Wapakoneta hopes experience will lead to improvement

WAPAKONETA - Coach Doug Zimmer enters his second season as head coach at Wapakoneta with what he hopes are realistic expectations following a disappointing 3-7 season in 2007.

"Our short-term goals are to take it day to day, hold on to the ball, and play mistake-free." Zimmer said. "Realistically, we want to show improvement and be competitive."

Those goals could be reached thanks to strong special teams and flexibility in line play on both sides of the ball.

The Redskins return 16 letterwinners to give them some experience come Friday nights.

"We hope that our kicking game will be able to give us good field position." Zimmer said.

Defensively the Redskins will employ a base-50 scheme with variations in an effort to be versatile.

Key defenders include 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior lineman John Madigan along with fellow seniors Jensen Webb, Garrett Lange, and Corey Bailey.

Offensively, the Redskins will operate out of the spread attack; either from a shotgun or from under center, depending on the opponent and gameplan.

Key offensive players include Madigan and seniors Jake Lambert and Matt Lawrence.

Other seniors who will need to step up for the Redskins to be competitive in the Western Buckeye League include Jimmy Bellman, Mitch Beemer, Jason Bartlett, Ryan Azbell, Dan Dripps, Josh Kelley, Brad Wurster and Kiel Hegemeir.

The Redskins are looking to improve on intangibles as the season progresses. Characteristics such as game experience, conditioning, attitude, confidence and composure will be top-of-mind as the season advances.

"We are looking forward to the season as we become a solid and cohesive group." Zimmer said. "Our seniors are providing quality leadership."

PLAYER TO WATCH 

John Madigan

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior will anchor the offensive and defensive line

Coach: Doug Zimmer

Years, record at school: Second year, 3-7

2007 record: 3-7 overall, 3-6 Western Buckeye League

Returning letterwinners: 16

Promising newcomers: Logan Erb, Royce Kantner, Justin Vorhees

Outlook: The Redskins will try to recover from last year's disappointing 3-7 record. Fourteen seniors will need to supply strong leadership in order to do that.