CITY LEAGUE

Start Spartans

8/22/2012
FROM LEFT: Row 1: Rashaad Lewis, Jacob Widmer, Andrew Sweisberger, Brandon Sweisberger, Cory Jones, Will Goodbar, Matt Marcinkowski, Martice Ross, Kyle Underwood, Chris Wright, Nick Syroka. Row 2: Tyler McClorrine, Aaron Never, Eric Huston, Robert Evans, Matt Mangum, Jordan Lafartha, Deshawn Woodward, Delano Wellington, Derek Roach, Alontae Grimes. Row 3: Dionte Carey, Nick Sterger, Jared Eff, Donald Hatch, Zach Flaws, Arthur Phillips, Josh Hinkle, Richard Lynn, Denauri Reese, unidentified player, Thackery Siedlecki. Row 4: Dexter Johnson, Jared Jablonski, Derek Carey-Goodman, Brendon Holbrook, Khalil Burrell, Avion Boyd, Tremain Batson, unidentified player, Davlon Swain, Brandon Taylor, Deshawn Darden, Deonte Pettaway. Row 5: Chris Kos, Adam Koehler, Chase Szymanski, coach Larry Smith, coach Rodney Gordon, head coach Tyson Harder, coach Del Miles, coach Mike Arbinger, Curtis Grays, Kyle Jakob, Jaquan Hughes, Javaughn Shay.
FROM LEFT: Row 1: Rashaad Lewis, Jacob Widmer, Andrew Sweisberger, Brandon Sweisberger, Cory Jones, Will Goodbar, Matt Marcinkowski, Martice Ross, Kyle Underwood, Chris Wright, Nick Syroka. Row 2: Tyler McClorrine, Aaron Never, Eric Huston, Robert Evans, Matt Mangum, Jordan Lafartha, Deshawn Woodward, Delano Wellington, Derek Roach, Alontae Grimes. Row 3: Dionte Carey, Nick Sterger, Jared Eff, Donald Hatch, Zach Flaws, Arthur Phillips, Josh Hinkle, Richard Lynn, Denauri Reese, unidentified player, Thackery Siedlecki. Row 4: Dexter Johnson, Jared Jablonski, Derek Carey-Goodman, Brendon Holbrook, Khalil Burrell, Avion Boyd, Tremain Batson, unidentified player, Davlon Swain, Brandon Taylor, Deshawn Darden, Deonte Pettaway. Row 5: Chris Kos, Adam Koehler, Chase Szymanski, coach Larry Smith, coach Rodney Gordon, head coach Tyson Harder, coach Del Miles, coach Mike Arbinger, Curtis Grays, Kyle Jakob, Jaquan Hughes, Javaughn Shay.

Coach: Tyson Harder, third year

Last season: 4-6, 3-2 CL

Returning letter winners: 18

Returning starters: Offense 5, defense 5

Schemes: Spread/4-3

Top players: Seniors Martice Ross, 6-1, 290, OL; Tyler McClorine, 6-7, 290, OL; Arthur Phillips, 6-3, 200, DL; Will Goodbar, 5-10, 160, WR-DB; Matt Mangum, 5-11, 185, DB; Delano Wellington, 6-2, 220, DL

Outlook: The Spartans were right in the mix for the City League championship last season in the final week. They figure again as a team to be reckoned with this year, returning a solid group of experienced players.

Goodbar is one of 25 seniors and is one of the league's top receivers. He caught a team-high 15 receptions for 265 yards and scored three touchdowns last season.

The Spartans, who employ a spread offense, must find some stability on the line and at the quarterback spot. Phillips, McClorine and Ross, All-City League first-team selections a year ago, present plenty of size up front on offense and defense for a team that finished in a three-way tie for second place last season.

On defense, Mangum returns as one of the league's top secondary players.

"If we can stay healthy we should be competitive," Harder said. "Our numbers in the junior class are very low. We have several sophomores in our two-deep depth chart.

"Our first five games will be a challenge since their [combined] regular season record was 47-3 last year and all of them made the playoffs."

 

2012 START SCHEDULE

Aug. 24-Whitmer

Aug. 31-at Anthony Wayne

Sept. 7-at Southview

Sept. 14-at Sandusky

Sept. 21-Tiffin Columbian

Sept. 28-Scott

Oct. 4-Waite

Oct. 12-at Rogers

Oct. 19-Woodward

Oct. 26-Bowsher