After historic season, Granville reloads for continued success
GRANVILLE — With 21 seniors leading Granville to record-setting heights last season, the Blue Aces had the luxury of having both quality, and quantity, on a 13-1, Division III state semifinalist.
As 2022 unfolds, they have fewer seniors (12) and juniors (8) combined than 2021's historic class. But underestimate them at your peril. Granville may not have the quantity, but it still has the quality, as it seeks to defend its Licking County League-Buckeye Division title and make another deep postseason run.
The Blue Aces have a trio of three-year senior starters, and multi-sports athletes in twins Matt and Mikey Chaykowski, along with Miles Eckenrode, to lead the way. Senior quarterback Tyler Ernsberger, thrust into the playoff run when Carsyn Crouch injured his knee, stepped up admirably and gained valuable experience. And junior basketball star Dante Varrasso looks ready to make his mark on the football field.
"We still have some talent. We're just not as deep," third-year coach Wes Schroeder said. "We have a good corps of guys with big-game experience. The standard has been set, and they know what it takes. We have kids who work hard, want to be here and are fun to be around. We're not trying to be last year's team. We're trying to be ourselves."
Among those departing were Crouch, stellar running back Devon Haley, receivers Christian Hilton, Conner Buerkel and Caden McDermott and most of the line. How good were the Blue Aces? Other than in the state semifinal loss to Hamilton Badin, Granville trailed only one other time.
The Chaykowskis, standouts on defense at linebacker, will also be counted on heavily on offense this time around. Both will run the ball at tailback with Mikey also lining up at receiver, where he will team up with Varrasso, Eckenrode and sophomore Jack Yeager, a potential star. Varrasso dominated in a 7-on-7 against Newark Catholic.
"We lost a lot of players, but we also gained a lot of players. Dante is going to be key for us," said Eckenrode, who caught 29 passes and scored three touchdowns last season. "I've gotten used to the physicality, and I'm trying to play more physical and help out the younger kids. Right now, we don't have a lot of depth at receiver."
Matt Chaykowski is excited about being able to run the ball. "Hopefully, it will be mostly north and south, with a little east and west mixed in. Not dancing, and hitting the hole hard," he said. "Matt has good vision," said Schroeder. "He's not as fast as Devon, but he also plays middle linebacker, and knows what it is to be tough and physical. He's a downhill, one cut and go type of runner."
Ernsberger is a rangy 6-foot-3 and can scan the field. Just getting experience last year, against top-caliber opponents, was a blessing in disguise.
"Just the speed of the game," he said. "The defense is coming at you fast, and you have to read coverages fast. Plus the physicality. I'm prepared for it. I need to stay in the pocket, stay calmer when people are in my face. I still have good receivers to throw to, who run good routes, which makes it easier on me."
"Tyler has gotten a lot better. He has a stronger arm, has learned the cadence and is reading defenses a lot better. I think he's one of the best players in the LCL," Eckenrode said. "His being able to play like he did last year is definitely a confidence factor," Schroeder said. "Both on his side, and our side, because we feed off the quarterback and we can build off of that."
Senior guard Quinn Tackett (6-1, 235) is the lone returning starter on the offensive line, although classmate Brad Schilling (6-1, 230) also started three games at tackle. The Blue Aces also have senior tackle Nick Purdy (6-3, 255), junior center Ian Rutherford (6-2, 270) and sophomore guard Jackson Pelzer (5-11, 205) on what appears to be their biggest line in several years. Junior Layton Maybury and sophomores Dylan Lane and Tidus Chiriac also figure into the mix.
"They have less experience, but they're bigger than last year," Schroeder said. "They can be good if they stay healthy and get some time together."
"We have more size than last year, and I think we get off the ball faster," Tackett said. "We have to be good at the physical part of the game. Coach (Bill) Sanders and coach (Gerald) Cooke are doing a good job with us, and I try to lead as much as I can. We have a lot of room to grow. A lot of people are doubting our team, with only four returning starters, and we have something to prove."
The Chaykowski twins will lead the defense from their inside linebacking slots, where Schroeder calls them "two of the best players in the league."
Juniors Maxton Messner, Drew Vahalik, Noah Musick and Leelan Durham will play on the outside. "We're inexperienced there, but have potential," Schroeder said. "They're getting in the right spots, and they just have to make the plays." The secondary figures to be a strength, with Eckenrode, Varrasso and sophomore Beckett Long, while senior Cal Schnaidt, junior Gavin Vradenburg and sophomore Noble Terebuh are pushing for playing time.
"We had such a strong team last year, and the kids on that team passed a lot on to this team. That makes us even more motivated to see it through," Eckenrode said. "We have to have a team-first mentality," Matt Chaykowski said. "Keep our reads, stay to our keys, and stay disciplined. A lot of key players have made improvements. Our numbers aren't as big, but we're just as close and tight. Everyone needs to buy in, on proving everyone wrong."
"We have a lot more two-way guys this year, probably double the number that we've had, and we've had to get some other guys ready," Schroeder said. "There's excitement and belief in the program, and we're building a foundation. We have over 20 sophomores, over 20 freshmen, and 56 kids in the middle school."
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At a Glance
Coach: Wes Schroeder
State Classification: Division III, Region 11
In 2021: 13-1, 4-0
Key players: Tyler Ernsberger, Sr., QB; Miles Eckenrode, Sr., WR/DB; Matt Chaykowski, Sr., RB/LB, Mikey Chaykowski, Sr., RB/LB; Quinn Tackett, Sr., OL/DL; Brad Schilling, Sr., OL/DL; Dante Varrasso, Jr., WR/DB; Jack Yeager, So., WR/DB.
What to expect: The loss of 21 seniors from an historic season might be cause for alarm at a lot of programs, but the Blue Aces don't consider themselves to be in a rebuilding situation. Ernsberger gained invaluable experience during last year's playoff run, and the Chaykowski twins along with Eckenrode are three-year starters. The line will be bigger than last year, and new talent is ready to emerge in Varrasso and Yeager. Granville won't have the depth of 2021, but the skill set remains. If the Blue Aces can stay healthy, expect them to contend for another LCL-Buckeye Division title in what should be a wide open race.
Game to watch: Week 4 at Heath — The crossover clash of defending LCL-Buckeye and Cardinal Division champions will be a good early-season measuring stick for both.
Postseason outlook: If Granville can take care of business in its non-league games, albeit tough ones against Whitehall, Clear Fork and Bishop Watterson, the Blue Aces can make a run at another Region 11 championship. Bishop Hartley has dropped down to Division IV, while DeSales has moved up to Division II. And high-powered Western Brown has changed regions.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Granville reloading following historic season
