2011 Prep Football Preview: Northwestern

Entering his third year at the helm, Brian Stevens is looking for improvement.

Row 1 (from left): Alex Dewitt, Kevin Miller, Jeremy Sigler, Jacob Rohrer, Cameron Riley, Derrick Frost, Zach Uselton, Nathan Bail, Patrick Foulke. Row 2: Brian Cruz, Brandon Rogers, Jessy Matthews, Ben Franzen, Will White, Zach Weekley, Laif Nichols, Larney Cain, Chad Burks, Sam Oakes, Jeff Bost, Isaac Parrett. Row 3: Jaden McAfee, Luke Ream, Justin Neely, Mitchell Uselton, Mike Brink, Brad Curtis, Johnny Gould, Taylor Mumma, Austin Marshall, Hunter Houseman, Max Oakes, Bruce Hatcher. Row 4: Todd Seitz, Braiden Bowermeister, Ronald Breakall, Chris Burks, Trey Taylor, Alex Caudill, Tanner Maxel, Stone Nickerson, Jacob Dooley, Andrew Graves, Justin Weekley, Andrew Franzen, Devin Rogers, Eric Phlipot. Row 5: Cortney Pearson, Brian Stevens, Darrion House, Doug Wigton, Matt Johnson, Steve Graves, Ryan Chamberlin, Breanna Oakes. Staff photo by Marshall Gorby

ENLARGE PHOTO

Northwestern's Zach Uselton (left) eyes the run of Graham's Nick VanHoose during a game last season. Uselton hopes to make some noise of his own this year at halfback. Contributed photo by Randy Hilt

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 12:49 AM Thursday, August 25, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — The Northwestern High School football team went 2-8 a season ago, but it was a deceiving mark in many respects.

The Warriors were much-improved last season, dropping close games to West Liberty-Salem (14-6), Indian Lake (13-12) and Urbana (16-13 in overtime).

In the offseason, the Warriors preached finishing — whether it was a lift or a sprint. They learned to compete last year, but they’re hoping for more in 2011.

“They know now it’s time to take that next step,” Stevens said. “We don’t just want to compete, we want to come away with Ws.”

Stevens is in his third season as head coach. He said the team has bought into the program and fully understands his philosophy.

“We’ve got really good kids,” Stevens said. “We feel like our kids are really listening and attempting to do what we tell them to do.

“They’re a very coachable group. We think that will help us so that when we get to crunch time, the technique will be there and we’ll make plays.”

The Warriors will have many new faces. They graduated a lot of productive players, but return halfback Zach Uselton. They have numerous young athletes, like junior fullback Laif Nichols, sophomore quarterback Hunter Houseman and sophomore wide receiver Austin Marshall.

Stevens said the overall team speed is better than it’s ever been, making the Warriors more explosive.

“We’re excited offensively,” Stevens said. “We’ve got three or four kids who can score a touchdown every time they touch the ball.”

The squad has 48 players and just eight seniors. They’ll build off that youth in the next few seasons and got plenty of experience last fall.

Stevens said this is the most fun he’s ever had coaching. He’s hoping all the hard work brings results.

“I’ve really enjoyed this group of kids,” Stevens said. “They’re soaking everything up and giving us tremendous effort. I hope the attitude and coachability and work ethic all pays off for them.”

Team at a glance

Returning letterwinners: 11

On the offense: The Warriors will be in a wing-T offense for the second straight season. Senior Zach Uselton will play halfback, while junior Laif Nichols will move from offensive line to fullback. Sophomore Hunter Houseman will take the reins at quarterback, while Austin Marshall will play both halfback and wide receiver. The offensive line returns three seniors, Sam Oakes, Kevin Miller and Cameron Riley. Three other players, juniors Brandon Rogers and Zach Weekley and sophomore Luke Ream will battle it out for the other two spots.

On the defense: The Warriors will be back in the 3-3-5, which posts an emphasis on linebackers. Nichols will play outside linebacker, along with Ben Franzen. Junior Jeff Boss and Weekley will play inside linebacker. Oakes, Riley and Miller will all play defensive line, while Uselton will play free safety.

Key player: Uselton. The senior will carry the load in the Warriors’ youthful backfield.

Integral ingredient: Finish. “We feel like we were in a bunch of different games right up until the very end,” Stevens said. “We were very disappointed with some of those games that we didn’t finish. That’s kind of been our theme of the season.”

