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Wildcats Continued from Page 41 will once again feature a talented offensive unit. Stickles has high expectations for his offensive unit. “I have high expectations all the time,” he said. “I want to hold them to a high standard to get the best out of them. Offensively, we have had a lot of success running and passing. We want to be the type of team that will take what the other teams gives week to week. It will depend on who we play to see if we are going to be a primarily passing or running team. I think we have the horses to be able to do that. We have the talent that will help us become well balanced and to adapt to whatever team is coming to town or who we are going to face that week.” Marcus is the latest dual threat to play quarterback in the last dozen years. Last year, Marcus (5-8, 165) threw for 1,345 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and he also ran for 633 yards and 10 touchdowns on 132 carries. “He’s the type of kid coaches dream about having around,” Stickles said. “I am blessed to have the opportunity to coach him. He does everything right. He brings a lot of excitement to the team. He brings a lot of laughter. He is a laid back kind of cat. “When the time comes, he knows to stay focused on what is imprortant and the task at hand. He can throw the football. He can pass the football. He is one of smartest football players I have been around. He is a good knowledge of the game. It is exciting as a coach to have a confident kid like him. He is always positive. He is a leader. He makes the right decision. He is going to handle the football on everysingle play.” Junior Collin Skeeles (5-9, 160) will backup Marcus. Skeeles is more of a pocket passer than Marcus. Sophomore Nick Glenn (5-6, 135) and freshman Dominic Rogers (5-11, 175) are young players who are developing at the position. Edison has a lot of pair of talented running backs in the last two seasons — Shane O’Brien (2011 grad) and Graziani. This year’s group is led by Pasek (5-9, 160) and Shannon (5-10, 180). “I think we will be OK,” Stickles said. “Josh Pasek is our speed runner.
He will get out and run on the perimeter. Ethan Shannon will be our between the tackles runner. He is a hard runner. Josh has really blossomed. We think he is going to have a positive season running the ball. Ethan Shannon is going to get the brunt of our carries. Jevin Leggett will sometimes be in the backfield with him, and sometime he will be by himself. Ethan runs hard. He never stops moving his feet, and that is important. He is willing to do the extra things that will make himself better.” Leggett (5-9, 200) will be the team’s primary fullback, and he will also get opportunities to carry the pigskin. Glenn could also see time at the position. When it comes to the running back position, Stickles, who was a standout running back at Oak Glen and at West Liberty, knows what he is talking about. “It takes lot of dedication, hard work and the next aspect is you have to watch film,” Stickles said about what it takes to excel in the backfield. “It is important to know your opponents weaknesses are and to know what to do when things don’t go as they are supposed to go. After that, you have to be an intelligent player who understands the game. You have to have that toughness that you are the badder made when you meet in the hole. That is what wins the battle. You have to have that attitude as a running back. You can’t be afraid of contact.” Stickles has spent a lot in practice working with the running backs. “We’ve had a few coaching changes,” Stickles said. “I hired a coaching staff that would fill all of the positions, so I would be able to kind of wander around and evaluate everything that is going on. I’m primarily working with the running backs right now. I am spending a lot of time with the running backs, developing them as athletes. It is my comfort zone. “I have coached the offensive line. I loved coaching the linemen. I felt like I had more control of the offense. I loved coaching there, but running backs are my comfort zone. I feel like we have an excellent group of kids. I See WILDCATS Page 98
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