Monroe Central High School
Seminoles Buying Into New System
Trending
WOODSFIELD -- First-year Monroe Central High head coach Jonathan Calder has some fresh ideas for his Seminoles this season and his 28-man roster is buying into the new system.
"So far it's going great and the team has responded on offense and defense," said Calder, who was part of old Woodsfield High's unbeaten final team in '93, which advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
"Once we started hitting in practice the kids have been aggressive and flying to the ball doing whatever the coaching staff has asked," added the third mentor in MCHS history, who took over this summer when Josh Ischy resigned after a five-year run.
Calder's group includes 14 lettermen, many of which have been playing varsity since their freshman year due to the numbers game in Seminole country. Eight starters return on each side of the ball.
"We want to run the offense under center quite a bit more this season, utilizing the pro-I formation to control the clock," said Calder. "We're going to run the ball, but we're capable of passing," as the 'Noles prep for Friday's home debut versus Division V Edison.
Coach Jonathan Calder on the upcoming season
Monroe's five seniors anxious to erase last year's 2-8 record from their memory are headed by a pair of honorable mention all-Ohioans in tight end Landon Lydick (6-2, 175), a three-year letterman, and fullback Dalton Phillips (5-11, 195).
"(Landon) has great hands and looked great in scrimmages," Calder mentioned, while Phillips "put on 20 pounds since last season, has looked excellent thus far, and is going to be our workhorse."
When it's time to put it in the air, Central's senior three-year letterman receiver Carter Knowlton (6-0, 165) should give opposing defensive backs plenty to think about. "(Carter) is one of the best route runners I've been around and he has the speed and quickness," added Calder.
Rounding out the senior cast is letterman defensive end Kaden Buzzard (5-10, 150) and receiver Trenton Cooper (5-7, 140).
Eleven juniors, eight of whom lettered, are led by returning quarterback Tucker Howell (6-1, 185), a player able to make "any throw on the field with a lot of zip," according to his coach. "(Tucker) has one of the best arms I've seen."
Leadership up front should come from two-year stalwart Bill Kroll (5-8, 230) at guard, while tackle Andrew Pickenpaugh (6-0, 275) returns in the trenches. Center Ethan Gillespie (5-8, 150) returns
Other junior lettermen are wide receiver Logan Powell (5-9, 160), fullback Clint Rader (5-10, 155), and tight end Tyler Whitacre (6-2, 185).
Rounding out the 11th grade cast are two massive linemen, Kaleb Grimm (6-1, 370) and Shawn Hester (5-11, 325), while Drew Miller (5-9, 150) and Evan Knowlton (5-8, 145) are backs.
Six sophomores are led by letterman linebackers A.J. Rutter (5-8, 170), a returning starter, and Lukes Stiver (5-7, 165), who'll handle kickoffs. Also looking for playing time are lineman Parker Sefert (5-9, 265), end Grady English (6-2, 165), and defensive backs Talin Stein (5-10, 145) and Braiden Stimpert (5-6, 135).
Big frosh Ashton Lumbatis (6-3, 250) will add depth to the line, as will Malaki McQueary (5-9, 190). Strong-legged Owen Howard (5-6, 165) is set for extra point kicking. Other freshmen are Cooper Howell (6-0, 155), Preston Binegar (5-7, 140) and Max Demcheck (5-7, 120).
Calder, who coached Woodsfield Junior High before assisting on Ischy's staff, credits former MC coach and OVAC Hall of Famer Jay Circosta "for mentoring me with the offense and assistant coach (Dave) Schuerman on the defensive side. Coach Circosta spoke with me four or five times a week this summer about the tradition."
"Conditioning has been at the forefront because we need something left in the tank in the fourth quarter," said Calder, who said the community is behind him to right the ship and get the participation numbers up instead of dressing only 15-16 players.
Graduation stripped the 'Noles of five players including all-OVAC and District lineman Jayke Vinskovich, tackle Aaron Fletcher, wide receivers Jesse Johnson and Terry Price, and tight end Xavier Kinney.
Monroe assistants are coordinators Curis Nixon (offense) and Marcus Schumacher (defense), while Brian Longwell and T.J. Stevens will coach the lines. Jarett Hooper will manage special teams, quarterbacks and receivers, while the veteran Schuerman is defensive advisor.
The same opponents are on the slate as a year ago with five at Monroe Memorial Park and five on the road. The 'Noles are members of the Mid-Ohio Valley League as well as OVAC and are in OHSAA Region 27.
Beginning its 29th season overall at the county seat after the consolidation of old Skyvue and Woodsfield, MCHS has shown great success with an overall 196-110 record and 13 playoff appearances.