Grafton Midview snuck in the playoffs last year as the No. 8 seed in Division II, Region 6 and the Middies hope to take it a step or two farther this season.
Head coach Bill Albright is entering his 22nd year at the helm and owns a career record of 139-86, including the playoffs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB/DB Josiah Holt (5-9, 165, Jr.), WR Mike Schmittle (6-2, 190, Sr.), DB Joe Yusko (6-0, 185, Sr.), OL/LB Andrew Myers (5-11, 225, Sr.), TE/LB Mike Dodson (6-1, 195, Sr.), QB/DB Gage Williams (6-0, 165, Sr.), OT/DT Jacob Cumpston (6-2, 285, Sr.).
SEASON OUTLOOK
2007 Record: 8-3, Regional quarterfinalist
Grafton Midview snuck in the playoffs last year as the No. 8 seed in Division II, Region 6 and the Middies hope to take it a step or two farther this season.
"Our goals this season are to win the West Shore Conference championship, then make and advance in the state playoffs," head coach Bill Albright said.
Albright is entering his 22nd year at the helm and owns a career record of 139-86, including the playoffs.
Holt returns to lead the offense from his running back position. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry and was named first-team All-West Shore Conference and first-team All-Lorian County last year.
Schmittle was first-team all-conference, first-team all-county and averaged a whopping 21 yards per catch.
Yusko was second-team all-conference and hauled in four interceptions.
Myers was named honorable mention all-conference and returns to lead the offensive line.
Williams took over as the starting quarterback in the ninth week of the season due to an injury and played the final three games, including the playoff tilt. That will be valuable experience as he heads into this campaign.
Dodson was the team’s fifth-leading tackler last season, despite being a second-team linebacker. He will be a starter this year.
Cumpston started the final seven games at offensive tackle and played well. He is the biggest player on the team among the starters.
In terms of the schedule, Midview knows it won’t be a cakewalk in 2008.
"The first three games (Warrensville Heights, Amherst Steele and Medina Buckeye) will tell the tale for us," Albright said. "Also, with Rocky River and Avon in our conference, we will need to stay healthy and improve each week starting with our first scrimmage versus Avon Lake.
"Playoff wise, our region is very tough with the likes of Avon Lake, Ashland, Sylvania Southview, Olentangy and Toledo Central Catholic. Again, we must improve each week and stay healthy if we’re going to get there."
SCHEDULE
8/22 Warrensville Heights
8/29 at Amherst Steele
9/5 Medina Buckeye
9/12 Oberlin Fire lands
9/19 Vermillion
9/26 Rocky River
10/3 at Avon
10/10 Fairview Park Fairview
10/17 at Bay Village Bay
10/24 North Ridgeville
