RETURNING ARCHBOLD QUARTERBACK … Cade Brenner heads toward the sideline on a carry in a game against Delta last season. PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
By: Nate Calvin
HAMLER – Despite losing some offensive firepower, the Liberty Center Tigers were the coaches’ pick to win the NWOAL this season at the NWOAL Media Day on August 6 at Patrick Henry High School.
The Tigers garnered 62 out of a possible 80 points with Archbold and Patrick Henry tying for second with 52 points each while Wauseon and Bryan tied for fourth with 36 apiece.
The league will have one new head coach as Barry Bock takes over at Evergreen after Evan Karchner resigned after one season to become the head coach at his alma mater Maumee.
Below are team-by-team previews in order of the coach’s preseason voting with last season’s overall record and league record in parentheses.
1. Liberty Center (14-1, 7-0; lost in Division V state semifinal to South Range 35-0)
HEAD COACH: Casey Mohler (7th Season)
STARTERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Zane Zeiter (QB); Owen Box (OL/DL); Matthew Orr (RB/LB; Tanner Kline (C/OLB); Riley Chapa (WR/DB); Jeff Zacharias, Aiden Hammontree
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: SENIORS – Landon Bockelman (OL/DL); Colton Kruse (RB/LB); Landen Kruse (WR/DB); Seth Navarre (OL/DL); Colton Chambers (RB); Trenton Kruse (LB); Landon Amstutz (QB/DB; Brooks Behnfeldt (TE/DB; Landon Smith (OL/DL); Aiden Tallent (WR/DB); Zac Weaver (TE/LB; JUNIORS – Tyler Ley (OL); Ian Rosebrook (PK); Waylon Rentz (RB/LB; Grady Miller (QB/WR/DB; Stephen Brogan (OL/LB); Blake Garber (WR/DB; Brady Giesige (OL/DL); Zander Zeiter (OL/DL; SOPHOMORE – Max Walker (P)
STRENGTHS: Depth, some experience at all position groups, defensive line, linebackers
WEAKNESSES: Replacing key starters on offense and in secondary
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We had a great 2022 season, we won an outright league title, and a regional championship. We also broke the school record for wins with 14.”
“The group of seniors we had were great leaders and the whole team really gelled together, which is why we had the success we did.”
“We are going to have to take care of the football, be consistent, stay injury free, and make plays. If we can do this, we will give ourselves a chance to be successful.”
“We have some experience back at all position groups, we should also have some depth that will help us.”
“Defensively, we will need to prevent explosive plays, create turnovers, and get off the field on 3rd down.”
“Defensive line and linebacker should be our strength. We have experience at those positions and should have some depth as well. We must replace most of our secondary.”
“We do have two experienced kickers returning, but we must make sure our coverage units do not allow big returns.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I think the NWOAL will be very balanced this year with Patrick Henry and Archbold being the front runners.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Tinora (A) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Archbold (A) 7pm
T2. Archbold (8-3, 5-2; lost in Division V Regionals first round to Liberty-Benton 63-35)
HEAD COACH: David Dominique (9th Season)
STARTERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Carson Dominique (RB); Gabe Chapa (LB); Krayton Kern (K); Karter Behnfeldt (WR/CB); Lance Bauer (DT); Devon Morris (LB); Hayden Dickman (OT); Chase Cornell (OG)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: SENIORS – Chase Miller (WR/CB/R); Brian Burrowes (C/Short Snapper); Mason Siegel (G/DE); Wyat Ripke (T, move to guard/DE); Cade Brenner (QB/H); Lucas Dominique (Flex WR); Brodie Bailey (TE); Jack Hurst (SS/R); Josiah Gomez (SS); Stephen Diller (FS); Jordan Massengill (DT); Nathan Juarez (WR/DB); Titus Rufenacht (OT/DT); Nathan Schaffner (TE/LB; JUNIORS – David Oregon (DT); Evan Wendt (WR/DB); Tristan Wyse (RB/LB); Jayden Gensler (OT/DT); Broden Piercefield (WR/DB); SOPHOMORE – Jason Grime (G/DE
STRENGTHS: Team speed, offensive/defensive line play, experience at QB, experience in secondary
WEAKNESSES: Inexperience at running back and linebacker positions
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Looking back to last year, we had a good season but the end to it was obviously not what we wanted with losing our final two games of the season.”
“We were able to finish 8-3 and make the playoffs which is always a goal of ours. Moving into this year, our focus is to be more consistent from week to week and play better complementary football.”
“For us to be successful offensively, we are going to need to spread the ball around and get different players involved in the offensive output.”
