'14 Football Preview: Western Brown Broncos
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Western Brown Broncos are coming off a season that many teams would love to have had: an undefeated regular season, a conference championship and a trip to the OHSAA Playoffs.
Looking ahead to the 2014 regular season for the Western Brown Broncos, one must look at the season of 2013 because of just how successful it was.
The Broncos, who were the Division III No. 6 ranked team by the Associated Press, finished 10-1 overall last season, including their Division III, Region 10 playoff loss to Thurgood Marshall by a 76-40 score.
The Broncos have finished with an overall winning record the past four seasons, with two 6-4 seasons in '10 and '11, followed by a '12 season of 8-2 and the 10-1 season of '13.
[[In-content Ad]]After five years with Evan Dreyer as head coach, the Broncos have an overall record of 34-17.
WB lost a total of 14 seniors from the undefeated regular season but will have 13 seniors to take over that vacant leadership role for '14. Of the seniors lost from last year, five were all-conference players.
One of those seniors lost from the '13 season is Devyn Wood. The former QB of the Broncos completed 300 passes last season for 4,260 yards and 40 touchdowns, averaging 9.7 yards per completion. He also completed 68.3 percent of his passes, with his longest pass being 90 yards.
Wood also ran for 435 yards (89 rushes) and 10 touchdowns.
Six-year head coach Dreyer spoke about how the summer practices have progressed to help his new leaders and younger players as well.
"This summer we have tried to improve every day," he said. "Some days were good, some days were average, but overall, a lot of our younger guys improved.
"Our seniors improved and are leading this team in 2014."
For a team that uses a spread offense and odd fronts on defense, they have capable of making things tough for their opponents on a weekly basis.
In replacing Wood, Dreyer said there is a competition for the spot, which he is "excited to see."
"Replacing Devyn will be hard, but we have a few guys that are capable of playing QB," the head coach said. "I am excited to see them compete.
"Three guys are competing for the QB spot. They are improving each day. We will see what happens when their opportunity comes."
The only other player to take snaps at QB in '13 was then-freshman Eli Crall, who was 10-of-15 for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
As for players who are returning, three wide receivers will be huge in the progression of whomever will be under center come the first game of the season.
One of those receivers is All-State wide out Christian Dawson. In '13, Dawson had 76 receptions for 1,275 yards and 13 touchdowns. Dawson averaged 16.8 ypc.
Another 1,000-plus yard receiver returning is Eean Hornung, an All-SBAAC selection last season. Hornung had 75 receptions for 1,227 yards (16.4 ypc) and eight TDs. He also rushed for 310 yards (40 carries).
A third receiver returning, who is described as having "big play potential," is Chaz Patten. Patten had 46 receptions for 595 yards (12.9 ypc) and six touchdowns.
Coming off such a successful season, but with a little "rebuilding" on the horizon, Dreyer wants his team to just improve.
"We want to improve every day, have fun and always compete," Dreyer said of his team expectations in '14. "We've got some sophomore and freshman athletes who will be a key to our depth and will keep improving our team throughout the year."
There are others on the offense returning, including leading running back Nick Osborne, who totaled 350 yards on 75 carries. Osborne, who scored five rushing TDs, also had 395 yards rushing on 45 receptions and four touchdowns.
For every good running back, they need a solid offensive line, and WB returns four offensive linemen in Steven Craddock, Tyler Votel, Zach Gagen and Cody Wilson.
Back on defense is all conference defensive back Logan Nuhn. Nuhn had 38 tackles and two interceptions in '13.
Also back are Malachi Marlow (DB), Josh Young (LB) and Michael Hensley-Otis (LB).
"Malachi led our defensive backs in tackles, and Josh will be the leader of the defense," Dreyer said. "Michael is super athletic."
Other players the Broncos are expecting a lot from are defense backs Jake Henderson and Anthony Howard, along with Chris Turner (OL), Nakoa Phillips (DL) and Jacob Altman (LB).
Looking ahead to the 2014 regular season for the Western Brown Broncos, one must look at the season of 2013 because of just how successful it was.
The Broncos, who were the Division III No. 6 ranked team by the Associated Press, finished 10-1 overall last season, including their Division III, Region 10 playoff loss to Thurgood Marshall by a 76-40 score.
The Broncos have finished with an overall winning record the past four seasons, with two 6-4 seasons in '10 and '11, followed by a '12 season of 8-2 and the 10-1 season of '13.
[[In-content Ad]]After five years with Evan Dreyer as head coach, the Broncos have an overall record of 34-17.
WB lost a total of 14 seniors from the undefeated regular season but will have 13 seniors to take over that vacant leadership role for '14. Of the seniors lost from last year, five were all-conference players.
One of those seniors lost from the '13 season is Devyn Wood. The former QB of the Broncos completed 300 passes last season for 4,260 yards and 40 touchdowns, averaging 9.7 yards per completion. He also completed 68.3 percent of his passes, with his longest pass being 90 yards.
Wood also ran for 435 yards (89 rushes) and 10 touchdowns.
Six-year head coach Dreyer spoke about how the summer practices have progressed to help his new leaders and younger players as well.
"This summer we have tried to improve every day," he said. "Some days were good, some days were average, but overall, a lot of our younger guys improved.
"Our seniors improved and are leading this team in 2014."
For a team that uses a spread offense and odd fronts on defense, they have capable of making things tough for their opponents on a weekly basis.
In replacing Wood, Dreyer said there is a competition for the spot, which he is "excited to see."
"Replacing Devyn will be hard, but we have a few guys that are capable of playing QB," the head coach said. "I am excited to see them compete.
"Three guys are competing for the QB spot. They are improving each day. We will see what happens when their opportunity comes."
The only other player to take snaps at QB in '13 was then-freshman Eli Crall, who was 10-of-15 for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
As for players who are returning, three wide receivers will be huge in the progression of whomever will be under center come the first game of the season.
One of those receivers is All-State wide out Christian Dawson. In '13, Dawson had 76 receptions for 1,275 yards and 13 touchdowns. Dawson averaged 16.8 ypc.
Another 1,000-plus yard receiver returning is Eean Hornung, an All-SBAAC selection last season. Hornung had 75 receptions for 1,227 yards (16.4 ypc) and eight TDs. He also rushed for 310 yards (40 carries).
A third receiver returning, who is described as having "big play potential," is Chaz Patten. Patten had 46 receptions for 595 yards (12.9 ypc) and six touchdowns.
Coming off such a successful season, but with a little "rebuilding" on the horizon, Dreyer wants his team to just improve.
"We want to improve every day, have fun and always compete," Dreyer said of his team expectations in '14. "We've got some sophomore and freshman athletes who will be a key to our depth and will keep improving our team throughout the year."
There are others on the offense returning, including leading running back Nick Osborne, who totaled 350 yards on 75 carries. Osborne, who scored five rushing TDs, also had 395 yards rushing on 45 receptions and four touchdowns.
For every good running back, they need a solid offensive line, and WB returns four offensive linemen in Steven Craddock, Tyler Votel, Zach Gagen and Cody Wilson.
Back on defense is all conference defensive back Logan Nuhn. Nuhn had 38 tackles and two interceptions in '13.
Also back are Malachi Marlow (DB), Josh Young (LB) and Michael Hensley-Otis (LB).
"Malachi led our defensive backs in tackles, and Josh will be the leader of the defense," Dreyer said. "Michael is super athletic."
Other players the Broncos are expecting a lot from are defense backs Jake Henderson and Anthony Howard, along with Chris Turner (OL), Nakoa Phillips (DL) and Jacob Altman (LB).