2013 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Springfield Blue Devils

Northern Lakes League

2013 Springfield Blue Devils

Team photo from left:

Row 1: Jacob Ridley, Terrance Cole, Elijah Todd, Joey Wurzelbacher, Tyson Proctor, Devon Gant, Kamal Smith Kyle Young, Shawn Davis, Connor Crayne, Blake Neptune

Row 2: Warriclo Boaston, Melvin Wells, Navada Parker, Kory Petiniot, Christian Cooper, Andrew Myers Brian Chamberlain, Ross Lonsway, Markez Cunningham, Louis Fuller, Brandon Grohnke, Tevin Stuart

Row 3: Anthony Bronaugh, Davion Burton, Kelsey Brown, Kevin McLemore, Robert Prior, AJ Harrison London Edwards, Alex Englehardt, Jesse Ochoa, Tray Jones, David Robinson, Charles Buchanan Aren Harris

Row 4: John Martin, Daniel Brown, Zachary Kurtz, Alec Taylor, Justin Ridley, Justen Dilworth Cameron Vaughn, Darrion Durhart, Logan Gorey, Stephan Robinson, Fred Johnson Scottie Seymour

Row 5: Zach Mayette, Josh, Perszon, Austin Eversman, Bryant Koback, Bryan Rogers, Noah Patten Akei Coffman, Chris Hamer

Row 6: Mark Thompson, Nate McAfee, Jim Eberly, Garrett Barga, Rusty Smtih, Pat Gucciadro, Kellen Taylor, Nick Chappetta, John Willis, Scott Baillie, Ryan Reibau

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Coach: Pat Gucciardo, second year

Last season: 1-9 overall, 1-6 NLL

Returning letter winners: 16

Returning starters: Offense 4, defense 6

Schemes: Fun and gun/​Multiple 3-4

Top players: Seniors Ross Longsway, 6-0, 215, FB-​MLB; Elijah Todd 6-1, 217, TB-​OLB; Tyson Proctor, 6-1, 175, CB; Connor Crayne, 6-3, 185, FS; Louis Fuller, 5-10, 180, TB-​OLB, Terrance Cole, 5-11, 185, SS. Junior Jesse Ochoa, 6-2, 215, OLB.

Outlook: Gucciardo enters his second season at Springfield after stints at Whitmer and Start with guarded optimism.

“Our expectations have to be high, but realistically we need to keep the continuity and continue to build the program,” he said. “If we stay healthy we can build this program. We will be much more competitive. We expect to take major strides.”

The Blue Devils have 59 players including 17 seniors.

Todd led the NLL in rushing with 1,415 yards on 225 carries and scored 15 touchdowns, earning All-NLL second team.

“We turned into the fun and run last year,” Gucciardo said. “He's a good kid and we're getting better up front.”

Fuller transferred from St. John's and will start at outside linebacker.

“We have very good team speed,” Gucciardo said. “Our team chemistry, attitude, and work ethic are getting better by the day. That is a major stride forward.”

But he said depth on the offensive and defensive lines is a concern.

SPRINGFIELD SCHEDULE

Aug. 30-Swanton

Sep. 6-at Bowsher

Sep. 13-at Rossford

Sep. 20-Southview

Sep. 27-at Bowling Green

Oct. 4-Northview

Oct. 11-at Napoleon

Oct. 18-Maumee

Oct. 25-at Perrysburg

Nov. 1-Anthony Wayne