NWOAL

Montpelier Locomotives

8/22/2012
FROM LEFT: Row 1: Tyler Benner, Jon Kulpinski Row 2: Alex Cook, James Lamb, Jonuh Ramos, Kyle Finch, Webster Robinson, Donovan Chamberlain, Collin Mercer, Corybnn Hamrrick Row 3: JJ Teats, Sean Taylor, Derek Head, Max Corns, Levi Croft, Nathan Buehrer, Adam Altaffer, Seth Ries Row 4: Cody Caudill, Raymon Moreno, Jared Shoup, Tyler McDaniel, Chase Steffes, Beau Rupp, Keaton Byers Row 5: Nate McCord, Jared Sargent, Michael Howell, Logan Geesey, Dallas Royer, Dylan Snyder, Jordan Birdsall Row 6: Devin Nemire, Logan Hutchinson, Dalton Surbey, Simon Wang, Wyatt Beck, Gunnar Matson, Lane Strubberg Row 7: Hunter McKelvy, Daniel Sandoval, Alex Zuver, Austin Cook, Zech Thompson, Nolan Stratton, Max Hulbert Row 8: Kaleb Keller, Robert Ruppert, James Hicks, Ivan Moor, Manager Logan Strubberg, Manager Landon Brigle
FROM LEFT: Row 1: Tyler Benner, Jon Kulpinski Row 2: Alex Cook, James Lamb, Jonuh Ramos, Kyle Finch, Webster Robinson, Donovan Chamberlain, Collin Mercer, Corybnn Hamrrick Row 3: JJ Teats, Sean Taylor, Derek Head, Max Corns, Levi Croft, Nathan Buehrer, Adam Altaffer, Seth Ries Row 4: Cody Caudill, Raymon Moreno, Jared Shoup, Tyler McDaniel, Chase Steffes, Beau Rupp, Keaton Byers Row 5: Nate McCord, Jared Sargent, Michael Howell, Logan Geesey, Dallas Royer, Dylan Snyder, Jordan Birdsall Row 6: Devin Nemire, Logan Hutchinson, Dalton Surbey, Simon Wang, Wyatt Beck, Gunnar Matson, Lane Strubberg Row 7: Hunter McKelvy, Daniel Sandoval, Alex Zuver, Austin Cook, Zech Thompson, Nolan Stratton, Max Hulbert Row 8: Kaleb Keller, Robert Ruppert, James Hicks, Ivan Moor, Manager Logan Strubberg, Manager Landon Brigle

Coach: Steven Brancheau, second year

Last season: 0-10, 0-8 NWOAL

Returning letter winners: 14

Returning starters: Offense 8, defense 8

Schemes: Spread/4-4

Top players: Seniors Tyler Benner, 5-10, 170, QB-FS; Collin Mercer, 5-9, 150, RB-LB; Jon Kulpinski, 5-7, 170, OL-DL; Alex Cook, 5-11, 190; 0L-DL; Donovan Chamberlain, 5-7, 200, OL-DL. Juniors Nathan Buehrer, 6-0, 215, OL-LB; Keegan Hitzeman, 5-10, 155, WR-DB; Adam Altaffer, 5-11, 190, OL-DL.

Outlook: The Locomotives hope to avoid another winless season as they begin their second season under Brancheau, who previously served as an St. John's Jesuit assistant coach.

Montpelier had a year of working on a spread offense attack and Benner figures as the key to making it work this season. He completed 50 of 113 passes for 550 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 423 yards on 126 carries.

There are eight starters back on both sides of the football. Benner and Mercer are among 10 seniors expected to lead the charge as the Locomotives look to take steps toward becoming a more competitive program.

"We look to build on the progress we made last year as a team," Brancheau said. "After having one year in the system the kids are really picking things up quickly and we look to improve from last year."

 

2012 MONTPELIER SCHEDULE

Aug. 23-Hilltop

Aug. 31-Liberty Center

Sept. 7-at Patrick Henry

Sept. 14-Swanton

Sept. 21-at Bryan

Sept. 28-at Archbold

Oct. 5-Wauseon

Oct. 13-at Bishop Ready

Oct. 19-at Evergreen

Oct. 26-Delta