2013 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Toledo Christian Eagles

Toledo Area Athletic Conference

2013 Toledo Christian Eagles

Row 1: Jeremiah Lewis, Gabe Bigelow, Caleb Wells, Mike Norman, Brandon Eldred, Caleb Wotring, Matt Brumbaugh, Kyle Kempton, Brett Freeman

Row 2: Larry Burkhardt, Ted Watts, John Hunter, Caleb Johnson, Jeff Lewis, Tony Hunter, Josh Graham, Michael Geis Taylor Weghorst

Row 3: Austin Miller, Nate Ward, Kyle Brindley, Noah Harter, Austin Ritsema, Doug Rhine, Carson Valigasky, Isaac Urban, Adam Meiring

Row 4: Athletic trainer Derek Koester, Don Dressel, Brett Brumbaugh, Gary Jennings, head coach Craig Willis, Andrew Skeels, Eli Rhine, Mike Geis

ABOUT THE TEAM

Coach: Craig Willis, first year

Last season: 4-6, 3-4 TAAC

Returning letter winners: 13

Returning starters: Offense 7, defense 5

Schemes: Spread/​4-3

Top players: Seniors Austin Salsbury, 6-2, 175, WR-DB; Branden Eldred, 5-10, 170, WR. Juniors Caleb Wotring, 5-10, 165, RB-DB; Brett Freeman, 6-0, 200, QB-LB; Matt Brunbaugh, 6-0, 165, WR. Sophomores Caleb Johnson, 5-9, 190, OL-LB; Noah Harder, 5-10, 190, OL-LB.

Outlook: With Willis taking over just before two-a-days, the Eagles will have to adjust quickly to new leadership. Former coach Scott Gibson stepped down after an administrative promotion. But the schemes will not change, the rest of the staff is in place, and starters return in 12 positions.

Only two of the 30 players are seniors, and the Eagles are small overall. But they expect to be solid at the skill positions, and the offensive line should also be a strength.

“We had a good core of guys working this offseason,” Willis said. “This year we will depend on our two seniors for leadership, and our young guys to step up.”

TOLEDO CHRISTIAN SCHEDULE

Aug. 30-at Delta

Sep. 7-Woodward at Bowsher

Sep. 13-at Hopewell-Loudon

Sep. 20-at Hilltop

Sep. 27-Cardinal Stritch at Clay

Oct. 4-Danbury at Perrysburg

Oct. 11-Gibsonburg at Springfield

Oct. 18-at Northwood

Oct. 25-at Edon

Oct. 31-Ottawa Hills at Springfield