LOOKING FOR RUNNING LANES … Brennen Friend fields a kickoff for Montpelier in a home game versus Edon last season. Friend, who was 2nd Team All- TAAC as a running back, is the top offensive returner for the Locos after rushing for 552 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. PHOTO BY RICH HARDING / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
By: Daniel Cooley
MONTPELIER – Last year, Montpelier finished with a 3-7 record and were outscored by a 35-16 margin per game. Further, in its seven losses, Montpelier was outscored by a 48-5 margin.
But with four skill players on both sides of the ball returning, including TAAC second team running back Brennen Friend, the Locomotives are looking to be much improved.
“We expect to be much more competitive this year, in our league and overall,” said Montpelier coach Andy Robinson.
On offense, Friend rushed for 552 yards for five touchdowns and also caught eight passes for 45 yards.
Another key returnee is sophomore quarterback Hayden Sharpe, who, in four starts, passed for 567 yards and five touchdowns.
Sophomore Griffin Cooley, who rushed for 57 yards and added 37 receiving yards, should see more time in the backfield. Leading the receiving corps was junior Kam Smith, with 504 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Two starting linemen, seniors Eli Facker (210 pounds) and Ash Walz (200 pounds) return. Battling for other starting spots on offense are senior offensive linemen Landon Fackler (185 pounds), Carter Wade (280 pounds) junior Gary Robinson (186 pounds) and sophomores Logan Pontious (230 pounds), Johnny Fritsch (190 pounds) and Gavin Perkins.
Wide receivers gunning for a starting spot are seniors Hayden Brink and Nathan Rummel, junior Chavez Martin and sophomore Jaxon Stahler. Senior Grant Girrell will hold down the tight end position.
Returning starters on defense are safety Friend (13 tackles), defensive lineman Eli Facker (46 tackles, 11 tackles for loss), linebacker Walz (43 tackles), safety Smith (9 tackles) and linebacker Cooley (37 tackles, 4 tackles for loss).
Others vying for starting spots are defensive linemen Fackler, Pontious, Wade, Perkins and Robinson, linebackers Girrell and sophomore Carter Waterston and defensive backs Brink, Rummel, Jaxon Stahler and Martin.
STRENGTHS: “We have seven experienced seniors, speed and a solid young quarterback (Sharps) with a lively arm,” Robinson said.
WEAKNESSES: “Lack of depth and we must stay healthy,” Robinson said.
OVERALL OUTLOOK: “We expect to be much more competitive this year, but we will have to play our best against whoever we face.
In our conference, Ottawa Hills will be the frontrunner, Northwood is always well coached and physical and will be competitive once again.
Edon will be able to put up points and they bring back a veteran quarterback in a tough offensive scheme.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Antwerp (A) 7pm; TAAC Opener: September 8th – Cardinal Stritch (H) 7pm
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com