Good mix of experience, youth has Newark poised for breakthrough
NEWARK — November of 2019 seems like a long time ago for the Newark football program.
That's the last time the Wildcats celebrated victory, a 41-30 triumph against visiting Franklin Heights.
But this weekend, they can start erasing the bad taste of a 19-game losing streak, in the friendly confines of White Field against rival Zanesville. Newark feels like it has the right combination of experience, youth and attitude to start turning things around.
"The standards are a lot different, and this group is really determined. We can't look for fame or popularity as individuals. We just want to win," said senior lineman Sean Lee, a three-year starter. "As a group we really want it," junior quarterback Steele Meister said. "We're tired of this, and we have something to prove."
Senior wideout-defensive back Trey Robinson, another three-year starter, sees a lot different mentality.
"There's just something about the energy that is pushing us," he said. "We had good numbers in the winter, for lifting and conditioning, kids from other sports coming in, doing the things that are making us stronger and faster. We need to be a brotherhood. We want to be a building block for this program."
Fourth-year coach Bill Franks is seeing good leadership from his seniors and juniors, and a lot of promise from a sophomore class that goes 23 strong and went 7-1 as freshmen.
"We've been building with a lot of good people, kids that play hard and want to be here and be coached," he said. "It comes down to 'want to.' They know it's their time to play for their school and each other, and we've had a very good transition from last year. We have depth now in the program and want to develop these sophomores."
After a trial by fire as a sophomore, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Meister is ready to take charge of the offense as both a runner and left-handed thrower. He threw for 552 yards and six touchdowns in eight starts.
"He had a very balanced summer, combining the basketball with the football while also taking a bit of a break," Franks said. "He has expectations for himself, and is really a go-to guy for our team. We have to hold the ball this year, not turn it over, and stretch the field."
The Wildcats also have another up and coming quarterback in sophomore Xander Martin (6-2, 180).
Robinson (5-8, 170), classmate Brayden Tosi (6-0, 170) and junior Carson Burnett (5-8, 130) will be the Wildcats' top wideouts, while Austin Rose, a 6-4, 200-pound sophomore, lines up at tight end. "He is a nice target in the middle," Franks said of Rose, a mature underclassmen who started varsity basketball and baseball as a freshman. "His dad (Adam) was a state shot put champion at Newark, played on a winning football team in 1992, and is a school administrator."
Senior Max Durbin (5-10, 175) and juniors Tee Davie (6-0, 170) and Kam Davis (5-6, 180) will share running back duties for Newark. "Overall, our team is a lot better," Davis said. "If we see someone not giving full effort, we let them know it, and we stay after each other."
They will try to find holes behind a line featuring Lee at right tackle, senior Reese Redman (6-3, 210) at right guard, sophomore Adrian Taylor (6-2, 200) at center, sophomore Parker Campbell (6-3, 200) at left guard and junior Shane Seville (6-0, 230) at left tackle. Juniors Elijah Fraizer (6-0, 280) and Ricky Frazier (6-4, 305) provide some size and depth up front, on a group mentored by longtime Licking County line coach Bob German.
"Sean is already garnering some (college) offers," Franks said. "He has good feet, good strength and a tough streak, which is what we need up there."
"Our power, footwork and speed is better," Lee said. "We're definitely stronger."
Redman said he and the seniors are trying to change the culture at Newark.
"It's a season of change, and my class is leading us," he said. "We've put in the time. Last year, we had some skill, but not the right attitude. We had separate groups, and not everyone was taking accountability. This year, we have that, and we have people that really want it. Every day, we have to get better."
Defensively, Franks said players are listening well to the technical aspects of the game, and now just need to react in game situations. "It's a great defense, very simple," he said. "We want to them play fast and do their jobs."
Franks said Frazier, who lost 80 pounds down to his 305, is big, mobile and could be a force at nose guard. Sophomore Luke Samples (5-5, 220) will also play there, and is built low to the ground with good leverage. Seniors Lukas Kubik (6-3, 215) and Cam Carver (6-2, 200) will play the ends, with Redman also figuring in.
Seniors Jared Sherrard (6-0, 180) and Calvin Untied (5-7, 160), along with Rose, will play inside linebacker, while Durbin, Davis, Tosi and sophomore Kalen Winbush (6-2, 180) line up on the outside. The safeties include Robinson, Davie and sophomores Drayson Peterson (6-0, 170) and Braelen Stephens (6-0, 160). The corners will also have a younger look with juniors Burnett, Trent McQuigg (6-0, 160 and Malaki Allen (5-10, 165) along with sophomore Bentley Johnston (5-10, 150).
Newark's coaching staff includes several Wildcat alumni, including running backs coach Warren Weber, who played on the 1997 team that went 9-1 and will be honored this year on its 25th anniversary. "We grew up in a great town that supported us, and got us ready for all the challenges the world would bring," Franks said. "Dozens of us are dedicated to turning this around and it means a lot to a lot people, which is why it is so meaningful to us. There were a couple of times we could have turned it. Our mindset is, hard work will make good things happen, but in the end, it's their (the players') team, and they have to set the standards."
"I just want to know what it feels like, to fight through the game and have a chance to win in the end," Robinson said.
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At a Glance
Coach: Bill Franks
State Classification: Division I, Region 3
In 2021: 0-10, 0-5
Key players: Trey Robinson, Sr., WR-DB; Sean Lee, Sr., OL-DL; Reese Redman, Sr., OL-DL; Steele Meister, Jr., QB; Tee Davie, Jr., WR-DB; Kam Davis, Jr., RB-LB; Carson Burnett, Jr., WR-DB; Austin Rose, So., TE-LB.
What to expect: Meister brings size, mobility, a strong arm and a year of experience under his belt at quarterback, becoming a leader as a junior. Lee, at 6-4, 290, is not only a three-year starter on the line but a legitimate college prospect. Robinson is another three-year regular and leader at wide receiver and defensive back. The Wildcats will lean on a talented sophomore class, 23 strong, which went 7-1 as freshmen. They are led by Austin Rose (6-4, 200), a tight end-linebacker who was a freshman varsity starter in both basketball and baseball.
Game to watch: . Week 1, Zanesville. If Newark is ever going to break out of its 19-game losing streak, now would be a good time to start against its rivals, which have beaten the Wildcats five consecutive years and 14 out of the last 15.
Postseason outlook: Newark has some winnable games during its non-conference slate over the first half of the season, which includes Zanesville, Mount Vernon, Marion Harding, Thomas Worthington and Olentangy Orange. If the Wildcats are going to break through and make the playoffs for the first time since 2005, they must get off to a good start, as Pickerington Central and the rugged Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division loom over the last five games.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark football has ingredients to start turning around its fortunes
