Cavs piecing things together as inexperience looms

CHILLICOTHE – After sneaking into the Division III state playoffs in 2015, the Chillicothe Cavaliers ended their season with a loud thud.

In a 56-7 loss to Columbus DeSales, the Cavaliers gained just 173 total yards of offense compared to the Stallions’ 331 — 302 of which came on the ground. To make matters worse, the Cavaliers were forced to say goodbye to a class of 17 experienced seniors.

But that’s not stopping this year’s team from setting high goals with every intention to meet them.

“We lost to three teams last season, and their combined record was 28-2,” Chillicothe coach Ron Hinton said. “All three of those teams lost in the regional finals. Our goal coming into this season is to win these close games and get to that next level. Our kids have worked hard, and this is probably the best offseason we’ve had in our seven years here.”

While hard work produces many positives, it cannot make up for inexperience, something Chillicothe has an abundance of.

“We do have a lot of inexperience,” Hinton said. “For instance, you look at Johnstown-Monroe, who we play in Week 1. They have 10 of 11 starters coming back on offense and eight or nine on defense.

“With the program that they have, they don’t rebuild; they reload. Jackson, our Week 2 opponent, is the same way. When you look at our team, offensively, we technically don’t have any returning starters.”

Under center will be junior Branden Maughmer (6-foot-2, 160 pounds), who played sparingly at the beginning of 2015 before taking the full-time job when Jack Busch went down with injuries.

In the time he spent at the position, Maughmer threw for 183 yards, rushed for 124 and was responsible for five touchdowns. Hinton expects him to be much improved in his junior campaign.

“We’re expecting big things of Branden,” he said. “He’s the first running quarterback that we’ve had, so we really have another running back in our backfield. He’s the one that can break that big play. He can do things with his feet, has great vision and can throw the ball well. He has all the tools to be great.”

With Maughmer directing traffic in a spread offense, one-back set, junior Connor Mathis (5-10, 185) and Seth Barnes (6-3, 190) will line up at running back while Khaleel Danzy (5-7, 140), Landen Arledge (5-11, 165), Simon Roderick (6-4, 183), Will Roderick (6-2, 180) and Jordan Johnson (5-9, 173) line up on the edges. Junior Jason Benson (6-4, 180) also will receive targets at the tight end position.

Making the machine run well are four offensive linemen who weigh in at an average of 216 pounds. That group includes senior Marcus Craddock (6-foot, 265), Nick Conrad (6-1, 205), Justin Leonard (6-1, 205), Nick Erlsan (5-11, 190). Seniors Zane Compston (6-foot, 210), Cody Leasure (6-1, 250) and Malachi Reissig (5-10, 180) also will see time up front.

Seniors Tre Brown (6-1, 202) and Patrick Corbin (5-11, 165) will be valuable pieces as well.

“Again, we’re fresh and we’re new,” Hinton said. “But we think we have a lot of skill. We think the two Roderick brothers are pretty athletic and (Danzy) is going to add a certain bit of spice to us. Jordan Johnson has been growing steadily. Then (Brown) and (Corbin) have played well in the past two scrimmages, so their playing time will go up from here.”

The defense returns after a year where Chillicothe allowed an average of 20.4 points per game and 263 yards per contest — 185.3 on the ground and 77.7 through the air.

In the trenches will be a mix of Compston, Simon Roderick, Leonard, junior Zach Bryans (6-2, 280) and senior Sam Eblin (5-10, 285).

Playing the linebacker spots is Mathis, Reissig and Barnes. Barnes will be the leader of the group after making 80 tackles, seven for a loss, during his junior season.

Attempting to continue to shut down the opponent’s passing game is a combination of Danzy, Will Roderick, Benson, Johnson and Arledge. Danzy was the stud of the group last year after picking off seven passes, breaking up another seven targets and recording 43 tackles.

“We’re trying to find out how to get the production we had last season,” Hinton said. “We have Zane Compston up there at tackle and Simon Roderick back at one of our ends. Then we’ve been working on getting the right combo with them. Having two returning linebackers and half of our secondary back is a huge plus for us. We’re piecing and finding our way through.”

If everything comes together for Chillicothe, a third trip to the state playoffs in the past four years (2013, 2015) could be the grand prize.

If that happens, the 2016 graduating class would be the first to qualify for the postseason three times and only the second to do so in back-to-back years.

“No senior class has ever done something like that,” Hinton said. “The program has evolved the way it should have. This senior class has a chance to do some very special things. We have some pretty significant goals, and we should be able to obtain those.”

The Cavaliers will start their season at home Friday against Johnstown-Monroe.

2016 Chillicothe Football Schedule

Aug. 26: vs. Johnstown-Monroe

Sept. 2: vs. Jackson

Sept. 9: at Teays Valley

Sept. 16: at East Clinton

Sept. 23: vs. Miami Trace

Sept. 30: at Hillsboro

Oct. 7: at McClain

Oct. 14: vs. Clinton Massie

Oct. 21: vs. Washington Court House

Oct. 28: at Wilmington

Senior Spotlight: Seth Barnes

•Favorite NFL Player: Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks

•Favorite Food: Ice Cream

•Favorite Song: Crooked Smile by J. Cole

•Favorite School Subject: History

•Favorite Coach: Coach Jeff Arndt

Last Year’s Breakdown:

•Record: 7-4 (6-1 SCOL)

•Points Per Game: 30.9

•Points Allowed Per Game: 20.4

•Point Differential: +10.5

CHILLICOTHE CAVALIERS

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