2009 Football Outlook
“Our goal is to have the best turnaround record in the nation,” Walsh Head Coach Jim Dennison. The Cavs celebrate the 15th year of football on the Walsh University campus. As Dennison and the Cavs celebrate the 15th year, the entire campus will recognize Walsh’s 50th year. Both plan to do so in grand style.
RETURN TO GLORY
After two subpar seasons, veteran coach Jim Dennison is anxious to return the Cavs to their winning ways. Dennison returns 35 letter winners, with eight starters returning on each side of the ball. The 2009 recruiting class is highlighted by five first-team All-State selections, and the most talented transfer class in Dennison’s tenure.
OFFENSE
It’s hard not to get excited when you look at the possibilities of the Cavs’ offense. A solid offensive line, a stable of tailbacks, a maturing quarterback and game breakers at wide receiver will make this group fun to watch and tough to defend.
It all starts with the offensive line, the most underrated group on any football team. The Cavs return a starter at every position. The offense received a real shot in the arm when left tackle Chris Stiel (HM All-MSFA, 6-6, 280, Sr., Reynoldsburg, OH/HS) opted to return as a fifth-year senior. Derrick Showell (6-5, 260, So., Columbus, OH/Briggs) returns at left guard. He started four games last year. The left side of the line is solid. Both excel at the run-game and protect the blind side of the quarterback. Andy Lahmers (5-11, 253, Sr., Gnadenhutten, OH/Indian Valley) comes to the offensive line after two years on defense, and will back-up both guards. Michael Paul-Jenkins (6-3, 270, So., Youngstown, OH/Ursuline) returns at center. He started five game as a freshman. Veteran William Call (6-4, 287, Sr., Miamisburg, OH/HS) will provide depth at center and tackle. The versatile Michael Seibert (6-4, 288, Jr., Poland, OH/Seminary) will start at right guard. Seibert has started at both guard and tackle. Look for Anthony Skrabak (6-3, 245, R-Fr., St. Clairsville, OH/HS) to provide depth. Tim Goodman (6-6, 270, So., Norton, OH/Copley) is slated to start at right tackle. Goodman started eight games at tackle as a freshman. Andrew Bauer (6-2, 315, So., Canton, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas) will push the starters and provide depth at tackle. The Cavs line has a nice blend of youth and veterans.
The 2009 contingent of wide receivers may be the best in Walsh history. With an infusion of talent at wide receiver, returning senior Mike McGill (6-1, 185, Barberton, OH/Copley) may be the luckiest man on the face of the earth to steal a phrase. McGill, who has the knack of catching the ball in traffic in critical situations, is being joined by transfers Joe Morgan (6-1, 185, Jr., Canton, OH/McKinley) and Teddy Robb (6-1, 195, R-Fr., Canal Fulton, OH/Northwest). Morgan is coming from the University of Illinois, while Robb is transferring from the University of Akron. Both played spring ball for the Cavs. Morgan lettered twice for the Illini (2006, 2007). He has great speed and is a game-breaker. His presence will open things up for McGill. Morgan enjoyed an outstanding spring, and gave an indication of things to come with his quickness and agility. Robb also has great speed, and can catch the ball in traffic. This should play a part in McGill having the best year of his career at Walsh. He is currently sixth in career receptions (70), with a chance to climb as high as number two. Providing depth will be Rayshon Dent (5-11, 190, Sr., Akron, OH/Buchtel), Tyler Pierce (6-4, 187, Jr., Salem, OH/HS), Robert Wigfall (5-10, 185, R-Fr., Youngstown, OH/Hubbard) and Alex Racius (5-9, 170, Jr., Lehigh Acers, FL/Lee). The Cavs are deep and talented at wide receiver.
Brad Schrecengost (6-7, 255, Jr., Cortland, OH/Lakeview) will start at tight end. Schrecengost, an excellent blocker, played in nine games in a back-up role last year. Alvin Howard (6-2, 220, R-Fr., Sandusky, OH/Perkins) will provide depth and be on the field when the Cavs are in the two-tight formation.
