretch from 1995-98 in which Piqua did not defeat Troy in Ohio’s most prolific rivalry.

It was during that fouryear run in the mid-1990s that Ryan Brewer became a record-setting running back for the Trojans. Not only did the younger Brewer lead the Trojans to a 38-6 record during that time, he set school and state rushing records that still have not been broken, was named Mr. Football Ohio in 1998 and became a Troy football icon.

Ryan Brewer was only part of a package deal for the Troy football program, however. The Trojans would also get Scot Brewer — who was a 1,000-yard rusher and a football player of note in his own right — who, after graduating from Troy High School in 1994, would return to his adopted hometown in 2005 as Troy’s defensive coordinator and promptly build

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

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The 2012 Troy Trojans football team.

Running from the past Troy’s offense will still grind it on the ground

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Fred Whitson returns at tailback for the Trojans this season. line at right tackle. At tight end will be junior Seth Overla (6-3, 215 pounds), senior Trevior Adams (6-2, 195 pounds) and senior Ian Nadolny (62, 195 pounds).

“Our offensive line has played great in scrimmages,” Brewer said. “Our protection was great.

Kostecka has settled in at tackle and Dalton is an animal. Having Emerick and Willis back really helps and Eidemiller is solid as always in the middle. If we don’t have anyone get injured, we’ll be fine.”

If someone does get hurt, however, Troy will have to turn to its back-up offensive lineman.

Lineman. Singular.

Coming out of summer camp, Overla — who started at right tackle last year — is the only one who has proven himself as the back-up at all five offensive line positions. If one starter goes down, Overla goes in. If two starters go down, the Trojans will be left scrambling.

“Depth, obviously, is a huge concern for us,” Brewer said.

Of concern, too, is finding replacements for the record-setting duo of quar-

terback Cody May and receiver Ian Dunaway.

May became just the second quarterback in school history to throw for 1,000 or more yards in consecutive seasons, while Dunaway graduated as the third-leading receiver in school history.

Stepping in at quarterback for the Trojans will be Matt Barr, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound junior. He’ll be backed up by junior Joe Benson (6-0, 175-pounds).

“His footwork has gotten so much better since last year,” Brewer said of Barr. “We’ve seen this kid develop and now he’s going to settle in for us. We think he’ll develop into a force for us.”

At the wide receiver slot for the Trojans will be senior Kurtis Johnson (6-1, 180 pounds) and junior Gregory Johnson (6-0, 170 pounds). Lining up in the slot will be seniors Blake Williams (5-9, 170 pounds), Devin Blakely (510, 165 pounds) and Devante Bush (5-9, 160 pounds).

“We’ve got the scheme, it’s just a matter of getting everyone up to speed,” STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER Brewer said. “We’re just lacking experience. It’s all Junior Matt Barr will take over at quarterback for the Trojans this season. new faces out there.”

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All the Troy football fans hoping to see objects filling the skies overhead with the departure of longtime Trojan coach Steve Nolan and his turf-churning wing-T offense probably already missed their chance when the Dayton International Air Show came to town this summer.

Troy may have a new coach and a new offensive formation — but the philosophy will remain very much the same.

“We’re going to run the ball,” said new Troy football coach Scot Brewer, who takes over for Nolan after 28 years of recordsetting running backs and eye-popping rushing statistics. “We’re going to be a power-I, ISO team. We’re going to get downhill, we’re going to run North and South and we want to get after people. Then we’ll take our shots with play action when they line up to stop the run. But we’re still going to be a ground and pound team.”

While Troy will line up primarily in a power-I formation, don’t expect Nolan’s beloved wing-T to go away completely.

“You can call it whatever you want, but everything we do still has roots in the wing-T,” Brewer said. “We’ll still run a lot of the same jet formations, a lot of the same sweeps.

It’s not like we’re going to try to reinvent the wheel around here. We’re going to stick to what we know.”

Of course, it may not really matter what offensive formation the Trojans run if Brewer doesn’t find the proper personnel to run it — and quick. The Trojans lost seven starters off last year’s team — which made back-to-back playoff runs — and moved two of last year’s starters to new positions, meaning Troy has exactly two starters returning to the same positions — right tackle Alex Dalton and center Austin Eidemiller.

Step one is finding new running backs to fill the

backfield. Gone are halfbacks Marcus Foster and Isaiah Williams — both three-year starters — and fullback Zach Jones, a twoyear starter.

Troy will have three options at tailback this season — the Whitson brothers, Fred and Tre, and speedster Miles Hibbler. Brewer is hoping this will be the year Fred Whitson, a 5-foot-10, 180pound senior, lives up to his considerable promise.

He was seeing significant carries his junior season before leaving the team after the third game of the season. Likewise, Hibbler — a 5-10, 190-pound junior with 4.3-speed — was seeing playing time early in the season last year before missing the second half of the season with a case of mononucleosis. The third option is Tre Whitson, a 5-11, 170pound sophomore who may have the smoothest running style of the three.

“We’ve got some studs at running back,” Brewer said.

Clearing the way for those three will be senior Cody Zeller (5-10, 200 pounds), who started at guard last season for the Trojans. Brewer said he brings an offensive lineman’s mentality to the backfield.

Of course, Brewer knows having a fleet of running backs will be largely meaningless if he can’t find an offensive line to open holes for them.

He’s certainly confident in Troy’s starting offensive linemen — but knows he’s an injury or two along the offensive line away from disaster.

Dalton (6-3, 265 pounds) is a junior who started every game for the Trojans last season and already is getting looks from a number of Division I colleges. At left guard will be senior Beau Emerick (6-0, 240 pounds), while Eidemiller (5-10, 260 pounds) returns at center.

At right guard will be senior Zach Willis (5-11, 248 pounds), while junior Andrew Kostecka (6-3, 225 pounds) rounds out the

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TROY DEFENSE

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

Looking for the right pieces Troy has the scheme, needs to find personnel

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Three-year starter Ian Nadolny (left) returns at outside linebacker for Troy. don’t like him very much because he comes up and hits them on every play.”

Backing up Schlosser and McCloy at inside linebacker will be senior Cody Zeller (5-10, 200 pounds) and sophomores Brandon Lee (5-9, 160 pounds) and Anthony Shoop (5-7, 180 pounds).

At outside linebacker, senior Ian Nadolny (6-2, 195 pounds), a three-year starter, returns. He’ll be backed up by sophomore Tristan Wright (5-10, 150 pounds). The other outside linebacker position will be manned by either junior Alex Magoteaux (61, 163 pounds), who makes the move from safety to linebacker, or junior Joe Benson (6-foot, 175 pounds). Those two were neck-and-neck coming out of summer drills.

As the only returning linebacker from last year’s team, Brewer said Nadolny is the unquestioned leader of that unit.

“He’s such a smart kid,” Brewer said. “He’s always in position to make plays. He’s a great leader and a great kid.”

With so many personnel losses up front, there is plenty of returning talent in the defensive backfield, even with the loss of

Ht. Wt.

MARCO ANVERSE 5-11 FRED WHITSON 5-10 ALEX MAGOTEAUX 6-1 NICK ZIMMER 6-1 TRE WHITSON 5-1 DEVIN BLAKELY 5-10 T.J. MICHAEL 6-0 COLLIN MOELLER 6-1 MATT BARR 6-3 DEVANTE BUSH 5-9 TODD NORRIS 6-1 ROHSAUN WESSON 5-10 JOSH RILEY 5-11 BRYANT BURTON 5-9 BILLY SMITH 6-0 GREGORY JOHNSON 6-0 SETH PERDZIOLA 6-0 JOE BENSON 6-0 TAREN KINNEL 5-9 BLAKE WILLIAMS 5-9 ANTHONY SHOOP 5-7 JOSH DETRICK 5-11 MILES HIBBLER 5-10 DANIEL PERKINS 6-0 LOGAN SCHLOSSER 5-6 ZACH THOMPSON 5-10 ANTHONY MCCLOY 5-10 NIK SCHULTZ 5-11 JUSTICE REES 5-11 BRANDON LEE 5-9 CAM KAUFLIN 5-9 CODY ZELLER 5-10 MIKE ZWEIDINGER 5-10 SHANE ZWIERZCHOWSKI5-9 IAN NADOLNY 6-2 TRISTAN WRIGHT 5-10 JASON MYERS 6-0 TREVIOR ADAMS 6-2 MICHAEL ROTH 5-9 DAVID SLIFE 6-3 NICK COTTOM 6-0 MATT ROETTER 6-0 DEVIN BURNS 5-9 DREW BURGHARDT 5-9 TAYLOR BRUNER 5-9 AUSTIN EIDEMILLER 5-10 BRIAN BURNS 5-11 ERIC WHITTEN 5-9 ANDREW KOSTECKA 6-3 BEAU EMERICK 6-0 SETH OVERLA 6-3 PHILLIP CENTLIVER 5-10 TYLER WELCH 5-10 DEAN BAKER 5-10 HAYDEN WILLIS 5-11 ALEX DALTON 6-3 ZACH WILLIS 5-11 DILLON CHARLES 6-4 ANDRE BAUMAN 5-7 KURTIS JOHNSON 6-1 MIKE MCDADE 5-6 CHAD BAKER 5-11

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Pos. Yr. RB/DL RB/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB SE/DB QB/DB QB/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/LB TE/LB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB SE/DB QB/LB WR/DB RB/DB RB/LB RB/LB RB/LB SE/DB RB/LB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB WR/DB RB/LB FB/DL RB/LB TE/LB WR/DB TE/LB WR/LB TE/LB TE/LB WR/DB WR/DB OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/LB

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Foster. At one cornerback spot will be senior Seth Perdziola (6-foot, 193 pounds). Perdziola, a threeyear starter, has seen time at every position in Troy’s defensive backfield.

At the other cornerback spot will be senior Devin Blakely (5-10, 165 pounds), who started at corner last season for the Trojans. Backing up Perdziola and Blakely at the corners will be senior Blake Williams (5-9, 170 pounds) and junior Todd Norris (6-0, 170 pounds).

At free safety will be sophomore Tre Whitson (5-11, 170 pounds), who will be backed up by senior Devante Bush (5-9, 160).

At strong safety will be senior Nick Zimmer (6-1, 195 pounds), who started at outside linebacker for the Trojans last season.

Senior Fred Whitson (510, 180 pounds) will back him up.

“Our defensive backs are the strength of our defense right now,” Brewer said.

Troy’s special teams will be handled by sophomore Zach Thompson (510, 165), who will serve as STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER the Trojans’ kicker and Logan Schlosser (left) makes a special teams tackle against Piqua last season. punter. He was Troy’s kicker last season.

Schlosser will start at inside linebacker for the Trojans this season.

2012 TROY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date H/A Opponent Time Aug. 24 H Chaminade Julienne7:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 A Spr. Shawnee 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 7 H Xenia 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14 H Springfield 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 A Miamisburg 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 H Sidney* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 A Butler* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 H Trotwood-Madison* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 A Greenville* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 26 A Piqua* 7:30 p.m. * denotes GWOC North game

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Even the greatest of architects needs the proper building materials.

So while new Troy football coach Scot Brewer is confident in the defensive scheme he helped build in his six years as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, he knows it won’t matter much unless he finds a way to replace seven starters off a squad that gave up just 15.0 points per game (tops in the 18-team Greater Western Ohio Conference) and 257.3 yards per game (second in the GWOC).

“We feel good about our defense because we know our scheme works,” Brewer said. “It’s a proven scheme.”

The rebuilding project for the Trojans will begin right down the middle of the defense, which was gutted by graduation.

Through the center of the defense, the Trojans lost a nose tackle, two inside linebackers and a safety — a quartet of three-year starters, three of whom are going on to play college football.

Gone at nose tackle is Alec Sears, who will be playing this fall at Mercyhurt College. Gone at inside linebacker are Chris Blair and Zach Butcher, who led the Trojans in tackles each of the last two seasons. Blair will play his college football at Ohio Dominican.

Gone at safety is Marcus Foster, an All-Ohio performer who will play at the University of Cincinnati this fall.

“We’ve got a lot of kids to replace, obviously,” Brewer said.

Stepping in to fill Sears’ shoes will be senior Nick Cottom (6-foot, 260 pounds), who did see significant playing time last season in a reserve role.

He’ll be backed up by senior Beau Emerick (6-foot, 240 pounds). Flanking Cottom at the defensive end positions will be Marco Anverse (5-11, 206 pounds), a sophomore who tore up the summer combine scene with speed and strength not typically seen from a high school sophomore) and junior Seth Overla (6-3, 215 pounds), who not only will be expected to play defense for the Trojans, but will back up every position on Troy’s offensive line.

Backing up Anverse and Overla at the defensive ends will be junior Alex Dalton (6-3, 265) and senior Trevior Adams (62, 195).

“Cottom will be fine at the nose because he doesn’t take a play off,” Brewer said. “Anverse is coming along — sometimes he still plays like a linebacker and wants to shoot the gaps, but he’s got all the physical tools.

And Overla is just a strong technician. He does everything right.”

Stepping in for Blair and Butcher at the inside linebacker positions will be seniors Logan Schlosser (5-6, 170) and Anthony McCloy (5-10, 170). While neither have the size of their predecessors — both Blair and Butcher topped the 200pound mark — Brewer said he expects Schlosser and McCloy to make up for the lack of size with sheer tenacity.

“There’s no doubt Logan Schlosser can bring it — he’s like Mighty Mouse,” Brewer said. “In our Reynoldsburg scrimmage, they got a personal foul because they punched him in the head because he was in their face on every play. People

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TROY

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

Thursday, August 23, 2012

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Plenty of questions surround Troy

BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com For the better part of three decades, the Troy football team churned on, relatively unchanged from one season to the next.

With Steve Nolan at the helm of the Trojans for 28 years, there were certain things you could set your watch to just as assuredly as the buzzards returning to Hinckley and the swallows returning to Capistrano — namely, record setting running backs, plenty of victories and that ever-present mustache.

All that has changed.

Welcome to Troy football 2012, where it seems just about everything is new — new coach, new offense, no mustache.

About the only things that haven’t changed, really, are the winning expectations.

With so much being new, there are plenty of questions that need answered. Heading into the 2012 season, here are the most burning questions surrounding the Troy High School football team: Q: How big of a concern is the depth along Troy’s offensive line?

A: Despite suffering major losses at quarterback, receiver, running back and inside linebacker, the most pressing concern facing the Trojans this year is depth along the offensive line.

