Football: Losses won’t lessen Scotties’ expectations

DRESDEN – Life has been good for Tri-Valley.

The school has more wins, playoff appearances and Muskingum Valley League titles than any in the last decade under coach Justin Buttermore, whose team posted one of the most dominant seasons in league history in 2014.

His team allowed only 88 points in 12 games — almost half came in a season-ending playoff loss to Athens, which eventually reached the Division III state finals.

The remains of that juggernaut are few, leaving Buttermore’s newest challenge a daunting one.

Just 11 lettermen return but the expectations will not be lowered, something in which coaches and players pride themselves. With the team moving into Division II this season, it becomes even more important.

“I think that’s part of the fun of being a high school coach and part of the fun of being a high school football player, team and program, is each year build on what the others before you have done,” Buttermore said.

Retooling isn’t a foreign concept. The 2013 team, when most of last year’s core of players were juniors, won nine games and made the playoffs. They also started 2-2 and dealt with various distractions before righting the ship.

Buttermore has relayed that message.

“They were a talented team, but they didn’t play well early,” Buttermore said. “They took for granted that you could step on the field and win, so we’ve used that as a negative example and as a positive example, because by the end of that season we were playing about as well as any team we’ve had.”

Replacing graduated quarterback Brock Fargus, a two-time All-Ohio pick, is tops on the agenda. It won’t be easy, as three unknowns — seniors Logan Nezbeth (5-foot-9, 210) and Tyler McGee (5-9, 184) and sophomore Andrew Newsom (5-9, 153) — are vying to replace one of the most productive players in school history.

It’s currently a two-person race, as Nezbeth is fighting a hamstring injury that Buttermore says will keep him out until the early weeks of the regular season. McGee and Newsom have since shared the duties in scrimmages against Canal Winchester and Granville.

All are dual threats, much like their high-profile predecessors.

“Ultimately we are letting it be an open competition,” Buttermore said. “Even when Logan gets back it will be an open competition. He’s earned that chance. We’re going to see who is the best player.”

Whoever wins the job will have an experienced front line to lead them, led by Division I recruit Hunter Polk, a 6-4, 260-pound senior tackle already with an offer in tow from Eastern Michigan.

He is one of four starters returning, joining classmates Ethan Atkinson (6-5, 245), Hayden Meek (5-11, 203) and Winston Spiker (5-10, 288). Senior Owen Burkhart, who lettered on defense in 2014, is the other starter (5-9, 215).

They will be aided by senior running backs Colton Hanby (5-8, 162) and Graham Schaumleffel (5-9, 205), who figure to get much of the workload in the spread option.

“It’s no secret that we’ve always wanted to run the football,” Buttermore said. “Certainly we’re probably going to be more reliant on the run this year, just because we are breaking in new quarterbacks. Like most years our success is going to come down to how well our front five comes together, and how cohesive a unit they can be, and how well they can execute week in and week out.”

The receiving corps returns two starters in senior Logan Hittle (5-10, 179) and junior Colin Slaboden (5-11, 170), a big play threat who caught 22 passes for a 22.2-yard average in 2014.

Senior Matt Lawler (5-11, 190), a returning starter at defensive back, will also step into a receiving role, along with seniors Quentin Gaiters (5-10, 198) and Bryce Goss (5-10, 161) and sophomore Greg Nolder (5-11, 175). Sophomores Dow Cameron (6-0, 152) and Jake McLoughlin (6-4, 182) may also contribute.

The defense will fill the most holes.

Gone are All-Ohio end Johnny Alford and All-Ohio safety Hunter Mohler, to name a few, off a unit that allowed only 1,045 yards and five TDs in the regular season.

They were so dominant that every regular season game featured a running clock in the second half, and Buttermore admits it will be near impossible to match their productivity.

But a unit led by All-East District sack master Grant Nolder will try.

Nolder (6-1, 195), a senior, led the team in sacks last year before a broken clavicle in the playoffs ended his season. He was arguably as dominant as the burly Little and Alford, often forming an impenetrable front.

He makes up for his lean build with long arms and quickness, providing a difficult target for larger linemen to contain.

He’s joined on the line by an eight-player rotation featuring Schaumleffel, senior Logan Jordan (6-0, 201) and Burkhart, along with backups Atkinson, Polk, Spiker and Meek.

Buttermore credited assistant coach Jeremy Cameron for helping the line develop.

“(Nolder) is as good as anyone we’ve had on that side,” Buttermore said. “Grant has lifted his butt off for four years and he’s 187 pounds, but he’s got a chance of direction and a burst unlike anybody we’ve had in the front four.”

The linebackers return Hanby as a starter, but the others are new in senior Christian Nezbeth (5-9, 191) and Burkhart; juniors Bryce Farmer (5-8, 176) and Cody Collins (5-6, 190) and sophomore Nathan Lawler (6-2, 173) will also compete for time. Collins also will chip in at running back.

The secondary returns two starters in Gaiters at safety and Lawler at cornerback, while Slaboden fills the other corner and Hittle the other safety.

McLoughlin, junior Tanner Bryan (5-7, 147) and sophomore Caleb Craig (5-8, 155) are the backup safeties, with Newsom, sophomore Chase Dinan (5-9, 146), Goss and Dow Cameron providing depth at corner.

Gaiters also returns to punt and Dinan to place kick after a successful summer camp circuit that saw him travel to Michigan State and Notre Dame. Gaiters averaged 32.1 yards per punt last season.

The seniors have no interest in relinquishing their stronghold on the Muskingum Valley League. The school has won four straight crowns.

Early results are good if a 27-0 scrimmage demolition of Granville last Friday is any indication.

“I feel like it’s our class’ turn,” Atkinson said. “We’ve been ready for it. We’ve been together since we were kids waiting for it and now it’s here.”

sblackburn@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR