Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Woodmore football program has made the state playoffs in each of the two seasons under the direction of third-year head coach Scott Stecher. Prior to that, the program hadn’t made the playoffs since 2001, and Stecher credits the culture for the turnaround.
“I’ve been very blessed to be here,” he said. “The previous years they had some difficulties and what they may have been, I don't know. The first year that I was here we had three seniors in that 5-4 season, and they were instrumental in starting to set a good example for the seniors that played this past year.
“We had eight good seniors last year, and they did an excellent job at buying into the program and teaching the younger kids, which has in turn been really good this year as far as the senior class coming out and providing good leadership.”
The Wildcats finished 7-4 overall last year, including a 4-3 SBC record, before falling to Seneca East in the playoffs. They do have several key players who graduated, though, highlighted by First Team All-Ohio running back Landon Rich, who finished seven yards shy of 2,000 yards.
“He had an incredible two years,” Stecher said. “The previous year he had 1,700. We miss him. We’re going to have to replace him in our system.”
Second Team All-SBC selections Michael Seeger (End), Bailey Jendrzejak (OL/DL) and Ryan Maynard (OG/DL) are also gone.
The good news is the Wildcats return five all-conference selections, including first team senior wide receiver/defensive back Wesley Kayser, who Stecher is really high on.
“Wesley is an excellent receiver and safety,” he said. “I think he’s truly a Division II prospect. He really is a special player. He's going to be a marked man.”
Senior second team selections Parker Angel (offensive tackle) and Keegan Strong (linebacker) are back, as is junior second team specialist Auden Hemminger, and senior honorable mention quarterback Calvin Lipstraw.
Junior honorable mention defensive back Robert Seeger is injured and out for the season, however.
“Our defensive coordinator Aaron Strong has things rolling,” Stecher said. “Our defense is going to be a little more sound due to this being year two in that system, and we have players back. Keegan is exceptionally smart at middle backer so he's keeping things in line over there and getting people in position.
“We need some kids to step up at corner because we lost two to graduation. Bobby Seeger would have been a junior after starting his first two years on both sides of the ball, but he dove back into first base and tore his shoulder during baseball season. That's a big hole.”
Lipstraw will be in his third year starting at quarterback. Protecting him on the line will be Angel, who is a three-year letterwinner. Strong will shift over to offensive tackle in addition to his linebacker duties. Seniors Connor Herrig (center) and Trevor Runkle (guard) are also back. Junior Graham Knepper will see time at guard.
“Offensive and defensive line are probably our two strongest points,” Stecher said. “We've got some players that have been in the system, and it's easier for them to assimilate into positions or other positions if we need them to be. We have to fill some positions on defense such as at corner and safety.”
Overall, between 12-14 starters return between full-time and part-time guys. That includes senior fullback Cole Potridge, sophomore running back Luke Caldwell and junior fullback Ish Nagy. Senior Adley Anstead returns at tight end, as well as junior receiver/defensive back Collin Perkins.
Stecher is excited about his roster size, which is up to just over 40 now.
“It’s exciting to have more kids come out,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie. I know that's kind of an old cliche, but this group of kids really enjoy being around each other. They really enjoy helping each other and coaching each other, and they take criticism. They're very coachable. We're just having fun.
“That enthusiasm, in turn, gets the coaches more enthused. Our potential is there. The ability to improve over last year and hopefully win a playoff game and go deeper in the playoffs is there.”
Stecher loves his team’s mindset.
“This is the third year in the system,” Stecher said. “Kids are starting to pick it up. They’re more consistent. Kids have been in the weight room. Overall, if we continue to play together as a team, we should be pretty good. Their goals weren’t thought of (here) 5-10 years ago, and that’s good. That’s part of their mantra this year. They believe in themselves. They’re setting goals, and they know that they're attainable if they work hard.”
Woodmore is also entering a new era with its stadium, as there are new bleachers and an irrigation system, the track has been resurfaced and there’s a new parking lot at the high school. There’s even a new facility for storage. They’ll celebrate those things at their home opener on Aug. 21.