And whatever concern No. 2 is, it isn’t even close to No. 1.

“Our depth on the offensive line is a huge concern for us,” new Troy coach Scot Brewer said. “Our starting five is solid — we feel good about that. But after that, we basically have one back-up who has to know how to play every position. I’ve already told Seth Overla he’s not coming out on defense and he’s going to have to know

every position on the offensive line.”

Troy’s starters on the offensive line — tackles Alex Dalton and Andrew Kostecka, guards Zach Willis and Beau Emerick and center Austin Eidemiller — are solid.

Dalton is a Division I college prospect, while Eidemiller is a returning starter from last season.

Brewer said Overla — who started at tackle last season, but will focus on defensive end and tight end this season — is his only proven back-up.

Part of that speaks to Troy’s serious depth issues along the offensive line; part of that speaks to Overla’s skill and versatility. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Overla comes by his football prowess honestly. His father Bill, Troy High School’s new principal, was a standout at Northmont High School.

“His dad was a heck of a football player,” Brewer said. “And Seth has some physical attributes that his dad didn’t have. He’s got some length that his dad doesn’t.”

Q: What’s the most impressive play Austin Eidemiller will make all season?

A: Chances are, he’s already made it.

Last season, Eidemiller wore No. 56. That also was the number worn by 2007 Troy High School graduate Jeffrey Rice. Rice, a private first class in the United States Army, was killed this summer while serving in Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. To honor Rice, the Troy football team has decided to retire his number for this season only.

That meant a preseason conversation with Eidemiller, asking him to give up his jersey number.

The junior center didn’t hesitate.

“I’m all about that type of thing,” Eidemiller told

STAFF FILE PHOTO/LEE WOOLERY

Tailback Miles Hibbler will be one of three Trojans vying to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark this year.

Brewer when told of the plan for the No. 56 jersey.

That Eidemiller was so willing to sacrifice his beloved jersey should come as no surprise. Last season, he suffered a knee injury the second week of the season and was told he’d likely be out for the remainder of the year.

Eidemiller rehabbed vigorously, however, and was able to make his return to the starting lineup in time for the Piqua game in Week 7.

Eidemiller will wear No. 57 this season.

Q: Will a new coach mean new uniforms?

A: When Nolan arrived in Troy, one of the first changes he made was to Troy’s helmets. Prior to his arrival, Troy’s helmets had featured a “Block T” design, similar to the University of Tennessee’s helmets. He quickly made the switch to the “Trojans Star” design, which would

go on to become a symbol not only of the football team, but Troy City Schools as a whole.

Soon after the Trojans Star appeared on the side of Troy’s football helmets, it was incorporated into nearly every sport’s uniform design, and on school signage and apparel. How Troy settled on the Trojan Star design for all its logos and apparel has been largely lost to history.

Until now.

“It’s kind of a funny story,” Nolan said. “(Former Troy Athletic director) George Dearth and I were flipping through a sports uniform catalog and we happened to see the star design. We both liked it, so we went with it. It really is as simple as that. I guess we never really expected it to take off the way it did.”

So will Brewer try to put his own stamp on the program by changing Troy’s uniform design —

specifically the helmet design that has been in place for three decades?

Yes. While the design of Troy’s new helmets remain a closely guarded secret, expect to see something new when the Trojans open the season Aug. 24 against Chaminade Julienne.

Q: How’s the schedule this season?

A: Troy will face three teams that made it to the regional finals last year, two of which made it to the state championship game in their respective divisions and one who went undefeated and won a Division II state championship.

And that’s before the Trojans even square off against their rival in the most prolific rivalry in Ohio history.

The Trojans open the season against Chaminade Julienne.

The Trojans defeated the Eagles in the season opener last season, but CJ rebounded to reach the Division III regional championship game and was one play away from going to the state semifinals. In Week 2, Troy takes on Springfield Shawnee, which went 14-1 and reached the Division III state championship game.

“We get two tough ones right out of the gate,” Brewer said. “It’s going to be an absolute war when we play CJ — then we have to come back the very next week and take on Shawnee. We’re going to find out pretty quickly what we are made of.”

Following that twogame stretch, the Trojans take on Xenia, Springfield, Miamisburg and Sidney, which went a combined 733 last season.

In Week 7, Troy takes on Butler, which returns a strong nucleus from a team that went 6-4 last year. In Week 8, Troy takes

on Trotwood-Madison, which went 15-0 and is the odds-on favorite to recapture the Division II state championship again this year. The Rams feature no less than a dozen major Division I college prospects.

In Week 9, Troy takes on Greenville, which went 5-5 last year. In the final game of the season, Troy takes on rival Piqua.

“It’s a tough schedule,” Brewer said. “We’re going to have to be ready to play each and every week.”

Q: Will Troy have a 1,000-yard rusher this season?

A: From Nolan’s arrival at Troy in 1984 until 2008, the Trojans had 25 backs rush for 1,000 yards or more in a season. Since Matt Allen rushed for 1,471 yards in 2008, however, the Trojans have not had a 1,000-yard running back, the longest drought in school history since before Nolan’s arrival three decades ago.

Part of that was the emergence of Troy’s passing game in Nolan’s final years — Cody May threw for 1,000 or more yards in 2010 and 2011 — part of that had to do with talented halfbacks Marcus Foster and Isaiah Williams sharing carries in the wing-T offense.

With Brewer moving to a power-I offense, there’s a better chance the Trojans could see a 1,000-yard rusher in 2012.

Still, though, there’s three talented backs — senior Fred Whitson, junior Miles Hibbler and sophomore Tre Whitson — in Troy’s stable, with only one featured back position.

If one of those three gets a hot hand and Troy’s offensive line stays healthy throughout the season, there’s a very good chance one of them could be what has become, in recent years, an elusive mark.

Brewer • Continued from Page C2 football. I thought, ‘If I’m killing myself to coach football, maybe I should just go ahead and coach full time. I’m still killing myself, but at least I’m doing it full time with football.”

Brewer was a volunteer coach at Troy in 1996, working with the running backs, which included not only his little brother, but fullback Matt Dallman, who would end up as the third-leading rusher in Troy history behind Ryan and legendary fullback Bob Ferguson, an AllAmerican at The Ohio State University in the 1960s. In 1997, Brewer was the offensive coordinator for Troy’s freshman team.

After that, Brewer made the decision to go back to school, get his teaching degree and become a full-time coach.

“Turns out Steve was right all along,” Brewer said. “I said, ‘You son of a (gun), this is what I should have been doing all along.’ So I went to Ohio State to finish up and get my degree, because I knew this is what I was meant to do. I guess I should have listened to my high school guidance counselor (Nolan). Steve was right. Steve was right about a lot of things — a lot more things than people realize or give him credit for.”

After his freshman coach stint at Troy, Brewer enrolled at Ohio State. Coincidentally, he was a student there in 2000, when Ryan, while playing for the University of South Carolina, earned Outback Bowl Most Valuable Player honors in a 24-7 victory over the Buckeyes.

The elder Brewer would earn degrees in history and psychology while at Ohio State.

Also while at Ohio State, Brewer became the strength and conditioning coach at Thomas Worthington High School, a Columbus suburb. He would later become the defensive coordinator at St. Charles Preparatory High School.

Although he found great success at both stops, Brewer found himself missing his adopted hometown. In 2005, when Nolan offered him the position as defensive coordinator at Troy, he didn’t hesitate in making the

STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER

Troy football coach Scot Brewer talks with his offense during the Trojans’ scrimmage against Reynoldsburg. move.

“In 2005, Steve called me and told me to get my butt back here,” he said.

Since returning to Troy in 2005, Brewer’s defenses have steadily improved every year and moved to the top of the 18team GWOC. In 2006 and 2007, Troy’s defense ranked 11th statistically in the GWOC. Troy was 10th in 2008, seventh in 2009, third in 2010 and last year the Trojans were tops in the GWOC in points allowed (15.0 points per game) and second in the conference in yards allowed (153.6 per game).

Much like his playing career, Brewer’s coaching career has been marked by a tireless work ethic and a burning desire to make the team better.

“He’s a hard worker,” Nolan said. “I honestly don’t know when the guy sleeps.”

Last November, Nolan stepped down as Troy’s head coach after 28 years, 202 victories, eight league championships and 11 playoff appearances — all Troy records.

One month later, Brewer was

ond offense, his player substitution patterns and having the unmitigated temerity to never win a state football champiWhat the Future Holds onship.

On Sept. 26, 1997, the cat“I think it’s tough being a calls rained down on Nolan as high school football coach anyhe led his team off the field at halftime of a game against West where, but Troy has a lot of tradition and everyone has high Carrollton. The attacks did not fall on deaf ears — Nolan heard expectations,” Nolan said.

“People are very critical of what everything they were saying in you do and how you do things — the stands.

It bears mentioning that Troy and they always want to see wins. And even if you are winwas in the midst of a 10-0 seaning, they want you to win in a son and winning the game different way.” against West Carrollton by six Making things all the more touchdowns at halftime, 42-0. difficult for Brewer is the fact “We had scored all of our he’s replacing the most successtouchdowns running the ball,” ful coach in school history — a Nolan said. “So everyone was high standard to adhere to. complaining that we weren’t That’s not something even passing the ball enough.”

Nolan had to face. When he Into that bubbling football cauldron steps Brewer. He takes arrived at Troy in 1984, the Trojans had gone 4-15-1 the preover a program in which somevious two seasons and fans were times winning alone isn’t thirsting for a coach to change enough — coaches have to put Troy’s fortunes. up style points along the way.

Still, though, Brewer No one knows this better than Nolan, who frequently was embraces the challenge of both taking over a program rich in criticized during his winning tenure for, amongst other things: tradition and replacing a legend.

“Everyone is different,” adhering to a run-first, pass-secnamed the 28th head coach in Troy football’s 115-year history.

Brewer said. “You can’t compare apples to oranges. I think if I was an outsider coming in, it would be a lot harder following someone like Steve. I don’t see me following Steve so much as continuing what Steve instilled in me and his staff. Our goals here are going to be the same as they always were — to build quality young men.

“I’ve been warned — you aren’t always in this job to make friends or make everyone in the community happy. And you aren’t going to make everyone happy. You are in this job to build kids and to build character. And that’s what we are going to do. We are going to build respectful young men who succeed in the classroom, in the community and on the field. You can have a team go 10-0 and it may not be as satisfying as going 6-4 with a great group of kids that exceeds everyone’s expectations and works hard to get better each week. That’s the real reward of coaching — those are the kids who are going to come back and see you in 10 or 20 years.”

Brewer’s Troy football pedigree should buy him some time — but even he knows that good will only goes so far.

“Everyone loves me right now because I haven’t lost a game yet,” Brewer said. “That can change.”

He has to look no further than one of his counterparts in the college coaching world for a glimpse of how rabid a fan base can be. In 2011, Luke Fickell took over as head coach at The Ohio State University. Like Brewer, Fickell was an alumnus of the school he was coaching, was a defensive coordinator at the school and was replacing a legend in former OSU coach Jim Tressel. In his one year as head coach, Fickell went 6-7.

He was replaced in the offseason by Urban Meyer.

Again, however, Brewer looks forward to the challenge. In fact, there’s no place else he’d rather be.

“I love this little town,” he said. “It’s a great small town. It’s a football town and will always be a football town. I’m a Trojan now.”

C6

PIQUA

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

OHIO COMMUNITY MEDIA PHOTO/MIKE ULLERY

The 2012 Piqua Indians football team.

Piqua to follow the blueprint Returning Indians look to repeat the example set by graduated players Re-loading is just the modus operandi for successful football programs and coaches.

And if Piqua coach Bill Nees is in that position, he feels like this year’s Indians will benefit from the talented group that graduated last year.

The fact that more than a handful of those have gone on to play at the college level is only part of what they brought to the program.

“I think they left a pretty good blueprint,” Nees said of last year’s seniors.

“Hopefully, these guys

picked up on that. They had a pretty good blueprint to learn from. That (replacing talented players) is just something you have to do every year.”

Senior Justice Young (6foot-1, 183 pounds) will be the starting quarterback after picking up valuable experience a year ago.

“He played more last year than our second quarterback normally would,” Nees said. “Because of that, he is ahead of the curve.”

And for a Piqua offense that will feature a number of different sets, Young’s versatility as a runner and a thrower is an asset.

“He can run the option,” Nees said. “He is just as effective in the five-step

PIQUA INDIANS ROSTER No. Name 1 2 3 5 6 7 9 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 42 51 55 56 60 61 62 64 70 71 72 73 74 75 77 78 79 81 84 85 92 96 98

CORBIN MECKSTROTH CODY COMBS TATE HONEYCUTT TREY PRUITT TRENTON YEOMAN LUKE KARN GRIFFEN JENNINGS JUSTICE YOUNG AUSTIN COVAULT BEN CRAWFORD BRANDON GIST LOGAN JESSUP DANIEL MONNIN AUSTIN HALL JACOB TEAGUE AUSTIN REEDY AARON SHROYER DYLAN RUNGE DEONDRE WILLIAMS JACOB SOWRY DERRICK HUEY HAYDEN HALL JALEN HUDGINS RYAN HUGHES JOSH HOLFINGER TYLER OUHL BEN SOWREY DOM STONE ALEX THOMPSON JACOB SHORTRIDGE BRENDAN FRIES LOGAN PEEPLES JULIAN BEESECKER JAMES LAWSON AUSTIN GARBER LUKE HANES CLARK DAVIS DYLAN WILLIAMS MATT STOLLMER DEVIN MAGOTEAUX JEFF DANKWORTH NATE WISE CHASE SMITH ZACH MARTIN KEVIN WATKINS BRYCE NEWSOME NOAH GERTNER CALEB VALLIEU MIKE HANEY MASON KIRKLAND SOLOMON CARNES

Ht. Wt. 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-8 6-1 6-1 6-1 5-6 5-9 6-2 6-1 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-9 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-5 5-9 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-4 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-4 5-9 6-2

145 181 145 163 164 163 206 183 192 166 134 158 202 171 138 173 143 172 164 169 146 196 142 188 180 157 167 211 143 309 279 239 207 225 203 197 315 200 276 257 238 254 218 246 273 129 148 173 276 168 243

Pos. Yr. WR/DB LB/TE WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB K QB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB QB/LB QB.KB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB RB/DB RB/LB WR/K WR/LB RB/LB TE/DE WR/DB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB WR/DB K TE/DL RB/LB OL/DL

10 12 10 12 10 12 11 12 12 12 10 10 11 10 11 11 11 10 11 11 10 11 10 12 12 11 10 11 11 11 10 12 10 12 12 10 12 10 11 11 10 12 10 12 11 10 10 9 12 12 10

PIQUA (drop) as the three-step. We will do what we always do.

