PEMBERVILLE, OH (WTOL) -
The Eastwood Eagles always fly high in the Northern Buckeye Conference.
10-0 in the regular season and a deep run the playoffs last year sets the bar really high for this year's squad.
The Eagles graduated 18 seniors, meaning you'll see plenty of new starters under the Friday night lights.
"We've been encouraging our seniors, 'hey this is your turn. This is your shot. Come out here and make some plays, and make sure you set the tone for the younger guys,'" said head coach Craig Rutherford.
They are going to have to do it without their three-year starting quarterback Jake Pickerel. Replacing him will be either Gavin Slattman or Noah Henline.
"We knew it was going to be somebody new no matter what. We're just trying to get both guys reps, and see who can lead the offense best. But it's fun. I think both guys can play some defense too. Noah and Gavin both will give us a shot to win some games," said Rutherford.
"We have a whole different lineup than we did last year. Being the backup last year, I knew all the guys and I knew all the players so it was pretty easy. Having new faces this year, we'll get in sync with each other and start moving forward," Slattman.
One guy Eastwood is happy to have return is junior running back Jaydon Rayford. He's trying to build off a great rushing season last year.
"As a player, I just want to keep pushing myself to become a better, faster, stronger running back. I also want to be a better leader for the team because we don't have a lot of seniors this year," said Rayford.
Eastwood begins their season at Ottawa-Glandorf.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Clyde Fliers 2018 Football Preview
The Clyde Fliers are working toward another stellar season.
Going 9-3 last year with two playoff games, the standards are always high.
Their biggest battle will be replacing the 22 seniors they lost.
"The way I look at that is, all those younger kids that were behind them were getting valuable lessons going against them everyday in practice, and working towards becoming a starter and becoming one of those guys. They have their opportunity now, we look for them to step up," said Fliers head coach Ryan Carter.
One of those guys he's talking about is junior quarterback Ryan Lozier.
The lefty will be commanding the Flier offense on Fridays, and he's relishing his moment.
"I've been dreaming of it for a long time. It's pretty fun right now. It's pretty hectic right now, but we're learning, we're getting better. As coach said, we're young, but there's no different expectations for us. We want to be at the top of the league, have a good record, and hopefully get the playoffs," Lozier said.
Coach Carter has faith in Lozier's abilities to lead the team.
"It's different, stepping up from that JV level to come to the Varsity level. I think he's ready, he's worked very hard in the summer, very hard in the offseason. He's being a very good leader and that's what we look for out of our quarterback more than anything," Carter said.
Although it's early, Clyde has several season long goals.
"One is win the opener, that's the first one. Then, another one is get better 2% everyday. And then, after that, I'm pretty sure we'll have more goals. One is probably to make the playoffs, and have a home playoff game," said senior wide receiver Cameron Farrar.
The Fliers open up their season on the road at Start High School.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved
WTOL 11's Dan Cummins and Jordan Strack showcase multiple local teams. Their strengths, their weaknesses, and what their fans can look forward to in 2018
Going 9-3 last year with two playoff games, the standards are always high.
Their biggest battle will be replacing the 22 seniors they lost.
"The way I look at that is, all those younger kids that were behind them were getting valuable lessons going against them everyday in practice, and working towards becoming a starter and becoming one of those guys. They have their opportunity now, we look for them to step up," said Fliers head coach Ryan Carter.
One of those guys he's talking about is junior quarterback Ryan Lozier.
The lefty will be commanding the Flier offense on Fridays, and he's relishing his moment.
"I've been dreaming of it for a long time. It's pretty fun right now. It's pretty hectic right now, but we're learning, we're getting better. As coach said, we're young, but there's no different expectations for us. We want to be at the top of the league, have a good record, and hopefully get the playoffs," Lozier said.
Coach Carter has faith in Lozier's abilities to lead the team.
"It's different, stepping up from that JV level to come to the Varsity level. I think he's ready, he's worked very hard in the summer, very hard in the offseason. He's being a very good leader and that's what we look for out of our quarterback more than anything," Carter said.
Although it's early, Clyde has several season long goals.
"One is win the opener, that's the first one. Then, another one is get better 2% everyday. And then, after that, I'm pretty sure we'll have more goals. One is probably to make the playoffs, and have a home playoff game," said senior wide receiver Cameron Farrar.
The Fliers open up their season on the road at Start High School.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved
WTOL 11's Dan Cummins and Jordan Strack showcase multiple local teams. Their strengths, their weaknesses, and what their fans can look forward to in 2018
Friday, August 17, 2018
St. John's Titans 2018 Football Preview
There is a lot of energy in Titans camp this year.
They are coming off of their first playoff season since 2010.
Larry McDaniels' program is off and running.
"We don't have the blue chip kids that we had this time last year, but I think from a camaraderie standpoint, and from a team being closer. I think the fact that the kids know me, they know our staff, our staff knows them. I think we're a little closer than we were this time last year. I'm interested to see what we're going to do," said second year head coach McDaniels.
The exciting part: they were led by a freshman quarterback, Brady Lichtenberg, who passed for 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns.
They beat their archrivals from Central Catholic on a pair of scores from Dmitri Mitsopolous.
He, Marcus Jarrett, and Jaedyn McKinstry all coming back for the receiving corps.
"Coming off the playoffs is a big thing for this program and us. Going into the season, we all have a lot of confidence and know what we can do and really want to reach our potential this year and make a run in the playoffs," said Lichtenberg.
"It gives an idea of what we have to do to make the playoffs. For the younger guys, us older guys have to give them advice. Let them look up to us," said Mitsopolous.
"Every day is a grind. Because of what are seniors put in us last year, it's really given us the motivation to keep that up," said Jarrett.
