Lancaster 2011

[the_guru_CO]

Been reading the Pick Central thread and since our basketball team might be the worst D1 team in the state, I figured never too early to think about next year. My thoughts as we head to another year.

Last year was the best 7-3 team we've had. The vaunted schedule turned out to be a dud other then Pick Central. Lost 2 very winnable game to Iggy and Pick North. Honestly should have been 9-1. But no complaints about the Iggy game. Was awesome to see a sold out home side of Fulton Field for the first time in years. Pick Central was better but a tough game. Pick North, oh my, key players making bad mistakes. But lets move on to next year!

Offense
Should be smashmouth at its finest!! Return the same o-line (pretty much) and West at FB. Wing backs will be the question. Here is my take on next years line up.

QB - Theiss 6'1 185 JR - Runs ball better then Flowers, Passing ???
FB - West 5'8 220 SR - Returning Starter
WB - Meadows 6'0 185 SR- Looked good in limited time, needs to step up
WB - ??????
WR - Sharpe 6'3 190 JR - Returning starter
TE - Reliford 6'2 220 SR - Started 5 games last year allows McClurg to play D
T- Hartranft - 5'10 260 SR - Started as soph, ineligible last year
G- Graves - 6'0 235 JR - Returning starter
C - Happenney - 5'10 220 SR - 2 year Starter
G - Francis - 6'2 275 SR - 2 year starter
T - Miller - 6'1 265 SR - Returning starter
Also include since we use alot of 2 TE's
TE- Thomas 6'5 205 JR

Defense
Should be solid up front. The front 7 will be very good with 2 first team all Central District players back who both should get Full D1 Rides. Other then Jones in the secondary though....wow downright scary.

DE - Woosley 6'5 250 SR - 1st team All Central District last year
DT - McClurg 6'0 220 SR - Started at TE last year told hes moving to DT
DT - Kirchgessner 6'0 240 JR - Saw time last year as backup
DE - Dexter 6'1 220 So - Trust me, will be All State by junior year, played alot as a Freshman
LB - Roberts 6'3 225 SR - 1st team All Central District last year
LB - Schooley 6'0 200 SR - Flys to the ball as anyone could see
LB - Thompson 6'2 205 SR - Played DE/LB last year in limited time
CB - ?????
CB - ?????
FS - Jones 5'9 175 SR - Returning Starter
SS - Bowman 5'9 180 JR - Solid Player who will hit and tackle

Secondary is huge hole in this team. Need some young guys to step up or I could see Thiess and maybe Sharp playing some defense. Juniors Boyer and Doughty and Sophmore Thompson I could see playing CB. Other guys in the mix would be Lenheart on the DL and Funk at LB


Kicking game should be solid with Daugherty back as a junior again. Schooley will return punts and my guess is Meadows, Jones and Scholley will return kickoffs.

Schedule
Week 3 is still open as far as I know. Week 1 and 2 are very winnable agsint Logan and Mason. Pick Central will be a beast again. but I see the rest as winnable.

Thoughts???

[Walking Boss]

Guru: That o-line will be tested week 4 when they're tasked with moving Boren, Cole, and Taco off the ball.

That being said, I think it will be a good battle for Fairfield County bragging rights, the inside track on the OCC Ohio title, and a 1-4 seed in R3.

[galeron]

I know Carpenter is completely against taking a bye in that third week. But I have heard that can be advantageous towards making the playoffs. Just had someone tell me that, dont know enough about the formulas to say for sure. The O-line has been working hard. They have been lifting every day during Christmas break on their own.

[the_guru_CO]

Galeron,

Ive been told the Gales would have been around the 6 seed last year if they took a bye instead of Ignatius. So take it or leave it, I guess. This year they will not take a bye though becasue they need the gate money with only 4 home games scheduled.

[galeron]

Would be nice if a stud running back would move in over the summer. He would put up big numbers behind this offensive line. Would like to see more productivity on the field out of one of those all district defensive players. We have to get over an apparent mental block against pick north. Last year we had kids doing things against them that was mind boggling.

[the_guru_CO]

Agree with Woosley....needs to prove hes D1 material. He missed so many big plays last year. Played extremely well against Central and Iggy yet was no factor at all against Gahanna and Pick North.

Asking Roberts to get more productivity? Are you kidding? Kid has over 200 tackles in 2 seasons.

