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Here is the coaches’ predicted order of finish and team-by-team football capsules for the Greater Catholic League Central Division this season:
1. Badin
Nickname: Rams
Coach: Bill Tenore (second season)
2009 record: 7-4, 4-3 GCL Central (first place, tie)
Five players to watch: Patrick Coyne, 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, quarterback, senior; Nate Evers, 5-10, 250, center-nose guard, senior; Andrew Kugler, 5-10, 200, inside linebacker, senior; Nick Seither, 6-3, 230, defensive end-offensive tackle, senior; Jeff Smith, 6-0, 176, cornerback-slotback, senior
Outlook: High hopes abound on New London Road as Badin is loaded with experienced seniors. The Rams return every starting skill player on offense, including Coyne, a University of Cincinnati recruit. The spread remains a big part of the offense, but Tenore wants to run the ball more this season, so you’ll see Coyne under center on occasion. Senior Nate Snellgrove figures to get plenty of carries as the primary back. The offensive line is the least experienced area and a bit of a question mark. Defensively, Seither and Smith were All-Ohio players in 2009. The 4-4 defense is fast and aggressive. Badin should be a serious contender for a return to the Division V-Region 20 playoffs.
2. McNicholas
Nickname: Rockets
Coach: Steve Klonne (sixth season)
2009 record: 5-5, 4-3 GCL Central (first place, tie)
Five players to watch: Jack Dooling, 6-2, 210, center-defensive end, senior; Pat Fitzgerald, 6-0, 195, slotback-outside linebacker, senior; Ryan Haynes, 6-1, 190, inside linebacker-fullback, senior; Rob Rice, 5-9, 175, cornerback-outside linebacker-fullback, senior; Matt Staubach, 6-5, 240, quarterback, senior
Outlook: A large senior class has Klonne thinking about a Central title and the school’s first playoff berth (Division III-Region 12) since 2003. “We’re not very big — McNick never is — but I think our skill players are as good as anybody’s,” Klonne said. Staubach returns for his third year at quarterback and second season directing the Rockets’ triple-option offense. McNick had trouble scoring points a year ago and got blanked twice, including a 20-0 home loss to Badin in the season finale. The Rockets’ base defense is a 4-3, and Klonne said his squad has increased its speed on that side of the ball this year. Junior Dillon Stanfield (5-11, 170) is a weapon as a return man.
3. Roger Bacon
Nickname: Spartans
Coach: Kevin Huxel (third season)
2009 record: 2-8, 1-6 GCL Central (third place)
Five players to watch: Brian Bien, 6-1, 170, wide receiver-defensive back, senior; Luke Fiorini, 5-11, 195, linebacker, senior; Mike Jackson, 6-0, 165, wide receiver-safety, senior; Tanner Sprong, 5-10, 165, quarterback, senior; Ryan Vonderhaar, 6-5, 270, offensive tackle, senior
Outlook: Bacon was one of the biggest disappointments in Cincinnati last season, but Huxel has a lot of experienced players in 2010, having lost just eight seniors. “They’re not walking with a chip on their shoulders, but they’re a confident bunch,” Huxel said. “I think it’s important to get off to a good start and let the kids realize they can be a good team. They’ve worked hard enough to be a good team.” The Spartans have some quality skill guys and good team speed. Huxel said Bacon will be more of a running team to start the campaign after averaging just 67.6 yards per game on the ground in 2009.
4. Purcell Marian
Nickname: Cavaliers
Coach: Brian Miller (fifth season)
2009 record: 1-9, 0-7 GCL Central (fourth place)
Five players to watch: E.J. Burnett, 5-9, 170, running back, junior; Jarin Johnson, 5-11, 240, linebacker-offensive guard, junior; Kent McNeal, 6-0, 179, wide receiver-safety, senior; Tyrone Patel, 6-2, 300, center-nose guard, senior; Cameron Winfrey, 5-10, 185, wingback-cornerback, senior
Outlook: The biggest change for Purcell this season will come on offense, where the Cavaliers are scrapping the spread and going to a jet sweep-based attack. “We’re not a spread school,” Miller said. “We don’t have big, dominating linemen. We’ve got more speed than anything, so we need to run the ball and take advantage of our athletes.” Burnett is one of those athletes, an elusive speedster who collected two touchdowns on kick returns last year.
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