Swender Takes Over At Whitko
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
Gone from the Wildcat program is long-time head coach Bryan Sprunger, who stepped down after last season's team went 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the Three Rivers Conference.[[In-content Ad]]Sprunger was the head man at Whitko for a quarter century, leading the Wildcats to their only sectional championship in 1986, the year they went on to win the state championship.
"There's not going to be a lot of changes, but we're going to try some different looks on offense," said Swender, who has been the team's defensive coordinator the past five years. "We're going to be a little more of a multi-look offense. Football is still a game where you've got to run the ball, but we're going to try and open it up a little bit."
Swender has been involved in the Whitko program for 26 years, the last 10 of which have been at the high school.
Swender said though he is now the head coach, he will remain on the defensive side of the ball, and that Whitko graduate Trent Long will be the offensive coordinator.
"I thought with the changes I'd stay on the defensive side," said Swender.
Joey Busz will serve as the special teams coordinator.
The Wildcats open the season tonight in Syracuse against the Wawasee Warriors at 7:30 p.m.
"This is a busy time for all of us," said Swender. "We've had a very busy summer. That's the thing about high school football, before you know it, it's here. Wawasee is always good competition, it's a larger school. We're going to have our work cut out for us."
The Wildcats are looking for their first win over Wawasee since 2001 when they beat the Warriors 8-7 in double overtime.
With a first-year head coach, albeit someone very familiar with the program, Whitko is in search of its first winning season since posting a 7-5 mark in 2003 when the Wildcats lost in the sectional championship game to Norwell.
"We want to be competitive, and do the right things on offense, defense and special teams," said Swender. "We're trying to get better every day."
After tonight's season-opening game at Wawasee, the Wildcats play their home opener next Friday against Leo.
On Sept. 5, the Wildcats open Three Rivers Conference play by hosting Southwood.
Swender said the Wildcats have 49 players on the roster in grades 10-12, and that there are 27 players in the freshmen class.
"We have a good group of seniors," said Swender. "They're good leaders, and they've done a good job of pulling people in."
Whitko returns five starters on offense - guards Paul Bouse and Ryan Fultz, tight end James Stoddard, quarterback Gabe Starkey and running back Ryan Bumbaugh.
"We've got some holes to fill," said Swender. "But that's going to open the door for some kids to step up."
Defensively, the Wildcats return starters Justin Roatcap, Drake Brainard, Bouse and Stoddard to the line, while inside linebacker Adam Jarrell returns as the team's leading tackler and Cort Walter returns at cornerback.
Walter also got time last year as a wide receiver.
Gone from the Wildcat program is long-time head coach Bryan Sprunger, who stepped down after last season's team went 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the Three Rivers Conference.[[In-content Ad]]Sprunger was the head man at Whitko for a quarter century, leading the Wildcats to their only sectional championship in 1986, the year they went on to win the state championship.
"There's not going to be a lot of changes, but we're going to try some different looks on offense," said Swender, who has been the team's defensive coordinator the past five years. "We're going to be a little more of a multi-look offense. Football is still a game where you've got to run the ball, but we're going to try and open it up a little bit."
Swender has been involved in the Whitko program for 26 years, the last 10 of which have been at the high school.
Swender said though he is now the head coach, he will remain on the defensive side of the ball, and that Whitko graduate Trent Long will be the offensive coordinator.
"I thought with the changes I'd stay on the defensive side," said Swender.
Joey Busz will serve as the special teams coordinator.
The Wildcats open the season tonight in Syracuse against the Wawasee Warriors at 7:30 p.m.
"This is a busy time for all of us," said Swender. "We've had a very busy summer. That's the thing about high school football, before you know it, it's here. Wawasee is always good competition, it's a larger school. We're going to have our work cut out for us."
The Wildcats are looking for their first win over Wawasee since 2001 when they beat the Warriors 8-7 in double overtime.
With a first-year head coach, albeit someone very familiar with the program, Whitko is in search of its first winning season since posting a 7-5 mark in 2003 when the Wildcats lost in the sectional championship game to Norwell.
"We want to be competitive, and do the right things on offense, defense and special teams," said Swender. "We're trying to get better every day."
After tonight's season-opening game at Wawasee, the Wildcats play their home opener next Friday against Leo.
On Sept. 5, the Wildcats open Three Rivers Conference play by hosting Southwood.
Swender said the Wildcats have 49 players on the roster in grades 10-12, and that there are 27 players in the freshmen class.
"We have a good group of seniors," said Swender. "They're good leaders, and they've done a good job of pulling people in."
Whitko returns five starters on offense - guards Paul Bouse and Ryan Fultz, tight end James Stoddard, quarterback Gabe Starkey and running back Ryan Bumbaugh.
"We've got some holes to fill," said Swender. "But that's going to open the door for some kids to step up."
Defensively, the Wildcats return starters Justin Roatcap, Drake Brainard, Bouse and Stoddard to the line, while inside linebacker Adam Jarrell returns as the team's leading tackler and Cort Walter returns at cornerback.
Walter also got time last year as a wide receiver.
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