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Cory Patty looks to take his game to the next level in 2004.
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It's that time of year again...where questions are asked, new players emerge and Buccaneer football kicks off another season, which will be over before we know it.
It's hard to believe it's been a year since Buccaneers finished another exciting season in which they finished their fourth straight regular season at 10-0 and made a trip to the state playoffs. Although Marion Local spoiled plans on a deeper run in the playoffs, the Buccs exceeded the preseason expectations and completed their march into the history books by graduating a senior class with a 40-0 career regular season record.
Lost from that senior class is three players who tore up the record books in quarterback Brady Reck, wideout/defensive back Ross Mohler and running back/defensive end Matt McCord. All three set season yardage records at their respective positions and were key figures in the success of the Buccs.
Jared Hague and Dusty Rhoades were two more skill kids who were lost. Both were dependable receiving targets and solid defensive players. Big plays were their trademarks as evident by Rhoades' 75-yard touchdown catch against Arcanum and Hagues 9 touchdown catches on 18 receptions from his tight end poistion.
The biggest losses on the lines were three-year starter TJ Warner and two-year starter Dan Morrow and first-year starter BJ Barnes. All three were leaders in the trenches and helped groom the younger lineman throughout the season.
Also lost from a year ago are roll players Ben Adams, Travis Bone, and Tim Allison. Finding a rotation to keep fresh players on the field is a rare luxury for a division six football team and these three players provided that luxury last year.
The losses of these 11 seniors leaves the same question asked every year…how do you fill those shoes?
Luckily for the Buccs, they seem to be able to fill those shoes year in and year out and not miss a beat. Veteran players emerge as leaders and younger players always seem to step up and perform at a high level.
As the Buccs prepared through summer camps and two-a-days, the coaching staff found the players who they think are ready to preform at a high level. We saw glimses of what may be in store for 2004 through two scrimmages and we'll find out for real in the season opener.
The biggest question for Bucc fans right now is the quarterback position. How can you replace a Brady Reck? The answer is…you can't and you don't even try. You just move on and hope the next guy becomes a pretty good player in his own right.
Sophomore Seth Mohler is where Brady was when Brady took over for Dusty Blythe a few years ago…a unproven quarterback with a strong arm and plenty of athletic ability. Seth also possesses nice mobility and a ton of guts so he has the tools to be a pretty darn good player. It will take some growing pains, but all of the quarterbacks before Mohler went through that same process. The difference between the good ones and the great ones is how they handle the pressure.
Mohler appears to be ahead of the game mentally because he doesn't let bad plays affect him. In the Buccs' scrimmages, Mohler had times where he struggled, but he came right back and led his troops to some very impressive drives. This type of mentality will only help him gain the confidence of his teammates and become the field general the Buccs will need to continue their success.
For the first time in what seems like a lifetime, the Buccs don't have a "Go To Guy" at wideout. The Buccs have had some pretty good ones in Jordan Shafer, Clint Mohler and Ross Mohler over the past few years so there has been a comfort level there. Unfortunatley, the loss of Dusty Rhoades and Ross Mohler creates uncertainty.
What the Buccs do have is a capable cast of players with different styles and capabilities. Seniors Justin Owens and Matt Fulks both made some big plays throughout the practices and scrimmages. Owens appears to be a sure-handed receiver and Fulks showed the ability to get deep.
Other players appear to be solid candidates to contribute as well, including multi-talented junior Nick Christian. He showed soft hands last season catching some passes out of the backfield and has the ability to run after the catch. Nick's an intelligent player who has the ability to play more than one position, so a need as a receiver could easily be filled.
In recent years the Buccs have made the tight end position a potent offensive weapon. Of course, when you have the likes of a Mike Molesky or a Jared Hague, two guys who moved on to play college ball, it's eay to see why. This year the tight end position may be filled by committee, depending on how they perform. Juniors Zach Deeter and Chase Manson, along with sophomore Drew Craft, provide the Buccs three dangerous weapons. All three have made plays over the past month so don't be surprised to see all three contribute on Friday nights.
The running back position is in the same situation as of a year ago at this time…in the hands of a very talented, but unproven player. Last year Matt McCord was expected to fill in adequately as the Buccs' featured runner and he became a monster. McCord set rushing records for yards and touchodwns in a season, this behind a very inexperienced offensive line.
This season it's sophomore Gene Studebaker's turn. He's just as big as McCord and he's faster in the open field. The question is can he carry the heavy load McCord handled? McCord had a nastiness about him when he ran the ball and Gene has to proove he has the mental makeup to be a dominating player. If he does, he'll be one heck of a player to watch.
Also battling for time in the backfield is a host of talented players like Nick Christian, Kevin Wright and sophomore Corey Patty.
The offensive line turned from a pre-season concern a year ago to a strength this year. That's because of the play of three juniors, Logan Brown, CJ Potter and Brian Ely. They were thrown to the wolves last year and performed very well in helping lead the way to Matt McCord's single season school rushing records. All three are expected to emerge as leaders and help bring continuity to a group which will ad the services of Nick Meyer and Aaron Staley.
On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line will have some open opportunities for players to step up. McCord was a terror at defensive end last year and his position is open for competition. Dan Morrow and TJ Warner also leave huge holes to fill.
These positions provide opportunities for the likes of Nick Meyer, Aaron Staley, Zach Deeter, Chase Manson, JT Luckey, Brian Ely and CJ Potter.
The linebacker position has the potential to be one of the strongest positions on the team, mainly because of the return of junior Logan Brown. Brown is a hard-nosed, physical player who loves to hit. He's also the hardest working player on the team and has emerged as a team captian and leader.