We will tailor the offense to the things he (Justice Young) does well.”

With Young in the backfield will be seniors Ryan Hughes (6-2, 188) and Austin Covault (6-1, 192).

Hughes is the top returning rusher, picking up 281 yards on 48 carries last year.

“Ryan (Hughes) is a solid back for us,” Nees said. “He got a little more experience last year than Austin (Covault). Austin gives us that big back. There are some other guys that will be back there depending on what formation we are in.

We will use 16 to 17 guys on offense with all the different sets.”

They include senior Mason Kirkland (5-9, 168), junior Austin Reedy (5-10, 173) and sophomore Trent Yeoman, who scored three TDs in Piqua’s first two scrimmages.

Leading the receivers are seniors Luke Karn (6-1, 163) and Josh Holfinger (65, 180). Also seeing action there will be junior Jacob Sowry (6-1, 169) and sophomore Tate Honeycutt (5-10, 145).

“Luke is bigger and stronger and is a playmaker out there (at receiver),” Nees said. “One of the biggest things is the way Josh Holfinger has come on.

He gives us a guy with size to throw to.”

The tight ends will include seniors Mike Haney (6-4, 276) and Cody Combs (6-1, 181) and junior Daniel Monnin (6-2, 202).

“We have a number of sets with multiple tight ends,” Nees said. “So we feel like that is a place we need two or three guys.”

Nees said Piqua’s strength on offense may well be the line.

Anchoring things at center will be senior Austin Garber (5-11, 203).

The guards will be senior Nate Wise (6-2, 254) and junior Devin Magoteaux (6-

2, 257), while the tackles will be senior Zach Martin (6-3, 246) and junior Matt Stollmer (6-4, 276).

“We have two starters back and Devin (Magoteaux) played a lot, so we feel it is like having three starters back,” Nees said. “This is as big and strong a group as we are going to put out there. We definitely feel like it should be a strength.”

Also in the mix is sophomore Brendan Fries (6-3, 279), who has the versatility to play either guard or tackle.

“It is always great to have a guy like that,” Nees said. “He can work his way in until he is ready to go.”

Defense is something the Indians have come to be known for under Nees.

And, not unlike the offense, the Indians will have 14 to 15 players play key roles.

“In the game today, with so many packages, you can’t just plug 11 guys in there,” Nees said. “We will play a lot of people.”

And like the offense, the strength appears to be on the defensive line.

They will be led by senior defensive ends Solomon Carnes (6-2, 243) and Haney, who Nees expects to wreak plenty of havoc on opposing offenses. Carnes led the team with 4.5 sacks a year ago and the two combined for 88 tackles.

“We feel like that will be a strength,” Nees said. “I think they will be one of the top tandems we have had at defensive end.”

At defensive tackle will be senior Logan Peeples (62, 239) and junior Kevin Watkins (6-3, 273).

“We are excited about those guys,” Nees said.

“They have progressed as much as anyone from the start of practice to the scrimmages.”

What makes Nees feel good about the defense is having Hughes and Covault at the outside linebacker positions and Combs at free safety.

“They are right in the

middle, the diamond, of what we do on defense,” Nees said. “They are a big part of everything we do with blitz adjustments and all the different things we do. They are all great athletes and three of our best hitters.”

At inside linebacker will be juniors Hayden Hall (6-0, 196) and Dom Stone (6-2, 211).

“They are new,” Nees said. “But they did a great job at the JV level and have moved up. We feel like they are going to be good.”

The nickel safety will be Karn, with Sowry seeing time at that position as well.

“Luke (Karn) has just stepped up and taken that nickel position,” Nees said.

“He has done a great job.”

Holding down one cornerback spot will be senior Ben Crawford (6-1, 166).

“That is another one of the biggest things,” Nees said. “Ben (Crawford) made the move from safety to cornerback and has just taken over that position.”

Battling for time at the other cornerback position will be senior Trey Pruitt (511, 163) and junior Jacob Teague (5-9, 138).

“With all the four receiver sets now, that can put a lot of pressure on the cornerbacks,” Nees said.

There is a four-player battle for the place-kicking spot.

They include Holfinger, sophomore Dylan Runge (6-

0, 172) and two soccer players in junior Griffen Jennings (5-8, 206) and freshman Caleb Vallieu (60, 173).

Holfinger, who averaged 37.6 yards per punt last year, will handle the punting duties.

And as Piqua looks to improve on last year’s 5-5 record, Indian fans will see some unfamiliar foes on the schedule.

Piqua opens at home with Elida before traveling to Kings. There is also a GWOC crossover game with Beavercreek for the first time.

It will be the usual suspects in the GWOC North, with Trotwood-Madison appearing to be the favorite.

Greenville will join the Indians, Rams, Troy, Vandalia-Butler and Sidney in the North.

“Elida (D-III state semifinals last year) is one of the early favorites in the WBL (Western Buckeye League),” Nees said. “Kings was just voted the best D-II in Cincinnati.”

But the Indians should be well prepared for anything they see after scrimmages with Norhtmont and D-I state title favorite Wayne.

“We better be,” Nees said.

“That is why we scheduled the scrimmages we did.”

And with the blueprint for success left by last year’s seniors, the Indians have reloaded and are ready for success.

2012 PIQUA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 * denotes

H/A Opponent H Elida A Kings A Lima Senior H Beavercreek A Springboro H Trotwood-Madison* A Sidney* H Greenville* A Butler* H Troy* GWOC North game

Time 7:30 p.m.

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C7

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Buckeyes back on their feet New coach Meyer has OSU re-energized

BY RUSTY MILLER AP Sports Writer COLUMBUS — On the day he was introduced as Ohio State’s 24th head coach last November, Urban Meyer outlined a relatively simple list of expectations for his players, his staff and himself.

“I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair’s on fire, and I want a football team that goes four to six seconds of relentless effort,” he said.

“You do that, you have a chance to win in every game you play.”

Meyer, winner of two national championships at Florida, returned from a one-year coaching hiatus as an ESPN analyst to take over an Ohio State program mired in NCAA sanctions and beaten down by a year of negative headlines.

So far, he’s injected some fresh thinking, a new offensive philosophy and renewed intensity into a program which had been consistently good in a decade under Jim Tressel, before he was bumped off his pedestal for covering up a scheme involving several top players trading memorabilia for tattoos and money.

Among several other NCAA penalties, the Buckeyes are banned from going to a bowl after this season. So, with Meyer preaching he wants an “angry” team, they’ve taken it to heart by vowing to run the table and obliterate all the bad publicity from a year of suspensions, violations and sanctions.

“Our goal’s to go 12-0,” running back Carlos Hyde said. “Even though we can’t go to a bowl game, we still have to play. So we’re just going to get out there and have a chip on our shoulders since we can’t go to a bowl game — to let the world know who the Buckeyes are this year.”

Meyer took over an Ohio State team coming off a dreadful 6-7 season that included a four-game losing skid entering this season. Luke Fickell, the interim coach then, was retained as a defensive cocoordinator.

The attitude was bad, someone was suspended for a violation almost every week and it seemed everyone was waiting for the

AP PHOTO

Ohio State’s Braxton Miller warms up during practice Aug. 7 in Columbus.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES ROSTER No. Name

AP PHOTO

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer points during practice Aug. 6 in Columbus.

NCAA to hand down the penalties that came just before the Buckeyes lost to Meyer’s former employer, Florida, in the Gator Bowl.

“There was a lot of (NCAA and disciplinary) stuff going on last year.

You can’t really point out what it was,” cornerback Bradley Roby said. “There was so much stuff going on, I feel like it really affected everybody.”

Meyer has told his players to forget 2011 and concentrate on turning around the program. But he doesn’t have three mul-

2012 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date H/A Opponent Sept. 1 H Miami (OH) Sept. 8 H Central Florida Sept. 15 H California Sept. 22 H UAB Sept. 29 A Michigan State* Oct. 6 H Nebraska* Oct. 13 A Indiana* Oct. 20 H Purdue* Oct. 27 A Penn State* Nov. 3 H Illinois* Nov. 17 A Wisconsin* Nov. 24 H Michigan* * denotes Big Ten game

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tiyear starters on the offensive line, the top running back and best linebacker from a team whose seven losses were the most for an Ohio State team since 1897.

He has, though, instilled a lot of energy and optimism.

“Expectations always are high,” said the focal point of Meyer’s vaunted spread attack, second-year quarterback Braxton Miller. “When I was in high school looking at Ohio State, I was like, ‘Man, they aren’t ever going to lose. They’re always going to be good.’ That’s the expectations of the fans.”

Miller and the new offense are a radical change from the days of Tressel, who once famously called the punt “the most important play in football.”

Meyer would prefer not to punt at all.

His Buckeyes will play uptempo, throw the ball a lot to a lot of different receivers, and should prevent fans from leaving their seats for a bathroom break for fear they’ll miss a 70-yard pass play — or maybe a turnover.

Jordan Hall would have been the H back in the offense, the guy around whom most plays revolve.

But he’s out for the first couple of games after cutting a tendon while walking barefoot outside his apartment this summer. In his stead, Hyde, freshman Bri’onte Dunn (who sidestepped legal problems this summer) and Rod Smith also figure to be playmakers.

Much depends on wideouts Evan Spencer, Verlon Reed, Devin Smith, Michael Thomas and converted tight end Jake Stoneburner. If one or more of them proves to be a threat to take a short pass the distance, it’ll make things considerably easier on Miller.

The line needs rebuilding, with first-year players dotting the two-deep.

On defense, the brutes up front will be a strength, with Meyer gushing about the play of John Simon,

Johnathan Hankins, Garrett Goebel and — when he returns from microfracture surgery — Nathan Williams.

The linebacker position is thin but talented, with a lot riding on the improvement of Ryan Shazier and Curtis Grant. Cornerbacks Roby and Travis Howard and safeties Christian Bryant, C.J. Barnett and Orhian Johnson anchor the secondary.

“I feel that everybody has bought into coach Meyer,” said Shazier, a promising sophomore who sports a shaved head.

“With everybody adjusting to it, I think we’re going to have a really good season.”

Meyer, who twice quit the Florida job due to stress, health and family considerations, swears that he’s feeling reinvigorated and taking steps to make sure he doesn’t burn out again.

His first Ohio State schedule won’t cause him any heartburn.

The Buckeyes play their first four games at home against the likes of Miami (Ohio), Central Florida, California and UAB, and in a down year for the Big Ten almost every conference game is winnable.

The toughest will be at Michigan State on Sept.

29, Nebraska at home a week later, and the 1-2 punch to close the regular season, at two-time defending champ Wisconsin and home against archrival Michigan.

Then … the season ends. With no bowl game, Meyer and his team will have to be content with whatever they can accomplish in 12 games.

Meyer has no idea how everyone, including himself, will handle the abrupt end of the season.

“We’ve never not played for a championship in November,” he said. “Ten years as a head coach, every November we were playing for a championship. Do we have to create our own championship? I don’t know. We’ll see how it goes.”

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Pos.

Ht.

BRADLEY ROBY DB CHRISTIAN BRYANT DB ROD SMITH RB COREY BROWN DB C.J. BARNETT DB BRAXTON MILLER QB CAMREN WILLIAMS LB ETIENNE SABINO LB JORDAN HALL RB TRAVIS HOWARD CB RICQUAN SOUTHWARD WR NOAH SPENCE DL ADAM GRIFFIN CB VERLON REED WR COREY BROWN WR RYAN SHAZIER LB JAKE STONEBURNER TE DORAN GRANT CB CARDALE JONES QB KEN GUITON QB JULIAN VANN DB CURTIS GRANT LB JOSHUA PERRY LB DEVIN SMITH WR ZACH DOMICONE DB EVAN SPENCER WR BEN BUCHANAN P JUSTIN SIEMS QB NAJEE MURRAY DB TYRONE WILLIAMS WR ORHIAN JOHNSON DB RUSSELL DOUP K ROSS OLTORIK LB JAMIE WOOD DB TYVIS POWELL DB DREW BASIL P ARMANI REEVES CB BRI'ONTE DUNN RB DAVID PERKINS LB KEVIN NIEHOFF K WARREN BALL RB RON TANNER DB TAYLOR RICE DB DEVAN BOGARD DB DARRYL WOOD RB FRANK EPITROPOULOS WR NIK SARAC DB CARLOS HYDE RB JAMAL MARCUS LB VINCENT PETRELLA DB CONNOR CROWELL LB CRAIG FADA LB KYLE CLINTON K BRYCE HAYNES LS LUKE ROBERTS LB NATHAN WILLIAMS DL ZACH BOREN FB JOE BURGER LB ADAM HOMAN RB JACOBY BOREN OL J.T. MOORE DL JOEL HALE DT JOHNATHAN HANKINS DL GARRETT GOEBEL DL JOHN SIMON DL TOMMY BROWN OL DALTON BRITT DL GEORGE MAKRIDIS LS CHASE FARRIS DL STEWART SMITH LB JOEY O'CONNOR OL LOGAN BEOUGHER OL MICHAEL BENNETT DL IVON BLACKMAN OL PAT ELFLEIN OL KYLE DODSON OL BEN ST. JOHN OL TAYLOR DECKER OL ERIC KRAMER OL TIM TRUMMER OL COREY LINSLEY OL CHRIS CARTER DL ANTONIO UNDERWOOD OL JACK MEWHORT OL DARRYL BALDWIN DL REID FRAGEL OL ANDREW NORWELL OL MARCUS HALL OL CHRIS FIELDS WR NICK VANNETT TE MICHAEL THOMAS WR RYAN ROSS WR FRANK KANGAH WR JEFF HEUERMAN TE PETER GWILYM WR STEVE MILLER DL BLAKE THOMAS TE TOMMY SCHUTT DL WILLIAM MCCARY DL ADOLPHUS WASHINGTON DL ADAM BELLAMY DL RASHAD FRAZIER DL SE'VON PITTMAN DL KHARIM STEPHENS DL CLAUDIUS MBEMBA DL

5-11 5-10 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-9 6-1 6-1 6-3 5-8 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-5 5-11 6-5 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-2 5-9 6-6 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-9 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-7 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-5 6-8 6-6 6-5 6-1 6-6 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2

Wt. Yr. 190 190 230 197 202 210 225 237 198 196 185 240 180 200 186 226 245 188 226 206 178 235 231 196 216 205 190 212 178 229 190 183 223 207 196 210 194 214 220 196 215 192 185 197 247 197 180 235 225 173 233 225 212 209 226 249 245 225 245 283 250 295 317 285 260 310 295 225 286 230 305 263 277 310 290 315 277 310 285 283 292 358 301 310 292 298 304 317 197 248 193 190 180 247 192 255 238 305 234 289 292 270 259 280 235

SO JR SO JR JR SO FR SR SR SR FR FR SO SO JR SO SR SO FR JR SO SO FR SO SR SO SR SR FR SO SR SO SR JR FR JR FR FR FR FR FR FR SR FR SO FR FR JR FR SR FR FR SO FR FR SR SR FR SR FR SO SO JR SR SR FR SR JR FR SR FR FR SO JR FR FR SO FR SO FR JR FR SO JR SO SR JR JR JR FR FR SO FR SO FR SO FR FR SR FR JR SO FR SR FR

C8

Thursday, August 23, 2012

BIG TEN

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

Lions recovering from offseason Wisconsin’s path to Big Ten repeat a bit easier STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — This would-be tackler tried to sneak in on Bill Belton’s blindside to swat away a ball tucked tightly inside the tailback’s arms.

