H.S. Football Preview: A closer look at Bloom-Carroll and Amanda-Clearcreek
CARROLL - The high school football season gets underway this week in what should be another exciting year. Six of the nine area teams qualified for the playoffs a year ago.
With the Ohio High School Athletic Association expanding the playoffs to 16 teams in each region qualifying for the postseason, there is an excellent opportunity for even more to qualify this year. The playoffs will begin on Oct. 28.
Here is a closer look at the Bulldogs and Aces as they prepare for the season opener on Aug. 19.
BLOOM-CARROLL
Coach: Jeremy McKinney (first season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division
2021 record: 14-1 (MSL-Buckeye champions; Division IV regional champions, state semifinals)
Key returners: Andrew Marshall, Chase Plantz, Sr., RB/LB; Sr. RB/LB; Kale Kraner, Sr., OL/DL; Dylan Chittum, Sr., OL/DL; Grant Dolan, Sr. OL/DL; Dylan Armentrout, Jr., RB/DB; Jaden Ball, Jr., OL/DL; Brodyn Bishop, Jr. WR/DB; Treyton McKee, Soph. K/P.
Key newcomers: Jett Jones, Jr., WR/DB; Tristan Britch, Jr., TE/LB; Carter Cornelius, Jr., WR/DB; Wyatt Huston, Sr., OL/DL; AJ Moore, Jr., WR/DB; Jayse Rockwood, Jr., WR/DB; Jayde Stevenson, Jr., TE/DL; Ethan Thanthanavong, Soph., QB; Collin Willet, Sr., RB/LB.
Coach McKinney’s take: “Our seniors have taken on the challenge of continuing the success that has been established by the most successful football class in school history. We have a hard-working team that embraces the expectations placed upon us.
What to expect: McKinney takes over a program that has had a ton of success over the last five years, including four straight MSL-Buckeye Division titles and back-to-back state semifinal appearances. He was the architect of an outstanding defense during that time, so the transition has gone smoothly for the players. Even though the Bulldogs lost a ton of talent, don’t expect there to be much of a drop-off because there is still a bevy of talent returning and a senior class that is ready to make a name for themselves. The Bulldogs will be a favorite to win another league title and make a solid run in the playoffs, even though they have moved up to Division III.
Schedule
Aug. 19: Harvest Prep
Aug. 26: At John Glenn
Sept. 2: At Jonathan Alder
Sept 9: At Circleville
Sept. 16: Amanda-Clearcreek
Sept 23: At Liberty Union
Sept 30: At Fairfield Union
Oct. 7: Logan Elm
Oct. 14: At Teays Valley
Oct. 21: Hamilton Township
AMANDA-CLEARCREEK
Coach: Steve Daulton (fifth season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division
2021 record: 7-5 (lost in the second round of playoffs)
Key returners: Zach Julian, Sr., OL/DL; Alex Williams, Sr., OL/DL; Wyatt Detty, Jr., OL/DL.
Key newcomers: Taylon Conrad, Jr., WR/DB; Landon Covell, Jr., RB/DB; Drew Dossman, Jr., QB/DB; Toby Hicks, Jr., OL/DL; Keller McNear, Jr., OL/DL; Brody Steinmetz, Jr., OL/DL; Dalton Stump, Jr., TE/LB.
Coach Daulton’s take: “We return a young and inexperienced team but with the most experience and depth at the offensive and defensive line positions, we feel confident about our chances of staying competitive throughout early games until our skill positions can acclimate to the speed of Friday night competition.”
What to Expect: The Aces lost a talented senior class, but the good news is they return some key offensive linemen. The key will be how quickly some untested players step up. They will have to do it in a hurry because the Aces travel What to expect: The Aces lost a talented senior class, but the good news is they return some key offensive to always-tough Jonathan Alder in their first game. Because of their inexperience, it may be a case where the Aces will get better as the season goes along.
Schedule
Aug. 29: At Jonathan Alder
Aug. 26: Unioto
Sept.2: At St. Charles
Sept 9: Liberty Union
Sept. 16: At Bloom-Carroll
Sept 23: Circleville
Sept. 30: At Hamilton Township
Oct. 7: Teays Valley
Oct. 14: Logan Elm
Oct. 21: At Fairfield Union
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: H.S. Football Preview: A closer look at Bloom-Carroll and Amanda-Clearcreek
