(ARCHIVE PHOTO/ THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PANTHERS PREVIEW … Jacob Meyers looks for a running lane on a kickoff return at Morenci. Myers is one of the top returning offensive weapons for Stryker this season.
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
STRYKER – Sixth-year head coach Kent Holsopple and the Stryker Panthers are coming off a 2-8 season that started with high expectations but was derailed by the injury bug.
“We had several goals at the start of the season”, began Holsopple. As we went through our journey, we had to modify them due to some key season-ending injuries.”
“Ultimately, our top goals were to stick together, do whatever the team needed, be a problem each week for our opponents, help our seniors leave their legacy and I feel we did that.”
The Panthers will be looking to replace record setting quarterback Jacob Cadwell (2,444 yards, 32 TDs, 323 yards rushing, 6 TDs) along with receiver Gavin LaBo (81 rec., 1,154 yards, 17 TDs), who also enjoyed a record setting career.
With the voids they need to fill offensively, Holsopple stated taking care of the football, being physical up front, be consistent in the run game, convert more on third down, and win the time of possession will all be important to the success of the offense.
“Defensively, we must execute solid run fits, swarm to the football, and limit explosive plays. We need to create takeaways and negative plays and implement defensive schemes that allow our kids to play faster”, added Holsopple.
LETTERWINNERS LOST FROM LAST SEASON: Jacob Cadwell (QB/DB); Gavin LaBo (WR/DB); Devin Montague (OL/TE/DL); Carl Glenn (RB/LB)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: SENIOR – Jacob Myers (WR/LB/DB/KR; 62 rec., 487 yards, 8 TDs); Chris Damms (RB/LB); Shawn Buehrer (DL); JUNIOR – Owen Zachrich (OL); Eli Capps (LB/DB); Rustin Nafziger (DL); SOPHOMORES – Jacob Ramon (WR/KR; 35 rec., 334 yards, 5 TDs, 39 tackles); Michael Damms (OL); Vance Chapple (OL/LB; 45 tackles); Ethan Beltran (LB; 97 tackles)
NEWCOMERS: Walker Atkinson (QB/RB/LB); Dylan Rivas (OL/DL); Cooper Stuckey (DL/OL); Cody Stewart (QB/WR/DB); Luis Arreola (OL/DL); Austin Werts (WR/DB); Nate Ryan-Wampole (WR/DB); Mason Tewksbury (OL/DL); Angelo Flores (WR/DB)
STRENGTHS: “We have an experienced, hard-working, and gritty group in the trenches. We also have a nice mix of talented playmakers in the skill positions. We have tough competitors who are very coachable and enjoy grinding it out together.”
WEAKNESSES: “Finding the right mix of offensive schemes and matching them up with the right personnel groups and we must continue to develop consistent producers on all three levels of the defense.”
LEAGUE OUTLOOK: “Toledo Christian is the clear favorite. St Mary Central Catholic brings back a talented group as does Holgate. The final playoff spot will be a battle between the rest of us (Stryker, Danbury, Sebring McKinley, Fremont St Joseph, and Chalker).”
“We are very excited for another competitive 8-man football season and look forward to creating more memorable moments for our school and community under the lights as we continue to grow 8-man football in Ohio.”
ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE: Season Opener: August 30 – North Adams, MI (H) 7pm; Northern 8 Opener: September 6 – Holgate (A) 7pm