No luck getting a fumble in Penn State practice for coach-turned-part timelinebacker Bill O’Brien — and that’s a good thing in the mind of the Nittany Lions’ new leader.

Toughness on the field won’t necessarily be measured by how the Nittany Lions bounce back from a turbulent offseason.

“It will be the ability to stop the run. It will be the ability to run the ball, and it will be our coverage teams, our kickoff cover, our punt cover, our ability to get down there and make the tackle, create turnovers,” O’Brien said at the team’s recent media day.

“So unity will have a lot to do with that. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to go out and execute and play good football.”

If that sounds familiar, it’s because O’Brien’s ousted predecessor — Hall of Famer Joe Paterno — often referred to the same three tasks in outlining his recipe for success.

But the child sex abuse scandal involving retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky turned one of the country’s most wellknown programs upsidedown. The NCAA imposed landmark sanctions including a four-year postseason ban, and nine players took advantage of an NCAA waiver to seek immediate transfers to other schools in light of the penalties.

The goal is to still to win every game, even if a trip to a warm locale for a January bowl is no longer an option.

In terms of roster defections, though, the worst appears to be over for now.

O’Brien wished those departing players well, but he’s more than eager to concentrate on the guys who stayed.

“The next guy steps up, the next guy is ready to go,” O’Brien said. “It’s your chance to shine.”

• Wisconsin MADISON, Wis. — With a pair of division heavyweights facing postseason bans, a lot of things would have to go wrong for Wisconsin to miss out on another trip to the Big Ten title game. And even after recent off-the-field drama involving star running back Montee Ball, Bret Bielema’s team has its eyes on even bigger goals.

The NCAA has ruled fellow Big Ten Leaders division powerhouses Ohio State and Penn State ineligible for the postseason, a ban that includes conference title games. That leaves the Badgers to deal with the likes of Purdue, Illinois and Indiana for division supremacy.

With the Badgers coming off back-to-back Rose Bowl losses and poised to win a potential third straight Big Ten title — they shared the 2010 title with Michigan State — Bielema has warned them from looking too far down the road going into their Sept. 1 opener against Northern Iowa.

“The thing that I said immediately after that is if anybody wants to jump to that date, you’re more than welcome to think about it but we’ll never get there,” Bielema said. “It’s taking it one day at a time.”

There are questions, however.

The Badgers lost playmaking quarterback Russell Wilson to the NFL. They’ve brought in another transfer, Danny O’Brien from Maryland, although he isn’t walking in as the presumptive starter like Wilson did a year ago.

They also need to inte-

grate a slew of new assistants, including offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

And they will have to shake off a recent off-thefield controversy involving Ball, a Heisman Trophy finalist who recently was assaulted by five men near campus and sustained a concussion. Police say they are investigating whether a previous fight involving Badgers football players might have led to the attack.

Ball hopes to be ready for the season opener. He denies having any involvement in the previous fight, but knew the incident had the potential to cause a distraction and apologized in front of the team.

“I just addressed the team because there was a big elephant in the room,” Ball said. “I just wanted to make sure I attacked it. I just wanted to tell the entire room not to feel sorry for me because I’m going to channel all this energy I have from it and work it onto the field.”

• Illinois CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Walking onto the field before the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl last December, Nathan Scheelhaase’s football world was cracking wide open.

After starting 6-0, his team had just lost six in a row. Ron Zook, the coach he came to Illinois to play quarterback for, had been fired as a result. And even with new coach Tim Beckman already hired, no one knew who would be back for 2012 with the NFL or transfers beckoning.

“I remember walking out on the field for that bowl game with (defensive back Terry Hawthorne), remember slapping hands with him and giving him a hug and thinking, ‘Man, is this the last game I’ll play with this guy?’” he said.

“Because you don’t know.”

For starters, he didn’t know what kind of Illini team would show up that day.

“People expected us to kind of roll over and play dead,” Scheelhaase now says.

• Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue players quantify this season’s biggest goal in two four-letter words.

Rose Bowl.

Outsiders look at this once nationally prominent football school and see a program that has won only 15 games in three seasons with no clear path to Pasadena. Those inside the locker room, including the coaches, believe this is the year they can put the Boilermakers back on the map.

“The next step is winning big. We’re cocked and ready,” coach Danny Hope.

“If we have a big season, it would be a quantum leap for this program.”

Boilermakers fans have been waiting to see that jump since Drew Brees left town after the 2000 season.

Could this be the year?

Hope calls this best team he’s had in four seasons at West Lafayette.

• Indiana BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana’s transition season is over, and coach Kevin Wilson is ready to make a fresh start.

The players who groaned and complained about the new coaching staff are gone. Those who stuck around have put teamwork over egos.

Student ticket sales and overall ticket sales are both up, and there’s a sense in the locker room that this year will finally be different.

“You’ve got to move forward,” running back Stephen Houston said. “It was hard last year, but it’s not the first time we faced

AP PHOTOS

Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, center, watches drills during during the team’s media day practice in State College, Pa. Aug. 9.

2011 BIG TEN STANDINGS Legends Division Conference Pct. Overall Michigan State 7-1 .875 11-3 Michigan 6-2 .750 11-2 Nebraska 5-3 .625 9-4 Iowa 4-4 .500 7-6 Northwestern 3-5 .375 6-7 Minnesota 2-6 .250 3-9 Leaders Division Conference Pct. Overall Wisconsin 6-2 .750 11-3 Penn State 6-2 .750 9-4 Purdue 4-4 .500 7-6 Ohio State 3-5 .375 6-7 Illinois 2-6 .250 7-6 Indiana 0-8 .000 1-11 Conference Championship Game Dec. 3, 2011 Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39

adversity and it’s not going to be the last.”

Hey, it’s a start after Indiana endured its worst season (1-11) since going winless in 1984.

LEGENDS DIVISION • Michigan ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Brady Hoke’s leadership.

Denard Robinson’s talent.

An improved defense and the first win in a BCS bowl since 2000.

Michigan has restored some of its lost luster and just three years after losing a school-record nine games, college football’s winningest program is nationally relevant again.

When he was hired to replace Rich Rodriguez, Hoke scoffed, “This is Michigan for God’s sake,” after being asked about the Wolverines slipping.

Nineteen months later, he couldn’t fathom the idea that more people hold the program in a higher regard now than they did during the Rodriguez era.

“I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t respect whenever anyone says, ‘This is Michigan,’” Hoke said. “This is Michigan football — it’s 11 national championships and 42 Big Ten championships.”

Michigan, though, hasn’t won a conference championship since 2004 in what has been its longest drought between winning Big Ten titles in 1950 and 1964.

While many praised the Wolverines during the 11-2 season capped by a Sugar Bowl win, the players are still beating themselves up about losing to Michigan State and Iowa to spoil their chances of competing for the league title they covet.

“Last year was a failure for Michigan,” offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said.

“A lot of people were patting us on the back, but we weren’t happy because we wanted to win the Big Ten title and we didn’t.”

Michigan should have a shot to win the conference championship if it can avoid a five-game losing streak to the Spartans on Oct. 20 at home, beat Nebraska the next week on the road and close the regular season with a second straight victory against Ohio State on the road in what will the NCAA-sanctioned Buckeyes’ final game of the year.

The Wolverines will improve their chances in

Pct. .786 .846 .692 .538 .462 .250

PF 434 433 379 358 376 221

PA 257 226 304 310 360 380

Pct. .786 .692 .538 .462 .538 .083

PF 618 251 350 318 294 257

PA 266 218 349 273 255 448

those key games if Robinson can strike a balance with the running game that he’s a big part of by making defenses respect his arm and the defensive line exceeds expectations.

• Michigan State EAST LANSING, Mich.

— After back-to-back 11win seasons — and four straight wins over Michigan — the Michigan State Spartans are still missing some big items on their recent resume.

“Our big goal is to get to the Rose Bowl, the BCS games and the national championship,” said Andrew Maxwell, who is set to take over at quarterback. “We haven’t accomplished that yet. But for me, the only pressure is to do my job the best that I can. If I can do that, we can really be a special team.”

Dantonio’s team has certainly come close. Two years ago, Michigan State finished in a three-way tie at the top of the Big Ten with Wisconsin and Ohio State, losing out to the Badgers in a tiebreaker despite a victory against them. Last season, the Spartans made it to the first Big Ten championship game but lost a 42-39 thriller to Wisconsin.

Now Michigan State has to move on without quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is in the NFL. The defense should make the Spartans a threat again, but they’ll have a lot to prove.

After that gut-wrenching loss to Wisconsin, Michigan State did take a crucial step forward by beating Georgia in triple overtime in the Outback Bowl. It was the program’s first bowl victory since 2001.

• Iowa IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz doesn’t mind if people think the Hawkeyes are boring. He is not willing to accept the perception that Iowa has become an average team.

The Hawkeyes have gone stale over the past two seasons, with a 4-4 record in the Big Ten, 1511 overall and a pair of trips to the Insight Bowl.

The departure of two top coordinators led to the most turbulent offseason of Ferentz’s 13-year tenure.

A little turmoil might be just what the Hawkeyes need to return to the Big

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the Rose Bowl against Oregon Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif. The NCAA has ruled Leaders division powerhouses Ohio State and Penn State ineligible for the postseason, a ban that includes conference title games. That leaves the Badgers to deal with Purdue, Illinois and Indiana for division supremacy.

Ten’s upper tier in 2012.

“If you do something for 13 years there’s a good chance something is going to change. And based on the national average I think we certainly outlived what the norms are,” Ferentz said. “But it gave us an opportunity to bring some really good people in, and I think that’s what we’ve done.”

• Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS — Maybe this is the year. For historically struggling teams like Minnesota, the start of the season always brings the confidence that comes with a spotless record, strong chemistry and perceived improvement.

After finally surrounding themselves with some calm and continuity, the sounds of optimism from the Gophers are louder than usual.

“Minnesota is different this year. It’s a new mindset. Different players. New jerseys. Everything about Minnesota is getting better and evolving,” sophomore 0wide receiver Marcus Jones said. “It’s just time for the program and the team to start winning games. That’s what I believe is going to happen.

That’s what we believe as a team is going to happen.”

After consecutive 3-9 seasons, the first marked by the firing of Tim Brewster and the second

by Jerry Kill’s seizures, the Gophers have their sights set on a bowl game. Any bowl game. Because that would be a lot better than what they’ve been the last two years.

“It’s not, ‘Can we do it?’ anymore. It’s, ‘We will do it,’” Jones said. “So we feel if we don’t get to it, we let ourselves down. We let Minnesota down.”

• Northwestern EVANSTON, Ill. — All Northwestern can see is the potential. Limits are

out of sight.

The Wildcats are talking big as another season approaches and insisting this could be the year they finally win a bowl game, maybe a Big Ten championship.

“I know it’s been, what, 300-plus years since our last one?” quarterback Trevor Siemian said.

Well, not quite. It just seems that way.

It has been more than six decades since Northwestern won a bowl game, and the current players were in elementary school when the 2000 team captured a share of the conference title, the most recent one for the program.

That’s something the Wildcats hope to change this year.

• Nebraska LINCOLN, Neb. — A year after being picked by many to win the Big Ten in its first season in the conference, Nebraska isn’t even the favorite in its division.

In fact, the proud program has gone 12 years without a league championship — its longest drought since 1941-62.

Coach Bo Pelini has won at least nine games each of his first four years, but last season’s 9-4 campaign and the third-place finish in the Legends Division was considered a step back. Turnovers, penalties, dropped passes and soft defensive play sabotaged the Cornhuskers.

“We’ve had good years here in the past,” offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles said. “9-4 is not a bad year.

8-4 is not a bad year. It’s a good year. We’re tired of being good.”

Any shot Nebraska has at achieving greatness likely hinges on what happens against Michigan and Michigan State, the consensus top two teams in the division.

TIPPECANOE

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

Thursday, August 23, 2012

C9

PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPRESSIONS STUDIOS

The 2012 Tippecanoe Red Devils football team.

Red Devils have winning formula Tipp not looking to switch things up after reaching playoffs 7 straight seasons

No. Name 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 17 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 38 50 51 52 54 55 60 61 62 65 66 67 68 71 72 73 74 79 80 81 84 85

Ht. Wt.

