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Good Luck All Area Teams!
Bruins Continued from Page 35 selves. Last year was rough all around. I think our expectations are really simply stated: we are pushing for the playoffs.” Twenty-seven letter winners are back to help Blumette in his push for the post-season. “Last year, we opened up the competition for a lot of positions and our younger kids seized the opportunity,” the Bruin coach said. “We were very happy with how they played even though they made youthful mistakes. We know that will serve us well in the long run. “It has shown during the summer. The kids that took their lumps last year have developed into leaders and guys we are happy to have back as part of this program.” Running back Justin Loughrie is one of the young players who seized his opportunity in 2012. As a freshman, he led Brooke in rushing, going for more than 400 yards and scoring five times. Against Parkersburg South, Loughrie toted the pigskin 20 times for 155 stripes. Joining him in the Brooke backfield is senior Nick Ossman, a transfer from Madonna. A season ago, Ossman compiled 11 rushing touchdowns as the Blue Dons reached the state Class A championship game. “Loughrie stepped in last year and did a great job for us,” Blumette noted. “He was our leading rusher. Ossman adds a new dimension to our backfield. He is a little more physical than Justin.” Junior Aaron Walker will direct Blumette’s pistol spread attack. He saw action last year when veteran quarterback Alec Buchmelter went down with an injury. “Losing a leader like Alec is hard to overcome,” Blumette admitted. “Fortunately or unfortunately, Alec took some bumps last year and Aaron stepped in against Weir and Parkersburg South and did a nice job for us. “We worked closely with him during the offseason and he had a real good showing in a couple of the seven on seven scrimmages this summer. He’s developed into a team leader and the guys are rallying around him. He has a different kind of skill set than Alec, who was a
capable runner with a bigger arm. Aaron is more of a sprint out guy, a play action passer and he may be a little more dynamic as a runner. We plan to use him to the fullest extent.” Sophomore Chad Harper and senior Ethan Sole will serve as Walker’s backups. Senior Nigel Bowland and junior Ryan Parrish are the top candidates at fullback. The Brooke wide receiver cupboard is well-stocked with three returnees. Leading the way is sophomore Thomas Cole (6-5, 220) who grabbed more than 20 passes as a freshman. Senior Heath Hildreth (17 catches) is back as is junior Nick DeStefano, who had four receptions in last year’s Big Red game. Sophomore Matt Lazear, senior Aquil Dameron and junior Kyle Bowman also are competing for time. “Cole had a great season for us last year and did a great job in basketball,” Blumette said. “We’ve watched him grow and get better. Hildreth can do everything for us. He’s definitely our smartest wideout. We have other guys that saw time last year and they have developed to the point where they can push to be starters during any given week.” Blumette pointed to Brooke’s skilled positions (wide receivers and backs) as being a “position of strength” for this 2013 club. Senior Joey Staffileno returns at tight end (he had double-digit catches a season ago). “He has tremendous hands and deceiving speed,” Blumette said of Staffileno, who stands 6-4. “He is very physical and is going to be a huge component in our passing game and also will be significant in making our running game work.” Backing up Staffileno is sophomore Nathan Green, who goes 6-5. “With Staffileno, Green and Cole, we can go 6-4, 6-5 and 6-5 and we are going to create matchup problems for the defense,” Blumette noted. “I like that.” Two starters (senior Preston Wise and junior Justin Elliott) See BRUINS Page 37
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