Team photo from left:
Row 1: Josh Sarahman, Ben Genzman, Cobi Brough, Cliff Biggert
Row 2: Stephen Simkus, Vince Szabo, Matt Laughlin, Aaron Hopkins, Dillon Glass, Adam Swope, Travis Fisher, Alex Heintz, Andre Ramsey, Cole Weirich
Row 3: Josh Beckhusen, Tim Mossman, Brandon Hymore, Jonathan Frederick, Jeremiah Gregg, Derek Rains, Jourdan McGuire, Seth Dobbelare, TJ Lawrence
Row 4: Alex Young, Ethan Schwaderer, Collin Hayslett, Alex Edwards, Andrew Heberling, Kyle Pape, Brandon Garber, Kyle Rutledge, Kyle Sherman, Max Kokensparger
Row 5: Manager Jack Alexander, Manager Clay Schulte, Dan Warnke, David Tooman, James Stokes, Caleb Vargas, Dylan Bodner, Manager Tyler May
Row 6: Dan Hoover (trainer), coaches Doug Slagle, Chris Kamelesky, David Thiel, Eric Dusseau, Scott Schulte, head coach Mike May
ABOUT THE TEAM:
Coach: Mike May, sixth year
Last season: 7-3, 5-2 Sandusky Bay Conference
Returning letter winners: 12
Returning starters: Offense 4, defense 4
Schemes: I-formation/4-4
Top players: Seniors Ben Genzman, 5-10, 195, RB-LB; Aaron Hopkins, 6-3, 240, OT-DT; Cliff Biggert, 6-0, 180, TE; Cobi Brough, 5-10, 185, LB; Josh Sarahman, 6-3, 180, WR; Juniors Cole Weirich, 5-8, 160, WR-DB; T.J. Lawrence, 6-2, 260, DL; Andre Ramsey, 5-10, 155, QB; Vince Szabo, 6-3, 265, OL-DL;
Outlook: May’s teams have been a model of consistency with Oak Harbor finishing 5-2 three straight years in the SBC. But the Rockets are pining for more this fall, namely the school’s first playoff appearance since 2007.
"We're just looking to take that next step," May said. "We’ve been one game away from the playoffs the last couple of years. We’re looking to become a contender."
Though the Rockets will be young, he believes they have the pieces to do it. That starts on both sides of the line and with the power running of Genzman, the leading candidate to fill the void left by the graduation of Mark Konieczny, the school’s all-time leading rusher.
"For us to be successful, we need to play great defense, and be succesful at running the football," May said. "We like to grind it out on the ground and have a ball-control type offense."
OAK HARBOR SCHEDULE
Aug. 30-at Brookside
Sep. 6-Genoa
Sep. 13-at Eastwood
Sep. 20-at Port Clinton
Sep. 27-Edison
Oct. 4-at Huron
Oct. 11-Clyde
Oct. 19-at Sandusky St. Mary
Oct. 25-Sandusky Perkins
Nov. 1-Margaretta