2013 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Napoleon Wildcats

Northern Lakes League

2013 Napoleon Wildcats

Team photo from left:

Row 1: Jacob Prigge, Jacob Berry, Derek Butler, Bryant Schlade, Sam Walker, Anson Lankenau, Nate Rohrs, Devon Armour, Tyler Zachrich, Josh Westhoven

Row 2: Seth Gerken, Allen Sweeney, Justin Double, Branden Cash, Chandler Burken, Wes Rickenberg, Syan Brackman, Andrew Pettit, Ben Bohls, Andrew Ripke, Timmy Wagner

Row 3: Tanner Kuhlman, Trevor Ashbaugh, Alex Pettit, Zach Strall, Bo Cochran, Blake Dunbar, Caleb Baldridge, Willie Jones, Dylan Rodenhauser, Derek Sholl

Row 4: Brock Brubaker, Ben Bowes, Jacob Moll, Stone Anderson, Zach Leatherman, Derek Gerken, Layne Schnitz-Paxton, Zach Plassman, Hunter Wilde, Stephen Yunker, Charlie Lawson

Row 5; Mike Waisner, Bry Brackman, Josh Spurgeon, Dylan Kirkendall, Timmy Smith, Logan Peckinpaugh, Joseph France, Brock Hardy, Bryce Reynolds, Aaron Thomas

Row 6: Serapio Medina, Jermiah Double, Casey Cotter, Aaron Debbe, Zach Spurgeon, Drew Garringer, Kade Navarre, Rudy Koesters, Clayton Eickholt, Jared Ludeman

Row 7: Marissa Kirkendall, Richelle Avers, Marissa Mendoza, Kenli Dachenhaus, Taryn Conklin, Sadie Harris, Jacob Heath, Grant Strock, Hanah Meter, Paige Veillon, Tyler Bostelman, Emma Bostelman

Row 8: Coaches Karl Yunker, Mike Hummer, Kevin Milius, head coach Tory Strock, Chad Brubaker, Dave Mack, Kenny Bostelman, Joe Good, Phil Fogle, Mark Myers

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Coach: Tory Strock, sixth year

Last season: 11-1-1, 7-0 NLL

Returning letter winners: 8

Returning starters: Offense 2, defense 4

Schemes: Multiple, Wing-T/​3-5

Top players: Seniors Derek Butler, 5-10, 178, QB-​LB; Nate Rohrs, 5-11,195, WR-​LB; Zach Fielder 6-2, 212, TE-​DT; Bryant Schlade, 6-0, 191, RB-DL; Sam Walker, 6-0, 194, HB-​LB; Anson Lankenau, 5-11 185, WR-​LB.

Outlook: Strock has complied a 36-19-1 record at Napoleon and had his most successful season last year.

Napoleon beat Calendonia River Valley (30-6) in the Division III playoffs, then held off a two-point conversion attempt in the closing seconds to edge Bryan 21-20. But the Wildcats fell in the regional final (35-20) to Bellevue.

Strock has 63 players led by 17 seniors.

“Competition for positions has been a plus,” Strock said. “In addition, although we have many new faces, experience gained from the exposure to last year’s outstanding club should be beneficial.”

Schlade earned All-Ohio first team as a defensive lineman. He carried the ball 98 times for 655 yards last season (6.7 per carry). Rohrs and Lankenau will play both ways.

The Wildcats lost their quarterback and leading rusher and receiver to graduation.

“Plain and simple, the lack of game night experience at almost all of the offensive positions could hamper us,” Strock said. “We must mature quickly in every area if we are to compete in 2013. The defensive secondary is brand new, so we must learn on the fly.”

NAPOLEON SCHEDULE

Aug. 30-at Defiance

Sep. 6-at Wauseon

Sep. 13-Rogers

Sep. 20-at Northview

Sep. 27-at Perrysburg

Oct. 4-Maumee

Oct. 11-Springfield

Oct. 18-at Anthony Wayne

Oct. 25-at Southview

Nov. 1-Bowling Green