2013 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Findlay Trojans

Three Rivers Athletic Conference

2013 Findlay Trojans

Team photo from left:

Row 1: Paul Pruden, Zach Young, Andy Strzesynski, Eric Beard, Isaiah Romero, Colton Hutchison, Jordan Dean, Mitch Perry, Devon Stewart, Nick Kairys, Clay Huffman, Zach Haynes, Anthony Gallagher, Pat Galvin, Brendon Hoelscher, Tyler Sullivan, Austin Gutting, Marcus Molina

Row 2: Austin Cameron, Dakota Bowser, Sam Siampaus, Dorian Thames, Kody Calkins, Nick Kiffmeyer, Alec Bonnoront, Brandon Muehl, Austin Woessner, Devin Brown, Payton Evans, Matt Hards, Jake Duvall, Jenna Reneau

Row 3: Will Bivens, Sam Iliff, Marcus Lawson, Dakota Feay, Jake Brock, Mike Jones, Sam McGhee, Joe Hammand, Blake Burrows, Grant Niswander, Tim Brooker, Desmond Lino, Chase Hoerig, Richie Escobar, Lily Thomas

Row 4: Bryant Shaffer, Connor Price, Rick Coleman, JJ Reneau, Noah Routson, Luke Cosiano, Chandler Stillings, Andy Taylor, Levi Elsea, Zamon Paris, Jose Ochoa, Jesse Lamb, Joe Misamore, Justin Shanahan, Drew Bower, Emily Smith

Row 5: Tod Beard, Justin Eyerly, Emanual Mogolu, Nick Berry, Brandon Gerardi, Anthony Ross, Nick Fout, Zach Morris, Billy Milliron, Stephen Markley, Alec Arredondo, Jordan Jones, Grant McKinniss

Row 6: Head coach Mark Ritzler, coaches Mike Leddy, Matt Best, Brad Burrows, Todd Armstrong, Chris Ireland, Cory Echelberry, Marc Bosworth, Erin Hemmelgarn

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Coach: Mark Ritzler, eighth year

Last season: 8-2, 5-2 TRAC

Returning letter winners: 11

Returning starters: Offense 2, defense 3

Schemes: Spread/4-4

Top players: Seniors Austin Gutting, 6-3, 250, RB-DE; Eric Beard, 6-1, 205, OL; Andy Strzesynski, 6-0, 255, DL; Zach Haynes, 6-1, 160, DB; Nick Kairys, 5-11, 180, WR-LB. Junior Sam Iliff, 6-2, 255, OL.

Outlook: After two solid years competing for the TRAC title, the Trojans will have to rebuild after the graduation of a talent-rich senior class. Ritzler has 72 players, including 20 seniors, but few gained much starting experience. The Trojans have shown their coach solid effort during conditioning, but lack experience and overall size.

The top returnees are Gutting at DE, and sophomore placekicker Grant McKinniss, an All-Ohio third-team pick.

The biggest losses offensively were the graduation of the TRAC’s top rusher, All-Ohio second-team running back Vance Settlemire (171 carries, 1,934 yards, 34 TDs), QB Paul Cosiano (89-of-145, 1,656 yards, 20 TDs), and All-Ohio third-team receiver Jimmy Orwick (33 catches, 677 yards).

The defense must replace DB Joseph Davidson and LB Devin Dennard, who were All-Ohio second and third-team, respectively.

“Our team will field many new faces on Friday nights as a strong senior class graduated,” Ritzler said. “There is a lot of competition for positions, and effort and enthusiasm have been [running] high through our offseason.”

FINDLAY SCHEDULE

Aug. 30-Anthony Wayne

Sep. 6-at Grove City

Sep. 13-Southview

Sep. 20-at Clay

Sep. 27-at St. John's

Oct. 4-Lima Senior

Oct. 11-at Central Catholic

Oct. 18-at Whitmer

Oct. 25-Fremont Ross

Nov. 1-St. Francis