Monroeville focusing on leadership
Aug. 19—MONROEVILLE — Monroeville's coaches and players agree that they made good progress with their culture in 2021.
It did not translate to the win column as they went 3-8 (2-4 in the Firelands Conference) and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Second-year head coach Tylor Nester is focused on bridging that gap and converting more close games into wins in 2022.
"We reflected on last year from January all the way to the beginning of camp," Nestor said. "That was the theme all offseason, improving those little things we didn't do so well last year."
Nester spent seven years as the defensive coordinator for the Eagles before taking over head coaching duties in 2021. He is also the head coach for Monroeville's wrestling team.
"He was a great assistant coach and now is an even better head coach," senior captain Cole Kamann said.
Even though his official title has changed, Nester's philosophy has been consistent, something his players respect.
"Coach Nester has been around for a while," guard Kole Ackerman said. "The stuff he's been preaching has stayed the same."
One new thing he implemented this offseason has been weekly meetings with the Eagles' "leadership council." It brings together a group of 8-10 players, two from each grade as well as captains, with the coaching staff once a week at school for fellowship.
Some weeks the group will be assigned a book and discuss it, other meetings are just an open forum for the players to speak their minds.
"We all get to share our opinions and talk about them," starting quarterback Evan Benfer said of the leadership council. "It's a good thing."
Nester and his staff hold these meetings to build strong leadership habits in a few players that will spread throughout the entire team.
"We talk about what it takes to be a leader," Nester said.
Offense
Benfer, a sophomore, will headline the offense at quarterback, filling the big shoes of second team all-conference performer Isaac Roeder. He's also the youngest of the three captains on the team.
"I was surprised how the team trusted me and their perspective of me," Benfer said of being voted captain. "It was a great feeling."
A positive for the young quarterback, and the team in general, is the retention of nearly all of last year's offensive line.
The other two captains, Cole Kamann and Kole Ackerman, both return to lead the line. Ackerman was an honorable mention Firelands Conference guard last season. Kamann battled injuries and was in and out of the lineup most of last season, but spent his offseason making sure he is 100 percent physically.
"As a line we've been working on conditioning," Kamann said. "With better conditioning comes less mental errors."
Also up front will be Levi Beard at tackle, Peyton Barnhart at guard and at Isaac Clingman tackle. Ryan Smith will step up for the graduated Duncan Stewart at center.
"The offensive line has matured a lot," Ackerman said.
Landen Roeder will be in the backfield with Benfer. The 5-foot-7, 150-pound sophomore has impressed with his physicality early in camp.
At wide receiver, Owen Wadsworth got time last year but dealt with injuries. This year he is healthy and looks to lead the group. Juniors Ben Seitz and Blake Schaub will be getting plenty of reps. Schaub is also the team's punter on special teams.
Defense
Monroeville's defense allowed 36.8 points per game last year, a mark that Nester and the coaching staff have been focused on dropping.
"We sat down all offseason as a coaching staff and really broke down where our technical errors were," Nester said of the defense.
Those technical nuances can make all the difference as the Eagles lost three games in 2021 by three points or less.
Landen Roeder should lead the defense inside along with Cody Stewart and Isaac Clingman. Nester hailed the sophomore's mindset and how he plays older than his age.
"His mentality and drive are tremendous," Nester said.
As with the offense, the defensive line should retain a strong group of letterwinners with a bit more experience under their belts.
The junior captain Ackerman will get reps at defensive end alongside Levi Stegman.
"A lot of those games were really close and we're focused on being able to overcome that this year," Ackerman said.
Smith and Barnhart will get a chance to make an impact at defensive tackle along with their offensive duties.
In the secondary, Wadsworth and Schaub will hold down the outside zones as cornerbacks. Ben Seitz came along in the second half of the season last year and will be relied on at safety. Junior Cain Clark will be roaming as a free safety.
Monroeville has long-term goals to improve its record. But the important theme within the locker room and on the practice field is executing the little things every day that will translate to Friday nights.
"I think we're all chasing a 10-0 mentality," Kamann said. "We're approaching each practice with a game-time mindset."
2022 schedule
Aug. 19: at Lakota
Aug. 26: at Tiffin Calvert
Sept. 2: Margaretta
Sept. 9: at Plymouth
Sept. 16: Crestview
Sept. 23: South Central
Sept. 30: Gibsonburg
Oct. 7: Western Reserve
Oct. 14: at Mapleton
Oct. 21: St. Paul
2021 results (3-8)
Lakota 42, Monroeville 20
Calvert 31, Monroeville 28
Monroeville 41, Margaretta 28
Monroeville 42, Plymouth 39
Crestview 37, Monroeville 0
Monroeville 47, South Central 46
Gibsonburg 42, Monroeville 7
Western Reserve 21, Monroeville 20
Mapleton 34, Monroeville 20
St. Paul 28, Monroeville 0
Playoffs
Warren JFK 57, Monroeville 0