LOGAN DAWES 5-11 BRETT GRIFFIS 6-2 TYLER PIKE 5-8 KYLE SKINNER 5-9 ALEX HALL 5-9 BEN HUGHES 5-11 JARED ERVIN 6-1 MATT DAVIS 5-7 JARETT WASSON 5-9 TYLER HARE 5-8 ZACK BLAIR 5-9 NICK FISCHER 5-9 TAYLOR CLARK 5-10 KYLE WINBLAD 5-8 BRANDON ROBERTS 5-10 ZACHARY SALYER 6-0 AUSTIN ROBBINS 5-9 THOMAS DEHAYS 6-1 SEAN FORD 5-9 A.J. HARE 5-9 JORDAN VOLLMER 5-6 WES AULT 5-7 COLE QUILLEN 5-8 ERIK JANUSZAK 5-6 GABE CALLICOAT 5-9 AUSTIN CLACK 5-10 JACOB HALL 6-1 CAMERON JOHNSON 5-11 GEORDIE HEDDLESTON 6-0 BRANDON WOGOMAN 5-9 JUSTIN WILLOUGHBY 5-9 KYLE PEURA 6-0 ALEX DEMERS 6-2 JACOB COX 6-3 ALEX DANIEL 6-1 SHANE DODD 5-8 ALEC KEENER 5-9 NICK MINNEMAN 5-11 CHRISTIAN CARLSON 5-11 TYLER HUNTER 5-8 JASON WINBLAD 5-11 ANDREW GATCHELL 6-2 GARRETT RAYMOND 5-9 THOMAS ROUSCULP 5-10 KONNOR KINSER 6-0 LOGAN BANKS 5-11 STEVEN ALVEREZ 5-10 ALEX HAMILTON 6-1 TREY WALKER 6-0 DALTON HODGE 6-2

155 148 137 155 155 152 175 152 145 142 147 150 202 165 150 175 172 160 155 172 132 163 170 145 145 192 205 171 175 228 190 220 230 222 175 204 176 198 242 249 212 221 188 200 235 300 147 182 202 174

Pos. Yr. SE/DE QB/DB SE/DB SE/DB RB/DB QB/DB SE/DB SE/DB SE/DB SE/DB QB/DB RB/DB K RB/DB QB/DB SE/DE RB/LB SE/DB RB/DB TE/DE SE/DB RB/DB RB/DE RB/DB RB/DB RB/LB RB/DE RB/DB RB/LB OL/DL OL/LB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL SE/DB TE/DE TE/DE TE/DE

10 11 11 11 10 11 12 11 11 11 10 12 11 12 10 10 10 11 11 12 11 11 10 11 10 10 11 11 11 11 10 12 11 12 11 10 10 11 11 11 10 12 11 11 11 12 10 11 11 10

optimism on the players’ part.”

And since the Red Devils were so young last year when they went 9-2 and reached the playoffs, there’s no reason not to be optimistic this year.

Tippecanoe returns its three primary offensive weapons — juniors Jacob Hall, Cameron Johnson and Ben Hughes. Hall led the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division with 1,320 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore last season, Johnson added 698 yards and seven scores and quarterback Hughes threw for 799 yards and 11 touchdowns. Also back is senior running back Nick Fischer, who had 243 yards and scored four times.

The Devils also return three members of the offensive line that paved the way for all of those yards in center Tyler Hunter and tackles Andrew Gatchell and Logan Banks. And while leading receiver Michael Collett graduated, senior Jared Ervin and junior Jarett Wasson return to give Hughes some options.

On defense, the Devils’ secondary returns mostly intact. Fischer plays one cornerback spot, while junior Sean Ford will return to the other after taking over late in the season last year thanks to injuries. Ervin and Wasson will occupy the safety positions.

Hughes also punted for the Devils last season, and junior Taylor Clark returns after a successful year as kicker.

Alex Demers, Christian Carlson and Jacob Cox will make up the defensive line, and A.J. Hare saw some time at defensive end last season.

“We’ve got some experience returning, and it’s always nice to have experience back. The kids we’ve got coming back are leaders,” Burgbacher said.

“We’ve got some holes to fill where we had players graduate — both of our line-

STAFF PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER

Tippecanoe’s Jacob Hall led the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division in rushing last season as a sophomore. With a year of experience under their belts, the Red Devils return a horde of talented players. backers, our defensive ends and our defensive line, Collett at tight end and the two offensive guards. Those are the things we’ve been looking at during two-adays, we’re looking for people to step up and play those positions.”

With Springfield Shawnee — which reached the state championship game last season — as the reigning CBC Kenton Trail champ, the Devils know they have their work cut out for them if they want to bring a league title back to Tippecanoe.

“They won the league last year, they were runners-up in the state in Division III. They graduated some awful good kids, but they’ve got a good program,” Burgbacher said.

“They’ve got kids that are going to move up, and they’re going to have some good kids returning, too.

(Alex) McCrory may be one of the better backs in the league. I look for them to be in the running again.

“Tecumseh is always going to be around and have a say in who wins the league. Bellefontaine is improved — they’ve got some big kids and some young kids behind them.

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Stebbins and Kenton Ridge are going to improve.

Kenton Ridge was in the running for a playoff spot when we played them in Week 9 last year.”

In other words, it’s going to be a battle every week.

“Our division is tough,” Burgbacher said. “Everyone is going to be a little bit better or be a team to be reckoned with, so we have to be better, too. We have to be focused on the team we’re playing that week every week or we could very well walk away with a loss.”

But the Devils aren’t setting any actual goals beyond winning from one

week to the next.

“We don’t really set any goals,” Burgbacher said.

“We talk about having to play every week. We’re focused on that first win right now — you can’t get the second win until you get your first.

“We’ll worry about winning the games we can win, take them one at a time, and if you win enough games — and the right ones — league titles and the postseason just take care of themselves.”

That’s the way the Devils have played for years, and it’s worked.

Why change things up?

2012 TIPPECANOE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 * denotes

2308037

TIPPECANOE RED DEVILS ROSTER

TIPP CITY

2305740

year was a surprise to some

BY JOSH BROWN Sports Editor — the Devils were led prijbrown@tdnpublishing.com marily by a trio of sophomores on offense — it’s Tippecanoe didn’t get to become the expectation in where it is now by switch- Tipp City. ing everything up on a “It was a good combination of players (that kept whim.

As Red Devil coach the playoff streak alive),” Charlie Burgbacher pre- Burgbacher said. “We had pares to begin his 24th sea- some juniors and seniors son at the helm, he knows and sophomores mixed in there, and things just this better than anyone.

“We’re still going to be gelled. We didn’t start off the same kind of team,” he the season real well, but we said. “You throw some won a couple of games comtweaks in here and there to ing from behind and creatutilize some of the talent ed some momentum for you have, the talents of ourselves. We just found your kids, but we’re still ways to win along the way. going to be the same kind of “We played the state runner-up in Division III in team overall.”

And that brand of foot- Week 10, then we lost to a ball, a bruising running decent Division II game and a stingy defense, Cincinnati team (Turpin) in has gotten Tippecanoe to the playoffs. It was a good the playoffs seven straight experience for everyone, seasons. And while last and that creates a lot of

H/A Opponent A Graham A Greenville H Milton-Union H Indian Lake A Ben Logan H Bellefontaine* A Stebbins* H Tecumseh* H Kenton Ridge* A Spr. Shawnee* CBC Kenton Trail game

Time 7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

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Proudly Serving Miami County in Piqua, Troy, and Tipp City.

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C10

MIAMI EAST

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

STAFF PHOTO/BEN ROBINSON

The 2012 Miami East Vikings football team.

Vikings have experience all over With 16 returning lettermen, Miami East hoping for big things in 2012

MIAMI EAST VIKINGS ROSTER No. Name 1 4 5 7 10 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 22 25 28 30 32 33 34 40 41 42 44 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 58 61 64 65 66 68 69 70 71 74 75 76 78 79 81 82 87

Ht. Wt.

ROSS SNODGRASS 5-9 143 COLE HALE 5-10 155 COLTON HOLICKI 5-10 172 TYLOR HENDERSON 5-10 168 MARK BEATY 5-11 150 ZACK MARTINEZ 6-0 159 MICHAEL FELLERS 5-11 157 CONNER HELLYER 5-11 160 DALTON HAYWOOD 5-10 163 BRAXTON DONALDSON 6-2 228 FRANCO VILLELLA 5-7 144 COLTON MCKINNEY 5-11 157 ALEX BREWER 5-9 153 DALTON ALLEN 5-9 158 KURT BROWER 5-11 160 BRANDON FORCE 6-0 138 ROBBIE ADAMS 5-10 172 MICHAEL WERLING 5-11 154 CADEN HELLYER 5-8 170 KEVIN JACKSON 6-2 170 AUSTIN MCCUISTION 5-9 149 RYAN HANEY 5-9 155 DYLAN KINNISON 5-9 170 MARTIN O’REILLY 5-6 156 AARON HUBBARD 5-9 190 TRENT CHURCH 5-7 189 BRANDON WILLOUGHBY 5-9 170 BRADY SMALLENBARGER5-10173 CODY NISWONGER 5-9 192 MICHAEL TRICKEY 5-5 154 DANIEL EVERETT 5-8 189 CORY MONNIN 5-5 165 KOLIN BENDICKSON 5-10 190 JOEY YAGER 5-10 185 BEN FERGUSON 5-9 236 JUSTIN FURROW 5-10 241 CHRIS HARLEMAN 5-11 227 TANNER CHURCH 5-11 196 BRANDEN RAMEY 6-4 339 JAKE EIDEMILLER 5-11 205 TYLER WIMMER 5-8 197 BRYANT MILLER 5-11 332 AUSTIN HONEYMAN 5-9 185 DAN BODENMILLER 5-11 250 JONATHON ACCURSO 6-0 160 RICKY WERLING 5-7 126 LOGAN MAY 5-5 116

Pos. Yr. K DB/WR LB/RB LB/RB LB/TE DB/WR DB/RB DB/QB LB/WR DL/QB DB/WR DB/RB DB/WR DB/WR LB/RB DB/WR DL/RB LB/RB LB/RB LB/TE LB/RB DB/RB LB/RB DL/OL LB/OL DL/OL LB/OL LB/OL DL/OL LB/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL LB/TE LB/WR DB/QB

12 12 11 12 10 12 11 10 12 9 11 10 11 11 9 11 11 9 9 12 10 9 11 10 12 9 11 11 11 10 9 12 11 10 9 11 11 11 12 12 10 12 10 11 11 10 9

CASSTOWN returns kicks for us on special teams. He averaged 26 yards on kick returns, 15 yards on punts. He had a kick return for a touchdown.

Defensively, he tied a school record with six interceptions.

“So he’s a very versatile player. It’s nice to have a guy that’s good in all phases of the game.”

Junior Alex Brewer and sophomore Colton McKinney also add depth and experience at the running back position. As a sophomore, Brewer was East’s third leading rusher with 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while McKinney netted 236 yards on the ground with three scores. Colton Holicki is expected to be the starting fullback, while Current also anticipates Brewer and junior Robbie Adams could see time at that position, as well.

Aside from Fellers, who was the Vikings led the team with 15 catches for 319 yards in 2011, East has Dalton Allen and Franco Villella slotted in the wideout spots.

And Villella, a junior, has caught Current’s attention early on.

“He’s looked good in twoa-days and in the scrimmages,” Current said. “He’s made a lot of catches — and he’s done a nice job getting yards after catches.”

Outside of that, seniors Zack Martinez and Cole Hale will also be in the mix at wide receiver.

One of the positions lacking experience, however, is at quarterback. East graduated starting QB Colton Bowling, leaving two youngsters to duke it out for the position.

Sophomore Conner Hellyer is expected to be slotted in the spot, while freshman Braxton Donaldson will play backup.

“Conner doesn’t have much varsity experience, being a freshman last year,” Current said. “For never being a quarterback, I think Braxton has did some good things. Both guys did a nice job of preparing to be quarterbacks in the offseason.

With us not being very experienced at that position, I

STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER

Miami East’s Michael Fellers (13) tries to bring down a Covington running back last season. Fellers is the leading returning rusher for the Vikings, as well as a talented punter. expect there to be some growing pains — but I think we should be alright in the long haul.”

Helping make the young quarterbacks lives a little easier is a seasoned offensive line.

Senior Aaron Hubbard, junior Dan Bodenmiller and senior tight end Kevin Jackson all started last season. The Vikings, though, must replace their center position. Candidates for that spot include Kolin Bendickson, Brandon Willoughby and senior Bryant Miller. Three other guys battling for spots on the line are Michael Trickey, Brady Smallenbarger and Joey Yager. Junior Peter Church is also in the mix to play tackle.

“We’ve got to replace some linemen,” Current said.

“At least some guys are back that have some Friday night experience. Not all guys were main starters last year.

But we had some of them cycling in and out in certain situations. So far, I’m enjoying the competition I’m seeing out of those guys.”

On defense, the Vikings have several players back, as well. Fellers and Cole Hale are switching places. Last season, Fellers had 48 tackles as a safety, while Hale recorded 44 tackles and had one interception at cornerback. Current believes both players can play either position. Adding more depth to the strong defensive back

core is Allen — who saw a lot of action at corner in the last three games of 2011.

Brandon Force and Zack Martinez are jockeying to win the No. 3 corner position.

Senior Aaron Hubbard and junior Dylan Kinnison bring experience back at inside linebacker. Both guys were letterwinners last year.

Hubbard had 49 tackles, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery. Jonathon Accurso, a junior, is also battling for a spot at LB. On the outside is senior Tylor Henderson, who logged 38 tackles, one sack and an interception in his junior year. Villella is competing for a spot also, while Smallenbarger and Holicki battle it out for the starting spot on the other side.

The defensive line returns basically 3 out of 4

guys who played most of the time last season. Adams — a starter at defensive tackle last season — returns on the defensive line. Adams was a big-time force for the Vikings with 67 tackles last season.

He will anchor the trenches with the 6-foot-4 Branden Ramey, who started several games last season. Tanner Church and Austin Honeyman are contending for the other spots on the line.

At end, Jackson will start on one side and Brewer, a converted linebacker, is looking to be the man on the other side. Jackson had 27 tackles as a junior to go along with two sacks, three fumble recoveries — one for a touchdown. Also vying for playing time are Donaldson and Yager.

The Vikings begin their season on the road with a tough out of conference game against the MiltonUnion Bulldogs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. A win over the Bulldogs would be retribution for Current and the Vikings, considering the narrow 21-14 defeat they suffered last season.

But if you ask Current, focusing on the winning the CCC is the long-term goal.

“We always want to compete for the league title,” Current said. “That’s always the No. 1 goal. It’s all gravy after that. Some people would say they want to make playoffs. But if you win your league, making the playoffs should come easy.”

And that would be a great experience for everybody.

2012 MIAMI EAST FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 * denotes

H/A Opponent Time A Milton-Union 7:30 p.m.

A Ansonia* 7:30 p.m.

H Arcanum* 7:30 p.m.

A Mississinawa Valley*7:30 p.m.

H Bethel* 7:30 p.m.

A Covington* 7:30 p.m.

H Tri-County North* 7:30 p.m.

H Bradford* 7:30 p.m.

A Twin Valley South* 7:30 p.m.

H National Trail* 7:30 p.m.

