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By RON JOHNSTON
VINCENT -- Warren High won two football games last season.
That was two more than it claimed the year before and one more than in 2014.
The Warriors are hoping to be on "W" side even more so this upcoming fall.
"We have really high hopes for the team," senior quarterback Ronnie Hill said.
Senior running back Cole Riffle agreed: "There's a strong freshman class coming in, and that's always nice to see even if they don't get to play the whole game. I mean, even if they come in for a few reps, that'll help us. It'll help the program in the future to get them ready for when we're gone."
While 55 Warriors were on the practice field the first day (July 31), Hill believed that there should have been more.
"You know, we started off good, but I'm kind of disappointed that we have kids not showing up, because it's two-a-days," he said. "It's not easy. It's hot. We have some veterans back, but we don't have a lot of kids we want back."
Even so, Warren will be showcasing many talented players on the gridiron this season.
"We've got a big core of veterans," said second-year Warren football boss Tim Carver, who guided the Warriors to a 2-8 mark last year, "and we're looking solid at the skill positions."
Especially at quarterback and running back.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Hill is a southpaw-throwing QB, who doesn't shy away from contact.
"I like to hit," he said, smiling.
Hill will miss Bishop Ford, one of his primary receiving targets a year ago. But juniors' Liam Kellar and Tyler Schafer both run precise routes and have good hands.
Then, there's the 6-foot, 205-pound Riffle, who rushed for 1,182 yards on 169 carries and nine touchdowns as a junior. He also had over 100 receiving yards.
"I'd like to rush for 1,000 yards again," Riffle said.
Riffle and Hill figure to be a one-two offensive punch for the Warriors.
"I've got to have Riffle, and Riffle has to have me," Hill said.
Of course, neither is going to go very far without those big guys in the trenches.
"A lot of the linemen are back," Riffle said. "And that helps having the kids who were sophomores last year playing on the line, and now, they're a year older and have a year of experience. I think they're going to do a lot of work for us this year."
Some of those linemen to keep an eye on will be Tim Seevers, Nathaniel Gessel, Bradyn Crousser and Braden Heitman.
"That's a work in progress right now," Carver said. "I'm working with the offensive and defensive lines, mainly because that's where we need the extra attention. I think we're going to be OK, though."
Not surprisingly, many of the linemen and skills people will be playing on both sides of the ball.
"Some people you just can't keep off the field," Carver said.
Especially, again, Riffle and Hill.
Riffle, at the middle linebacker position, is expected to spearhead a hard-hitting Warrior defensive unit. Last year, he was special mention All-Ohio with 135 tackles.
And, then, Hill will be roaming the defensive secondary as a free safety.
"Ronnie and Cole are workhorses," Carver said. "And we're looking to make things happen in the ballgame on defense."
As for the kicking game, Warren is deep and could have two of the best kickers in the Mid-Ohio Valley in Landon Wigal and Ethan Yost.
"Both of them bring something to the table," Carver said. "Seventy-five percent of all games are won by some aspect of the kicking game at all levels. So, we spend an hour every practice going over some aspect of the kicking game.
"It's an easy way to get scored on, but it's also an easy way to score. We want to give ourselves a chance."
Aug. 25: Athens 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: at Marietta 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Point Pleasant 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: at Fort Frye 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: at Oak Glen 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Crooksville 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: John Marshall 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Weir 7 p.m.
Oct. 21: at Linsly 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 27: at Logan 7 p.m.
PREDICTION
Win 3, Lose 7
Seniors
Nathan Dailey, Ronnie Hill, Nate Gessel, Esteban Miller, Andrew Mueller, Cole Riffle, Henry Southhall,
Juniors
LeWayne Clements, Braydn Crousser, Kourney Custer, Tristan Duffy, Ben Goedel, Braden Heitman, Bryce Heitman, Derrick Hook, Zach Hulsey, Liam Kellar, Isaiah Kitts, Aden Offenberger, Tyler Schafer, Tim Seevers, Landon Wigal
Sophomores
Aaron Edgell, Thomas Miller, Anthony Pittman, John Shoup, Ian Valentine, Jake Smith, Jaiden Queen, Nate Warner, Brody Weekly, Japhet Woodburn, Ethan Yost