Jim Shiplett (6-3, 190, So., Canal Fulton, OH/Northwest) opens the season as the starting quarterback. Shiplett played in six games as a true freshman, and started three, before a concussion in the Ohio Dominican game forced him to the sidelines for the remainder of the season. Shiplett has a talented group of receivers at his disposal, and will be reunited with Northwest High School teammate Teddy Robb. Shiplett is a pocket passer, but he is not afraid to scramble when the situation dictates. University of Akron transfer Kade Wagner (6-2, 221, So., Green, OH/HS) has one full year under his belt at Walsh, after joining the Cavs during two-a-days last year. Wagner battled injuries last year, but is full go. He is an old fashioned tough football player, who will push Shiplett, while providing ample depth.
It’s plain and simple. The tailback position is loaded. Coach Dennison has a stable of running backs that would turn heads at the Kentucky Derby. All-MSFA back Clinton Blossomgame (5-11, 215, Jr., Columbus, OH/Beechcroft) is 100%, after suffering a season-ending ACL injury last year. Blossomgame was on his way to another 1,000-yard season, when he was injured in the sixth game (Urbana) of the season. He has rushed for 700 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. After surgery and rehabilitation, Blossomgame appears as good as new, which is great for the Cavs, and bad for the opposition. Blossomgame will be pushed and challenged by the deepest position on the team. Veteran Tim Cox (5-11, 208,Jr., Minerva, OH/HS) played in all 11 games last year, and exploded for 67 yards on five carries in the season finale. Cox appears more than ready.
Making the position that much deeper will be University of Findlay transfer Elijah Griffin (5-7, 170, Jr., Westerville, OH/South), nephew of two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin. Adding icing on the cake is freshman back Reggie Garner (5-8, 180, Fr., Buffalo, NY/Kiski Prep). Garner, who received a handful of division one offers after graduating from Cardinal O’Hara High School, promptly went to Kiski Prep and led the Nation with 1,685 yards rushing. Garner scored 102 touchdowns and rushed for over 5,000 yards at Cardinal O’Hara. Adding depth will be veteran Kevin Beichler (5-10, 177, Jr., Orrville, OH/Smithville) and Rashid Sharif (5-9, 203, So., Cleveland, OH/Collinwood) along with Toba Olarewaju (5-10, 190, R-Fr., Youngstown, OH/Christian). Redshirt freshman, Jason Gidcumb (6-1, 220, Cambridge, OH /John Glenn) is slated to start at fullback. Gidcumb is an outstanding blocker, which is a must in the Cavs scheme. Providing depth will be Judd Ellinger (6-3, 220, So., Lancaster, OH/Amanda Clearcreek) and Adam Harris (5-10, 213, R-Fr., Medina, OH/HS).
DEFENSE
The Cavs defense returns veterans at almost every position, with transfers and key recruits rounding out the unit. The defense also sports skill and athleticism.
The defensive interior is solid, led by returning veterans Aaron Forte (DE, 6-4, 261, Jr., Canton, OH/South), Mark Sexton (NT, 6-2, 260, Sr., New Philadelphia, OH/HS), Jermaine Whitmore (DE, 6-3, 234, Sr., Euclid, OH/St. Ignatius), Sian Cotton (NT, 6-4, 330, Sr., Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary) and Tony Reed (NT, 6-1, 315, Jr., Warren, OH/Harding). Forte played in nine games and started six. Sexton started six games, while Whitmore started every game last year. Cotton played in nine games, while Reed started three games and played in nine. These veterans have a presence, and will be counted on to set the tone defensively. Now, add transfer standout Justin Brown (DE, 6-4, 255, Fr., Youngstown, OH/Ursuline/Iowa CCC) to the unit and it becomes outstanding. This interior unit has a chance to become one of the best in Cavs’ history, with the ability to control the defensive tone of the game.