[galeron]

I clearly said out of one of those guys. I did not mean Roberts he was all over the place every game. From what I hear he works as hard in the weightroom as he does on the field. Definitly was not speaking of him. Has anyone heard who they are trying to schedule game three.

[walt]

I know Carpenter is completely against taking a bye in that third week. But I have heard that can be advantageous towards making the playoffs. Just had someone tell me that, dont know enough about the formulas to say for sure. The O-line has been working hard. They have been lifting every day during Christmas break on their own.

A nine week schedule benefits you if your only other options are playing a team that won't win any games or a team that you cannot beat.

The ideal situation would be to have a D1 or D2 opponent that you can beat, and will win 7 or 8 games. You get more help from that than you would a bye week.

Pick Central took a bye in week 3 this past season because we couldn't find anyone to play us, and we were coming off a Monday game in the Herbstreit. We didn't want to turn around and play a game on a short week.

However, in 2009 we played Westerville North in week 3. They ended up hurting us more than helping us because we got no 2nd level points from them.

[sportfan97]

Did we have any solid running backs at the jv or freshman level last season that could make an impact on varsity? West is the only option at fullback. The kid runs hard and plays with heart. On defense as always the cornerback position is going to be the big question mark and most likely the week spot.

[derby 4]

Any thoughts of Jones getting a few carries as a wing-back on offense ? He is way too valuable to take out of the defensive secondary but 6 or 8 carries a game might be a big boost to the offense.

[the_guru_CO]

Jones I'm sure is an option at wing. I know the coaches are hoping for the eligibilty of a junior running back that would solve the wing issues.

[sportfan97]

This might be a crazy thought but any chance the gales could get any transfers from Amanda due to all of the levy issues in that district?

[galeron]

West is not the only option at fullback. Fetherolf has been the starting fullback all the way up through since Jr High. There is absolutely no drop off there in fact I know quite a few of the players feel that Fetherolf should be the starter. What you saw this year was a fullback that was 3 yards down field before even getting touched. Watch the films and you will see one defensive back bringing West down by himself quite often. He is great kid and has worked hard but to say he is the only option there is definitly not correct. I agree that Jones could add 6 - 8 carries and you could also throw Schooley in there for 6 - 8 carries a game. They are both very talented backs. In the open field Jones is as good as anyone that they have. There was a kid named Schisler or something like that who has tremendous speed. From what I hear he is a little green in football experience but I went to a JV game at halftime and saw him have at least 150 yards just in the second half. I know the kids are very comfortable with what Theiss brings to the QB position. I am very excited about the team they could have. Cant wait to see who they schedule that third game of the year. That will be very important to our playoff chances.

[the_guru_CO]

I agree that Fetherolf is a good, hard runner. Kids said thought that he is not lifting this off season to be a part of the bowling team. This not only will hurt him, but I can imagine does not rub your teammates and coaches the right way. I understand wrestlers and basketball players, but first time bowlers going into your senior year? Maybe I'm just old school, but bowling!!

[OneTiger]

I agree that Fetherolf is a good, hard runner. Kids said thought that he is not lifting this off season to be a part of the bowling team. This not only will hurt him, but I can imagine does not rub your teammates and coaches the right way. I understand wrestlers and basketball players, but first time bowlers going into your senior year? Maybe I'm just old school, but bowling!!

Good for Fetherolf,you only live once. When he's older he won't regret being on the bowling team and making/keeping friends. Tiger Nation supports Fetherolf. :cool:

[burgerman]

What are the chances of moving Schooley to WB and then having Funk fill the LB spot? Bond (Jr) is another WB option. Meadows could surprise a lot of people this year. Ran great when given the opportunity.

Nice recap Guru....Pretty much right on.

[galeron]

I dont think they will move Schooley as he proved to have quite a nose for the ball in limited time last year. The key for some of the Juniors to be will be what type of off season they have in the weight room. I agree Meadows has the potential to have a good season. I still maintain Jones would look awful good at that other wingback spot. I also think the coaches are going to have to bite the bullet and play some of the offensive linemen on the defensive line also. If you rotated them all in at various times you could keep them in condition for their offensive duties. I do know one thing for certain after seeing the mess the basketball program is in I SO appreciate the job Carpenter and all the assistants do with these boys.

[timbo_hoagie]

Anyone know if Carpenter will be back next year? Seems like we have this discussion every year now haha.

