[email protected] Coaches like to talk about what can be controlled and what cannot. At Edgewood, losing a talented senior class to graduation is something they cannot control, but the foundation they established in making that class is what they can.
This fall, the Warriors will look to build on back-to-back winning seasons, but will have to do it with a new quarterback, along with the departure of several key skilled players as well as a new offensive coordinator. Tony Hall, who set numerous Ashtabula County and school records at quarterback, has graduated. In addition, players like wide receiver Jacob Ernst, and running backs Zeke Lucas and Seth Enos, are also gone.
Terrence Henton who ran the Warriors offense the past two years, is now the head coach at rival Lakeside. For coach Olajuwon Cooper, though, it’s just part of what building a good program is all about. “We graduated a great class, but we understand that class had a foundation,” Cooper said.
“They built a legacy that the young guys can stand on. So, for us it’s all about the next step, the next step in our maturation process. It’s a beautiful thing.
” There’s no getting around the fact that Edgewood is young and inexperienced, but that doesn’t mean they’re not excited. A large freshman class has given the roster a boost, and Cooper said many of the underclassmen do not seem overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of varsity football. “When you build it the right way, I’m not saying our way is the best way, but I think we’re doing a great job of building,” Cooper started to explain.
“It’s not rebuilding for us because we’re never gonna use inexperience as an excuse. I think if you build it in a way that kids are learning and progressing, year in and year out, you have a chance to be successful and I think that is what we have done.” Edgewood will have a lot of shoes to fill with skilled position players, but the good news is they have size, strength, and experience in the trenches.
Players like juniors Mason Thorr and Brock Fultz, senior Daniel Browning and others will be counted on heavily. Junior Nate Stewart is being slotted at quarterback. Stewart does not have varsity experience, but he does have a big arm to go with size and athleticism.
He’ll have a couple of nice weapons in the passing game with senior Zach Carlton-Hull and junior Riley Baldwin. In the backfield, senior Mike Ochoa and junior Jaiven Pope are a couple of guys that have been waiting for an opportunity like the one they’ll get this fall. Senior Jayden Cooper will be a big target in the red zone, and also has shown the ability to operate in space.
Defensively, the Warriors should also be strong upfront and plan to fluctuate between a three and four-man front. As with the offense, the defensive unit lost some key guys, but have some young athletic players that will be chomping at the bit. “Defensively, I like the fact that we can be multiple because we’re going to need to be able to do different things depending on who our opponent is,” Cooper said.
A year ago, the Warriors started the season 3-0 and were 4-1 before dropping three straight which led to a No. 9 seed for the Division IV, Region 13 state playoffs, where they fell to Niles McKinley in the first round. This year, the team is looking to take another step, and Cooper knows every player on the roster understands what it will take and that inexperience will not be used as an excuse.
QUARTERBACKS Stewart played junior varsity a year ago and got only a few Friday night snaps. He will bring a different element to the Edgewood offense. Stewart does not have the resume that Hall entered last season with, but he does have a presence in the pocket and a cannon for a throwing arm.
At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Stewart has the athleticism to get out of the pocket and make some things happen. Once past the defensive line, he can be a matchup nightmare for defenses because of his size. Cooper said the new play caller spent a lot of time over the spring and summer working with a personal quarterback coach and has built strong relationships with the coaches and players.
RUNNING BACKS The Warriors really want to establish the run game this season, and they have a quartet of athletes who can fill that role. Ochoa knows all about physicality and good speed to go with it, also being a wrestler. Jaiven Pope should provide a change of pace back, with his shorter stature and ability to hit the holes hard as well as catch the ball out of the backfield.
A third option is sophomore Denver Kessler. He may not be the fastest player on the field, but has a good combination of strength and size. Look for sophomore Jasiah Pope, who has shown off some skills in preseason competitions this summer, to receive touches in the backfield.
WIDE RECEIVERS Baldwin gives the Warriors a 6-3 target on the outside. He showed some playmaking ability last year, but was overshadowed a bit by others in the Edgewood arsenal. Carlton-Hull will line up all over the football field.
He should command attention from opposing defenses which should help other guys get open. Senior Ben Schwartfigure is a starter. Junior Brayden Hall is also being counted on as an athlete to fill in where needed.
TIGHT ENDS Jayden Cooper is a nice target at 6-2. He has also worked very hard though, developing his body into the type of receiver that can take on linebackers and defensive backs in the secondary. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN The strength of the Warriors rests with their guys up front on both sides of the football.
A group of seniors Chris Skwera, Daniel Browning and Alex Malasky, along with junior Christian Braat, bring size, strength and experience to the line. Junior Mason Thorr is a two-year starter. The Warriors also have some underclassmen that will be in the mix for playing time.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN At 6-foot-6, Thorr, also a two-year starter on defense, will be a force off the edge. Senior Dakari Hughes has speed for a player his size. LINEBACKERS Kessler will take over the middle linebacker spot in place of Enos, who was a force a year ago.
Kessler has big shoes to fill, but showed a year ago that he has the ability to get after things. Hughes will also drop back into the linebacker role throughout the season. Senior Anthony Ciesicki and Jayden Cooper are other linebackers to keep an eye on.
DEFENSIVE BACKS In the secondary, the tandem of senior D’Angelo Sanchez and his brother, junior, Devon, are small, but know all about physicality from their days on the wrestling mat. Jasiah Pope is also vying for playing time. At the safety spots, Baldwin will limit what offenses can do in the middle of the field with his size and athletic ability.
Sophomore JJ Dufour received a taste of varsity experience a year ago, and also brings tremendous athleticism to the position. Schwartfigure also figures to play on the defensive side of the ball as well. SPECIAL TEAMS Aiden Kachersky, a senior soccer player, will handle the kicking duties.
Kachersky also kicked off for Edgewood as a freshman. Cooper said he can handle just about any kicking situation calls In the return game, Hall will be on the field and has the potential to break one every time he touches the ball. Knowing that teams may kick away from him, Cooper will also likely deploy guys such as Jasiah and Jaiven Pope, along with Ochoa.
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