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Region 8 Football Preview: Ram Tough
MVP’s Region 8 Previews and Predictions
MIAMI VALLEY TEAMS TO WATCH
Trotwood-Madison (12-3, D-II State Runner-Up)
* Players to Watch – DB Bam Bradley (6-2, 205, sr.); DB Cameron Burrows (6-2, 190, jr.); OL L.J. Mosley (6-5, 311, sr.); QB Michael Simpson (6-3, 200, sr.); LB/TE Michael McCray II (6-4, 230, jr.); OL Matt Cash (6-4, 277, sr.); OL Clem Vingar (6-0, 280, so.); OL Jordan Ashe (6-1, 270, sr.); DE Trey Williams-Brown (6-3, 240, jr.); WR/CB Trai Mobley (5-11, 170, sr.); RB Isreal Green (5-9, 196, jr.)
* Outlook – The Rams made it to the state final last year after reaching the regional finals the year before. Expect another deep playoff run this season – if not a state title. As usual, Trotwood boasts an extremely talented roster. Simpson, a three-year starter at Chaminade Julienne, takes over at QB after throwing for 1,423 yards and 15 TDs last season. He also ran for six scores. Green (508 yards and six TDs) has big shoes to fill, taking over for Antwan Gilbert (Toledo) who ran for over 2,000 years each of the last two seasons. Cash, Vingar, Ashe and Mosley anchor a veteran and solid OL. Mobley (15 receptions, 238 yards, four TDs) and McCray (10 receptions, 110 yards, three TDs) are reliable targets. Defensively, Trotwood owns arguably the state’s top secondary. Bradley (94 tackles) owns over 20 offers (including Tennessee, Arizona, Michigan State, Penn State, Pitt and Missouri), while Burrows (65 tackles, six INTs) owns an Ohio State offer and is vying for the label of “No. 1 overall prospect” in Ohio for the Class of 2013. McCray (54 tackles, four fumble recoveries) already holds offers from Syracuse and Toledo. Williams-Brown (68 tackles, 18 TFL and eight sacks) is a D-I prospect too. Head coach Maurice Douglass is 58-42 in 10 years. Tough games include Dunbar, Wayne, Springfield, Troy and Piqua.
Piqua (5-5)
* Players to Watch – DE/TE Jordan Feeser (6-5, 243, sr.), LB/RB Travis Nees (6-1, 201, sr.), LB Brad Dotson (6-1, 211, sr.), DB Kindric Link (6-0, 168, sr.), OL/DL Kevin Richardson (6-3, 318, sr.), WR Trae Honeycutt (6-1, 178, sr.), OL Rob Stollmer (6-2, 297, sr.), DB Taylor Huebner (6-1, 187, sr.), QB Taylor Wellbaum (5-9, 155, sr.)
* Outlook – Head coach Bill Nees (150-65 in 19 years) has led the Indians to the playoffs 11 times and the state title game twice. Piqua was the 2006 D-II state champion. This season Nees has another team capable of a deep postseason run. Eight All-GWOC players return in addition to Wellbaum and eight other regulars. Defensively the Indians return their top three tacklers (Huebner, Travis Nees and Dotson) and two DBs who each had four interceptions last year (Link and Huebner). Honeycutt was the team’s top receiver. Wellbaum threw for 1,023 yards, ran for another 584 and accounted for 13 TDs. Games against archrival Troy and Trotwood-Madison loom.
Tippecanoe (9-2, D-III R10 Quarterfinalist)
* Players to Watch – DE Aaron Meyers (5-11, 220, sr.), LB Alex Baker (6-0, 190, sr.)
* Outlook – The Red Devils have been to the D-III playoffs six years in a row. Now longtime head coach Charlie Burgbacher and his program will try to contend in D-II. Offensively, Tipp must replace its starting QB, top three rushers and top three receivers. Defensively, Meyers (95 tackles) and Baker (92 tackles) return.
* Butler (4-6) – Head coach Greg Bush begins his third year at Butler with two solid performers on the OL in seniors Taylor Decker (6-8, 290) and Miles Eaton (6-4, 300). Decker is a Notre Dame recruit. Senior QB Ryne Pugh (6-1, 185) also returns.
* Wapakoneta (7-3) – Head coach Doug Frye worked magic in his initial season, leading the Redskins to the brink of the playoffs after they finished 1-9 in 2009. Senior OL Chris Schwartz (6-0, 235) and Trey Smith (6-2, 260) were first team Western Buckeye League last year. Senior RB Connor Pickens (6-0, 210) returns.
* Trenton Edgewood (5-5) – The Cougars start a new era after long-time successful coach Steve Chanel was let go. Phil Mauro who led Canal Winchester to four straight playoffs, takes over.
* Dayton Belmont (1-9) – The Bison haven’t had a winning season since 2003, but head coach John Derr (32-68) is optimistic. Senior RB Tyshawn Gordon (5-9, 170) enters the season with 1,344 career yards.
* Celina (6-4) – The Bulldogs will ride the arm of junior QB Braden Billger (6-2, 165) who completed 251-of-430 passes last year for 2,881 yards, 22 TDs and 17 INTs.
* West Carrollton (1-9) – Unlike last year when the Pirates had to replace 19 starters, WC returns 14 this year. Head coach Rob Berger (9-12 in two years) expects his team to be much more competitive and they’ll have to be against a schedule that includes Springfield Shawnee, Turpin, Kings and Hamilton Ross. Key contributors will be Randy Stites (sr., WR/FS, 6-0, 165), Conner Myslowski (jr., QB, 6-4, 180), Zach Raab (sr., C/DT, 5-11, 260), Blake Craig (jr., TE/LB, 6-1, 190), Dean Maxwell (sr., RB/SS, 5-9, 160) and Eric Shelton (sr., P/K, 5-10, 165).
* Franklin (3-7) – Head coach Rodney Roberts (27-24 at Franklin, 80-77 overall) says this year’s squad will be one of the “most experienced and talented teams” during his tenure. “We played a lot of young kids last year and took our lumps,” Roberts said. “However, that experience, along with an outstanding off season in the weight room, should pay dividends.” Franklin returns 20 starters and will be bolstered by the addition of junior LB Kelly Leforce (5-10, 195) a transfer from rival Carlisle where he was a two-year starter.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Trotwood-Madison
Kings
Anderson
Piqua
Winton Woods
Tippecanoe
Western Brown
Turpin
Dark Horses: Butler, Celina, Franklin
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