CCC game • RESTORATIONS • EXTRACTIONS • CROWNS & BRIDGES • ROOT CANALS • PREVENTIVE CARE • DENTURES & PARTIALS • RIGID STERILIZATION • WHITENING • SEALANTS • COSMETIC DENTISTRY • BOTOX & JUVEDERM

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The Miami East football team lost nine seniors from last year, most notably, running back Kevin McMaken — who rushed for 1,246 yards and 21 touchdowns.

But when coach Max Current looks at the 2012 Vikings, he sees varsity experience all over the place, with the exception of one key position.

“All is not doom and gloom — that’s for sure,” Current said. “We’ve got some nice players coming back. Sure, we have to replace a 1,200-yard rusher (McMaken). We’ve got a lot of guys coming back in the backfield. We’ve got some capable backs with some good experience.”

Miami East has 16 letterwinners returning, along with a group of 10 seniors.

Under Current last season, the Vikings finished 6-4

overall, 6-3 in the Cross County Conference — which was good enough for third place.

Even with the loss of McMaken, the Vikings do have a very unique and versatile backfield, starting with junior Michael Fellers — a guy that did it all for the team last year. As a sophomore, Fellers was the Vikings’ second-leading rusher (659 yards) and the top receiver. He also was a record-tying defender, plus a special teams guru — ending the year as a first team All-CCC selection, a first team All-Southwest District member and he was also selected as special mention All-Ohio.

“He does a lot for us,” Current said. “He’s a great athlete. He led the team in receiving last year. He can kick. He averaged 39 yards per punt last year as our punter. He made three field goals last year — and was perfect on extra points. He

2306992

BY COLIN FOSTER Associate Sports Editor cfoster@tdnpublishing.com

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MILTON-UNION

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

Thursday, August 23, 2012

C11

PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPRESSION STUDIOS

The 2012 Milton-Union Bulldogs football team.

’Dogs look to repeat 2007 turnaround Despite losing leading rusher, Milton-Union brings back tons of experience Once the 2011 season ended, Milton-Union’s opponents collectively started salivating when thinking about this upcoming fall.

After all, the Bulldogs’ dynamic, speedy leading rusher with the anklebreaking moves — Jake Finfrock — had just graduated.

Milton-Union coach Bret Pearce simply smiles, though, remembering the last time a player like Finfrock graduated.

Because when superstar quarterback Mitchell Evans graduated in 2006, no one expected much out of the Bulldogs the next season.

“Like I’ve been telling this team, they remind me a lot of our 2007 team,” Pearce said.

“When Mitchell Evans graduated

in 2006, everyone thought we would go right downhill.

But we still had a lot coming back … and we went on to win the league title and make a nice playoff run.”

In 2006 — Evans’ last season — the Bulldogs went 11-2, earning the top spot in the Division IV, Region 14 playoffs and even winning three postseason games. The following year, without Evans’ help, the Bulldogs finished the year 10-2 and got the No. 2 seed in the Division IV, Region 16 playoffs. They then avenged their only regular season loss in the first round by beating Brookville in a postseason game before their run ended.

That was the last time Milton-Union had reached the playoffs — until last year, Finfrock’s last year.

The Bulldogs finished their 2011 campaign 8-2, only missing out on a league title to unbeaten

MILTON-UNION BULLDOGS ROSTER No. Name 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 29 31 34 40 41 45 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 65 66 67 68 69 70 76 81 88

Ht. Wt.

DAVID KARNS 5-9 DAKOTA ALBAUGH 6-3 DALTON SOCHACKI 5-9 KODEY WOLF 5-11 JOEY SWAFFORD 5-7 TYLER COTTRELL 6-0 LONDON COWAN 6-3 RYAN NICHOLS 6-0 CHASE MARTENS 5-8 SAM NISWONGER 6-1 KENTON DICKISON 5-11 NOLAN STAAS 5-10 BRADEN SMITH 5-7 HOLDEN KIMMEL 5-11 JACOB HILL 5-11 CHRIS DUNN 5-8 QUINTAN WEISS 5-6 JOSH BOOHER 5-7 LOGAN DICKISON 5-8 BRAD STINE 6-0 ALEX KING 6-3 AUSTIN MENKER 5-8 TREVOR KLOSTERMAN 6-2 TREY BARNES 5-9 CHRIS BOGGS 5-10 SAM MORGAN 5-10 TYLER BROWN 6-0 JOSH BRYAN 5-10 JESSE SIMPSON 6-2 JEREMY PUTHOFF 5-7 JUSTIN SILER 5-7 ANDREW LYNN 6-2 ETHAN DOHNER 5-8 MICHAEL HAMMOND 5-7 COLE PENNINGTON 6-1 ELIJAH SIMS 6-2 NICK FIELDS 6-1 JASON SILER 6-3 ALEX WILSON 6-2 ZAC BAMBIC 5-7 JOSH SIMPSON 6-2 AUSTIN DICKISON 6-0 BRADLEY SPITLER 6-0 COREY LAYMAN 6-2 SHANE BARNETT 6-0 KYLE SILLS 6-1 WESLEY MARTIN 6-3 JOSEPH THOELE 5-10 NATE SHELLENBERGER 6-0

Pos. Yr.

150 WR/DB 170 WR/DB 135 WR/DB 145 WR/DB 135 QB/DB 170 TE/ILB 205 QB/OLB 155 TE/OLB 140 RB/DB 190 RB/DB 160 QB/DB 135 WR/DB 115 WR/DB 150 RB/DB 170 QB/ILB 133 RB/DB 120 WR/DB 136 RB/DB 126 WR/DB 190 RB/ILB 195 TE/OLB 135 RB/DB 165 WR/DB 141 WR/DB 193 RB/ILB 185 TE/ILB 220 RB/ILB 180 RB/ILB 220 OL/DL 151 OL/DL 135 OL/DL 210 OL/ DL 142 OL/OLB 150 OL/DL 245 OL/DL 210 OL/OLB 205 K/P 223 OL/DL 160 OL/DL 164 OL/ILB 250 OL/DL 165 OL/OLB 170 OL/ILB 210 OL/DL 173 OL/DL 180 OL/DL 295 OL/DL 170 RB/DB 145 WR/OLB

12 12 12 11 9 12 11 11 10 12 11 12 9 10 9 9 10 12 9 10 12 9 12 10 12 11 12 12 12 9 9 10 9 9 11 10 12 12 10 9 11 12 10 12 9 12 11 12 11

WEST MILTON Waynesville. They reached the playoffs, though, where they lost to Waynesville 2117 in the first round.

Finfrock was a major part of that, rushing for a team-high 1,524 yards and 20 touchdowns and adding a team-high 132 receiving yards and two more scores.

Also amongst the graduated is quarterback Cody Hollon, who threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns, and Jordan Poland, who was a major force on the line.

“We had a lot of seniors last year, a lot of kids that contributed a lot for four years for us,” Pearce said.

“But even though we lose that, we still have a lot of returning experience.”

And some of that experience is in the right places offensively — in the backfield and on the line.

Bruising back Tyler Brown returns as a senior this year after piling up more than 800 yards and double digits in touchdowns including the postseason. After two years as the punishing, physical alternative to Finfrock’s quicker, more agile style, Brown will likely be picking up the lion’s share of the workload. Also back are senior captain Jason Siler and 6-foot-3, 295-pound junior Wesley Martin on the offensive line.

“Last year, Jake was our leading rusher, so we obviously have to replace that.

And Tyler is going to get a lot of those carries,” Pearce said. “Jason is our captain and our leader on the offensive line, and Wesley is a big-time recruit that is definitely going to be someone other teams have to worry about. He just pushed people around.”

Corey Layman, Josh Simpson and Andrew Lynn will make up the rest of the line, with senior tight end Alex King also returning to lend a hand. Chris Boggs, Sam Niswonger and Joe Thoele — who all saw limited time last season on varsity — will be competing for carries and add depth to the backfield, while Trevor Klosterman, Dakota Albaugh and David Karns will all see time at wideout.

“Boggs is another big back, and Niswonger and Thoele, while not small, both have a little more speed than power,” Pearce said. “So we may have a little of that (thunder and lightning combo) again.”

The Bulldogs also have a battle going to see who will be calling the signals between juniors London Cowan and Kenton

STAFF FILE PHOTO/JIM HOUSER

Milton-Union’s Tyler Brown returns as a senior this season. He will carry more of the load this season after the departure of graduate Jake Finfrock — which he is more than capable of.

Dickison. But instead of battling, Pearce has the option to use them like the New York Jets with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.

Whether or not that happens will have to be seen.

“London is a big, tall kid with a strong arm. He’s more of a pocket passer.

Kenton can hurt you a little more with his legs, and he’s got great leadership skills. It’s been a good battle,” Pearce said. “And they’re both so smart that they don’t necessarily need to get all the reps in practice, either. We could move them back and forth and change the look of the offense entirely.”

The defense, however, has much the same look that it did last season — much to Pearce’s delight.

“We have eight returning starters on defense.

That’s part of the reason why we’re so excited,” he said.

Three-year starter and senior Jesse Simpson returns at nose guard, as do tackles Cole Pennington and Siler. Josh Bryan and Chris Boggs will play at inside linebacker, with Tyler Cottrell also in the mix, while Brown and Austin Dickison will play outside linebacker. Karns, Kenton Dickison, Thoele and Josh Booher will patrol the secondary and make things very hard for teams

wanting to throw the ball.

“We have a number of great athletes that we’re still trying to see whether they’ll contribute more on offense or defense, to see which side of the ball we’ll rely on them for more,” Pearce said.

The Bulldogs will also have a special teams weapon back in senior

kicker Nick Fields.

“He’s definitely a weapon that can flip the field in the field position war,” Pearce said. “He’s one of the top kickers in the state.”

And with all of that talent returning from last year’s playoff team, there’s no reason for the Bulldogs to do anything but aim high.

“We’re setting nothing but the highest expectations,” Pearce said. “We want to be league champs again. We’ve gone four years without a league championship, and we want to bring one back to West Milton.”

To do that, they’ve got plenty to worry about — including last year’s champ, Waynesville, who, like them, graduated their team leader in quarterback Luke Profitt.

“With (Profitt) playing the last couple of years, they could have had the second-best quarterback in the league on the bench this whole time, and we wouldn’t have known it.

We’re not overlooking anyone because of what they lost,” Pearce said. “Just because they lost a lot, we don’t expect them to be weak. They graduated a big senior class, but their program is strong. Carlisle also returns a great nucleus of kids, Dixie returns a lot — we’re not overlooking anyone.

“We’re going to be a team that is physical, and we have to maintain a high level of intensity. If we can keep that up, we’ll give ourselves a chance to get where we want to be.”

2012 MILTON-UNION FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 * denotes

H/A Opponent H Miami East H Oakwood A Tippecanoe A Bellbrook H Madison* A Carlisle* A Preble Shawnee* H Dixie* H Waynesville* A Northridge* SWBL Buckeye game

Time 7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

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BY JOSH BROWN Sports Editor jbrown@tdnpublishing.com

284 N. Miami St., West Milton • (937) 698-4422

C12

COVINGTON

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

STAFF PHOTO/BEN ROBINSON

The 2012 Covington Buccaneers football team.

Taking team concept to extremes No-Name Buccaneers not chasing individual achievement, out to win games

BY BEN ROBINSON Sports Writer The kids on the Covington football team have probably never heard of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team in NFL history to record a perfect season — nor do they likely know of the Dolphins’ famed “NoName Defense.”

Still, in a perfect world, the Buccaneers would love nothing better than to be like the 1972 Dolphins — of course with their record — but also take a little bit of ownership of the name.

In Covington, why not be known as the No-Name Buccaneers?

“That was probably the greatest football team in history, yet not too many people know the names of the players,” said Covington coach Dave Miller, who is in his sixth season at the helm. “They

were known as the ‘NoNames.’ That’s a great example for us to emulate.”

Now, nobody is saying the 2012 Covington Buccaneers are going to be the 1972 Miami Dolphins, but the similarities to the team philosophy are there.

Like Miami, Covington understands that ultimate goals are not attainable without a team-first approach. In an attempt to reach the ultimate goal, the Buccaneers have taken the “team” concept to another level. This will not only have an impact inside the locker room, but outside as well.

“Our locker room is pretty darn close, and for the most part it has been since I’ve been here,” Miller said. “The difference this year is the kids have taken that unity to an entirely different level.

They are all about team

COVINGTON BUCCANEERS ROSTER No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 7 9 10 11 12 15 17 18 20 21 23 24 25 32 34 36 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 70 71 72 74 75 77 78 88

JORDAN MASCHINO TOBIAS, TRENT CRON, TROY GAGE LOOKER COLLINS, ZAKK BEN KUETHER JAMES GRILLIOT JARED WILLIAMS RYAN COLEMAN OUELLETTE, A.J. WILLIAMS, JUSTIN DEETER, KYLER FREEMAN, DUSTIN SETTERS, CHANCE RYAN CONNOR BASKERVILLE, ALEX ANGLE, AUSTIN NOAH THOMAS FRIES, ALEX SHANE STRAW CHRIS HOMAN EARICK, JOSH PERKINS, LOGAN OWENS, COLE CALEB MARTIN IAN FRIES HAYDEN WILLIAMS ZACH BARNES GENGLER, ROBERT CLARK, SETH OWENS, DYLAN DANIEL, JUSTIN BOBBY ALEXANDER BRAD HART MURPHY, COLTON DANIEL HENSLEE CHANCE HINNEGAN OLSON, BRIAN BRANDON MAGEE LOGAN FIELDS LANE MILLER ETHAN NASH KYLE SHEFBUCH ALBRIGHT, JACOB JORDAN WOLFE DALTON BORDELON CALE WAGNER

Ht. Wt. 5-8 5-10 5-8 6-0 5-8 5-8 5-9 5-8 5-2 5-9 5-7 6-0 5-9 5-7 5-2 6-0 6-4 5-3 5-9 5-4 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-4 5-2 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-11 5-8 6-0 5-9 5-5 6-0 6-1 5-8 5-8 5-11 5-7 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-0

Pos. Yr.

