Row 1: Andrew Miller, Jerad Carroll, Logan Zuver, Ian Morr, Justin Antigo, Jose Alcantar, Dakota McNany, Travis Peters, Jordan Bostater, Austin Schimmoeller, Jason Hug, Sean Culler, Daniel Pendergrast, Jake Jones, Brandon Poncsak, Brock Minor, Bailey Jones, Devin Wagner, Andrew Rupp
Row 2: Paris Creek, Kyle Stoller, Taylor Shindledecker, Ethan Retcher, Bronson Beck, Zacheriah Phillips, Nate Rau, Derek Knisely, Lane Azzarello, Zach Dean, Hayden Hageman, Brandon Dean, Drew Ridgway, Gavin Saul, Brett Hughes, David Rummel
Row 3: Josh Jones, Damon Beltz, Adam Herold, Bobby Kimble, Jade Hale, Christian Riddle, Corbin Garza, Tyler Jones, Chance Taylor, Drew Laukhuf, Lucas Grim, Jordan Armbruster, Chris Wittler, Brant Hall, Jacob Kuba, Jake Hausch, Bleus Creek
Row 4: Hannah Goodrich, Tiffany McBride (trainer), coaches Matt Smith, Robbie Lakes, Justin Garza, John Minor, Dick Kuszmaul, Brian DeGroff, Tom Goodrich, head coach Kevin Kline, Carver Kline (manager)
ABOUT THE TEAM
Coach: Kevin Kline, third year
Last season: 11-1, 8-0 NWOAL
Returning letter winners: 12
Returning starters: Offense 5, defense 5
Schemes: Spread/3-5-3
Top players: Seniors Brandon Poncsak, 6-0, 163, WR-DB; Austin Schimmoeller, 6-2, 175, QB-DB; Brock Minor, 6-0, 195, RB-DB; Daniel Pendergrast, 5-8, 160, RB-LB; Jake Jones, 5-11, 190, RB-LB; Dakota McNany, 6-1, 200, WR-DB; Jordan Bostater, 5-11, 200, OL-DL; Jason Hug, 6-2, 210, OL-LB. Juniors Derek Knisely, 6-0, 180, WR-DB.
Outlook: The reigning NWOAL champions have the potential for a run at another title.
It's no surprise the Golden Bears are the coaches' preseason pick. Plenty of pieces remain in place from last season's squad.
Schimmoeller is one of the league's top players. The quarterback was among the league's most productive passers (126 of 201 for 1,917 yards, 18 TDs) and rushers (143 carries for 1,202 yards).
Knisely is the top returning receiver after pulling in 20 passes for 336 yards. Pendergrast had 17 catches for 268 yards, and scored nine TDs.
The Golden Bears will be tested on the lines where they lost several starters to graduation.
"We do not look like we are the team we were a year ago," Kline said. "We have a lot of work to do."
Poncsak, Minor, and Jones are also among top returning letter winners.
BRYAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 30-Van Wert
Sep. 6-at Archbold
Sep. 13-Delta
Sep. 20-at Start
Sep. 27-at Montpelier
Oct. 4-Wauseon
Oct. 11-at Patrick Henry
Oct. 18-Liberty Center
Oct. 25-Swanton
Nov. 1-at Evergreen
First Published August 26, 2013, 11:54 p.m.
