Tigers Look To Follow Up On Historically Successful Run
August 21, 2020 at 2:18 a.m.
Tigers Look To Follow Up On Historically Successful Run
By Chip Davenport-
However, this year the Tigers collectively are humble, and thankful to be playing high school football amid a global pandemic.
Head coach Bart Curtis (217-108 overall, 16-6 with Warsaw) enters his 36th year of coaching and 30th season as a head coach. He, his staff, the managers, and the players have religiously adhered to the necessary safeguards and protocols required to play football this year.
The 2020 Tiger defense loses its two leading tacklers but returning seniors Zach DeFord (linebacker) and Mason Martz (safety) contributed more than 110 tackles between them in 2019. The defensive line has height and muscle. Juniors Luke Anderson, Kyle Dawson, and sophomore Russ Winchester range from 6’3” to 6’5”. Each will be challenged to maintain a low pad level against their opposing offensive linemen. Senior Andres Adame will lead them toward the challenge. The 5’10” 175 lb. returning starter lost 85 pounds and increased his quickness in the off-season.
“Andreas Adame is looking very good and playing hard.” Curtis said.
Seniors Griffin Beliles and Jaheim Coleman, will rotate into the front four.
The linebacking corps includes DeFord and senior Zach Ransbottom along with juniors Aiden Binkerd, who added 20 lbs. of solid mass to his frame, and Lucas Wrenn. Zack Diecks, a sophomore who has 2019 post-season starting experience, and classmate German Flores-Ortega round out a group who will work together to spell each other while some of them recover from preseason injuries.
The defensive backfield is fortified with the experience of seniors Caden Silveus, now a three-year starter, and Luke Adamiec another three-year defensive starter. Both can play either corner or safety. Senior Jose Martinez, will also start at corner. Martz also returns at safety. Sophomore Jonney Burritt gets the other starting nod at safety. Additional defensive backs who are projected to get meaningful minutes are sophomores Nick Katris, Theo Katris, and Trey Koontz.
The Tigers brutally efficient 2019 offense has many slots to fill for 2020.
“We’ve got a long way to go. We lost six kids from last year; six seniors who truly operated as one unit.” Curtis said of his since-graduated offensive linemen.
This year’s collection of Wild Hogs is younger, bigger, but still looking for the athletes who will fill the vacancies left by those graduates comprised of three all-conference and one all-state selection.
Jacob Hawn, Dallas Anders, and Izak Leach are the three seniors among the group. Hawn moved over from the defensive end position in 2019. Additional competitors for a starting spot are juniors Michael Ramirez, Trace Stookey, Isaiah Courtois, Noah Chew, and sophomore Kyler Denney.
Curtis said, “By mid-season they’ll get it figured out. Out of those eight, five will emerge.”
The offensive backfield boasts the return of 2019 All-Conference selection Juan Jaramillo. He rushed for 1,567 yards and scored 18 touchdowns from the B-back position. When senior Colton Wampler spells him at B-back, Jaramillo will be moved to A-back (wing) creating an interesting option (no pun intended) for the Tiger offense. The Tigers graduated two speedy A-backs, one an all-state selection. Other contributors to the 2020 offensive backfield include seniors Patrick Zollinger, Silveus, Martz and junior Julius Jones, who had a breakout season spelling injured Tigers during his 2019 campaign.
Adamiec, a four-year offensive starter, and junior Dane Koontz will start at split end for the 2020 opener. Versatile junior Jackson Dawson (who can also play quarterback) and sophomore Jack Murrell will also see reps at end.
The quarterback for 2020 will be senior Aaron Greene, filling the shoes of another all-conference graduate. Greene was a utility player in 2019 at quarterback, split end and cornerback.
Wampler will handle the kick-off and punting duties on special teams, filling the big shoes left by a graduating All-American. Senior Andrew Drake will handle extra-point kicks.
“We only punted 15 times in twelve games. He’ll (Wampler) do fine. I hope we don’t have to find out that much.” Curtis said, referring to his offense tailored for staying on the field for fourth downs.
The Tigers missed out on several teambuilding opportunities due to the pandemic, including Dawn Patrol, numerous community service activities, and helping kids at the Baker Youth Club, so they’re still looking for senior leaders to emerge this season.
“It’s a class that is trying to forge its own identity. I think often times when you’re in a junior class on teams that have success when you’re a junior sometimes you come back instead of being used to being one of the guys, you need to be THE guys. We’ve got a few guys we’ve got to make THE guys when it comes to how they practice, how they work, how they take care of lockers, how they do everything.”
