SPENCERVILLE-It was another step in the right direction for the Bearcat football team in 2024 and managed to get a playoff spot in as many seasons but fell in week 11 to the Huron Tigers.
Last year’s senior group will be hard to replace as gone are all NWC players Gavin Schwartz, Ashland incoming freshman Trevor Whitney and Defiance Yellow Jacket basketball player and two year starting quarterback Carder Orr.
This team will be led by a new core of players and 3rd year head coach Kyle Koenig has liked what he has seen from his team this offseason.
“The off season for us has been fun.” Said Koenig. “We have a lot of spots that needed to be filled, and it was fun to watch the guys compete for those spots and continue to compete for those spots. “
One of those spots needing to be filled is the quarterback position in the Wing-t offense. The signal caller will be Senior Grady Smith. Smith saw one game at quarterback his sophomore season after the injury to graduated Orr. Smith threw for over 400 yards against rival Jefferson.
Koenig is excited to see what Smith does at quarterback this season.
“Grady has done a great job.m,” continued Koenig. “He knows the offense well and with him being a running back last year, I believe will add a new wrinkle in the offense that can be beneficial for us. He does a great job making quick decisions when he is back there and I am really excited for him to have this opportunity. “
As mentioned this will be a young football team for Spencerville this season. Koenig talked about how it is to coach a young team.
“I think the advantages to having a young team is just the amount of growth that can develop throughout a season,” added Koenig. “Obviously, it is Week 1 and we will not be a completed product, but our goal all summer and will continue to be to get better each and every day and with a young group like we have I think we can really show that throughout the season.”
“The disadvantage to that is the fact that you are playing some sophomores against seniors and that can provide some challenges, but I think our guys have been working really hard and I am confident in everyone being able to go on the field and do their jobs.”
Week 1 will feature another young team and a new opponent to the schedule as the Bearcats visit MAC foe Anna. It will be a new opponent for everyone but Koenig has played against the Rockets when he played for the State powerhouse Marion Local Flyers.
The Rockets were Senior heavy last season and found themselves in the regional finals before falling to D6 state champion and MAC opponent Coldwater. The Rockets aren’t far removed from their 2019 state championship title.
“Anna does a lot of different things on both sides of the ball,” said Koenig. “Defensively they have an interesting look to them and a lot of moving parts. We will need to keep our eyes up and communicate up front to be able to take on the blitzes that we will see. On the offensive side of the ball they are athletic and run the ball well. The quarterback may be young, but he does a great job in their offense.”
The Bearcats had only one scrimmage against Shawnee as their scrimmage against the Flyers was cancelled last week.
Koenig talked about the keys to victory.
“The keys for us will be able to keep the ball and grind out some big drives throughout the game. We need to be able to pick up the blitzes that they give us. Finally, we need to stay poised throughout the game. Our defense needs to read their keys and play fast.”
Listen to the Bearcats all season long on Zsports 3. Week 1 coverage will begin at 6:30pm with Nate Stidham and Shane Falke with kickoff scheduled for 7pm
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