Coach: Bryan Miller, sixth year
Last season: 6-4, 4-4 NWOAL
Returning letter winners: 19
Returning starters: Offense 5, defense 4
Schemes: Spread/4-3
Top players: Seniors Levi Wyse, 5-10, 170, WR-S; Isaac Burkholder, 6-0, 190, OL-LB; Matt Petersen, 5-10, 165, WR-DL; Zach Belknap, 5-11, 160, WR-DB; Blake Baden, 6-0, 165, WR-DB; Justin Lovejoy, 5-11, 245, OL-DL. Juniors Alex Weaver, 5-7, 145, WR-DB; Benny Gomez, 5-10, 185, WR-DB; Derek Walker, 6-0, 160; QB-DB; Garrett Grime, 5-10, 190, WR-LB.
Outlook: With 19 letter winners back, Archbold is among the league’s most experienced teams heading into the season.
Wyse, an All-NWOAL first team player, leads a team that figures to challenge for the league title. He scored seven touchdowns a year ago, tops among the returners.
“Our offense is going to go through him,” Miller said of Wyse.
Yet the Blue Streaks will have to fill the void left by the graduation of Evan Wyse. It doesn’t figure to come easy for his replacement at QB. Walker, who is one of the team’s top athletes, will get his shot at running the offense.
“This team is a bit of a mystery,” Miller said. “I think the biggest reason for that is trying to replace our quarterback.”
Burkholder, Petersen, and Baden are among the seniors who figure to make an impact on a team that is trying to make its mark in the league race.
“I like what we have,” Miller said. “We have some talented guys.”
There biggest question is whether the talent and experience will be enough to leave the Blue Streaks sitting at the top.
ARCHBOLD
Aug. 29-Hicksville
Sept. 5-Delta
Sept. 12-at Bryan
Sept. 19-at Start
Sept. 26-Wauseon
Oct. 3-at Liberty Center
Oct. 10-Evergreen
Oct. 17-Montpelier
Oct. 24-at Swanton
Oct. 31-at Patrick Henry