I am the Program Director at 1410 WING ESPN Radio in Dayton, Ohio...also host of Dayton Sports Scene weekdays at 5p! Find me on Twitter @ESPNMark!
GWOC North preview
by Mark Neal,posted Aug 15 2012 11:41AM
High School football season on 1410 ESPN Radio will begin Friday Augsut 24th as the Fairmont Firebirds take on the Alter Knights. This will mark the 2nd season of GWOC Football on 1410 ESPN Radio. We will get you ready with our GWOC Coaches Show Sunday August 19th at 6p. Eric Frantz and I will talk to all 18 Head Coaches as well as GWOC Commish Eric Spahr.
This is the 1st of my 3 part GWOC division previews...today is the GWOC North
1. Trotwood-Madison Rams: The Rams finished 2011 undefeated, fielding one of the best HS Football teams I had ever seen. Talent on both sides of the football, and enough good things along the way to win a D-II state title. Coach Mo Douglass returns talent everywhere...enough for a back to back state title. Thousand yard backs Israel Green and Ashton Jackson are the engine of this offense, and could both top 1000 yards again. The defense is led by OSU commit Cameron Burrows at Safety and Michigan Commit Mike McCray at LB. Look for the Rams to be in Stark County in December.
2. Troy Trojans: The Trojans ended 2012 8-3 after a 1st round loss in the D-1 playoffs, but 2012 will begin a new era for the North Dayton powerhouse. 1st year Head Coach Scott Brewer replaces longtime Head Coach Steve Nolan after 28 years of service. Brewer must find a way to replace 9 all-GWOC performers in 2011, including their QB Cody May and top 2 rushers, Marcus Foster and Isaiah Williams. Look for a 6-7 win season for Troy in 2012.
3. Piqua Indians: Piqua must also spend time replacing lost talent. 10 All-GWOC North performers have graduated and holes must be filled. Longtime Head Choach of the Indians Scott Neis is up to the challenge. Neis will bring a young team into 2012 with only DE Solomon Carnes returning with all conference honors. Expect another near .500 season for the Indians in 2012.
4. Vandalia-Butler Aviators: Talk about heavy losses. The Aviators watched their starting QB, top receiver, and 4 leading rushers graduate and all must be replaced. Oh yeah, Butler must also replace star OT Taylor Decker who might be starting on Saturdays this fall for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Another star OL, Miles Eaton, is now playing in Muncie for Ball State, another big loss to the offense. A tough schedule, combined with a young squad, means 2012 could be interesting for the Aviators. 4-5 wins should be about right.
5. Greeenville Green Wave: The Wave is welcomed full-time to the GWOC in 2012. They went 5-5 a season ago with win over Columbus' Bishop Watterson being the most notable. The game in, game out nature of the GWOC will be the biggest adjustment for Greenville. A schedule that begins @ Eaton, vs Tipp, then vs Lebanon will let us know right away what Greenville is made of in 2012. Welcome to the GWOC! 3-4 wins makes sense for 2012.
Sidney Yellow Jackets: What can you say...0-10 in 2012, and it got worse as the season rolled along. The Jackets defense surrendered 64, 75, 48, and 53 points in the final 4 games of 2011...hopefully something can change this season. One brightside for Sidney, starting QB Kaleb Dotson and leading rusher Kyle Dembski return to add some stability to 2012. Im pulling for at least 1 Sindey win in 2012, with their best chances probably coming week 1 and week 2 of the season as they play St. Mary's and Bellefontaine..
