Coach: Kris Alge, 15th year
Last season: 8-4, 7-2 Blanchard Valley Conference
Returning letter winners: 12
Returning starters: Offense 6, defense 6
Schemes: Spread/4-3
Top players: Seniors Jerry Brown, 6-0, 190, RB/S; Dalton Buck, 5-10, 160, QB/LB; Michael Jones, 5-9, 150, WR/DB; Spencer Nauth, 6-1, 275, G/NG; Cody Spoon, 6-1, 205, OT/DT; Cody Wilson, 5-11, 185, RB/LB.
Outlook: The Panthers look to win a BVC title and return to the Division VI playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
A key player for McComb will be senior Jerry Brown, a four-year starter who last season led the league with 1,678 yards rushing on 247 carries, while catching 12 passes for 285 yards. Brown was an All-Ohio second-team choice last season and has scored 38 TDs in his career.
"He's a great athlete," coach Kris Alge said of Brown. "We'll use him at quarterback some, at running back, wherever we feel we can get him the ball."
Senior Cody Wilson is a three-year starter who was All-BVC second team after rushing for 421 yards on 50 carries, while senior Dalton Buck takes over at quarterback. Defensively Brown was an all-league first-team pick at safety, while senior Jones joined Brown on the first team at defensive end but is expected to switch to outside linebacker.
"Our strength will be at the skill position, where we return some good players," Alge said. "I look for us to be better up front.
"Last year we were much better on the line, but we graduated three. We have good size up front, so we have worked on things like quickness, speed and agility with our linemen."
2012 McCOMB SCHEDULE
Aug. 24-at Tiffin Calvert
Aug. 31-Van Buren
Sept. 7-Liberty-Benton
Sept. 14-at Hardin Northern
Sept. 21-Vanlue
Sept. 28-Cory-Rawson
Oct. 5-at Arlington
Oct. 12-Arcadia
Oct. 19-at Pandora-Gilboa
Oct. 26-at Leipsic