St. John's, in the tough Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) was 6-4 in the regular season a year ago. Their opener, at Bowling Green against the Bobcats.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved.
They are coming off of their first playoff season since 2010.
Larry McDaniels' program is off and running.
"We don't have the blue chip kids that we had this time last year, but I think from a camaraderie standpoint, and from a team being closer. I think the fact that the kids know me, they know our staff, our staff knows them. I think we're a little closer than we were this time last year. I'm interested to see what we're going to do," said second year head coach McDaniels.
The exciting part: they were led by a freshman quarterback, Brady Lichtenberg, who passed for 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns.
They beat their archrivals from Central Catholic on a pair of scores from Dmitri Mitsopolous.
He, Marcus Jarrett, and Jaedyn McKinstry all coming back for the receiving corps.
"Coming off the playoffs is a big thing for this program and us. Going into the season, we all have a lot of confidence and know what we can do and really want to reach our potential this year and make a run in the playoffs," said Lichtenberg.
"It gives an idea of what we have to do to make the playoffs. For the younger guys, us older guys have to give them advice. Let them look up to us," said Mitsopolous.
"Every day is a grind. Because of what are seniors put in us last year, it's really given us the motivation to keep that up," said Jarrett.
St. John's, in the tough Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) was 6-4 in the regular season a year ago. Their opener, at Bowling Green against the Bobcats.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Ottawa Hills Green Bears 2018 Football Preview
OTTAWA HILLS, OH (WTOL) -
The big story in Ottawa Hills this football season is the return of Chris Hardman. He had been the head football coach for 16 years, but stepped down when he retired as a teacher of the system.
After four years away, however still coaching Green Bears baseball, Hardman is happy to be back prowling the sidelines.
"I'm not burned out at all. I watched four years of great coaching in northwest Ohio, and great teams. I'm excited to be back in Ottawa Hills with these kid. Very little has changed," said Hardman.
The Green Bears were Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) co-champs last year, but graduated all their key players.
"The key to our season will be how quickly our inexperience becomes experience," said Hardman.
With 29 kids in the program, there's no such things as freshman or junior varsity. They're all varsity.
One of their key players is Grant Davis. He was All-TAAC as a freshman.
He has outstanding size for a sophomore and anchors the offensive and defensive lines.
"I like the potential we have. We have a lot of young players that are learning. We're looking forward to a lot of them stepping up and having a big roll," said Davis.
The Green Bears will also feature a first year starter at QB. Matthew McGee is just a sophomore.
A great athlete, he placed in the final eight in the state tennis championships as a freshman.
"It's not so much about the winning or losing. Obviously that's a priority, but as long as everyone's doing their best. The atmosphere is great here. We're all trying our hardest, and we're all trying to get better," said McGee.
The Green Bears open their season at home with Lima Perry.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved.
The big story in Ottawa Hills this football season is the return of Chris Hardman. He had been the head football coach for 16 years, but stepped down when he retired as a teacher of the system.
After four years away, however still coaching Green Bears baseball, Hardman is happy to be back prowling the sidelines.
"I'm not burned out at all. I watched four years of great coaching in northwest Ohio, and great teams. I'm excited to be back in Ottawa Hills with these kid. Very little has changed," said Hardman.
The Green Bears were Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) co-champs last year, but graduated all their key players.
"The key to our season will be how quickly our inexperience becomes experience," said Hardman.
With 29 kids in the program, there's no such things as freshman or junior varsity. They're all varsity.
One of their key players is Grant Davis. He was All-TAAC as a freshman.
He has outstanding size for a sophomore and anchors the offensive and defensive lines.
"I like the potential we have. We have a lot of young players that are learning. We're looking forward to a lot of them stepping up and having a big roll," said Davis.
The Green Bears will also feature a first year starter at QB. Matthew McGee is just a sophomore.
A great athlete, he placed in the final eight in the state tennis championships as a freshman.
"It's not so much about the winning or losing. Obviously that's a priority, but as long as everyone's doing their best. The atmosphere is great here. We're all trying our hardest, and we're all trying to get better," said McGee.
The Green Bears open their season at home with Lima Perry.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Maumee's Kazmier Stadium
Donors and members of the general public had the chance to get an up close look at the progress being made at Maumee's Kazmaier Stadium on Monday.
The school is still working on parts of a $2 million upgrade to the facility.
The upgrade includes a new turf, new public restrooms, ticket booths and much more.
"There is a big buzz already. Playing on this surface I think makes us now competitive and attractive to similar districts that have turf in and having a locker room that is suitable for the number of athletes that we have and all of our different athletes that play on this facility," said Steve Lee, Assistant Superintendent of Maumee City Schools.
The official ribbon cutting for the renovated stadium is set for Aug. 15, just in time for football season.
The school is still working on parts of a $2 million upgrade to the facility.
The upgrade includes a new turf, new public restrooms, ticket booths and much more.
"There is a big buzz already. Playing on this surface I think makes us now competitive and attractive to similar districts that have turf in and having a locker room that is suitable for the number of athletes that we have and all of our different athletes that play on this facility," said Steve Lee, Assistant Superintendent of Maumee City Schools.
The official ribbon cutting for the renovated stadium is set for Aug. 15, just in time for football season.
Napoleon Wildcats 2018 Football Preview
WTOL 11's Dan Cummins and Jordan Strack showcase multiple local teams. Their strengths, their weaknesses, and what their fans can look forward to in 2018
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Genoa Comets 2018 Football Preview
WTOL 11's Dan Cummins and Jordan Strack showcase multiple local
teams. Their strengths, their weaknesses, and what their fans can look
forward to in 2018
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)