NW OHIO

Fostoria St. Wendelin Mohawks

FROM LEFT (Players): Row 1: Davey Smith, Zach Gillett, Austin Reinhart, Zack Miller, Austin Turner Row 2: Brady Rutter, Cole Williams, Brad Buhrow, Trent Whetsel, Caleb Colburn, Donovan Scudder Row 3: Just in Walter, Sheldon Doogs, Rob Park Row 4: Coaches - Bill Whetsel, Jerry Rumschlag, Adam Flugga, head coach Jim Bodart

Coach: Jim Bodart, first year

Last season: 6-3

Returning letter winners: 11

Returning starters: Offense 8, defense 8

Schemes: Power-I/4-4

Top players: Seniors Zack Miller, 5-10, 185, QB/LB; Austin Reinhart, 5-8, 140, RB/S; Zack Gillett, 5-9, 205, OT/DT.

Outlook: Bodart replaces Bill Hrabak, who stepped down in May after his teaching contract was not renewed. An alumnus of St. Wendelin and a former varsity assistant at Arcadia, Bodart has been out of coaching for the last four years. He will reunite with players he coached previously in St. Wendelin's youth program. All eight returning starters play both ways.

Reinhart is moving from receiver to tailback and has impressed his coach with his soft hands and quick feet. Gillett was the second leading tackler on last year's team that competed independent of a conference. The Mohawks are committed for this season and next season to playing in the Christian Athletic League of America, a conference consisting of 14 teams in three states. It is based in Lansing, Mich. Bodart will scrap the pass-oriented offense seen last year, opting for a power attack. Depth, with just 14 varsity players, is a major concern.

"One of the reasons the job was appealing when it was presented to me is these are kids I worked with when they were younger," Bodart said. "Getting an opportunity to work with them now was appealing."

2012 FOSTORIA ST. WENDELIN SCHEDULE

Sept. 8-at Washtenaw

Sept. 15-Southington Chalker

Sept. 22-at Rockwood (Mich.) Downriver

Sept. 29-Livingston County

Oct. 6-at Genesee

Oct. 13-at Ft. Wayne

Oct. 20-Metro Detroit

Oct. 28-Round-robin playoff