“We are fortunate to have a lot of guys coming back with experience, but we must be more consistent in execution. Along with this, we are going to need our OL to really control the line of scrimmage.”
“We bring back three starters here along with some other guys gaining valuable experience but for us to go up front we will need them to really be our strong point.”
“We have good team speed across the board and our offensive line will be one of the larger more athletic groups we have had in a while.”
“Bringing back a QB with a year under his belt will also be key to our success on the offensive side of the ball.”
“Losing a running back that has accounted for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two years is definitely something that is a concern for us.”
“Carson Dominique was a safety net for us last year just based on his size and power when running the ball.”
“With that being said, we are going to look for other guys to step up and bring their own unique style of play to our offense.”
“For us to be successful on defensive, we are going to need to be physical at the point of attack and force teams to move the length of the field.”
“Late in the year last season we really struggled with keeping the ball in front of us and that is going to be a large focus of our preparation. We need our guys to play fast and not lose their aggressiveness worrying about mistakes.”
“A key concern for us will be the loss of two starting linebackers and a third that spelled guys at times.”
“We are going to need someone to step up and lead the defense that does not have any experience in doing this yet.”
“Along with this, we need to build depth early in the defensive backfield. We bring back guys with a lot of experience, but they are going to need to get younger guys up to speed and competing early.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “I look for Liberty Center and Patrick Henry to be at the top fighting for a league championship this year.”
“Wauseon is another team with a very good senior class, and they could definitely knock anyone off at any point in time.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Genoa (A) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Liberty Center (H) 7pm
T2. Patrick Henry (7-5, 4-3; lost in Division VI regional quarterfinal to Convoy Crestview 31-22)
HEAD COACH: Bill Inselmann (31st Season)
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Hicksville (A) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Evergreen (A) 7pm
Requested information not submitted by print deadline.
T4. Bryan (5-6, 4-3; lost in Division IV regional first round to Elyria Catholic 43-0)
HEAD COACH: Grant Redhead (9th Season)
STARTERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Tyler Spisak (G); Parker Vollmer (DE); Tayson Deckrosh (CB); Brody Devlin (Specialist); Ayden Pelz (LB); Zain Bell (OT)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: SENIORS – Jase Kepler (QB/DB); Sam Herold (RB/LB); Drew Hahn (WR/DB); Maddox Langenderfer (QB/WR); Aiden Shellenberger (RB/S); Karter Brown (WR/SS); Jaydon Dennis (OL/DE); Devin Egnor (OL/DL; Rayner Clemens (OL/LB); Dylan Koenig (K); JUNIORS – Dameon Wolfe (FB/LB); Carter Dominique (TE/DE; SOPHOMORE – Conner Hogan (OL/DL)
STRENGTHS: Experience at skill positions, linebackers, secondary
WEAKNESSES: Offensive and defensive line experience
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are coming off a solid 2022 campaign that included qualifying for the playoffs.”
“For us to have a successful season will need our line play to development and count on our overall depth.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Liberty Center will be very strong while Archbold, Patrick Henry, Delta, and Swanton are tough and always competitive. Evergreen is an unknown. If you’re not focused, you can get beat by anybody.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Van Wert (H) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Delta (H) 7pm
T4. Wauseon (6-5, 4-3; lost in Division IV regional first round to Van Wert 40-7)
HEAD COACH: Shawn Moore (5th Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Sam Smith (WR/DB); Jude Armstrong (WR/DB); Ethan Borton (WR/DB); Jon Spurgeon (OL); Chance Snow (OL/DL); Tony Vasquez (OL); Aiden Leininger (OL/DL); Zaidan Kessler (RB/LB); Logan Carroll (RB/LB); Zeph Siefker (OL/DL); Justin Duncan (DL)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors – Trey Parsons (QB); Ryan Friend (RB); Logan Patterson; Austin Kovar (LB); Tyson Rodriguez (WR/DB); Xavier Martinez; Landen Thourot (OL/DL); Roger Adams (OL/DL); Tate Wyse (WR/LB); Ty Davis (DL); Ian Martin (OL/DL); Juniors – Braylon Miller (QB/DB); Kale Waxler (RB/DL); Mitchell Hartman (WR/DB); Sophomore – Otis Flowers (RB/LB)
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Ben Tule (OL/DL); Wyatt Smith (WR/DB); Ashton Vonier (OL/LB); Sophomore – Kahle Albright (QB/DB)
STRENGTHS: Kicking game, leadership
WEAKNESSES: Experience on offensive/defensive line
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have familiarity with what we are trying to accomplish, and we have had good leadership with our older guys helping the younger guys. Our kicking game should be solid all around as well.”