130DB/HB/QB 172DB/HB/QB 143DB/WR/HB 163 DE/WR 134 DB/HB 121 DB/WR 141 LB/WR 135DB/HB/QB 100DB/WR/HB 180DB/RB/QB 198LB/RB/QB 160 DB/HB 148 DB/WR 152 DB/HB 101 DB/HB 174 DE/RB 165DE/WR/TE 118 DB/HB 170DE/FB/TE 119 DB/HB 147DB/WR/TE 169LB/FB/OL 184 DL/OL 250 DE/OL/K 139 DL/OL 205 DL/OL 212 DL/OL 161 DE/OL 180 DE/OL 193 DL/OL 195 LB/OL 205 DL/OL 175DL/OL/FB 126 LB/OL 190 DL/OL 195 DL/OL 200 DL/OL 200 DL/OL 174LB/OL/FB 151 LB/OL 151 DE/WR 210 DL/OL 285 DL/OL 165 DL/OL 262 DL/OL 170 LB/FB 170 DE/WR

9 12 12 12 11 9 9 9 9 11 11 12 11 11 9 12 12 9 11 9 11 10 10 12 9 9 11 9 10 11 12 11 11 9 11 9 9 12 9 9 10 9 10 11 11 11 10

COVINGTON now more than ever.”

Because of that team unity, Covington fans who are accustomed to following individual players and individual statistics in the local papers and the team’s website (BuccsFootball.com) will be greatly disappointed this year, because those stats will be nowhere to be found — at least not until the end of the season.

The only stats that will be made available outside of the locker room will be team stats — a practice that grants the wishes of the team.

“I’m sure I’ll have a lot of media people mad at me, but that’s the way they (the kids) want it, and I’m all for it,” Miller said. “I’ll accept the heat from the media because frankly, the kids don’t care who has the most rushing yards or who catches the most passes.

All they care about is what the team does, and that’s the way we are approaching things. It’s all about the team.”

Surely, there will be people who will disagree with this approach because they feel that worthy players may not be recognized by the local media.

In reality, individual recognition from the media is not what the Buccaneers are looking for.

It’s recognition as a team that matters most.

“We recognize the kids individually in house,” Miller said. “That recognition, the recognition from your teammates, your peers, that’s the recognition that matters. We have things like The Champion’s Club, The SAC Unit, Pancake Player of the Week, things like that where individuals are rewarded for their individual contributions to the team.”

The ultimate reward for Covington as a team is maximizing its potential — and the Buccs are loaded with potential in 2012 with a roster of 46 kids.

“We have the potential to be a very, very good football team,” Miller said.

“But a lot of things go into maximizing that potential.

We’ll have to stay healthy and maintain the right attitudes.”

Attitude is arguably the biggest factor.

“That’s true, and right now our attitude is where we need it to be,” Miller said. “We still have to develop some more leader-

STAFF FILE PHOTO/BEN ROBINSON

The Covington defensive unit will look to create turnovers and convert them into scoring opportunities this season. ship, but I like where we are right now.”

Right now, Covington is a team that has worked harder than ever in the offseason, improving in its weight room and conditioning sessions. The Buccs put up record numbers in the weight room, all the while becoming a leaner and faster football team.

“We’ve implemented some new things that we feel will make us more explosive as athletes,” Miller said. “It’s little things that hopefully will make a big difference on the field. We can already see the difference because this may be the fastest football team we’ve had from top to bottom since I’ve been here.”

Covington returns 15 letterwinners, including all but one of its starting skill players. With that many players remaining from a year ago and 17 freshman on the team, the improvement in speed is impressive.

And that speed will hopefully translate into a potent offensive attack.

“We like the potential we have offensively,” Miller said. “We have a lot of kids who can make plays for us, and that makes you that much tougher to defend. The key for us is how well we mesh together as a unit.”

The offensive line took the biggest hit from graduation, but growth and development has led to several capable candidates in the trenches.

“We’re not set yet up front, but we’re getting there,” Miller said. “We’ll probably have a rotation because of kids playing both ways.”

Defensively, Covington has shown the potential to be very stingy. So far in the scrimmages the Buccs have proven to be ball hawks, forcing several turnovers and converting them into scores.

“Defense is all about attitude, flying to the football,” Miller said. “We simplified things on the defen-

sive side of the ball, which allows the kids to just play and not have to think so much. We’ve seen a difference so far.”

Perhaps the biggest difference in the Covington football team is its approach — not so much by design, but by the tightness and unity of the kids.

Nobody cares whose name gets mentioned outside of the locker room as long as the team is rewarded.

Covington may just very well be the “No-Name Buccaneers.”

2012 COVINGTON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 * denotes

H/A Opponent Time H New Bremen 7:30 p.m.

A Mississinawa Valley*7:30 p.m.

H Bethel* 7:30 p.m.

A Bradford* 7:30 p.m.

A Tri-County North* 7:30 p.m.

H Miami East* 7:30 p.m.

A Twin Valley South* 7:30 p.m.

H National Trail* 7:30 p.m.

A Ansonia* 7:30 p.m.

H Arcanum* 7:30 p.m.

CCC game

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2308055

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

BETHEL

Thursday, August 23, 2012

C13

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFETOUCH, INC.

The 2012 Bethel Bees football team.

New faces all around at Bethel Finfrock returns to coaching with inexperienced but hard-working team

STAFF FILE PHOTOS/ANTHONY WEBER

Bethel senior kicker Brandon Garlough — seen here in his cover photo for The Blitz — returns as a dangerous special teams weapon for the Bees.

4-5 in the league.

And there’s plenty of 2012 BETHEL talent around the league FOOTBALL SCHEDULE once again.

“You can never overH/A Opponent Time look anybody,” Finfrock Date said. “Covington brings a Aug. 24 H Northridge 7:30 p.m. lot back to the table this Aug. 31 A Bradford* 7:30 p.m. year, Tri-County North Sept.

7 A Covington* 7:30 p.m. (which was CCC runnerTri-County North* 7:30 p.m. up last year) has a lot of Sept. 14 H good athletes, Miami East Sept. 21 A Miami East* 7:30 p.m. has good athletes, Sept. 28 H Twin Valley South* 7:30 p.m.

Ansonia always does a A National Trail* 7:30 p.m. good job and Arcanum has Oct. 5 H Ansonia* 7:30 p.m. a new coach. Anyone can Oct. 12 be a dark horse.

Oct. 19 A Arcanum* 7:30 p.m.

“Hopefully it becomes a Oct. 26 H Mississinawa Valley*7:30 p.m. better league reputation* denotes CCC game wise and everyone competes at the highest level.”

And for the Bees — who kick off the season at home against Northridge — competing from week to week is the goal.

937-335-5696 “We’re going to take it www.erwinchrysler.com one game at a time,” 2775 SOUTH COUNTY RD 25A Finfrock said. “Each game WE’RE JUST NORTH OF DAYTON ON I-75 EXIT #69 TROY is as important as the next one, that’s how we’re going to approach it. We want to try to perform at 2013 Dodge Dart the highest level we can.”

ERWIN

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adjustments to make. But

BY JOSH BROWN BRANDT the kids feel comfortable Sports Editor jbrown@tdnpublishing.com running it.” ing yards, four passing And Finfrock’s systems touchdowns, 534 rushing Kevin Finfrock said his have been proven to work, yards, eight rushing greatest challenge so far too. Finfrock started as an touchdowns) and leading as the new coach of the offensive coordinator for receiver Joey Serrer (266 Bethel Bees has been get- Covington, which was 76- yards, one touchdown), ting to know a new group 14 while he was a coach at Bethel has very few the school from 1999- returning yards. of players. with the Come Friday, Bethel 2006, In fact, one of the fans will begin doing the Buccaneers going 34-9 backs bringing back the with Finfrock as head most yards is senior same thing.

The Bees graduated coach from 2003-06.

Brandon Garlough — But the Bees will have whose the vast majority of their carries were starting skill position to implement those sys- severely limited by a players from last season’s tems with a squad that shoulder injury last seateam, practically giving has little varsity experi- son. Still, he managed to Bethel’s first-year head ence coming back. rush for 72 yards on the The Bees’ biggest season. coach a clean slate to work with after six years strength on offense could Of course, where be its line — particularly Garlough is most dangeraway from coaching. senior Gus ous is on special teams, “Obviously, just getting with to know the new kids has Schwieterman as the where he is one of the best been a challenge,” the for- anchor at tackle and on kickers and punters in mer Covington coach said. defense at end. The the state. Not only can he “It’s a new school, so I’ve returning lineman is a turn the field position war been getting used to the game-changer on offense immediately in the Bees’ surroundings, the players, and defense, but his 2011 favor with a booming the people in the commu- season was cut short by punt, but his field goal nity. The strategy, the Xs an injury. With him joined range extends beyond 40 and Os, all of that stays by seniors Mitch Siler and yards, and he just doesn’t the same wherever you Brady Davis and junior miss extra points. go. It’s just been getting Tracy Stover, the Bees Sophomore Alex have plenty of big bodies Wilson tops the list of used to the new faces.”

And for those new to clear the way. returning yardage with After graduating its 141 yards and a touchfaces, the task has been getting used to a new sys- stable of running backs in down, followed by junior Brent Rowley (751 yards, Troy Sawyer with 61 tem.

“Both the offense and nine touchdowns), Austin yards. Senior Derrick defense we’ll run is new Staggs (541 yards, six Diddle will also be in the to these kids,” Finfrock touchdowns) and Reed backfield, followed by a said. “It’s been a pretty Pelphrey (196 yards, four host of sophomores. big learning curve so far, touchdowns), quarterback Senior Matt Bush — and there’s been a lot of Jon Ellerbrock (554 pass- who rushed for 20 yards and a touchdown last year — can play either quarBETHEL BEES ROSTER terback or running back, with junior Jason No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. Clendening also vying for 2 CORY ALLEN N/A N/A WR/DB 10 time behind center. And 3 JACOB TUMEY N/A N/A WR/DB 11 with returning targets at 4 DERRICK DIDDLE N/A N/A RB/DE 12 wide receiver in senior 6 JORDAN ELAM N/A N/A TE/DE 12 Andrew Hurst and junior 8 TROY SAWYER N/A N/A RB/DB 11 Jacob Tumey, as well as 9 BRANDON GARLOUGH N/A N/A RB/DB 12 new tight end Zach 11 ALEX WILSON N/A N/A RB/DB 10 Ulrich, the Bees shouldn’t 12 JASON CLENDENING N/A N/A WR/DB 11 lack for options in the 14 MASON KRETZER N/A N/A RB/LB 10 passing game.

“They’re all good kids, 17 ANDREW HURST N/A N/A WR/DB 12 and they’ve been working 18 AARON BOZARTH N/A N/A WR/LB 11 hard,” Finfrock said.

19 DEVIN HAZLEY N/A N/A WR/LB 10 “They’ve all been doing a 20 MATTHEW BUSH N/A N/A QB/DB 12 nice job for us.”

21 WARREN FREELAND N/A N/A WR/DB 9 One advantage for 22 DERRICK ALLEN N/A N/A RB/DE 10 Finfrock as coach is know24 JACOB FIRST N/A N/A RB/LB 10 ing the competition in the 25 JOSHUA BURROWES N/A N/A WR/DB 10 Cross County Conference 30 ZACHARY ULRICH N/A N/A TE/DE 11 already.

34 MITCHELL SILER N/A N/A TE/LB 12 “There’s always a lot of 51 JAMES PELPHREY N/A N/A G/LB 11 new faces every year.

52 JOHNNY WILLS N/A N/A T/DT 12 Teams always have new 53 CAMERON CERBUS N/A N/A G/LB 11 kids. It’s been a while, but 54 TOM POFFENBERGER N/A N/A T/DT 11 I know the surroundings 55 NATHANIEL REESE N/A N/A G/DE 11 pretty well,” Finfrock 56 MICAH COLLINS N/A N/A T/DT 10 said.

Last season, the Bees 58 TRACY STOVER N/A N/A C/DT 11 62 HADEN HOSKINS N/A N/A G/DT 10 were a favorite dark horse 65 STETSON PEAKE N/A N/A C/DT 9 pick to shake things up in 66 GUS SCHWIETERMAN N/A N/A T/DE 12 the CCC. But after a nar68 CHRISTOPHER MORRIS N/A N/A G/LB 11 row defeat at the hands of champ 70 JACOB SMITH N/A N/A T/DT 10 eventual 72 DAVID DUPRAS N/A N/A T/DT 11 Covington early in the season, Bethel was beset 73 HENRY WOLSKI N/A N/A T/DT 11 by injuries and bad luck, 75 BRADY DAVIS N/A N/A G/DT 12 finishing the year 5-5 and

C14

Thursday, August 23, 2012

BRADFORD

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF DON SELANDERS

The 2012 Bradford Railroaders football team.

Motivation, effort, commitment Bradford has experience, depth and a group of seniors itching to go out as winners

BY COLIN FOSTER Associate Sports Editor cfoster@tdnpublishing.com One thing Bradford football coach Curtis Enis always tells his team is to approach the game of football with “motivation, effort and commitment.”

This particular group of seniors has done exactly that.

“They have passion and love for the game,” Enis said. “They enjoy the game of football. That makes it easier as a coach when you have a group that loves coming out and getting after it. It has been a blessing to be able to coach these guys.”

BRADFORD STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER

Bradford senior Shane Gill (22), seen here tackling a Bethel player, is coming back for his final year with the program. The Railroaders have 10 returning seniors this season.

OHIO COMMUNITY MEDIA PHOTO/KYLE SHANER

Bradford’s James Canan leaps for a catch during a game against National Trail last season. Canan returns this season after scoring 22 touchdowns in 2011.

The Railroaders, however, Canan led the team in have senior James Canan rushing touchdowns (13) returning to the lineup. and was also quarterback Brandon Wysong’s top target in the air, as the pair BRADFORD RAILROADERS ROSTER hooked up for 403 yards and nine touchdowns.

No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. Wysong — a starter at 1 DALLAS CASSEL 5-11 180 TE/DL 12 quarterback since a fresh2 JUSTIN PARKE 5-7 140 DL 10 man — is also back this 3 CORY RENCH 5-10 150 RB/DB 12 season.

“We lost five or six sen7 CODY ROBINSON 6-1 160 QB/DB 10 8 NICK RANK 5-10 150 DB 11 iors from last year,” Enis 10 ZACH HOELSCHER 5-7 140 TE/DB 10 said. “Jonathan did a lot of 12 BRANDON WYSONG 6-4 170 QB 11 good things for us. But we 13 RAYCE GRIGG 5-9 130 WR/DB 10 have four or five backs now 15 RHYAN TURNER 6-4 160 TE/DB 9 who have been eagerly 20 TYLER GUNTER 5-4 120 RB/DB 9 waiting for their opportunities. That’s pretty excit21 DANIEL CASSELL 5-9 150 DB 11 ing.

