New conference, new challenge for New Philadelphia Quakers

For 18 seasons, tradition-rich New Philadelphia football enjoyed tremendous stability. It had the same head coach and competed in the same league.

Matt Dennison was head coach of the Quakers from 2003-2020, guiding the team to a school-record 142 wins and 12 playoff appearances. They were also one of the staples in the East Central Ohio League, which was formed in 1987.

In the last two seasons, the Quakers have undergone transition. Dennison resigned following the 2020 season to accept the head coaching post and athletic director's job at Canton South High School. He was succeeded by Mike Johnson, a New Philadelphia graduate who spent 12 years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, including a stint as offensive coordinator.

After guiding the Quakers to a 6-5 berth and a Division III postseason berth in 2021, Johnson returns for his second season as head coach. His return and the one year of head coaching experience he gained last fall has brought a sense of familiarity to the program.

While Johnson and a good nucleus of veterans return from the 2021 season, there will more transition this season since the Quakers will be competing in the Ohio Cardinal Conference and playing several new opponents.

"We only have two teams returning from our [2021] regular-season schedule and that's Steubenville and Dover," Johnson said. "One of our biggest concerns is getting familiarized with new teams."

New Philadelphia becomes the eighth member of the conference, which was formed in 2001. Ashland, Lexington, Mansfield Madison, Mansfield Senior, Mount Vernon, West Holmes and Wooster are the other seven members. The Quakers used to compete in the old six-team Cardinal Conference before exiting in 1987 to join the Federal League along with Ashland and Madison. Coshocton, Mansfield Malabar (which closed in 1989) and New Philadelphia's neighboring rival Dover were the other three teams.

"Playing different (regular-season) teams will be a challenge, but we feel good about it," Johnson said quietly. "We're a more experienced team than we were last year."

The Quakers, who lost 39-20 to the Hubbard Eagles in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, return 18 lettermen from a team which not only advanced to the postseason but also gained valuable experience playing a brutal 2021 schedule headed by Division III state playoff champion Chardon and also featuring Division III annual postseason participant Canfield, Steubenville, Dover, Akron Buchtel, and Canton Central Catholic. While New Philadelphia lost to Chardon, it gave the Hilltoppers one of their toughest games, losing 16-0.

"We played a great [regular-season] schedule last year and learned a lot," Johnson said. "With 18 letterman back, we have experience. We just have to go out and [execute]."

The Quakers will be led by senior quarterback Kurtis Tetzloff (5-foot-11, 190 pounds), who Johnson described as a very capable "field general". He will direct the shotgun offense which also returns senior wide receiver Willy Wallace (5-9, 160) as one of his pass-catching targets. Senior running back Trevor Bean (5-10, 180) was a backup in 2021 but rushed for 500 yards and appears ready to take over the starting position.

Tetzloff may take snaps out of the shotgun, but the Quakers have a power offensive mentality, employing a tight end and a fullback. Senior Elijah Forrest (6-0, 240), who has the physical frame resembling a lineman, will fill that fullback void, assisting a veteran offensive front.

"We have a veteran offensive line and we consider our offensive line to be a team strength," Johnson said.

The right side of the offensive line consists of seasoned senior guard Cameron Clarkson (6-2, 280) and junior tackle Garrett Dillon-Rine (6-3, 270). Another veteran with starting experience up front is senior left guard Tate Casper (5-10, 210).

"Our offense is based on our line," Johnson said. "For it to succeed, our lineman must come off the ball, because our goal is to run the ball to set up the pass."

New Philadelphia also returns experienced personnel at all three position groups. Forrest, who was a force at nose guard in 2021, returns to anchor the front, although he has been shifted to tackle. Both starting outside linebackers return, featuring agility and playmaking skills. Seniors Thad VanArsdalen (6-3, 215) and Konnor Tetzloff (6-3, 225), Curtis Tetzloff's twin brother, also possess outstanding size.

"We can use them in different ways," Johnson said. "They're similar in size and ability, although Tetzloff has more speed."

Anchoring the secondary is Wallace, who returns for his third year as a starting free safety.

"It's great to have a three-year starter at free safety, which [complements] the entire defense," said Johnson, who added, "I think the strength of our defense is our front seven."

With one year of head coaching experience behind him and guiding a veteran team that posted a winning mark while playing a high-level schedule, Johnson feels optimistic about his team while appraising the personnel but also knows games aren't won on paper.

"We have experience at all of the position groups, but the keys for us are to come off the ball and [win the line of scrimmage] and stay healthy," Johnson said.

2022 SCHEDULE

Friday, Aug. 19, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 26, Steubenville, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2, at Wooster, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 9, at Ashland, 7 p.,m.

Friday, Sept. 16, Mansfield Senior, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept, 23, at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30, Mansfield Madison, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7, Lexington, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14, at West Holmes, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 21, Dover, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: New Philadelphia football preparing to compete in new conference