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It’s the season local football fans have been waiting for the past two years.
Almost two years ago, a domino effect began that led to a whole new landscape in local conferences. Every league and school in The Press area is affected except Oak Harbor in the Sandusky Bay Conference.
Genoa, Eastwood, Lake, and Woodmore are joined by Rossford, Fostoria, Elmwood, and Otsego in the Northern Buckeye Conference.
Does that mean anything really changes for Genoa football coach Mike Vicars, whose teams won the last four Suburban Lakes League title before the conference folded at the end of the spring 2011 season?
“We really don't look back, we just try and move forward with what we have,” Vicars said. “This year we have a group of seniors that are trying to achieve the very best senior season like other seniors. They want the best legacy that they can leave.
“Having said that, I do believe our past success leaves clues to the kids is this is how to get it done. It breeds some confidence in our guys that we can do this. So when they get a little down or tired they remind themselves of the path that has been blazed for them. That is a strong responsibility for us all to try and match.
“When I think about Genoa tradition I think about a rich football program, and I'm not thinking about the last four years. Great coaches, teams, and competition. This goes all the way back to when I played at Liberty Center High School and we used to scrimmage Genoa. This year I think our fans that will see kids that play hard and have strong moral character. I think they will be more than just good football players. We have some fine young men on our football team that Genoa will be very proud of.
“I'm sure the target is huge, and I get asked about the winning streak a lot. We know that we are going to get everyone's best shot and our work ethic has to reflect that each day. It is our job as coaches to make sure we maintain a work ethic that gives us a best chance to be competitive. Someday the title streak and the winning streak will end. When that time comes we will respect those that got it done because we know in the process we are going to give our very best.
“You win with seniors, we really like our guys. They are good leaders, and have good character. They have been great teachers during camp and we really enjoy being around them. They go way beyond just being football players. I've been impressed with our work ethic and our game speed intensity so far. It is hard to get guys to play hard, but so far these guys are getting after it well. We have some nice looking young guys that are pushing the older guys as well. It is going to be interesting to see where it will all go. We always worry about injuries, so hopefully we can steer clear from those as well.”
In the pre-season coaches meeting hosted by Vicars in the Genoa school district board room, Genoa was picked to win the inaugural NBC season with five first place votes and 62 points.
“We bring three of our four running backfield guys back. We have an All-Ohioan in Kyle Nutter, Tyler Pickard, and return our quarterback Josh Bryer too which is nice. We have two linemen in Evan Wendt, and Nick Keller back, and return tight end Jared Adkins. I think we will continue to run the ball, but we are hoping to be more diverse in our passing game this year. We've been working hard at that,” Vicars continued.
“We have good speed on defense. We return three secondary guys who played a lot for us in Kyle Nutter, Brandon Roberts, and Andrew Nutter. Tyler Pickard returns at linebacker, Devin Sibby at defensive end, and Ricky Bierbaum at nose guard. We have a good mix of size and speed. So far we have been physical which is huge on defense. I liked their first outing against Archbold.”
Eastwood also scrimmaged Archbold and veteran coach Jerry Rutherford feels good about his team’s chances, too. The Eagles were picked to finish second with 48 points. Following the Comets and Eagles is Otsego (47), Lake (41), Woodmore (32), Fostoria (21), Rossford (19), and Fostoria (18). Woodmore, however, received two first place votes.
The league changes don’t stop with the NBC. As soon as the SLL folded, Gibsonburg went on a search and landed as the eighth member of the Toledo Area Athletic Conference, joining local schools Northwood and Cardinal Stritch.
Next in line was the formation of the Three Rivers Athletic Conference, which brought Clay, Whitmer, St. John’s Jesuit, St. Francis DeSales, and Central Catholic out of the City League. As one of the smallest members, if not the smallest, of a league that also includes Lima Senior, Findlay, and Fremont Ross, Clay will have its work cut out for itself, especially in football.
Last, but not least, and perhaps most interesting is what remains of the Toledo City Athletic League. Only six public schools are left, including Waite, which will lead to a championship every season by one of those schools. Previously, the Catholic schools and Whitmer dominated.
Press football previews are by sports editor J. Patrick Eaken and contributing writers Mark Griffin, Nathan Lowe, Yaneek Smith, and Simone H. Eli.
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