The Cavs will have a Sunshine State duo at outside linebacker, Victor Ledezma (6-2, 240, So., Immokalee, FL/HS) and Rodd Story (6-2, 224, So., Cape Coral, FL/Mariner). Both had extensive playing time last year, with Ledezma playing in nine games and Story ten. Look for them to control the run on the outside, while also having the ability to drop back.
The inside linebacking contingent is again solid, led by Aaron Donze (6-2, 205, So., Stow, OH/HS), Royal Porter (6-1, 230, Sr., Columbus, OH/Mifflin), Jason Stiel (6-2, 220, Jr., Reynoldsburg, OH/HS). Donze played in ten games and started one game as a freshman, and finished with 31 tackles. Porter started for the second straight year and finished third on the team with 79 tackles. Donze and Porter are in a dead heat to start. Stiel (HM All-MSFA) shined in his first season in a starting role, finishing second on the team with 83 tackles. All three backers love to hit, and provide the Cavs with solid, run to ball play on the inside. Veteran Ryan Whiteleather (6-1, 212, Jr., Kent, OH/Roosevelt) will challenge Stiel and provide solid depth.
The Cavs’ secondary is solid, with a mixture of veterans and new faces. Transfer cornerback Brian Williams (HM All-MSFA, 5-9, 160, Sr., Canton, OH/McKinley) emerged as the leader in the secondary in his first season wearing the maroon and gold. Williams led the team in tackles (84) and tied for the team lead in interceptions. He is a playmaker. Sterling Tatum (5-8, 174, Sr., Cleveland, OH/Maple Heights) returns to start at the other corner. Tatum started nine games last year, and was fifth on the team with 48 tackles. This twosome will give the fans thrills, while giving quarterbacks nightmares. Chris Bivins (6-0, 184, So., Alliance, OH/HS) is the front runner at free safety. Bivins played in all 11 games with three starts last year, while recording 38 tackles and two interceptions. He will only get better. Redshirt freshman Pat Kane (6-1, 184, Bolivar, OH/Tusky Valley) has emerged and could start at strong safety. Veteran Mike Welce (5-8, 186, Jr., Columbiana, OH/HS) will also be in the mix at strong safety with redshirt freshman Kevin Woods (5-10, 179, East Cleveland, OH/Shaw). Also making noise in the secondary and challenging the starters at cornerback will be Alex Racius, Dominic Williams (5-11, 197, Fr., Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban), Brett Wycinski (6-0, 193, Fr., New Lexington, OH/HS) and John Schweinfurth (5-8, 160, R-Fr., Medina, OH/HS). Not to be overlooked is transfer Tony Stover (6-2, 208, R-Fr., Akron, OH/Northwest) from Bowling Green. The Cavs are as skilled in the secondary as they have ever been.
SPECIAL TEAMS/KICKING GAME
Brian Williams answered the bell of replacing playmaker, and all-time kick return leader Rob Lash in grand style. Williams led the MSFA and finished fourth in the NAIA in kick returns (28.6), while being tabbed first-team all-league. Williams had a long return of 78 yards against Taylor, and is a threat to go deep every time he touches the ball. Now, add transfer Joe Morgan to the kick return game, and the Cavs possess maybe the finest duo in the Nation. Morgan, like Williams is a constant threat to “take it to the house,” as he demonstrated in spring ball. The return game has never been better.
Eric Buchanan (6-3, 180, Jr., Green Cove Springs, FL/Clay) returns to handle place kicking duties. He was 22-24 on extra points (23-23) and an outstanding 10-15 in field goal attempts, with a long of 47. Only a junior, look for Buchanan to challenge for all-league honors. Freshman Adam Castin (5-10, 195, Pickerington, OH/Central) has emerged and will handle the punting duties. He is a former All-Ohio Capital selection. J.C. Willison (6-0, 190, R-Fr., Canfield, OH/South Range) and Buchanan will provide depth.
FINALLY
Everyone is looking forward to the 2009 season. Dennison’s goal is to surprise the nation and have the best turnaround on any level. Don’t be surprised if the veteran coach meets his goal.
