Team photo from left:
Row 1: John LeBay, Patrick McStraw, Dalton Auchmuty, Clay Dysert, Mitch Schroeder, Andrew Gibson, Kenny Beeker, Andrew Nauth
Row2: Clinton Blankenchip, Clay Grubb, Zach Harris, Gabe Rader, Trey Hanes, Jaden Tauker, Matt Cataline, Jordan Overton, Mike Cherry
Row 3: Randy OíDell, Dakota LaRue, Tyler Parker, Saul Blank, Chas Shoop, Noah Delacerda, Austin Davis, Andy Colich, Nick Kepling, Malichi Abbott
Row 4: Colton Overton, Nick McDowell, David Stoefpel, Zach Pelton, Jake Crouse, Adrian Grubb, Caden Schroeder, Sky Gustwiller, Matt Cherry, Elijah Swain, Brice Spoon, Matt Smith
Row 5: (from third left) Coaches Kevin Westenbarger, Clay Lilly, head coach Kris Alge, Chris Myers, Josh McStraw (manager)
ABOUT THE TEAM:
Coach: Kris Alge, 16th year.
Last season: 13-1, 9-0 BVC
Returning letter winners: 10
Returning starters: Offense 3, defense 5
Schemes: Spread offense; 4-3 defense
Top players: Seniors Clay Dysert, 6-0, 175, WR-LB; Andrew Gibson, 5-11, 215, RB-LB; Mitch Schroeder 5-11, 170, WR-DB; Andrew Nauth, 5-10, 240, OL-DL; Kenny Beeker, 6-1, 240, OL-DL; Junior Clay Grubb, 6-4, 170, QB-DB.
Outlook: McComb reached the Division VI state semifinals last season before losing in triple overtime to eventual state champion Marion Local.
The Panthers aren’t quite as deep this year and turn to Grubb at quarterback.
"Depth may be an issue," Alge said. "We were really deep last year. We will need most kids to play both ways. The biggest thing, though, is work ethic."
The Panthers will set their sights on repeating as BVC champion.
"Our first goal is always to win the league," Alge said. "But our seniors also want to make the state playoffs for their fourth year in a row. That was one of their goals when they were freshman."
McCOMB SCHEDULE
Aug. 30-Tiffin Calvert
Sep. 6-at Liberty-Benton
Sep. 13-Open
Sep. 20-at Vanlue
Sep. 27-at Cory-Rawson
Oct. 4-Arlington
Oct. 11-at Arcadia
Oct. 18-Pandora-Gilboa
Oct. 25-Leipsic
Nov. 1-at Van Buren
First Published August 28, 2013, 4:00 a.m.
