High school football preview: Keystone Wildcats
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LAGRANGE — A win in last year’s opener against perennial playoff qualifier Monroeville gave the Keystone Wildcats hope they could build on the success of 2007, when they went 8-2.
Then a number of injuries to key players hit, sending the season into a downward spiral that culminated in a 3-7 record.
But while the injuries were a large part of the story, they weren’t the only part. An admitted lack of leadership from the coaching down to the players had a hand in the stumbles and provided a valuable lesson: The hardest part of the journey isn’t getting to the top, it’s staying there once you reach it.
“Our leadership, myself included, could have been better last season,” said Keystone coach Rob Clarico, who enters his sixth year on the job. “I think the success we experienced in 2007 caused us to expect things to happen instead of us going out and making things happen.
“And when the injuries started piling up we couldn’t get our heads above water.”
Bolstered by 12 returning starters, a strong junior class and a solid offseason program, the Wildcats are looking to rebound. Senior running back Jimmy Reid is just looking to help.
Reid suffered one of the biggest injuries last season when he shattered his collarbone while making a tackle in the second game of the season. Reid, fully healed, is expected to be a large part of the offense as Clarico wants him to get close to 20 touches a game.
“It was horrible to have to watch from the sideline,” Reid said. “But I think we’ve bounced back well in the offseason. Our offseason program was better attended this year and we feel that we have something to prove.”
Reid is one half of a dynamic backfield tandem, along with senior fullback Corry Sprouse. Clarico envisions a 1-2 punch that should give the Wildcats some options in the running game.
“We expect Jimmy to utilize his speed on the outside and in the passing game,” Clarico said. “Corry is going to pound the ball up the middle, so it gives us a nice combination to play off of.”
Juniors Steve Renfro and Mike Cordy are battling it out at the quarterback position with each player having his own strengths. However, the players that will be catching the ball are falling into place. Senior Josh Ford and junior Cody Dill will split time at tight end. Seniors Josh Jewett and Jay Radca are sitting atop some unusual depth at wide receiver.
If there is concern on the offense it may be the offensive line. Seniors Joe Horency and Matt Yatson stand out in a group that averages about 5-feet-11 and 200 pounds. If the line can stay healthy and do what it’s supposed to do, the offense should be back on the right track.
If there is a bright spot last season it’s that several young players received more playing time than they normally would have, especially on defense. Keystone returns eight starters, including Casey Conrad, an honorable mention All-Conference selection who moves from outside linebacker to strong safety.
Keystone will run a 4-4 defense with juniors Tim McMullen and Caleb Staller anchoring the linebacker position. Returning on the line will be defensive tackle James Gerken and defensive end Dill. Senior Casey Gawen returns at one corner and newcomer Keith Jones, a junior transfer from West Virginia, will be the other corner.
“Our key to our defense is the safety,” Clarico said. “We have Casey back there and Sprouse will join him back there. I can’t think of a lot of athletes in the conference that are better than Corry and he should lead us in tackles.
“Corry will also call our secondary adjustments to match up with the offense.”
Sprouse is ready to get back into action.
“We’re looking to earn everything we get this season,” he said. “We know that nothing is going to be handed to us. We just didn’t have it last year. Our offseason work ethic is better this year, we have stronger leadership and we’re hungry to be winners again.”
Clarico knows this is a statement season for the program.
“We’re trying to build something here,” Clarico said. “We are going to find out whether 2007 was the aberration or whether 2008 was. We have something to prove to ourselves and our fans.”
Keystone Wildcats
- Coach: Rob Clarico, 6th year
- Conference: Patriot Athletic, Stars Division
- 2008 record: 3-7, 2-5
- Fast fact: After losing 25 of 27 games to Monroeville, the Wildcats have won the last two against the Eagles.
Schedule
- Aug 28: at Monroeville
- Sept. 4: Chippewa
- Sept. 11: Firelands
- Sept. 18: at Brooklyn
- Sept. 25: Columbia
- Oct. 2: Black River
- Oct. 9: at Lutheran West
- Oct. 16: at Brookside
- Oct. 23: Wellington
- Oct. 30: at Buckeye
Contact Hans Schneider at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.
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