“We are excited to see how our season will evolve as we start to gain some experience with newcomers and look to be competitive in what looks like a solid NWOAL.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “It is going to be a solid and competitive league. Like always you are going to have to prepare and execute at a high level to earn victories on a weekly basis.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Fairview (H) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Swanton (H) 7pm
6. Delta (5-6, 3-4; lost in Division V regional first round to Elmwood 49-24)
HEAD COACH: Nate Ruple (9th Season)
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors – Maverick Mercer TE/DE/P; 62 tackles, 13 sacks); Justin Ruple (QB/LB/LS; 106 tackles, 2 interceptions); Caleb Lantz (RB/LB; 73 tackles); Landon Griesinger (DL; 43 tackles); Juniors – Cass Chiesa (C); Landon Lintermoot (LB; 42 tackles)
STRENGTHS: “There will be a significant number of opportunities for our younger players to gain valuable varsity experience this season.”
“It will be exciting to see some inexperienced players step into new roles at the varsity level. We expect a tremendous amount of growth throughout the season.”
WEAKNESSES: “Overall depth and experience is a concern early on as we look to fill various roles on our football team.
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We will field a team with a lot of new faces this season. Leadership and continued improvement throughout the season will be necessary for success in the NWOAL.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Ayersville (H) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Bryan (A) 7pm
7. Evergreen (3-7, 1-6; did not qualify for playoffs)
HEAD COACH: Barry Bock (1st Season)
TOP RETURNERS: Seniors – Hunter Vaculik (QB/LB); Diesil Stoykoff (OL/DL); Grant Richardson (TE/DE); Riley Dunbar (WR/DB); Jesse Spradlin (WR/DB); Robert Pennington (OL/DL); Ryder Hudik (WR/DB); Juniors – Trevor Johnson (RB/LB; Colton Robertson (WR/DB); Sophomores – Joey Okos (OL/DL); J.J. Johnson (LB/H)
STRENGTHS: Speed
WEAKNESSES: Inexperience
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Our goal is to put as much strength and speed on this side of the ball. If the defensive line up front can do their job it allows us to use our team speed to fly around and make plays.”
“While if the back-end players can do their job in coverage, that will allow our big guys up front to make plays and put some pressure on the offense.”
“We are a run first team that loves to throw the ball a lot. If we can do this and fire on all cylinders we will be just fine offensively.”
“We need to understand how to play with a lead. The goal is to make sure our offense knows how to play and work while having the lead for the whole season. We lack experience in the depth chart.”
“Yes, we have some experience coming back, but we also have a lot of young guys that have proved over the summer that they are ready for Friday nights.”
“Our program had a great summer with a great turnout attendance wise and addition of some new student athletes in the school joining the football team that should make an immediate impact right away.”
“This summer we put a focus on competing, knowing what it takes to win, speed, and becoming better overall athletes.”
“We face a tough schedule this 2023 season with eight of the opponents we face were playoff teams last year.”
“But if we want to be in the talks of being a playoff team then we must face that competition and challenge.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Elmwood (H) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Patrick Henry (H) 7pm
8. Swanton (1-9, 0-7; did not qualify for playoffs)
HEAD COACH: Eric Keller (2nd Season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Mike Cohn, Kaden Curtis, Ethan Hensley, Cole Mitchey, Kamon Molina, Caleb Ostrander, Drew Smigelski, Xander Wiemken, Ben Wilson
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kaiden Bryan, Trent Eitniear, Drake Harris, Michael Holtsberry, Mason Hutchinson, Cam Kirtz, Anthony Kozakiewicz, Brennon Mersing, Connor Mitchey, Jonah Rico, Evan Smigelski, Ben Tufts, Josh Tyburski, Lucas Wilson, Zak Wylie, Luke Wilson
NEWCOMERS: Cole Steward, Kaiden Gorsuch
STRENGTHS: Offensive line play, linebackers, team chemistry, atmosphere
WEAKNESSES: Depth, experience at skill positions
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We are in year two of my tenure and a total rebuild of Swanton Football. Numbers are stable but depth and experience is lacking throughout the entire program.”
“I feel we have a good coaching staff and that we’re sending all the right messages to the kids. We are trying to overcome a general lack of confidence and the “used to losing” mentality at Swanton.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “The NWOAL is one of the best and toughest small-school leagues around. The teams are competitive and well coached.”
“Several teams/programs are established, used to winning, and have made playoff appearances during the past decade. We are working to reach that level of expectation and performance.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 18th – Paulding (A) 7pm; NWOAL Opener: September 8th – Wauseon (A) 7pm
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com
