Titans looking to carry on tradition

   OTTAWA — Ottawa-Glandorf is without the services of 16 starters from last year’s Western Buckeye League championship team.
   However, O-G football coach Ken Schriner is hopeful some of his second-tier players will step up their efforts this fall to help fill the many voids.
   After O-G lost their first game of the 2007 season to Fostoria 21-20, they rolled to an overall record of 9-3, losing to Marion Pleasant 48-21 in the regional semifinals.
   Schriner said despite losing so many key players from last year’s squad, he feels there is enough experience returning that should give his team a chance to compete for the league title again.
   “We had a lot of guys with ‘Friday night experience,’” Schriner said. “The coaches did a nice job of making sure the kids got that experience.”
   O-G returns seven starters (five offense, two defense) from last year’s team.
   Schriner said the expectations of the O-G football program have gone up.
   “The expectations have changed,” Schriner said. “Ten years ago, we had to get the guys to ‘buy in’ to just winning. Now, we’re trying to get them to believe that they can take it even further.”
   One of the returners that should help ease the shock of the other losses is junior running back Logan Kaufman (6-foot, 200 pounds).
   Last season, Kaufman rushed for 1,469 yards on 210 carries (7 yards per carry) and had 15 touchdowns.
   Schriner said Kaufman will once again be the center of the offensive unit.
   “We’re going to run the football first,” Schriner said. “Logan had almost 1,500 yards … and he did not start the first four games. We look for Logan to have a big year.
   “But, we have to replace some people up front. If you count the tight end, we have three returners.”
   Two key linemen lost to graduation were A.J. Hohenbrink (WBL Offensive Lineman of the Year) and Jordan Conn (first team All-WBL).
   The O-G offense is also without second-team All-WBL quarterback Jake Meyer. Meyer threw for 1,613 yards last season (92 for 170) and had 21 touchdowns.
   Schriner said the battle to fill Meyer’s position has been an ongoing process this summer.
   “We have four guys battling for the quarterback position,” Schriner said. “They have all worked very hard this summer, trying to learn the offense.
   “But, until they get actual game experience, it’s tough to say who it will be.”
   Senior Jacob Moening (6-1, 165) is the leading returning receiver for the Titans. In 2007, Moening had 20 receptions for 330 yards and three TDs.
   The Titans will employ a pro-I offensive set. On defense, opposing offenses will see a variety of four and five fronts.
   Schriner said the race in the WBL could be an interesting one this fall.
   “You look at Shawnee and St. Marys … they are probably the top two in the league this year,” Schriner said. “But, there are a lot of teams that are improving.
   “You won’t see our league go 0-10 the first week of the season, like they did last year.”