Trending
By CODY TOMER
PADEN CITY--Paden City only lost five seniors to graduation but two of them garnered the majority of the Wildcats' yards a season ago and will be greatly missed.
Quarterback Aaron Heasley and running back Hayden Hizer combined for more than 1,600 yards of offense throughout the 2016 campaign and the upcoming squad will be looked upon to fill the void left behind.
"Heasley and Hizer were a big part of our offense last year," Paden City coach Brent Croasmun said. "That is why we are going to change our philosophy and turn toward the power running game."
Filling the shoes of Hizer will not be an easy task in the backfield, but Croasmun is encouraged by what he has seen from several backs.
"I think we have some good, hard runners in seniors Marcus Allen and Rander Amos, junior Anthony Newman and sophomore Clayton Thomas. They aren't flashy but they are capable of getting the job done.
"For us to be successful, we must be able to run the ball and play good defense."
Allen and Amos are both three-year letter-winners at Paden City.
The quarterback position is still in question for Croasmun with no experience returning behind center. Junior Michael Shreves is a two-year letterman and is the most likely candidate to take over the starting spot, but sophomore Bryant McKay could also be in contention for snaps.
"We do not have any experience at the quarterback position," Croasmun said. "Shreves and McKay have been working hard to get better. They run the ball well and are learning how to be effective passers. Neither one has any quarterback experience at the varsity level.
"We will not expect them to win games for us. We just want them to manage the game and do what they can do."
Other tough losses to graduation from last year's 2-8 team include wide receiver Wesley Smith and linemen Daulton Schultheis and Cade Crislip.
Outside of filling the holes in the starting positions, Paden City supplies a young team of hard working players with a winning attitude.
"I really like the work ethic and the attitudes of these players this year," Croasmun said. "They are working very well together.
"We don't have any what you call "flashy" players but we have some blue collar guys who like to play football and will play hard."
If the Wildcats are going to have any success running the ball, they will need to be strong on the offensive line, an aspect of the game which Croasmun believes is the team's strength.
"We have experience on the offensive line with seniors David Joy and Drew Carpenter and juniors Ryan Cross and E.J. Weber. The addition of senior C.W. Harton at center should make our offensive line the strength of our team. Sophomore Jeff Billiter is also pushing for time on the line. He will be in the mix somewhere.
"Anyone who really knows football will tell you the game is won and lost on the line of scrimmage. This is the group we are counting on to carry our team this year. We have good size and our linemen have displayed pretty good quickness as well"
Joy is a returning three-year letterman, while Cross and Weber are both two-year letter-winners. Freshman Logan Fluharty is also in the running to get some valuable time at the offensive tackle spot.
Along with a solid rushing attack to help take pressure off of the quarterbacks, the receiving corps will need to provide open targets to keep the offense balanced.
"Our goal is to have ball control and to limit the chances to score for the opposition," Croasmun said. "We are going to spread the ball around to keep defenses honest."
McKay and Newman will be the top targets on the field, while junior Dustin Clegg and freshman Doneven Clarke compete for receptions as well.
The tight end could be a huge weapon for the Paden City offense as sophomore Jason Alexander should earn the starting nod with Weber transitioning to the position, along with sophomores Garrett Hunt and Paxton Pierce.
"Defensively, I think we will be solid up the middle," Croasmun said. "Amos was our leader in tackles last year and he is back. Our defensive line should be very solid with Joy and Harton at the tackles. Billiter will also be in the mix. Weber will be a force at defensive end, along with Carpenter.
"We have to sure up the secondary but i think we have guys who can be effective."
Allen, Shreves and Cross are projected starters at the linebacker spots, while Thomas and Newman will play cornerback and McKay will start at free safety.
Hunt, Clegg, Clarke and freshman Marcus Newman are looking to provide help in the defensive backfield and Alexander could see time at linebacker. Pierce, Fluharty and sophomore Montgomery Kelly are competing for defensive line opportunities.
Joining Croasmun on the sidelines during Friday night action and in practice is the Paden City coaching staff of Ron Castro, Tim Raper and Joe Anderson.