2011 Football Preview: Grove City Christian

[Eric Frantz]

Grove City Christian (3-7)

* Players to Watch – DE/OL Zack Casparro (6'6", 260, Sr.), WR/DB Wally Brewer (6'1", 175, Sr.), RB/LB Tony Roark (5'7", 185, Sr.), QB/DB Ben Whitaker (6'2", 180, Sr.), RB/LB Nate Holt (5'7", 175l, Sr.), OL/DL Josh High (5'11", 275, Sr.), OL/DL Blair Thompson (6'2", 250, Jr), OL/DL Jordan Edwards (6'2", 290, Jr.)

* Outlook – After winning a regional title in 2009, the Eagles stumbled a little last season. Head coach Kerry Owens brings back a roster that includes plenty of experience and will be bolstered by a large freshman class (20 players). Four starters return on the OL, including Casparro who is a legit D-I prospect (Air Force offer). Brewer is a versatile talent who racked up 920 returns yards and six returns TDs last season (including two on INTs). Roark was GCC’s leading rusher last season (85 carries, 495 yards) and Whitaker returns at QB where he accounted for 17 TDs. Holt adds depth at the skill positions (73 carries, 345 yards, four TDs).

[NewarkCatholicFan]

Good luck G.C.C.

[gamauter]

Looks like some pretty good size for a div6 team.

[Squirmydog]

The key will be getting the depth developed. The chaos that happened last year in pre-season is over, and the leadership and enthusiasm level is totally different. This group should be very good. We will all find how good they are after week 3 with Danville and week 4 with Fort Loramie.

[gamauter]

Good to hear that Squirmy, maybe we can see a NC-GCC playoff game this year.

[Squirmydog]

I would like for the schools to play in the regular season some day.

[NewarkCatholicFan]

I would like for the schools to play in the regular season some day.

As a fan I too would like to see this.

[greenallover]

As a fan, I too would like to see this. I would like to see it as well. I would also like to see NC play Fairfield Christian but I'm pretty sure they have no desire to add NC to their non-league schedule.

[Magoo]

I would like to see it as well. I would also like to see NC play Fairfield Christian but I'm pretty sure they have no desire to add NC to their non-league schedule.

I don't know why one would think FCA has "no desire to add NC to their non-league schedule". If I make an objective judgement from the facts, I'd say Coach Daubenmire is looking to upgrade the schedule when possible. The Knights dropped St. John Central (their most lopsided win in 2010) and replaced them with second best team in Ohio's Div VI last year, state runner-up, Shadyside. Subjective conjecture is one thing; unbiased assessment another.

[greenallover]

I don't know why one would think FCA has "no desire to add NC to their non-league schedule". If I make an objective judgement from the facts, I'd say Coach Daubenmire is looking to upgrade the schedule when possible. The Knights dropped St. John Central (their most lopsided win in 2010) and replaced them with second best team in Ohio's Div VI last year, state runner-up, Shadyside. Subjective conjecture is one thing; unbiased assessment another.
That is only one school on their entire schedule. Please take a look at the rest of the teams on their schedule. GCC may have a good season this year but out of the other 8 (on Fairfield Christian's) schedule who is any good?

[Magoo]

That is only one school on their entire schedule. Please take a look at the rest of the teams on their schedule. GCC may have a good season this year but out of the other 8 (on Fairfield Christian's) schedule who is any good?

Well, you're certainly welcome to your OPINION, but the fact of the matter is this: First - competitiveness and talent level in DivVI football varies widely from year to year and one never knows how good any team will be for sure. For example, GCCS is a state semi-finalist in 2009, while FCA goes 0-8; then in 2010 FCA goes 9-0 while GCCS struggles and the Knights return the favor of an uncompetive rout of the previous 2 years. Second - In case you don't realize, most scheduled games for independents are done on a home and home basis and the Knights are committed to playing the teams the played last year for another season.

You were implying that the Knights had NO desire to add any more competitive teams (the likes of Newark Catholic) to the schedule. I was merely pointing out the error in your logic. Having completed their home and home commitment with St. John Central (the Knights lost to them in their last club-year of 2009 before trouncing them last year -- further support for my point of not knowing how good a team will be from one year to the next), the FCA coaches had the ability to make a change. And the FACT is that they CHOSE to add the state runner-up to the schedule.

Additionally, FCA filled their open date with Youngstown Christian. Now I don't know much about the Eagles of Youngstown Christian, but according to HighSchoolSports.net they beat GCCS two seasons ago in 2009 during GCCS's run to the state semi-finals.

And so, it would NOT appear, to the unbiased eye at least, that the Knights have NO desire to upgrade their schedule as you implied.