[OneTiger]

I heard 5 Lancaster juniors sold their actual "gold pants" for profit? Say it aint so---------

[burgerman]

That is totally untrue. What happened was that they recruited two city league players and our coach was giving them rides home.....Wait, I am confused. Maybe you are right, gold pants it was.

[galeron]

Ouch !!!

[the_guru_CO]

HaHa! I usualy don't like the trash talk, but even I will admit that made me laugh.

Back to football though, I disagree with the idea of the O Line playing D Line. I think the whole point of moving Mcclurg is to solidify that spot. I know coach Albertini says if you can't RUN you can't play D. Depth obviously is a concern at DT. Woosley and Dexter will be very good at DE. That being said, I will admit Miller would be a heck of DT in short yardage.

[galeron]

I agree with the running aspect at all other positions on defense. However, I felt the weakness of the defense this year was up the middle. You couldnt run against Lancaster wide last year but you could hit them right up the middle. I know in short yardage situation at least you aint gonna move Miller and Francis out of there. Also if we could develop more rush out of the defensive line than they wouldnt have to blitz Roberts all the time which led us to be venerable to passes over the middle all year also. McClurg is a great worker and will do whatever is asked of him but if he is going to play defensive tackle in the OCC he needs to bulk up quite a bit.

[Walking Boss]

Back to football though, I disagree with the idea of the O Line playing D Line. I think the whole point of moving Mcclurg is to solidify that spot. I know coach Albertini says if you can't RUN you can't play D. Depth obviously is a concern at DT. Woosley and Dexter will be very good at DE. That being said, I will admit Miller would be a heck of DT in short yardage.

Guru: Some very successful programs in Central Ohio, namely both Davidson and Pick Central, do a fair amount of playing folks both ways (Annis, Heitzman, Boren, etc...). Others, like Coffman, seem stubbornly opposed to it. I'm of the personal belief that these kids are 17-18 years old, and this probably the ideal for them to get at least some snaps on the other side of the ball. I get the sense that Lancaster generally doesn't do to much of it. Don't you think many of these o-linemen could give you 10-15 snaps on defense without taking too much from their game?

[the_guru_CO]

Lancaster has played alot of players the last few years both ways. Both Cheek brothers, Griffith, Carpenter, Aksterowicz, Smith, and Flowers have all played nearly entire seasons both ways. I could list quite a few more recently that have played here and there. That said, I have seen it have major affects on their abilities.

I just find it ironic that for years people in Lancaster have complained about the same kids always on the field in the Eagle-Gazette comment sections and in the stands, now people want that to happen.

To answer your question though walking boss, I do not think any of the O-Lineman are long term answers on the DL. Could they give 5-10 plays? Yes, but at what cost to their play on offense. Also, while our O-Line is going ot be very good, the depth is basically none. Maybe one capable backup going into the season. I think that will deter any thoughts of playing them both ways. Especially since 3 of them battled injuries all last season.

[galeron]

That is a good point about the depth on the offensive line. I just think a rotational thing would be good but I may be off base. As far as people complaining, those are the same people that are going to complain no matter the situation. I just think that Carpenter feels this is the last chance for a very successful team in awhile so should try to get the best players on the field as much as possible. Perfect example was kickoff team last year was alot of guys that didnt see much time otherwise and we were constantly starting at midfield on defense. Even if we got a three and out we lost field position.

[OneTiger]

:eek:That is totally untrue. What happened was that they recruited two city league players and our coach was giving them rides home.....Wait, I am confused. Maybe you are right, gold pants it was.

Giving players rides home is not illegal, especially when its proven the home is in Pickerington. By the way ,great season Gales..............OUCH.......:eek:

[galeron]

One tiger is back. Your sarcasim is clear wasnt a great season for the Gales and didnt acheive what we had hoped to. But I will take a 7-3 season and be proud of how our players conducted themselves. We didnt have to make excuses and say that coaches and parents wouldnt stand for personal fouls and than the same kid did it all year clear up to the last game. He was so busy pointing to the scoreboard he couldnt get his hands up to catch that touchdown pass that would have beat Davidson. But I guess we didnt have state championship level talent and not even win the region like the mighty Tigers. Oh well the beauty of a rivalry.

[burgerman]

:eek:

Giving players rides home is not illegal, especially when its proven the home is in Pickerington. By the way ,great season Gales..............OUCH.......:eek:

So legal that said players and coach STILL were ineligible until the 3rd week in January! It's OK to talk about the elephant in the room. Admit it, you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

Your efforts to continue to deny the undeniable are laughable. I would have more respect for you if you would quit thinking that everybody has their head in the sand. Look at the bright side, over the years you have gotten away with more than you have gotten caught!

