Football preview: Shawnee success starts with defense

Seven starters return to unit that allowed just 5 TDs in 3 playoff games


2010 schedule

Date Opponent

Aug. 27 Catholic Central

Sept. 3 West Carrollton

Sept. 10 at Urbana

Sept. 17 Northwestern

Sept. 24 at Greenon

Oct. 1 Tippecanoe

Oct. 8 at Kenton Ridge

Oct. 15 Tecumseh

Oct. 22 at Bellefontaine

Oct. 29 at Stebbins

2009 results

Opponent Result Score

at Catholic W 14-7 Central

at West L 14-7 Carrollton

Urbana W 26-20, OT

at Northwestern W 47-12

Greenon W 55-14

at Tippecanoe L 34-27, OT

Kenton Ridge W 42-0

at Tecumseh W 14-10

Bellefontaine L 19-14

Stebbins W 48-7

at Goshen* W 28-7

vs. Circleville W 21-14 Logan Elm**

vs. Wyoming*** L 14-7

* — playoff game

** — playoff game at Hilliard Bradley

*** — playoff game at Welcome Stadium

Results for last 10 seasons

Year Record

2009 9-4

2008 5-5

2007 3-7

2006 5-5

2005 11-2

2004 8-2

2003 2-8

2002 3-7

2001 3-7

2000 6-4

Totals 55-51

SPRINGFIELD — Success for the Shawnee High School football team starts with its defense.

Scan down the scores from 2009’s playoff run and a couple numbers pop out: The Braves allowed five touchdowns in three playoff games, and never more than 14 points in one game.

The Braves want to build on last season’s run to the Division III, Region 12 final. They’ll be building with defense again.

Defense

Seven starters are back, including the four of the top five tacklers: Linebacker Ryan Mayfield (69 tackles), defensive lineman Lucas Sparks (61½, plus 12 tackles for a loss), defensive end Brad MacLeod (49, plus 14 tackles for a loss) and defensive end Eric DeWitt (39, plus four fumble recoveries).

Nick Hines (safety), Steven Sarven (cornerback) and Nick Storts (defensive line) also return.

The Braves will continue to run a 50 base defense.

Offense

Sarven was proficient as a receiver (383 yards) and running back (507) and tied for the team lead with 62 points scored (10 TDs).

Besides Sarven, the offense returns linemen Aaron Hayes, Joel Schilke and MacLeod (tight end), DeWitt at running back and Daryl Howard and Xavier Jordan as receivers.

Jordan led the team in catches (27, with two touchdowns) and receiving yards (413).

Brad Jarzab, the backup QB last season, moves into the starting role.

Extra points

• The Braves scored a division-best 145 points in five 2009 Kenton Trail games.

• Shawnee head coach Rick Meeks said this team has good athleticism and depth at the skill positions.

Coach’s comment

“I like the determination. Our kids don’t want to be a one-hit wonder from last year. Our seniors and our juniors, and even our sophomores, when they were younger, had a lot of success. Now they’re moving into key roles. So we are expecting good things out of them,” Meeks said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0366 or bplasters@coxohio.com.

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