[Squirmydog]

This is no big secret, but both schools have a strong desire to not have to schedule and independent schedule. The best solution for this problem is to be invited to be members of the Mid-State Cardinal division. Not to whine, but it is difficult to find competetive teams to schedule weeks 5-10 without either travelling long distances. Its a crap shoot.
Magoo- fyi- YC beat GCC 55-20 in the 2007 season when they made the playoffs and GCC was in its first year as an OHSAA sanctioned program. GCC returned the favor 28-14 in 2009. They were 1-9 in 2010 but should be better this year.
Steering this back to GCC preview- GCC was fortunate to upgrade this year to include Fort Loramie and Fairview from Kentucky. Both teams are returning most of their producers from last year's playoff teams.

[Magoo]

This is no big secret, but both schools have a strong desire to not have to schedule and independent schedule. The best solution for this problem is to be invited to be members of the Mid-State Cardinal division. Not to whine, but it is difficult to find competetive teams to schedule weeks 5-10 without either travelling long distances. Its a crap shoot.
Magoo- fyi- YC beat GCC 55-20 in the 2007 season when they made the playoffs and GCC was in its first year as an OHSAA sanctioned program. GCC returned the favor 28-14 in 2009. They were 1-9 in 2010 but should be better this year.
Steering this back to GCC preview- GCC was fortunate to upgrade this year to include Fort Loramie and Fairview from Kentucky. Both teams are returning most of their producers from last year's playoff teams.

Thanks for the correction, Squirm. When I saw the 28-14 loss on HighSchoolSports.net in 2009 I accepted it as accurate even though MY memory was that GCCS had just one regular season loss that year to Rosecrans (which they avenged in the post-season). But your point is a good one.

[Gz1up 2 Down]

I would like to see it as well. I would also like to see NC play Fairfield Christian but I'm pretty sure they have no desire to add NC to their non-league schedule.

To be fair, I don't think the prospect of driving and additional hour to New Lexington on a Saturday to play is enticing for Newark Catholic if it were a home game for FCA, and I don't think FCA wants to play "big" small schools.

[S. V. VIKINGLINEX2]

magoo I do believe that they do not want to upgrade thier schedule after the 2009 season they droped us because as thier coach said " we can not compete with you ". If they can not compete with us they don't want anything to do with Newark Catholic.

[Magoo]

magoo I do believe that they do not want to upgrade thier schedule after the 2009 season they droped us because as thier coach said " we can not compete with you ". If they can not compete with us they don't want anything to do with Newark Catholic.

After their 2009 season, I'm sure the coaches did feel that way. The Knights went 2-8 in 2009 with the 2 wins being against club and/or JV teams; therefore their official OHSAA record in 2009 was 0-8. The coaches, I'm sure, were as perplexed as anyone with the difference from 2009 to 2010. FCA lost a total of ONE player to graduation after 2009 and so it looked like the exact same team coming back. One could certainly understand why expectations would not be lofty for 2010. I can think of three teams (and there may be more) that those Knights lost to in 2009 that they turned around and beat (badly in most cases) in 2010.

I believe this further supports my original point that you really don't know from year to year what's gonna happen.

But that was then, this is now. It looks undeniable to me that the schedule was upgraded for this year. How much or how little, I'll leave each to his own opinion.

Growing a program from ground zero can't be an easy thing. The Knights coaching staff deserves an "A"!

[Squirmydog]

Best wishes to Symmes Valley and FCA. When are we going to read some more R23 team previews? Get 'em in guys!

[S. V. VIKINGLINEX2]

Don't get much coverage down here in the Valley. We should be as good or better than last year. lost 6 from last years team.

[JLGHoops]

SV is probably pretty happy that Malvern switched regions. That was two rough first round games for thme the last two years. I am sure neither school liked the drive.

[S. V. VIKINGLINEX2]

Yes we are that drive was very long. Met some great people though.

[vinestreet]

any word on gcc scrimmages?

[Squirmydog]

The Jamboree game is home against Fisher Catholic. There is a home scrimmage against Southeastern August 9. Welcome to the Huddle!

[trent63]

Good Luck to the Eagles this year !

[Squirmydog]

Good Luck to the Eagles this year !Best wishes to your Flyers as well. How are they looking this year?

[trent63]

Squirmy, I'm not up this years team as of yet, but I do know of a couple of Very good returners from last years squad ....Nice QB and Fullback combo behind the Center...After the first scrimmage I will definitely know more in about 4 weeks or so. Livingood always seems to come up with a winning team...until then
I'll catch you later with more info !

[Squirmydog]

Tell the Services I said "Hi".