NLL

Sylvania Southview Cougars

FROM LEFT: Row 1: Neil Mahoney, Conor Welsch, Colin Duffy, Austin Valdez, Tim Schlachter, Josiah Allen, Brandon Stewart, Tino Vergiels, Connor Perry, Ahmad Parker, Jovan Palin Row 2: Caleb Allison, Zack Zoltowski, Andy Clark, Damian Griesinger, Kim Jackson, Scott Anderson, Nick Goatley, Joe Felker, Ryan Stout, Michael Bronson, Luke Wilson Row 3: Alec Berkowitz, Derrick Hartman, Keiron Toyer, Jacob Holloway, Merrick Yevtich, Hunter Topolski, Kal Aridi, Keith Caldwell, Jonathon Brown Row 4: Nate Hall, Josh Todd, Jernard Pinckney, Malcolm Johnson, Joseph Pasztor, Berry Grant, Lucas Lumm, Drew Gill, Yousof Housami

Coach: Jim Mayzes, 19th year

Last season: 9-2 overall, 7-0 NLL

Returning letter winners: 18

Returning starters: Offense 5, defense 4

Schemes: Multiple/Multiple

Top players: Seniors Austin Valdez, 6-1, 201, QB; Brandon Stewart, 6-1, 158, WR/DB; Derek Hartman, 6-1, 305, OT; Josiah Allen, 5-10, 220, G/DT; Tim Schlachter, 6-0, 220, G; Ahmad Parker, 5-8, 185, RB/LB. Juniors Jenard Pinckney, 6-4, 170, WR/S; Nate Hall, 6-2, 189, WR/S/P; Perry Burks, 6-2, 155, WR/DB; Malcolm Johnson, 5-7, 135, RB/DB; Joe Felker 5-9, 180, RB/ LB.

Outlook: The Cougars return five starters on offense, led by all-district second team quarterback Austin Valdez, who completed 108 of 188 passes for 1,820 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 130 times for 513 yards.

His talented receiving corps is five deep led by Stewart, Pinckney, Hall, Burks and Johnson.

"Team speed is a major strength," Mayzes said.

The offensive line will be led by 305-pound tackle Derek Hartman. Other contenders along the lines are Andy Clark, Conor Welsch, Zach Zoltowski, Drew Gill, and Hunter Topolski.

Although he has 60 players, Mayzes said a lack of depth may be a problem area.

"There is a great deal of speed that we will use to our advantage as much as possible," Mayzes said.

Mayzes said he is using the fact that the Cougars have been bounced from the playoffs in the first round the last two years as motivation.

"You hear that one-and-done thing," Mayzes said. "We will get past that. We can win games in the playoffs. The big key is to not get anyone hurt. The years that we've done really well, we haven't lost anyone."

2012 SOUTHVIEW SCHEDULE

Aug. 24-at St. Francis

Aug. 31-Muskegon (Mich.) at Perrysburg

Sept. 7-Start

Sept. 14-at Napoleon

Sept. 21-Maumee

Sept. 28-at Perrysburg

Oct. 5-Bowling Green

Oct. 12-at Anthony Wayne

Oct. 19-Springfield

Oct. 26-at Northview