2010 results

Opponent	Result	Score
Southeastern	W	26-15
West Liberty-Salem	L	14-6
Catholic Central	L	20-7
Shawnee	L	40-0
Kenton Ridge	L	23-0
Indian Lake	L	13-12
Urbana	L	16-13, OT
Graham	W	28-14
Benjamin Logan	L	21-7
Greenon	L	28-7

2011 schedule

Date	Opponent
8/26	Southeastern
9/2	Northeastern
9/9	at Catholic Central
9/16	Shawnee
9/23	at Kenton Ridge
9/30	Benjamin Logan
10/7	at Indian Lake
10/14	at Urbana
10/21	Graham
10/28	at Greenon

Program at a glance

Conference: Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division

Division/Region: IV/16

Head coach: Brian Stevens (Third season, 4-16)

Assistant coaches: Steve Graves, Doug Wigton, Darrion House, Matt Johnson.

Playoff appearances: None

Last league title: 1967

Stadium: Taylor Field

School address: 5650 Troy Road, Springfield, 45502

--------------------

Last 10 years

Year	Record
2010	2-8
2009	2-8
2008	1-9
2007	2-8
2006	6-4
2005	3-7
2004	1-9
2003	2-8
2002	3-7
2001	4-6
Totals	26-74

Roster

No.	Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
2	Jessy Matthews	WB/LB	5-10	170	Jr.
3	Will White	WR/DB	5-10	160	Jr.
5	Jacob Dooley	QB/DB	5-9	150	Fr.
7	Justin Neely	QB/DB	5-8	140	So.
9	Mitchell Uselton	WR/DB	5-7	130	So.
10	Alex DeWitt	QB/LB	5-8	180	Sr.
11	Matt Shaw	QB/RB/LB	5-7	140	Fr.
12	Hunter Houseman	QB/DB	5-11	150	So.
20	Zach Uselton	RB/DB	5-10	165	Sr.
21	Max Oakes	WR/DB	5-10	135	So.
22	Laif Nichols	RB/LB	6-2	205	Jr.
23	Austin Marshall	RB/DB	5-8	140	So.
24	Andrew Graves	RB/LB	5-11	180	Fr.
25	Chad Burks	WR/DB	5-9	140	Jr.
26	Brad Curtis	RB/LB	5-9	150	So.
32	Jeff Bost	RB/LB	5-10	170	Jr.
34	Devin Rogers	RB/LB	5-6	120	Fr.
35	Johnny Gould	TE/DL	6-0	170	So.
38	Larney Cain	RB/LB	5-11	170	Jr.
40	Ben Franzen	RB/LB	5-11	150	Jr.
41	Mike Brink	TE/DL	5-10	190	So.
42	Justin Weekley	WR/DB	5-7	110	Fr.
47	Jeremy Sigler	K/P	5-11	190	Sr.
48	Brian Cruz	WR/DB	5-6	125	Jr.
49	Andrew Franzen	RB/DB	5-7	135	Fr.
51	Jaden McAfee	OL/LB	5-11	195	So.
52	Cameron Riley	OL/DL	6-1	240	Sr.
53	Trey Taylor	OL/LB	6-12	25	Fr.
54	Brandon Rogers	OL/DL	5-11	195	Jr.
55	Luke Ream	OL/DL	5-9	200	So.
57	Zach Weekley	OL/LB	6-0	185	Jr.
59	Bruce Hatcher	OL/DL	5-11	275	So.
60	Isaac Parrett	OL/LB	5-10	200	Jr.
62	Jacob Rohrer	OL/DL	6-3	220	Sr.
63	Kevin Miller	OL/DL	5-11	210	Sr.
65	Alex Caudill	OL/DL	5-9	195	So.
66	Stone Nickerson	OL/DL	5-8	200	So.
67	Ronald Breakall	OL/DL	5-10	160	Fr.
70	Chris Burks	OL/DL	5-9	185	Fr.
71	Braiden Bowermeister	OL/LB	5-9	140	Fr.
73	Taylor Mumma	OL/LB	6-0	210	So.
74	Todd Seitz	OL/DL	5-10	260	Fr.
77	Sam Oakes	OL/DL	6-0	225	Jr.
81	Eric Phlipot	WR/LB	5-6	120	Fr.
84	Derrick Frost	WR/LB	6-0	160	Sr.
85	Cody Roberts	WR/DB	5-7	130	So.
86	Nathan Bail	RB/LB	5-9	135	Sr.
88	Tanner Maxel	WR/LB	5-9	140	So.