Whitko Wants More Gridirion Success
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
That being said, Swender and his Wildcats probably can't wait until the 2011 campaign kicks off Friday with a 7:30 p.m. game at Wawasee.
"We played extremely well last year," said Swender, whose team won the Three Rivers Conference championship last fall for the first time in 20 years. "We got beat by a good Bremen team (in the sectional). Nobody thought it would end that soon. We're looking at this year and trying to continue where we had things going."
The Wildcats enter Friday's season opener fresh off an 8-2 campaign that featured a 7-0 mark in the TRC.
It was the first time since 1995 the team won at least eight games, and the outright TRC title was the first since 1990.
The Wildcats' magical season - and their seven-game win streak - came to halt with a 20-17 loss at Bremen in the first round of the sectional.
"We weren't ready for it to be over," Swender said of last season's success. "The kids have worked hard in the offseason, and we're going to try and build on the success we had last year."
Swender has plenty of talent returning from last season, as he pointed out his team's roster has 17 seniors back from a year ago.
Among those seniors is standout receiver Derek Snep, who led the team with 31 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns last year.
Only one player in the TRC – Northfield's Justin Parker (37-566) – had more catches or receiving yards than Snep.
"We're experienced up front, we've got offensive linemen coming back, and we've got Derek Snep and Alex Stoddard coming back," said Swender."
Stoddard, now a 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior, returns at quarterback after completing 52 of 95 passes last year for 797 yards and eight touchdowns.
"Alex Stoddard is back for his second year starting at quarterback," said Swender. "We have to replace a couple running backs in Dakoda Harmon and D.J. Fouce, but Alex Stoddard and Derek Snep are going to be a big part of our offense again. And our offensive line should be one of our stengths."
Defensively, Swender has to replace three linebackers, including Fouce, who earned first-team all-conference honors.
The Wildcats do return second-team all-conference linebacker Cody Bays, and Swender said Snep will play linebacker this year instead of cornerback.
Whitko's secondary will be anchored by Stoddard, a first-team all-conference selection a year ago.
"We've got some experience coming back on both sides of the ball," said Swender. "The kids worked hard in the offseason, and we're ready to get after it again."
Following Friday's game in Syracuse, the Wildcats will play at Whitley County rival Columbia City and then open TRC play at Southwood on Sept. 2.
On Sept. 10, Whitko will play conference foe Manchester in Muncie as all eight TRC teams will play at Week 4 games at Ball State University.
The game against Manchester will be followed by a Sept. 16 contest at Wabash.
According to their schedule, the Wildcats will not play a game in South Whitley unitl they host Northfield on Sept. 23.[[In-content Ad]]
That being said, Swender and his Wildcats probably can't wait until the 2011 campaign kicks off Friday with a 7:30 p.m. game at Wawasee.
"We played extremely well last year," said Swender, whose team won the Three Rivers Conference championship last fall for the first time in 20 years. "We got beat by a good Bremen team (in the sectional). Nobody thought it would end that soon. We're looking at this year and trying to continue where we had things going."
The Wildcats enter Friday's season opener fresh off an 8-2 campaign that featured a 7-0 mark in the TRC.
It was the first time since 1995 the team won at least eight games, and the outright TRC title was the first since 1990.
The Wildcats' magical season - and their seven-game win streak - came to halt with a 20-17 loss at Bremen in the first round of the sectional.
"We weren't ready for it to be over," Swender said of last season's success. "The kids have worked hard in the offseason, and we're going to try and build on the success we had last year."
Swender has plenty of talent returning from last season, as he pointed out his team's roster has 17 seniors back from a year ago.
Among those seniors is standout receiver Derek Snep, who led the team with 31 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns last year.
Only one player in the TRC – Northfield's Justin Parker (37-566) – had more catches or receiving yards than Snep.
"We're experienced up front, we've got offensive linemen coming back, and we've got Derek Snep and Alex Stoddard coming back," said Swender."
Stoddard, now a 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior, returns at quarterback after completing 52 of 95 passes last year for 797 yards and eight touchdowns.
"Alex Stoddard is back for his second year starting at quarterback," said Swender. "We have to replace a couple running backs in Dakoda Harmon and D.J. Fouce, but Alex Stoddard and Derek Snep are going to be a big part of our offense again. And our offensive line should be one of our stengths."
Defensively, Swender has to replace three linebackers, including Fouce, who earned first-team all-conference honors.
The Wildcats do return second-team all-conference linebacker Cody Bays, and Swender said Snep will play linebacker this year instead of cornerback.
Whitko's secondary will be anchored by Stoddard, a first-team all-conference selection a year ago.
"We've got some experience coming back on both sides of the ball," said Swender. "The kids worked hard in the offseason, and we're ready to get after it again."
Following Friday's game in Syracuse, the Wildcats will play at Whitley County rival Columbia City and then open TRC play at Southwood on Sept. 2.
On Sept. 10, Whitko will play conference foe Manchester in Muncie as all eight TRC teams will play at Week 4 games at Ball State University.
The game against Manchester will be followed by a Sept. 16 contest at Wabash.
According to their schedule, the Wildcats will not play a game in South Whitley unitl they host Northfield on Sept. 23.[[In-content Ad]]
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