• Another Ohio Heritage Conference championship
• A fourth straight appearance in the OHSAA state playoffs
• A chance to play for a state championship
But more important than any of those, the Indians are playing for John Samples.
The junior was seriously injured in a roll-over car accident April 15. Samples won’t be able to suit up for the Indians this season, and it’s possible not next season, either, but he’s still a major part of the family. Samples worked hard through the summer to regain strength and return to school.
“He’s one of the most competitive kids I’ve ever been around,” Mechanicsburg football coach Kurt Forrest said of Samples, who led the team with 85 tackles last season. “We talk about fighters, he’s the definition of being a fighter. He gives the best at everything he does.
“Seeing where he’s at right now is nothing short of miraculous. It’s motivating seeing him every day.”
Mechanicsburg is coming off a convincing 49-18 win at West Jefferson.
Senior quarterback Kaleb Romero helped offset heavy graduation losses at receiver. Gone are a group of six players who combined for 80 of the Indians’ 81 catches last season.
Against West Jefferson, Romero ran for 210 yards and four touchdowns (66, 16, 82 and 33 yards) on six carries. That’s an average of 35 yards per carry. He also returned a fumble 11 yards for another score. Last season Romero passed for 1,796 yards, 18 touchdowns and one interception and rushed for 1,702 yards and 25 TDs.
Junior Dustin Knapp added 107 yards and a 2-yard touchdown on nine carries and Mascadri scored on a 40-yard run. The Indians — behind what Forrest calls arguably the best offensive line in school history — ran for 394 yards on 23 carries (17.1 yards per carry).
All five linemen return for Mechanicsburg with strong-side senior tackle Ethan Elliott, strong-side senior guard Dylan Hartley, senior center Dylan Hartman, senior guard Alex Walton and junior tackle Cannon Propst. Senior tight end Josh Kaster and junior Drew Meyers are also key.
The group again returns the Breakfast Club nickname because, as the linemen say, they’re always serving up pancakes.
Forrest has also been impressed with the secondary that includes senior cornerbacks Alex Rhine and Tyler Wetzel, senior outside linebacker/defensive back Tanner Smith and sophomore free safety Joey Mascadri.
While new names are in the starting lineup, familiar comparisons are still being made.
“When people start mentioning your program in the same breath as Marion Local, Kirtland and some of the state powers that’s a huge compliment,” Forrest said. “But we have to remember what got us there. We have talented kids that work their tails off. They come from a hard-working, tough community. … We definitely have high expectations.”
Mechanicsburg lost to Marion Local 9-7 in last year’s Division VI regional final.
“I wouldn’t say there’s any more pressure on us this year compared to last year or even the year before,” Forrest said. “I know there’s a lot of cliches I can use, but we know what the expectation of us is around the state. We’re expected to win every game we play. But we don’t let that affect our thinking. We know its out there. But we go out and try to practice to the best of our ability every day. That’s the only thing we can focus on.”
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