Warriors looking to revamp schemes, avenge 2014 finish

• After a disappointing 3-7 finish in 2014, Adena is looking to bounce back with a revamped defense.
• The defense will be led by senior Isaac Thomas, who led the team in tackles with 81 last year.
• The Warriors’ offense will go as senior Cale Free goes, a back who rushed for 757 yards in 2014.
• In total, Adena put up 22.5 PPG last season but allowed 29.5 — ranking 6th of 8 SVC teams.

FRANKFORT – The Adena Warriors aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel this season.

With an offense that has seen success through a heavy dose of the ground game for the last decade, head coach Paul Thomas feels comfortable continuing to feed his running backs the ball.

Having said that, scoring hasn’t been Adena’s problem as of late; stopping their opponents from finding the end zone is the issue.

“Last year, there were two or three games that we had 350 yards of offense in games that we lost,” Thomas said. “So, offensively, we were fairly satisfied with a lot of things. But we have definitely got to get better on defense.”

Manning the helm for the Warriors’ offense this season will be junior quarterback Jake Dawson. Dawson has served as the junior varsity signal caller for the past two years but has never taken a varsity snap.

“Jake is a good athlete and a hard-nosed player. We’re looking for good things from him.” Thomas said. “He’s more of a pocket-type (quarterback), but he’s not a slow kid either. So he can do some things that we’d like to do in the (passing game).”

Dawson’s ability to get to the edge and stretch the defense as well as run the pass option will be key to the Warriors’ attack.

As with any offense that relies on the run, Adena has a talented group of running backs to help Dawson carry the load.

Seniors Cale Free and Mike Dillon will be sharing touches with junior Hunter May.

Free is a proven commodity with more than 1,000 yards rushing as a sophomore and over 700 yards last year, in a season that was shortened due to injury. It will be interesting to see what he can do with a clean bill of health. Dillon and May will be sharing time at fullback, both of which Thomas described as “very capable” athletes.

When Adena decides to air it out, odds are utility man Isaac Thomas will be one of the primary targets.

Thomas will spend time at wide receiver, in the slot and in the backfield.

“He can be found anywhere at any time really,” Thomas said. “He had a lot of success last year both receiving and running the ball.”

Paving the way for the skill positions will be a talented, experienced offensive line.

Senior Kainnon Bryans will see his third year as a starter at the right tackle position while Wyatt Shanton protects Dawson’s backside. Thomas believes Shanton could be “the best tackle in the county” if he keeps working as hard as he has been.

Returning senior Seth Garrison will be the starting center while Bo Dratwa will also be returning to further strengthen the line.

“We may not be real deep on the offensive line,” Thomas said, “But we’re looking for big things from the guys we have.”

But as stated earlier, it’s the defense that needs to show improvement for Adena to better their 3-7 record from one year ago. A new game plan has been put in place to make sure that happens.

“We’ll be trying a little bit of a different scheme this year; a 3-5 defense,” Thomas said.

The depth of Thomas’ defensive line is something he is looking to capitalize on.

With only three linemen on the field at a time and a bevy of big men, the Warriors will be able to keep the trenches filled with fresh legs. Shanton and Bryans, alongside juniors Clay Schmitt, Bret Lane and Zac Sevy are expected to be leading the way in the line’s new fleet system.

Four players will rotate at the three interior linebacker positions in Dillon, Thomas, May and junior Josh Morgan. Thomas will be looking to retain his spot as the alpha dog of the four, after being the team’s tackle leader with 81 in 2014.

The two outside linebacker positions will also be filled by a rotating cast, consisting of three players — Free, Dawson, and sophomore JD Blevins.

The secondary will feature senior Tommy Preston and junior Kyle Brown at corner back with Hayden Henness patrolling deep. Junior Joey Kellough and freshman Chris Postage are also vying for time on the field.

“Positions will be fought over weekly,” Thomas said. “All positions.”

In the wake of a disappointing finish to the 2014 campaign, the Warriors have a clear vision of what worked for them as well as what didn’t.

In 2015, the blueprint is simple — keep pounding the ball on offense and improve fundamentals on defense.

Whether or not their defense has been successfully revamped will be the most important question in Adena’s locker room and a question that must be answered on the field of play.

The Warriors will start this year at Greenfield McClain before playing in front of their home crowd for the first time, Sept. 4 against Reading.

2015 Adena Football Schedule

Aug. 28: at McClain

Sept. 4: Reading

Sept. 11: at Wellston

Sept. 18: at Westfall

Sept. 25: at Piketon

Oct. 2: Huntington

Oct. 9: at Zane Trace

Oct. 16: Southeastern

Oct. 23: Paint Valley

Oct. 30: Unioto

Senior Spotlight: Cale Free

• Favorite NFL Player: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame Inductee

• Favorite Food: Steak

• Favorite Song: Deep Waters by Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar

• Favorite Teammate: “I love all of my teammates.”

• Favorite Coach: “Probably Coach (Brian) Grigsby but if we’re talking NFL, I’d have to say (New England Patriots head coach) Bill Belichick.”

Last Year’s Breakdown

• Record: 3-7 (2-5 SVC)

• Points Per Game: 22.5

• Points Allowed Per Game: 29.5

• Point Differential: -7.0