New coach, QB lead Badin football team

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Badin football coach Bill Tenore gives instructions to his team during practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2009 at Badin High School.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Badin football coach Bill Tenore gives instructions to his team during practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2009 at Badin High School.

By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 8:14 AM Thursday, August 20, 2009

HAMILTON — The third head coach in Badin High School football history has high hopes for his debut season.

Bill Tenore watched his squad begin scrimmage play by blanking three teams last weekend, and he said it’s just a glimpse of what could be a very good year.

“The players are very excited,” Tenore said. “I think they got a taste of the playoffs last year, and they really want to get back there. We’re not very deep, but I have no big concerns right now. The goals have been set. The players are focused. It’s just a matter of going out and doing it now.”

The Rams return 12 starters, seven on offense, and have added quarterback Patrick Coyne (via transfer from La Salle) as they try to defend their Greater Catholic League Central Division crown.

Badin went 1-1 in the Division IV playoffs in 2008. This year, the Rams are in Division V.

“I think the kids are very confident and believe in what we’re doing,” Tenore said. “Anybody who doesn’t dream about league titles and the playoffs and a state championship, maybe they should play something else. But it’s the coaches’ job to focus on the day to day and take one practice at a time. That’s how you get there.”

Offense

The spread starts with Coyne, and the 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior has all the tools to produce a point parade. He’s got a strong arm and the legs of a running back, making him a clear dual threat.

Throw in an experienced offensive line, a stable of quality receivers and a returning starter at running back, and Badin has the potential to be explosive.

“I think we’re going to be hard to stop offensively because of our ability to throw and run,” Tenore said. “The skill positions are very well manned. If Coyne continues to progress the way he has, I really believe he has the potential to be one of the better quarterbacks in the city of Cincinnati this year.”

Junior Nate Snellgrove will be the primary running back. Coyne will run quite a bit as well, and junior Danny Wolf will also get some touches in the backfield.

The starting receivers — juniors Alex Rieman, Tyler Sanders, Jeff Smith and David Korb — are capable of big numbers on any given night.

Defense

Badin plans to be aggressive with its 4-4 defense.

Senior Matt Combs and junior Andrew Kugler are back and will man the inside linebacker positions. Wolf returns to play outside linebacker.

“We’ve tried to simplify things,” Tenore said. “We’re really trying to establish a defensive identity that prides itself on flying to the football. We’re focused on everybody getting there and smothering the ballcarrier.”

Smith is the Rams’ lockdown cornerback, and sophomore free safety Luke Wurzelbacher has shown early promise.

The line returns just one starter (senior Eric Flum), though Tenore said he likes the tackle rotation of Flum, junior Lawrence Saey, and seniors Josh Gavin and Matt Shamp.

Badin Rams

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