2013 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

McComb Panthers

Blanchard Valley Conference

2013 McComb Panthers

Team photo from left:

Row 1: John LeBay, Patrick McStraw, Dalton Auchmuty, Clay Dysert, Mitch Schroeder, Andrew Gibson, Kenny Beeker, Andrew Nauth

Row2: Clinton Blankenchip, Clay Grubb, Zach Harris, Gabe Rader, Trey Hanes, Jaden Tauker, Matt Cataline, Jordan Overton, Mike Cherry

Row 3: Randy OíDell, Dakota LaRue, Tyler Parker, Saul Blank, Chas Shoop, Noah Delacerda, Austin Davis, Andy Colich, Nick Kepling, Malichi Abbott

Row 4: Colton Overton, Nick McDowell, David Stoefpel, Zach Pelton, Jake Crouse, Adrian Grubb, Caden Schroeder, Sky Gustwiller, Matt Cherry, Elijah Swain, Brice Spoon, Matt Smith

Row 5: (from third left) Coaches Kevin Westenbarger, Clay Lilly, head coach Kris Alge, Chris Myers, Josh McStraw (manager)

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Coach: Kris Alge, 16th year.

Last season: 13-1, 9-0 BVC

Returning letter winners: 10

Returning starters: Offense 3, defense 5

Schemes: Spread offense; 4-3 defense

Top players: Seniors Clay Dysert, 6-0, 175, WR-​LB; Andrew Gibson, 5-11, 215, RB-​LB; Mitch Schroeder 5-11, 170, WR-​DB; Andrew Nauth, 5-10, 240, OL-​DL; Kenny Beeker, 6-1, 240, OL-​DL; Junior Clay Grubb, 6-4, 170, QB-​DB.

Outlook: McComb reached the Division VI state semifinals last season before losing in triple overtime to eventual state champion Marion Local.

The Panthers aren’t quite as deep this year and turn to Grubb at quarterback.

"Depth may be an issue," Alge said. "We were really deep last year. We will need most kids to play both ways. The biggest thing, though, is work ethic."

The Panthers will set their sights on repeating as BVC champion.

"Our first goal is always to win the league," Alge said. "But our seniors also want to make the state playoffs for their fourth year in a row. That was one of their goals when they were freshman."

McCOMB SCHEDULE

Aug. 30-Tiffin Calvert

Sep. 6-at Liberty-Benton

Sep. 13-Open

Sep. 20-at Vanlue

Sep. 27-at Cory-Rawson

Oct. 4-Arlington

Oct. 11-at Arcadia

Oct. 18-Pandora-Gilboa

Oct. 25-Leipsic

Nov. 1-at Van Buren