2017 Van Wert Football Preview
School: Van Wert
Division: IV Region: 14
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Head Coach: Keith Recker
Years at School: 6th Overall Record: 11-49
2016 Record: 0-10 (0-9 in WBL)
Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3
Returning Lettermen: WR/DB Jacoby Kelly (Sr.), OL/DL Jordon Danylchuk (Sr.), RB/DB James Acquaviva (Sr.), RB/DL Korey Oechsle (Sr.), RB/LB Kobe Palmer (Sr.), WR/DB Storm Pierce (Sr.), WR/DB Nate Place (Jr.), WR/DL Drew Bagley (Jr.), OL/DL Garrett Black (Jr.), OL/DL Austin Clay (Jr.), OL/LB Butch Eutsler (Jr.), WR/DL Joey Schaufelberger (Jr.), OL/DL Nathan Temple (Jr.)
Promising Newcomers: RB/DB Thurston Miller (Jr.), WR/DB Aden Stripe (Jr.), WR/LB Parker Conrad (So.), RB/DB Keagan Hammons (So.), QB/LB Jake Hilleary (So.)
Strengths: We have good speed and athleticism at our skill positions. We have four starters back on our offensive line. Having that experience will make them a solid group and much improved from last year. We have a group of guys that have bought into “changing our best”. We are not worried about what happens in two days or two weeks, we are taking care of what we can control; our effort today.”
Weaknesses: Depth is going to be an issue. We have a solid group of starters that will compete with teams in the league. We need other guys to step up if we have any injuries. We must be in great shape so our guys that need to can go both ways early in the season.
Coach’s Comments: “While our numbers are down from last year (will be at 49 for 9th-12th grade), we have 49 guys that are willing to do what we ask and give great effort on a daily basis. It sounds cliche, but we are not worried about our first game or our fifth game or our last game. This group has bought into concerning themselves with the only thing they have control of, which is their effort and focus today. If we continue to take care of what we can control we will be competitive against the teams in our league. We have a couple of playmakers with Jacoby Kelly and Nate Place, but we know those guys can only be as good as our offensive line. Defensively, Drew Bagley has a great motor at defensive end and we look to him as a leader on defense. Jordan Danylchuk will move to middle linebacker, and he will look to establish himself as one of the best linebackers in the league.”
2017 Van Wert Football Schedule
8/25 | at Bryan | 7:00 PM |
9/1 | Wapak* | 7:00 PM |
9/8 | at St. Marys* | 7:00 PM |
9/15 | Ottawa-Glandorf* | 7:00 PM |
9/22 | at Shawnee* | 7:00 PM |
9/29 | Kenton* | 7:00 PM |
10/6 | at Elida* | 7:00 PM |
10/13 | Bath* | 7:00 PM |
10/20 | Celina* | 7:00 PM |
10/27 | at Defiance* | 7:00 PM |