[OneTiger]

So legal that said players and coach STILL were ineligible until the 3rd week in January! It's OK to talk about the elephant in the room. Admit it, you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

Your efforts to continue to deny the undeniable are laughable. I would have more respect for you if you would quit thinking that everybody has their head in the sand. Look at the bright side, over the years you have gotten away with more than you have gotten caught!

Ineligable due to a smack on the hand from PLSD to appease the accusers. As usual you just run your pie hole without knowledge of the actual situation. Bet that ride down 33 was loooooonnnnggggg! What an arse whippin.

[burgerman]

How about the knowledge that mommy never did sell the house in the Columbus City school district? Reason: "to appease the accusers" ????? Are you kidding me? I wish every convict was as understanding. I can see the court proceeding now, "Judge, I am innocent but give me 5 years of hard time to appease my accusers". Do you really believe the non sense you write?

[sportfan97]

Ok kids. Enough about centrals past. This thread is about Lancaster's 2011 season.

[derby 4]

I firmly believe we should play our more talented players a little more on both sides of the ball. Not the entire game just a few plays here and there or in certain key situations like an earlier post stated if the other team has third down and two why not put a couple of your bigger stronger linemen in for that play. The Gales had some teams between 2002 - 2006 that would have greatly benefited from a few key players playing on the other side of the ball from time to time. The best example was the 2003 team when Jonathon Carpenter was a senior and Cordle and Stuck were juniors. The sky was the limit with that team if we would have played a little both ways. I watched the Division 1 State Final that year and the 2003 team could have played with anyone in the state. That was the year we got SCREWED against Dublin Scioto in the second round.

[galeron]

That is all I am thinking. Is mix the athletic offensive linemen in on defense. There is no reason why they shouldnt be in shape to do it, they are working out right now every day after school so the coaches ought to be able to have them in shape for anything. Really wish the new QB for next year could be with the football coaches right now instead of wasting his time with the basketball coach. This could be a great time of development for him instead of getting beat every night by 35 points on the hardwood.

[sportfan97]

I have noticed the names of several football players in stories about the wrestling team this winter and also saw an article stating that the track team had over 50 boys out for indoor track right now. I know coach cheek (if he is still coaching track) has the football players sticking to the Weight program during track season while also getting the benifits of improved speed and agility from the track workouts. How many football players are participating in track this year? I know the ones that do will see improvements on the football field because of it.

Also is there any word of any athletes transferring in from Amanda because of the levy issues in that district? !!

[traveling fan]

i know this is about the 2011 gales but has anyone heard where any of the 2010 gales are going to college

[the_guru_CO]

Connor Smith and Nolan Flowers will sign scholorships to Ashland University Wednesday at 6:30 in the school cafeteria.

[rod hertzer]

What happend to the Reynolds kid? Wasnt he the back up QB last year. I thought he showed some good potential on offence and defence but i havent seen his name mentioned

[derby 4]

205 days until the Golden Gales first football game. But heh, who's counting ?

[sportfan97]

Congratulations to nolan and Connor. Best of luck to you guys at Ashland.

Football season can't get here soon enough.

[galeron]

The Gales have filled one open spot on the schedule with Mason. Anybody hear anything on the other open date ?

[Walking Boss]

The Gales have filled one open spot on the schedule with Mason. Anybody hear anything on the other open date ?

galeron: Is it Logan week 1, Mason week 2, OPEN week 3?

[galeron]

galeron: Is it Logan week 1, Mason week 2, OPEN week 3?

Yes as it stands right now that is what the schedule looks like. We used to always play a City League team that third week but last year they played St. Ignatius. That opponent proved to be be vital in the playoff scenario last year. I know the coaches dont agree with taking a bye even though that can be beneficial in the way the playoffs are set up. So we will see.

[Gz1up 2 Down]

I've heard on the grapevine that Lancaster picked up Twinsburg to play in week 3. Truth to this?

[the_guru_CO]

I heard the same rumor bout Twinsburg. They won't take a bye because they need money and would only have 4 home games.

[Walking Boss]

That would be a pretty formidible first 4 games, Logan, Twinsburg, Mason, and Pick Central.