The Orange and Black’s first regular season test will be at 7 p.m. tonight, when they travel to Huntington North.
However, this year the Tigers collectively are humble, and thankful to be playing high school football amid a global pandemic.
Head coach Bart Curtis (217-108 overall, 16-6 with Warsaw) enters his 36th year of coaching and 30th season as a head coach. He, his staff, the managers, and the players have religiously adhered to the necessary safeguards and protocols required to play football this year.
The 2020 Tiger defense loses its two leading tacklers but returning seniors Zach DeFord (linebacker) and Mason Martz (safety) contributed more than 110 tackles between them in 2019. The defensive line has height and muscle. Juniors Luke Anderson, Kyle Dawson, and sophomore Russ Winchester range from 6’3” to 6’5”. Each will be challenged to maintain a low pad level against their opposing offensive linemen. Senior Andres Adame will lead them toward the challenge. The 5’10” 175 lb. returning starter lost 85 pounds and increased his quickness in the off-season.
“Andreas Adame is looking very good and playing hard.” Curtis said.
Seniors Griffin Beliles and Jaheim Coleman, will rotate into the front four.
The linebacking corps includes DeFord and senior Zach Ransbottom along with juniors Aiden Binkerd, who added 20 lbs. of solid mass to his frame, and Lucas Wrenn. Zack Diecks, a sophomore who has 2019 post-season starting experience, and classmate German Flores-Ortega round out a group who will work together to spell each other while some of them recover from preseason injuries.
The defensive backfield is fortified with the experience of seniors Caden Silveus, now a three-year starter, and Luke Adamiec another three-year defensive starter. Both can play either corner or safety. Senior Jose Martinez, will also start at corner. Martz also returns at safety. Sophomore Jonney Burritt gets the other starting nod at safety. Additional defensive backs who are projected to get meaningful minutes are sophomores Nick Katris, Theo Katris, and Trey Koontz.
The Tigers brutally efficient 2019 offense has many slots to fill for 2020.
“We’ve got a long way to go. We lost six kids from last year; six seniors who truly operated as one unit.” Curtis said of his since-graduated offensive linemen.
This year’s collection of Wild Hogs is younger, bigger, but still looking for the athletes who will fill the vacancies left by those graduates comprised of three all-conference and one all-state selection.
Jacob Hawn, Dallas Anders, and Izak Leach are the three seniors among the group. Hawn moved over from the defensive end position in 2019. Additional competitors for a starting spot are juniors Michael Ramirez, Trace Stookey, Isaiah Courtois, Noah Chew, and sophomore Kyler Denney.
Curtis said, “By mid-season they’ll get it figured out. Out of those eight, five will emerge.”
The offensive backfield boasts the return of 2019 All-Conference selection Juan Jaramillo. He rushed for 1,567 yards and scored 18 touchdowns from the B-back position. When senior Colton Wampler spells him at B-back, Jaramillo will be moved to A-back (wing) creating an interesting option (no pun intended) for the Tiger offense. The Tigers graduated two speedy A-backs, one an all-state selection. Other contributors to the 2020 offensive backfield include seniors Patrick Zollinger, Silveus, Martz and junior Julius Jones, who had a breakout season spelling injured Tigers during his 2019 campaign.
Adamiec, a four-year offensive starter, and junior Dane Koontz will start at split end for the 2020 opener. Versatile junior Jackson Dawson (who can also play quarterback) and sophomore Jack Murrell will also see reps at end.
The quarterback for 2020 will be senior Aaron Greene, filling the shoes of another all-conference graduate. Greene was a utility player in 2019 at quarterback, split end and cornerback.
Wampler will handle the kick-off and punting duties on special teams, filling the big shoes left by a graduating All-American. Senior Andrew Drake will handle extra-point kicks.
“We only punted 15 times in twelve games. He’ll (Wampler) do fine. I hope we don’t have to find out that much.” Curtis said, referring to his offense tailored for staying on the field for fourth downs.
The Tigers missed out on several teambuilding opportunities due to the pandemic, including Dawn Patrol, numerous community service activities, and helping kids at the Baker Youth Club, so they’re still looking for senior leaders to emerge this season.
“It’s a class that is trying to forge its own identity. I think often times when you’re in a junior class on teams that have success when you’re a junior sometimes you come back instead of being used to being one of the guys, you need to be THE guys. We’ve got a few guys we’ve got to make THE guys when it comes to how they practice, how they work, how they take care of lockers, how they do everything.”
The Orange and Black’s first regular season test will be at 7 p.m. tonight, when they travel to Huntington North.
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