Blue Lions return numerous starters for playoff push
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
WASHINGTON C.H. — Returning eight players on offense and seven on defense, the Washington Blue Lions are set to be one of the biggest threats to knock the Clinton-Massie Falcons from the top of the South Central Ohio League.
The Blue Lions are the last team to defeat the Falcons during an SCOL game in 2007, but to reach that point once again, Washington will look to its senior class, with seven returning offensive players playing their final season.
Returning senior starters for the Blue Lions will be quarterback Collin Farmer (three-year starter), running back Ben Parks, wide receiver Cody Lindsey, tackle Jacob Parks, guard Winston Mickle, guard Paul Grynuk and tight end Patrick Wilson. Also returning to the starting lineup is junior fullback Riley Shaw.
Second year head coach Corey Dye (10th in program) likes what he has returning from a team that finished 6-4 overall, with three SCOL losses to Miami Trace, McClain and CM.
"Having so many players back on offense is very helpful," Dye said. "Last year we had a new system and it takes a while to adapt. This season, we will be able to do more with the system we have in place."
One part of the offense Dye is pleased to have returning is the offensive line.
"We have a lot of the same guys, we have others who can fill in roles, and we think they can do a really good job," the second-year head coach said. "We aren't going to be huge or oversized on the o-line, but we will be pretty quick."
Having a quick offensive line is a good thing for the Blue Lions as it will play well with the speed the rest of the offense possesses.
"We try to hit everything quick and fast as we can," Dye said. “Sure, we would like to have big guys on the o-line, but these types of players are rare."
The Blue Lions, who last made the playoffs in '07, learned multiple formations last season but were still in a learning process once the season ended. This year, however, Dye said things can be more complex, which allows them to add more plays to their game plan.
"The great thing about our offense is we can run about anything out of it. Last year, we just focused to get good at a few things; now we can add to it for a more balanced attack. We want to complete more passes than last year, and we must have a higher passing percentage."
Farmer, who will be entering his third year as Washington's starting QB, got his first start as a sophomore.
"His first season was tough and he took his lumps," Dye said about his QB. "Last year, being a junior, helped him prepare better, and he already has the learning curve out of the way. He was tremendous for us last season, and we are even looking for him to have a better season this year."
The backs this season are Parks and Shaw. Shaw is the fullback for the Blue Lions, standing at 6-3, 230 lbs., and Dye describes him as a great player to run behind.
"We are finding ways to get Riley the ball more, but he is just a good athlete. He was fourth in the state in wrestling," he said.
But the Blue Lions want to stay balanced on the offensive side of the ball.
"Last year, I thought we did a nice job of run-to-pass ratio. We mixed it up a lot, but again, we need to complete more passes. It will make our offense better and tougher to defend."
Having a defense returning seven players is another learning curve the Blue Lions won't have to worry about, especially with 6-3, 225 pound all-state linebacker Julian Wyatt returning for his senior season.
Shaw also returns at linebacker, along with Grynuk at nose guard, Jacob Parks at tackle, Ben Parks at cornerback, Lindsey at cornerback and senior Auther Chijevsky at outside linebacker.
"I want us to be quick, and we want a defense that gets after people," Dye said. "I want us to attack and play with aggressiveness."
One thing Dye said has helped his football program is the wrestling program coached by Luis Reed.
"He's done a great job with the wrestling program and as we know, wrestlers are tough and physical,” Dye said.
Using the aggressiveness players have gained while on the mat, the Blue Lions want to focus on their defensive motto of just getting after people.
"We change it up, but we use an even front defense. We can do different things out of that," Dye said.
Dye said during practices, his team focuses just as much on special teams as they would offense and defense.
"Special teams practice goes for about 45 minutes a day, sometimes an hour. We go through kicking, punting and snapping," Dye said. "Patrick Wilson is our three-year punter and he has a tremendous leg.
"For our kicking, we have a couple soccer players battling for the spot. We can't slack on special teams because the game is won and lost with field position. I handle the special teams practice and the kids take it more seriously."
Just like every other coach in the SCOL, Dye said the CM Falcons are the top team to beat in the league.
"Dan (McSurley) has done a great job of building a powerful program. He puts tough and competitive teams on the field," Dye said. "As for the league, last year we beat up on each other and we had teams that did really well, and with any league that is what you want."
The Blue Lions will have a total of 15 seniors on the team, and all have goals of overtaking the Falcons and reaching the playoffs.
"We want to go undefeated," Dye said. "We have to set the bar high, as we want to win the league and go to the playoffs."