[the_guru_CO]

Looks like the schedule has been finalized. Twinsburg week 3, 2 year deal, with a return to the Cleveland area next season.

http://www.highschoolsports.net/team/Lancaster-High-School-Lancaster-OH/Football/Varsity/Boys/2011

[galeron]

I just looked Twinsburg up and they definitly didnt schedule a Sister of the Poor team. They made the second round of the playoffs last year before losing to Toledo Whitmer. They do lose their Quarterback however, who must have been the lynch pin of the whole offense. He signed a national letter of intent to go to Ohio University. I hope this isnt a rerun of last year and this type of game hurt our playoff chances. I know for a fact that Walnut Ridge has an open date the third week of the season also. I would have been much more confident of that game. But I have to admit that St. Ignatius game was some of the best atmosphere at a high school game I have ever experienced.

[the_guru_CO]

Galeron,
Talked to a coach at the bball game Friday. He said the only schools that would agree to a home game were St Eds, Whitmer, Stubenville and Dublin Coffman. I say they made a good choice. The problem is a reputation for physcial football and no one wants to prep 1 week for the wing T when they prolly will never see it again the rest of the year.

[galeron]

Well Guru that sounds like it was the best choice of the mentioned. I applaud the coaches for not taking the easy way out and taking a bye. My son is a senior next year and I want to watch him as much as I can. I know they have been working hard in the weight room. I appreciate your insight. I look forward to seeing what you put on here.

[kilt0986]

I think Davidson has a opening week 3

[walt]

no one wants to prep 1 week for the wing T when they prolly will never see it again the rest of the year.

Unless theyre in Central Ohio where 75% of the teams run the wing-T.

[Gz1up 2 Down]

I just looked Twinsburg up and they definitly didnt schedule a Sister of the Poor team. They made the second round of the playoffs last year before losing to Toledo Whitmer. They do lose their Quarterback however, who must have been the lynch pin of the whole offense. He signed a national letter of intent to go to Ohio University. I hope this isnt a rerun of last year and this type of game hurt our playoff chances. I know for a fact that Walnut Ridge has an open date the third week of the season also. I would have been much more confident of that game. But I have to admit that St. Ignatius game was some of the best atmosphere at a high school game I have ever experienced.

Twinsburg fired their coach from last year...

[the_guru_CO]

Unless theyre in Central Ohio where 75% of the teams run the wing-T.


Lancaster, like Pick Central and a few others has made it a point to try and schedule non conferance games out of Region 3 and the Columbus area. Wish more teams would do this instead of beating up other OCC teams.

[walt]

Lancaster, like Pick Central and a few others has made it a point to try and schedule non conferance games out of Region 3 and the Columbus area. Wish more teams would do this instead of beating up other OCC teams.

I agree. If for no other reason than for computer points. If OCC teams play all 10 games against other OCC teams then eventually the points will start canceling each other out.

[rod hertzer]

Does anyone know anything about the back-up QB from last year? Where is he at. I have not heard any thing about him, I beleve his name is Reynolds.

[galeron]

Reynolds was not the backup qb last year. That was riley theiss. He will be the starter next year. Dont really know anything about reynolds except he was the holder on extra points last year.

[the_guru_CO]

Congrats to Luke Roberts on his first offer from Bowling Green!! Should be the first of many for a great kid and a great player!!

[Walking Boss]

Guru: You beat me to it. Here's the link for those interested....

http://www.scoutingohio.com/index.php/view-profile.html?task=userProfile&user=2470&name=Highland94

[knight43210]

Congrats to Luke Roberts on his first offer from Bowling Green!! Should be the first of many for a great kid and a great player!!


That's awesome!! Seeing these players achieving their goals is icing on the cake when it comes to enjoying high school sports.

[sportfan97]

Its been a couple months since anything about the upcoming football season for the Gales. ANy new news coming out of the weight room or spring sports?

[galeron]

Now that baseball has mercifully came to an end. I know that the workouts the football team has been having is being well attended. This team will be strong up front on offense which could help as we break in some new skill people against a difficult first part of the schedule. Mason and twinsburg are newcomers to the schedule. Should be interesting.

[the_guru_CO]

Congrats to Luke Roberts who got his first BCS offer from Indiana last week!

Congrats also to DL Aaron Woosley who got his first D1 offer from Ball State!!

Keep up the hard work Gales!!!

[knight43210]

Congrats to both young men.

[sportfan97]

Can the next two months hurry up so we can get to august and some football.