Loudonville football looks to build off last year

The Loudonville football team is not resting on its laurels of a year ago, which saw the Redbirds go 7-5 overall and reach the second round of the Division VI playoffs.

Loudonville coach John Battaglia said his team will continue to work hard.

“Last year we hadn’t had a winning season in a long time,” he said. “I think 2014 was the last time we had a winning season, and the seniors last year were super hungry. They did a really good job of keeping the rest of the team accountable. We had a bunch of selfless guys who would do whatever it took to win.

“Right now I don’t see that much hunger from the seniors, but I think we can get there though. I think they have it in them, but they haven’t been as hands-on in terms of leadership and setting the tone, not only with their words but with their actions.”

Battaglia said the Redbirds will run a spread offense, evenly utilizing the run and pass.

“Out of the skill positions, Baylor Weiser (senior, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds) kind of did it all for us last year, played some running back, receiver and was our backup quarterback, so he’s going to stay in that role and be a little bit more featured,” Battaglia said. “Matt Sprang (senior, 6-1, 190) was our starting quarterback, so it’s his third year starting. I think he scored maybe 29 or 30 touchdowns last year and had right around 3,000 yards of offense, so we’re looking for him to have another big year.”

Seniors Dakota Berry (6 foot, 190, fullback) and Kiefer Rhodes (5-10, 150, wide receiver) and junior Dilan Wade (5-9, 170, tight end) give the Redbirds some depth on offense.

One area of concern is the offensive line, where Battaglia must find three players to replace three seniors who graduated.

“We’re trying to find three players there, and I think we have a chance to be pretty good, but we’re going to have to replace some guys who don’t have a lot of experience,” Battaglia said. “We’ve got just under 40 guys, so we’re a little bit thin at some positions.”

Battaglia said the Redbirds will run a 3-3 stack on defense.

“I’ve got two pretty good linemen coming back with Trevor Breneman (6-0, 230 pounds) and Zane Rossey (6-0, 215) both going to be seniors, so we’re looking for both of those guys to have big years,” Battaglia said. “We have Cam Beachy (senior, 5-8, 145), who was a really good defensive back for us last year, a really tough, physical guy who’s fun to watch play. And he was pretty explosive when he got the ball on offense too.”

A year ago the Redbirds went 4-3 for a third-place finish in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference. Battaglia would like to improve that mark, although he knows it will be challenging.

“I love playing in the KMAC,” he said. “They’re always physical games — obviously, similar schools that have tough, kind of blue-collar kids playing football. I think it’s kind of wide open. Centerburg and Danville were No. 1 and No. 2 last year, and I think they’ll still be pretty good. I think Northmor will finish in the middle of the pack, but they return a lot of guys.

“It’s kind of wide open every year, and I think there’ll be a ton of close games, so you’ve got to have your guys walk in on a week-in, week-out basis. You can’t take a week off.”

Loudonville will host Mapleton in nonconference play to open the season on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.