Washington will kick off the 2010 football season on Friday, Aug. 27 with a game at Logan Elm.[[In-content Ad]]
The Blue Lions are the last team to defeat the Falcons during an SCOL game in 2007, but to reach that point once again, Washington will look to its senior class, with seven returning offensive players playing their final season.
Returning senior starters for the Blue Lions will be quarterback Collin Farmer (three-year starter), running back Ben Parks, wide receiver Cody Lindsey, tackle Jacob Parks, guard Winston Mickle, guard Paul Grynuk and tight end Patrick Wilson. Also returning to the starting lineup is junior fullback Riley Shaw.
Second year head coach Corey Dye (10th in program) likes what he has returning from a team that finished 6-4 overall, with three SCOL losses to Miami Trace, McClain and CM.
"Having so many players back on offense is very helpful," Dye said. "Last year we had a new system and it takes a while to adapt. This season, we will be able to do more with the system we have in place."
One part of the offense Dye is pleased to have returning is the offensive line.
"We have a lot of the same guys, we have others who can fill in roles, and we think they can do a really good job," the second-year head coach said. "We aren't going to be huge or oversized on the o-line, but we will be pretty quick."
Having a quick offensive line is a good thing for the Blue Lions as it will play well with the speed the rest of the offense possesses.
"We try to hit everything quick and fast as we can," Dye said. “Sure, we would like to have big guys on the o-line, but these types of players are rare."
The Blue Lions, who last made the playoffs in '07, learned multiple formations last season but were still in a learning process once the season ended. This year, however, Dye said things can be more complex, which allows them to add more plays to their game plan.
"The great thing about our offense is we can run about anything out of it. Last year, we just focused to get good at a few things; now we can add to it for a more balanced attack. We want to complete more passes than last year, and we must have a higher passing percentage."
Farmer, who will be entering his third year as Washington's starting QB, got his first start as a sophomore.
"His first season was tough and he took his lumps," Dye said about his QB. "Last year, being a junior, helped him prepare better, and he already has the learning curve out of the way. He was tremendous for us last season, and we are even looking for him to have a better season this year."
The backs this season are Parks and Shaw. Shaw is the fullback for the Blue Lions, standing at 6-3, 230 lbs., and Dye describes him as a great player to run behind.
"We are finding ways to get Riley the ball more, but he is just a good athlete. He was fourth in the state in wrestling," he said.
But the Blue Lions want to stay balanced on the offensive side of the ball.
"Last year, I thought we did a nice job of run-to-pass ratio. We mixed it up a lot, but again, we need to complete more passes. It will make our offense better and tougher to defend."
Having a defense returning seven players is another learning curve the Blue Lions won't have to worry about, especially with 6-3, 225 pound all-state linebacker Julian Wyatt returning for his senior season.
Shaw also returns at linebacker, along with Grynuk at nose guard, Jacob Parks at tackle, Ben Parks at cornerback, Lindsey at cornerback and senior Auther Chijevsky at outside linebacker.
"I want us to be quick, and we want a defense that gets after people," Dye said. "I want us to attack and play with aggressiveness."
One thing Dye said has helped his football program is the wrestling program coached by Luis Reed.
"He's done a great job with the wrestling program and as we know, wrestlers are tough and physical,” Dye said.
Using the aggressiveness players have gained while on the mat, the Blue Lions want to focus on their defensive motto of just getting after people.
"We change it up, but we use an even front defense. We can do different things out of that," Dye said.
Dye said during practices, his team focuses just as much on special teams as they would offense and defense.
"Special teams practice goes for about 45 minutes a day, sometimes an hour. We go through kicking, punting and snapping," Dye said. "Patrick Wilson is our three-year punter and he has a tremendous leg.
"For our kicking, we have a couple soccer players battling for the spot. We can't slack on special teams because the game is won and lost with field position. I handle the special teams practice and the kids take it more seriously."
Just like every other coach in the SCOL, Dye said the CM Falcons are the top team to beat in the league.
"Dan (McSurley) has done a great job of building a powerful program. He puts tough and competitive teams on the field," Dye said. "As for the league, last year we beat up on each other and we had teams that did really well, and with any league that is what you want."
The Blue Lions will have a total of 15 seniors on the team, and all have goals of overtaking the Falcons and reaching the playoffs.
"We want to go undefeated," Dye said. "We have to set the bar high, as we want to win the league and go to the playoffs."
Washington will kick off the 2010 football season on Friday, Aug. 27 with a game at Logan Elm.[[In-content Ad]]