Joining Brown will likely be sophomore Drew Craft. Craft is inexperienced, but he has a motor and is a student of the game. If he can handle the complexity of the Buccaneer defense, he could be in line for a breakout year. If his performance last season at the junior varsity level is any indication, Drew is ready for the challenge.
The defensive backfield loses dependable players in Ross Mohler and Dusty Rhoades, but others appear ready to fill those voids. Sophomore Gene Studebaker has the speed to play anywhere in the secondary while seniors Kevin Wright and Matt Fulks, and junior Nick Christian bring back experience from a year ago. Also depended upon to contribute are sophomore Seth Mohler and senior Justin Owens.
The Buccaneers will likely have one of the strongest special teams in the area as they return senior kicker/punter Matt Fulks. Fulks has garnered attention from college scouts after a stellar junior season and off-season camps. He set school records last year with 6 field goals and a long from 40 yards out. With a stronger leg, deeper kickoffs and more hangtime on punts, the Buccs hope to pin opponents deeper in their own territory.
The coverage unit should also be strong. With a mix of experienced players with younger players looking to get on the field, the coverage unit will have plenty of speed.
Players looking for playing time on Friday nights appear to be ready for the challange. Josh Mahan, Dan Philabaum and Bobby Wiltshire are two juniors ready to step in and perform when needed. Matt Thomas, Ryan White, Derek Brumbaugh and first-timer Brad Plank are sophomores who could see playing time should they continue to develop.
In Covington football, it's a rarity to see freshman get much playing time on Friday nights, but the Buccs have a strong freshman class who could become vital to the team's success before the season is over. Jordy Burelison and Matt Varno look to be the most capable of seeing the most playing time of any of the freshman, but it's way too early to count out any other youngsters. Last year Gene Studebaker became a starter by the end of the year, and who's to say one from the freshman group couldn't step up and play a key roll down the stretch?
It's no different than in years past as the Buccs are experienced at some positions and young at others. This leads to uncertainty for Bucc fans, but hopefully the results will proove to be positive.
CCC Outlook...
Last year at this time many people felt the Buccs were ripe to be knocked off of their thone as the top dog in the Cross County Conference. Everyone pointed to the significant graduation losses and the improvement of teams like Anna, Arcanum and Tri-County North.
When the dust settled the Buccs cruised through the regular season unbeaten for the fourth straight season, winning their fifth CCC title in a row. Each of the three teams expected to challenge the Buccs fell by the combined score of 99-24.
But, that was then and this is now. The past victories won't help the Buccs because it's a new year with many new players. Covington has to start all over again and take each opponent one by one.
Perhaps the biggest conference game of the season is in week two between Covington and Anna. The Rockets have a boat load of players back from their 9-2 playoff team and many of them remember very well the 21 first quarter points the Buccs put on them a year ago and the 36-6 pounding they took. Anna will be out for revenge and they think they have the tools this year to gain their first win ever over the Buccs. The winner of this contest will have plenty of momentum and confidence that they are the team to beat in the CCC.
Arcanum is another team looking for revenge on the Buccs. The Trojans felt they had a solid chance last year, but Covington recorded a 21-0 shutout on Arcanum's home field. The Trojans return 15 starters from a year ago from a team that barely missed the playoffs with an 8-2 record.
After a few years on the down swing, the Bethel Bees look to be a much improved team. They have perhaps the most dangerous weapon in Derek Goins, the same Derek Goins who returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the Buccs last year. He's fast and he's pretty darn good. The cast around him remains in tact and they are no slouches either. Should Covington reach week eigth unbeaten, Coach Pytel's group will be on an all-time high. They feel they are better then they should the Buccs last year and they want to be the team to knock them off.
It wasn't long ago when the CCC title came down to the winner of the Ansonia - Covington game. While the Buccs have improved, the Tigers have fallen on hard times the past few years. This year may be different, however. The Tigers return a nucleus of solid players and coach Hoening's players always bring the heat. Don't be surprised if the Tigers challenge for a playoff birth this year.
Tri-County North lost the offensive player of the year last year in Eric Wright. That's a huge loss and it's unclear who they have that can fill that void. The Panthers may be a team in a rebuilding mode, but anyone who takes them lightly could get it handed to them.
If last season is any indication, Mississinawa Valley has arrived. Their numbers have increased and the players and community believe in coach John Greher. Confidence is higher than it has been in years and they are looking to improve on their 4-6 record.
The Bradford Railroaders continue to try and establish pride and confidence in their program. Despite their 2-8 record from a year ago, the Railroaders are on the right track. They have some talented players like Sky Abney, who was a standout last year as a freshman. They also have an energetic young coaching staff headed by Jason Brewer. Folks in Bradford are talking like the Railroaders are ready to make a move. Are they still too young? Only time will tell.
Twin Valley South and National Trail have fallen on pretty rough times. South has dropped off the radar in a hurry. Only five years ago, the Panthers handed Covington a 33-0 defeat, the last time the Buccs have been beaten in the regular season. Each year since South has dropped farther down the standings. Losing players to other schools have hurt a lot, but losing players to other sports hurts even more. There's outstanding athletes at South, but many choose to sit out football so they can focus on other sports.
Trail has suffered from similar circumstances as South, but their situation may be worse. There was a sense of uncertainty as to whether or not the Blazers would even have a football season due to a levy. Fortunatley for the kids, sports will continue, but unfortunaley for Blazer fans, numbers are down. Again, outstanding athletes are not playing football to focus on other sports. This could hurt Trail's chances in improving in 2004.
It evident that the Buccs have their work cut out for them if they want to remain at the top of the CCC. The league has taken a lot of heat over the past few years for being week, but this year looks more balance than ever.
