NORTH OLMSTED — Last year’s North Olmsted team was probably the fastest of the eight Southwestern Conference members.
The Eagles are still very fast, maybe the speediest in the conference again. But it’s the Eagles’ experience that is really making people look at North Olmsted as a legitimate contender for a conference championship and a possible Division I playoff berth.
“Without a doubt,” Eagles coach Mike Ptacek said. “We have a lot of guys working on their third letters. We have a large group of seniors and it’s a good group, character-wise.”
North Olmsted welcomed 79 players to the beginning of preseason practice, making it one of the larger bunches in recent years.
“We have a lot of spots up for grabs, but we are fortunate that we have a lot of depth,” Ptacek said.
So much depth that Jordan Hopple, probably the fastest player on the team, is worth a look at quarterback. Hopple led the Eagles in touchdown receptions (three) and yards per catch (20.6). This spring he won SWC titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the 1,600-meter relay and qualified for the state championships in the 100 and the 1,600 relay.
But Hopple, also a starting cornerback last season, has been competing with the more experienced Joe Vitali to be the Eagels’ signal-caller.
“Joe is a good leader,” Ptacek said. “We like him a lot. Jordan has those qualities that make a good quarterback. So far it’s been a friendly rivalry.”
Should Vitali, backup to Keith Troyer last year, prevail, Hopple can always go back to wide receiver, where he’ll compete with another speedster, Josh Price (SWC long jump champion in ’07), and another newcomer, Bryan Kasberg.
Seniors Pat Tomko and Nick Gessner (All-SWC linebacker in 2007) return at running back and fullback, respectively. Tomko is being pushed by junior Damien Kirks while Gessner could cede playing time to senior Chad Murphy, one of Ohio’s finest prep hockey players and an all-district catcher on the baseball team, out for football for the first time.
Steve Ottelin is back starting at tight end.
But it’s the interior line that’s the Eagles’ pride and joy, starting with
6-foot-5, 270-pound John Taylor, an all-state pick rated by one recruiting service as the No. 70 prospect in the Class of 2009. Taylor has drawn the interest of a couple of Big Ten and Mid-American Conference colleges and has received offers from Miami and Ohio University.
Even bigger than Taylor is returning right tackle Matt Rotherman, a junior who goes 6-6 and 305. Phil Kalal, a 230-pound senior, is back at one guard spot. The other jobs on the offensive line are up for grabs, although Kevin McCaffery will probably take one opening.
The defense is fast, big and experienced, with seven starters back. Gessner (team-leading 125½ tackles in ’07) and Trevor Huber return at inside linebacker. Three-year starter Ben Waken and Taylor (98 tackles) will be the inside linemen in the Eagles’ 5-2 defense with Kalal and Cameron Arif. Ottelin is one outside linebacker and Phil Curless is the leading candidate for the other outside spot.
Phil Tomko and Christian Klinec are back at the starting safety positions. Cornerback is one question mark, especially if Hopple wins the job at quarterback. Joe Kaczmarski, a letter winner in ’07, is a likely choice at one corner.
A strong test for North Olmsted will come in Week 2 when the Eagles tangle with Padua.
The Bruins made the playoffs in 2007 and bring back 17 starters.
Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

NORTH OLMSTED EAGLES

CONFERENCE: Southwestern
2007 RECORD: 5-5 (3-4 SWC)
COACH: Mike Ptacek, 4th year (17-14)
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 13
RETURNING STARTERS: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

By the numbers

15 — Years since North Olmsted’s last SWC championship
15 — Tackles for loss (10) and sacks (5) by All-Ohioan John Taylor in 2007
17 — Sacks by returning defensive players, out of a total of 26 sacks in ’07

Fast fact

The Eagles scored only 13 points in the fourth quarter last season, while giving up 78.

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