22 SHANE GILL 6-0 180 LB 12 “But it’s also just as 25 LUKE HAFER 5-8 170 RB/LB 12 important to have a good 28 SHANE CORNETT 5-6 130 TE/DB 9 offensive line. I really like 30 DARYEN BOOKER 5-5 140 FB/LB 9 how hard the guys on the 34 NICK HOOVER 5-6 150 RB/DB 9 line have been competing.

39 JAKE CLINE 5-8 170 RB/LB 12 You can’t do anything on 41 JAMES CANAN 5-11 170 RB/DE 12 offense without having a 43 DUSTIN MIRANDA 5-9 160 RB/LB 10 good O-line.”

50 TONY GUNTER 6-0 230 OL 12 Senior Corey Rench has 51 DREW PATTY 6-2 170 OL/DL 9 the next most experience 52 NATHAN VOISARD 5-5 170 DL 11 among the leading candi55 JOHN CLINE 6-0 200 OL 11 dates to fill the No. 2 back 60 TROY HUGGINS 5-7 140 OL/DL 10 spot. As a junior, Rench 62 JOSH HOELSCHER 5-10 170 DE 12 ranked third on the team 65 BRANDON MITCHELL 5-5 150 OL/DL 9 in rushing attempts (59), 67 BAILEY POWELL 5-8 205 OL/DL 9 going for 431 yards on the 68 FRANKIE SETTERS 5-8 215 OL/DL 9 ground, while scoring three 69 JEFF CROWELL 6-0 305 DL 11 times. Also back is Jacob 74 STEVEN GAYHART 6-0 315 DL 11 Cline, who had two touch75 T.J. PULLINS 5-10 175 OL 11 downs in 2011. The two backs combined to average 79 ROBERT LOY 5-10 215 OL 11 just over 10 carries a game.

87 BRANDON WIRRIG 5-10 160 TE/DB 12 On the Bradford roster,

there are seven players listed as running backs.

But the competition at Bradford’s camp has been fierce and action-packed, and several positions are still up for grabs — which is something Enis likes to see. Even the junior quarterback Wysong is being pushed. As quarterback No. 1 during his sophomore year, Wysong completed 38 out of 87 passes for 792 yards. He threw 12 touchdown passes compared to six interceptions.

“It’s really too early to determine (who will be at QB),” Enis said. “We have a sophomore, Cody Robinson, who has impressed. But at the same time, Brandon has really made improvements.

“Brandon is a good kid.

He’s a good student-athlete. He’s the typical quarterback you want running your system.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Enis made it clear the Roaders will be in attack-mode constantly. In terms of personnel, nine out of 10 seniors are slotted as defensive players — including Dallas Cassel (defensive line), Rench (defensive back), Shane Gill (linebacker), Luke Hafer (linebacker), Canan (defensive end), Josh Hoelscher (defensive end), Steven Gayhart (defensive line) and Brandon Wirrig (defensive back), who also had two TD catches at tight end last season. The only senior not going both ways is offensive lineman Tony Gunter.

“I think we’ve got a lot of good guys out there (on

defense),” Enis said. “We’re going to have an attacking style of defense. We want to make sure we are always aggressive.

“As the old saying goes, our defense may bend, but we don’t want it to break.”

As practice has worn on and the preseason games have been played, the Bradford coach has been impressed with what his team has displayed. Not just one person in particular — but the whole team, which is surely a good sign heading into the season.

“They have all impressed,” Enis said. “The

kids have really come to compete. They have really come together as a team.

Our preseason hasn’t been too bad. We got a lot of new competition out there, which is great to see.

“We have had to move some kids around from different positions. But right now, we are just focusing on finding out what works.

We are focusing on being 100-percent committed to giving our best effort.”

That effort will be put to the test when Railroaders open the season at home against the Ansonia Tigers on Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

2012 BRADFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 * denotes

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There are 10 seniors returning for a Bradford team that has gone 10-10 over the last two seasons under Enis’ watch. Enis is in his third year as head coach of the Railroaders, fourth at the school. The road through the Cross County Conference won’t be easy for the Railroaders — especially with the loss of several skill position players on offense.

Bradford’s top running back graduated in Jonathan Barbee — who piled up 1,034 yards on the ground and scored nine touchdowns last season.

H/A Opponent Time H Ansonia 7:30 p.m.

H Bethel* 7:30 p.m.

A National Trail* 7:30 p.m.

H Covington* 7:30 p.m.

A Ansonia* 7:30 p.m.

H Tri-County North* 7:30 p.m.

A Arcanum* 7:30 p.m.

A Miami East* 7:30 p.m.

H Mississinawa Valley*7:30 p.m.

A Twin Valley South* 7:30 p.m.

CCC game

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TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

LEHMAN

C15

Thursday, August 23, 2012

OHIO COMMUNITY MEDIA PHOTO/ERIC CASTLE

The 2012 Lehman Cavaliers football team.

Expectations high after off year A more experienced Lehman team faces a tougher schedule

BY ROB KISER Ohio Community Media rkiser@dailycall.com Last year was an atypical one for Lehman Catholic football coach Richard Roll.

For the first time since arriving at Lehman in 2005, Roll and his team found themselves watching, instead of participating in the Division VI, Region 24 playoffs.

That was not completely unexpected considering the youth of the team — but, Roll does not expect another 3-7 season this time around.

SIDNEY “My expectations are high,” Roll said. “I am not sure we worked as hard (in the off-season) last year as the previous years. Last year, it just wasn’t in the cards for us.”

The Cavaliers haven’t forgotten the struggles of a year ago as they head into a new campaign.

“I think it was a motivator for us in the off-season,” he said. “The kids have worked hard. We lost some good kids off last year’s team that were part of a lot of success.

“But this is a new year.”

The Cavaliers have already suffered a blow in the preseason, with returning starter Greg Spearman lost for the season.

“What it did was take away our depth,” Roll said.

“We felt like we had depth — but he was a two-way starter — so it killed our depth.”

The quarterback spot will look much like it did a year ago, with senior Dan Davis (5-8, 155) and sophomore Nick Rourke (5-11, 150) sharing snaps.

“They will split time until one of them just moves ahead (of the other),” Roll said. “In a way you would (like to see one quarterback), but we have made it work before.”

It will be a more wideopen offense than in past years.

“You will see a lot more spread formations,” Roll said. “We are trying to utilize our talent — and what it comes down to is we don’t have that big back. We will run some option, and I think we will throw the ball more.”

Seeing action at fullback will be junior John Husa (5-11, 185) and senior Dan Davis (5-8, 155); while Husa also will see time at halfback with sophomore Lane Monnin (5-8, 150).

The receivers will be juniors Kristopher Lee (61, 175) and Andrew Westerheide (5-11, 160) and sophomore Clay Selsor (6-3, 170).

When they use a tight end, it will be Lee. The offensive line is one

Lehman’s Michael Jacob closes in on a sack during a game last season.

2012 LEHMAN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 OHIO COMMUNITY MEDIA FILE PHOTOS/MIKE ULLERY Lehman senior quarterback Dan Davis returns after finishing second on the team in Sept. 14 rushing yards last season. Davis will again share snaps with Nick Rourke, now a Sept. 21 sophomore.

Sept. 28 sive line),” Roll said. “We Oct. 5 feel like we are pretty Oct. 12 strong up front.”

The outside linebackers Oct. 19 will be Husa and senior Oct. 26 Andrew Adams (5-8, 145), * denotes

The Lehman defense will look to do a bit more celebrating this season after a rough 3-7 campaign during the 2011 year. of the strong points.

Seeing action at center will be Bradley Montgomery (5-11, 215) and sophomore Joseph Skelton (5-6, 195).

Senior Nick Cummons (5-11, 180) will be at one guard spot, while Bradley Montgomery or junior Quinn Monnin (5-11, 200) will be at the other guard spot.

Seeing action at tackle will be seniors Michael Jacob (6-5, 200) and

Quinton Malone (6-2, 210) and sophomore Ben Montgomery (5-8, 217).

“We have four starters back on the line,” Roll said.

“So we feel like that is a strong point.”

The defensive line will have Malone, Brad Montgomery and junior James Rego (6-2, 217) at the tackle spots, with Gilardi, Jacob and Quinn Monnin seeing action at defensive end.

“It is (just like the offen-

while the inside linebackers will be Cummons and sophomore Skylar Brown (5-10, 160).

The secondary will include Lane Monnin, Davis, Westerheide and Rourke.

“We have guys out there who played last year,” Roll said. “They have a year’s experience.”

Gilardi will handle the punting duties, while senior Zachary Taylor (5-11, 168) will be the kicker.

This be Lehman’s first year competing in the Northwest Central Conference, which means some new competition.

“I think the kids will come to realize (get excited about it) as we get into the season,” Roll said. “What I see is Fort Loramie, Fairbanks,WaynesfieldGoshen and Lehman, in no particular order, at the top of the conference. I think Fort Loramie is going to have another strong team.”

Roll knows Lehman is an improved team.

“We are a year older,” he said. “But I don’t know how many more games we are going to win because we are playing a tougher schedule.”

But, he would like nothing better than getting back into the routine of preparing for a game in Week 11.

H/A Opponent Time H Anna 7:30 p.m.

A Minster 7:30 p.m.

H Indian Lake 7:30 p.m.

A Fort Loramie* 7:30 p.m.

H Riverside* 7:30 p.m.

A Waynesfield-Goshen*7:30 p.m.

H Fairbanks* 7:30 p.m.

A Upper Scioto* 7:30 p.m.

H Spencerville 7:30 p.m.

H TBA 7:30 p.m.

NWCC game

LEHMAN CAVALIERS ROSTER No. Name 3 4 7 8 9 10 12 13 17 18 21 23 24 27 28 30 32 33 35 40 42 48 50 51 52 53 55 57 62 63 65 66 71 73 77 80 82

Ht. Wt.

Pos. Yr.

IAN SMITH 5-6 135 K ZACHARY TAYLOR 5-11 168 K KRISTOPHER LEE 6-1 175 RB/DB COLIN HUGHES 5-10 175 RB/DE STEPHEN MONNIN 5-5 140 QB/DB NICK ROURKE 5-11 150 QB/DB DAN DAVIS 5-8 155 QB/DB ANDREW WESTERHEIDE5-11 160 QB/DB CLAY SELSOR 6-3 170 WR/DB MITCH SLATER 5-8 150 WR/DB ANDREW ADAMS 5-8 145 RB/LB ALEX CAVINDER 5-9 162 RB/LB ANDREW GILARDI 5-9 165 RB/LB RYAN EDELEN 5-9 160 RB/OL SKYLAR BROWN 5-10 160 RB/LB MAX SCHUTT 5-11 150 WR/DB GREG SPEARMAN 5-11 170 RB/DB LANE MONNIN 5-8 150 RB/LB MICHAEL LARGENT 5-9 150 WR/LB JOHN HUSA 5-11 185 RB/LB TRAVIS THORNTON 6-0 150 K JAMES REGO 6-2 217 TE/LB JOE SKELTON 5-6 195 OL/DL PAXTON SPICER 5-8 157 OL/DL QUINN MONNIN 5-11 200 OL/DL JERRY CURTIS 5-9 150 OL/DL NICK CUMMONS 5-11 180 OL/LB BEN MONTGOMERY 5-8 217 OL/DL CLAYTON MALONE 5-8 165 OL/DL NICHOLAS VOGANN 5-7 182 OL/DL QUINTON MALONE 6-2 210 OL/DL JOSH SMITH 6-0 190 OL/LB BRADLEY MONTGOMERY5-11 215 OL/DL SPENCER STAROSKA 5-11 245 OL/DL MICHAEL JACOB 6-5 200 OL/DE RILEY PICKREL 5-8 155 WR/DB NICK HAUSSMAN 6-2 155 TE/DE

9 12 11 9 9 10 12 11 10 10 12 10 12 12 10 9 10 10 9 11 10 11 10 11 11 9 12 10 9 11 12 11 11 11 12 12 12

C16

2011 YEAR IN REVIEW

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

2011 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS GWOC North Standings Team Trotwood-Madison Troy Piqua Butler Sidney

League Overall 4-0 15-0 3-1 8-3 2-2 6-4 1-3 6-4 0-4 0-10

CBC Kenton Trail Standings Team Spg. Shawnee Tippecanoe Kenton Ridge Tecumseh Bellefontaine Stebbins

League Overall 5-0 14-1 4-1 9-2 3-2 8-2 2-3 6-5 1-4 2-8 0-5 0-10

Metro Buckeye Conference Standings Team Ft. Loramie Dayton Christian Lehman Troy Christian Jefferson

League Overall 4-0 10-2 3-1 9-1 2-2 3-7 1-3 1-9 0-4 1-8

CCC Standings Team Covington TC North Miami East Ansonia Arcanum Bethel Bradford Twin Valley South National Trail Mississinawa Valley

League Overall 9-0 10-1 8-1 8-3 6-3 6-4 5-4 6-4 5-4 5-5 4-5 5-5 4-5 5-5 3-6 3-7 1-8 1-9 0-9 0-10

FILE PHOTO COURTESY LEE WOOLERY/ SPEEDSHOT PHOTO

SWBL Buckeye Standings Team Waynesville Milton-Union Carlisle Dixie Madison Preble Shawnee Northridge

League Overall 6-0 11-1 5-1 8-3 4-2 6-4 3-3 4-6 2-4 4-6 1-5 2-8 0-6 0-10

STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER

Troy Christian quarterback Christian Willis takes a snap during a game last season. The Eagles announced before the 2012 season that they would not field a varsity team due to a lack of numbers — and specifically upperclassmen — creating an increased health risk to the players.

Tippecanoe’s Ben Hughes drops back to pass during a Division II, Region 8 playoff game against Turpin last season. The Red Devils reached the postseason for the seventh straight year last season.

STAFF FILE PHOTO/ ANTHONY WEBER

Y o u r

H o m e

T o w n

Troy quarterback Cody May fires a pass during a game last season. May became the first Trojan to throw for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons since 1960. Now the Trojans will look to Matt Barr as the starting QB after May’s graduation in the offseason.

Milton-Union’s Jake Finfrock breaks free on a run last season.

Finfrock led the county in rushing and touchdowns last season, leaving the Bulldogs have a big hole to fill on offense.

Senior Tyler Brown — who rushed for more than 800 yards last year — seems to be up to the task, though.

STAFF FILE PHOTO/ JIM HOUSER

S p o r t s

M e d i c i n e

T e a m

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