Ashland Arrows 2022 high school football preview

Ashland’s football team is ready to put last season behind it after failing to win at least four games for the first time since 2001.

The Arrows finished last year with a 3-7 overall record but enter this season loaded with potential playmakers at several positions.

Optimism remains high around the program as it looks to return to its normal winning ways.

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“We will benefit [this season] from having an offseason and summer workouts,” fourth-year coach Sean Seder said. “We have a big senior class with strong leaders who are unselfish and demand a team-first attitude.

“Schematically, we’ll be similar [to last season], but we hope to be more adaptable on both sides of the ball.”

One of the biggest questions surrounding the team during training camp is who will be taking most of the snaps at quarterback once the season begins.

Junior Luke Bryant and freshman Nathan Bernhard are the final two competing for the job. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Bernhard already has the frame needed to play the position despite being a freshman.

Since both are predominantly pocket passers, the offense should have a little bit of a different look this season.

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Whoever earns the job will take over for Landon McFrederick, who is transitioning to wide receiver. The senior passed for 1,784 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 680 yards and three scores last year.

Running back Cayden Spotts is expected to handle the bulk of the carries again this season after rushing for 657 yards and five TDs on 140 carries as a sophomore.

Senior wide receivers Jon Metzger, Grayson Steury and Colton Johnson are also back. Metzger, the area’s top returning receiver, caught 56 balls for 801 yards and five TDs as McFrederick’s go-to option last season.

“We feel like our strength is the talent and experience at our skill positions on both sides of the ball,” Seder said.

The projected starters along the offensive line are tackles Bryston Martin and Drew Briggs, guards Colin Caram and Hayden Hensel and either Riley Hammond or Cooper Smith at center.

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It’s still to be determined who will handle the kicking duties.

Ashland’s offense averaged 19.2 points last season, its lowest total since 2005 (16.9). Like previous years, the unit will operate out of the spread with multiple looks.

“We try to stretch the field vertically and horizontally and would like to stay close to a balanced pass/run attack but will play opportunistic and take what the defense is giving us,” Seder said.

The Arrows will have somewhat of a new-look defense this season. After primarily using a three-man front in previous years, they plan to add a four-man look into their scheme.

The idea behind being able to switch from a three-man to a four-man front and vice versa stemmed from Ashland struggling against the run with just three down linemen.

Up front, Caiden Piatt and Kayden Briggs are slated to start at end and Smith and Claytin Fawcett at tackle.

Ethan Truax and Connor Ohl are the projected starters at outside linebacker with Parker Grissinger in the middle. Grissinger is the team’s top returning tackler after recording 79 (four for loss) last season.

Both cornerback positions are up for grabs during camp, as McFrederick and Brayden Long are battling for one spot and Johnson and Ayden Bryant are competing for the other one.

Caden VanTilburg, Metzger (41 tackles, three interceptions) and Tyler Sauder are the projected starters at safety.

Other players who will likely see time on defense include Dakota Pitz and Bernhard on the line, Bryant, Gunner Lacey and Gabe Baith at linebacker, and Max Harpster at defensive back.

McFrederick is also projected to handle the punting duties.

"We are multiple on defense with the ability to bounce back and forth from a three front to a four front,” Seder said. “We pride ourselves on being a fast, flowing, aggressive defense that forces offenses to turn the ball over.”

Last year, Ashland finished fourth in the Ohio Cardinal Conference with a 3-3 record. Seder is hopeful they can improve upon that finish this season.

“Mansfield Senior has one of the most talented teams in the area, and West Holmes has probably the best player in the conference and one of the best in the state, so it starts with them [as the favorites to win the OCC],” Seder said. “I think New [Philadelphia] will step right into the upper echelon of the OCC and be a contender as well.

“Winning the conference is one of our goals so, if we keep improving every week and are able to upset a few teams, I’d like to see us in that grouping as well.”

Ashland begins the season at Norwayne on Aug. 19.

Reach Chris at csnow@times-gazette.com

On Twitter: CSnow_TG

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland High School 2022 football preview