PIQUA DAILY CALL • WWW.DAILYCALL.COM
BRADFORD
Thursday, August 23, 2012
7C
ANTHONY WEBER/OCM FILE PHOTO
Shane Gill makes a tackle against Bethel last season. Gill is one of 10 seniors on the Bradford roster this season.
Roaders have motivation, commitment Will be led by 10 seniors BY COLIN FOSTER Ohio Community Media BRADFORD — One thing Bradford football coach Curtis Enis always tells his team is to approach the game of football with “motivation, effort and commitment.” This particular group of seniors has done is exactly that. “They have passion and love for the game,” Enis said. “They enjoy the game of football. That makes it easier as a coach when you have a group that loves coming out and getting after it. It has been a blessing to be able to coach these guys.” There are 10 seniors returning for a Bradford team that has gone 10-10 over the last two seasons under Enis’ watch. Enis is in his third year as head coach of the Railroaders, fourth at the school. The road through the Cross County Conference won’t be easy for the Railroaders — espe-
cially with the loss of several skill position players on offense. Bradford’s top running back graduated in Jonathan Barbee — who piled up 1,034 yards on the ground and scored nine touchdowns last season. The Railroaders, however, have senior James Canan returning to the lineup. Canan led the team in rushing touchdowns (13) and was also quarterback Brandon Wysong’s top target in the air, as the pair hooked up for 403 yards and nine touchdowns. Wysong — a starter at quarterback since a freshman — is also back this season. “We lost five or six seniors from last year,” Enis said. “Jonathan did a lot of good things for us. But we have four or five backs now who have been eagerly waiting for their opportunities. That’s pretty exciting. “But it’s also just as important to have a good offensive line. I really like how hard the guys on the line have been competing. You can’t do anything on offense without having a
2012 BRADFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 * denotes
H/A Opponent H Ansonia H Bethel* A National Trail* H Covington* A Ansonia* H Tri-County North* A Arcanum* A Miami East* H Mississinawa* A Twin Valley South* CCC game
good O-line.” Senior Corey Rench has the next most experience among the leading candidates to fill the No. 2 back spot. As a junior, Rench ranked third on the team in rushing attempts (59), going for 431 yards on the ground, while scoring three times. Also back is Jacob Cline, who had two touchdowns in 2011. The two backs combined to average just over 10 carries a game. On the Bradford roster, there are seven players listed as
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running backs. But the competition at Bradford’s camp has been fierce and action-packed, and several positions are still up for grabs — which is something Enis likes to see. Even the junior quarterback Wysong is being pushed. As quarterback No. 1 during his sophomore year, Wysong completed 38 out of 87 passes for 792 yards. He threw 12 touchdown passes compared to six interceptions.
“It’s really too early to determine (who will be at QB),” Enis said. “We have a sophomore, Cody Robinson, who has impressed. But at the same time, Brandon has really made improvements. “Brandon is a good kid. He’s a good student-athlete. He’s the typical quarterback you want running your system.” On the defensive side of the ball, Enis made it clear the Roaders will be in attack-mode constantly. In terms of personnel, nine out of 10 seniors are slotted as defensive players — including Dallas Cassel (defensive line), Rench (defensive back), Shane Gill (linebacker), Luke Hafer (linebacker), Canan (defensive end), Josh Hoelscher (defensive end), Steven Gayhart (defensive line) and Brandon Wirrig (defensive back), who also had two TD catches at tight end last season. The only senior not going both ways is offensive lineman Tony Gunter. “I think we’ve got a lot of good guys out there (on defense),” Enis said. “We’re
going to have an attacking style of defense. We want to make sure we are always aggressive. “As the old saying goes, our defense may bend, but we don’t want it to break.” As practice has worn on and the preseason games have been played, the Bradford coach has been impressed with what his team has displayed. Not just one person in particular — but the whole team, which is surely a good sign heading into the season. “They have all impressed,” Enis said. “The kids have really come to compete. They have really come together as a team. Our preseason hasn’t been too bad. We got a lot of new competition out there, which is bright to see. “We have had to move some kids around from different positions. But right now, we are just focusing on finding out what works. We are focusing on being 100-percent committed to giving our best effort.” The Railroaders host the Ansonia Tigers at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Roaders look to have fun
Thompson Lines Up Putt
Hocker back as spiker coach
ROB KISER/CALL FILE PHOTO
Miami East golfer Macaleh Thompson lines up a putt at the Lady Bucc/Eagle Invitational. For more on the Vikings, see page 12C.
Jamie Hocker returns as Bradford volleyball coach. Graduating off last year’s team were Alisha Paty, Brooke Floyd, Krista Floyd, Megan Pullins, Courtner Miller, Katie Miller and Sarah Leone. Returning letterwinners included seniors Blake Brewer and Megan Hunt; and juniors Haley Patty, Bree Bates and Michayla Barga. “This year I am focusing on getting the girls to work and talk as a team,” Hocker said. “Focus on the little fundamentals and hopefully everything will fall into place. Our goals are to work hard, play hard and have fun while doing it.”