When Southview coach Jim Mayzes says he believes this year's team is setting up to be one of his best in nearly two decades, fellow Northern Lakes League coaches are sure to take notice.
The Cougars (10-1) won their fourth straight Northern Lakes League title with a 7-0 record last season. Plenty of experience and talent return from a team that was ranked No. 8 in the final Division I state poll.
"It's set up to be one of my better teams," Mayzes said. "I'm just blessed because we have so many great kids."
Southview has captured seven titles in the last eight seasons. The Cougars went undefeated (15-0) and won the Division II state title in 2008.
Mayzes has guided Southview to 10 NLL titles in 17 seasons. Last season, Southview lost 24-21 in overtime to Twinsburg in the first round of the state playoffs.
The Cougars are led by the most highly recruited player Mayzes said he has ever had in his 18 years at the helm. Senior safety Allen Gant is the only four-year starter to play for Mayzes. The three-time all-NLL defensive back received huge attention from all of the major Division I football programs before choosing Michigan in June.
Gant leads a defense that is both talented and experienced.
"I've never had this many back on defense," Mayzes said. "I'm feeling we should have confidence on defense."
All the defensive starters saw action last year on a team that finished 10-0 in the regular season and allowed just 10 points per game.
"This has the potential to be my best defense," he said. "This is the strongest [physically] senior class in the history of our program."
The Cougars face a gauntlet when the NLL season begins. They host newcomer Napoleon in the league opener Sept. 16, then travel to Maumee, and the following week host Perrysburg.
Maumee finished tied for second in the league last year. The Panthers then pulled off an opening-round D-II playoff upset at Avon Lake before being eliminated by Olmsted Falls in the second round.
With experience back at the skill positions and along the lines, the Panthers are again predicted to give Southview its stiffest challenge.
Maumee senior quarterback Jake Schneider, an elusive dual threat, led the Panthers to one of the biggest upsets in program history with 329 total yards against Avon Lake
"We have quite a bit of experience returning from last year," Maumee coach John Boles said. "Last year we were not physical enough and didn't play hard consistently. Our improvement will be determined by our progress in those areas."
Perrysburg, which last won an NLL title in 2006, has more team speed and athletic ability than recent seasons. The Yellow Jackets are picked third.
"I like our athletic ability and our team chemistry," Perrysburg coach Matt Kregel said.
Anthony Wayne finished tied for second with Maumee and Perrysburg. The Generals, who are led by a large senior class, are pegged to finish fourth.
With Rossford departing for the Northern Buckeye Conference, Napoleon enters the NLL. The Wildcats, who finished 1-4 in their final season in the Greater Buckeye Conference, are expected to finish fifth.
"We are very excited about entering the NLL," fourth-year Napoleon coach Tory Strock said. "It will present many challenges and opportunities for our players. We've always hung our hats on defense and 2011 will be no different."
Mayzes said winning the NLL is always extremely challenging because of the talent and parity in the league.
"It won't be a cakewalk but we have the material to work with," he said. "We won't get a week off. We figured everyone will give us their best game."
Here's a look at the teams in predicted order of finish:
SOUTHVIEW
Coach: Jim Mayzes, 18th year
Last season: 10-1, 7-0
Returning letter winners: NA
Returning starters: offense 7, defense 10
Schemes: Multiple sets/4-3
Top players: Seniors Allen Gant, 6-2, 210, WR/S; Jay Fisher, 5-9, 203, LB/RB; Michael Gross, 5-11, 187, WR/LB; Kyle Stout, 6-2, 270, OT; David George, 6-0, 235, C/OL/DE; Travis Miller, 6-5, 245, TE/DE; Nick Jozsa, 5-11, 196, RB/OLB; Jordan Meehan, 6-0, 185, WR/OLB; Rilie Neill, 5-9, 210, DL/FB; Tarryl Hamilton, 5-9, 215, DL/FB. J.Q. Bowers, 5-10, 180, WR/RB/CB; Jalen Marable, 5-10, 180, CB/WR/QB.
Outlook: Mayzes said the No. 1 thing he has had over the years is "good athletes who are willing to work hard year round." And this year's team is no exception.
With 22 seniors, Mayzes said he is sitting pretty experience-wise. He said the staff is excited about having 10 players back that started on defense.
Gant, Fisher, Gross, and Stout have been elected captains.
Gant, who had 413 receiving yards last year, is the only four year starter Mayzes has ever had in nearly two decades.
Fisher, who dislocated his ankle last year, is an impact tackler on defense.
Gross and Stout were named All-NLL first team. Mayzes described Bowers as "faster than lightning."
Mayzes plans to rotate players in at QB just as he did last year. Junior Austin Valdez (6-1, 201) has looked good behind center early. Mayzes said sophomore Malcolm Johnson possesses great speed.
Two younger siblings of previous impact players, J.J. Pinckney and Nate Hall, also will contribute significantly.
But Mayzes said he lacks size up front, especially on offense, and that breaking in a new quarterback is never a good thing.
"They will have to rise to the occasion," Mayzes said.
MAUMEE
Coach: John Boles, 14th year
Last season: 8-4, 5-2
Returning letter winners: NA
Returning starters: offense 6, defense 8
Schemes: Spread/3-3 stack
Top players: Seniors Jake Schneider, 5-10, 170, QB/CB; Jon Gratcl, 6-0, 180, LB; Evan Karchner, 5-11, 220, C/LB; Brandon Phenix, 5-11, 170, RB/DB; Jason Blair, 5-11, 220, T/LB; Wes Young, 5-11, 200, OT. Juniors Nick Grzegorzewski, 6-2, 245, G/OT; Al Bryant, 6-1, 220, DE; John Farina, 6-1, 220, DE.
Outlook: Experience on the offensive and defensive fronts will be one of the Panthers' sources of strength. Schneider and Phenix (480 yards rushing, eight TDs) return in the offensive backfield.
Schneider, an All-NLL first teamer, led his team with 1,108 rushing and threw for 2,337 yards and 28 TD passes.
Karchner was a force in the middle of the Panther defense and was named first team all-state. A two-way starter for three years Karchner led Maumee in tackles.
Boles said he feels equally confident about his defense, which also returns experience and talent. The three top tacklers are back: Karchner, Gratcl, and Bryant.
But Maumee graduated all four of its top receivers, including three all-league first teamers. The Panthers also have average size, but its strength and movement are above average, according to Boles. He also must find a new kicker and punter.
"We have a number of receivers competing for those spots," Boles said. "We believe they have the physical ability to be successful. Their progress will also be an important part of our team being successful."
PERRYSBURG
Coach: Matt Kregel, sixth year
Last season: 8-2, 5-2
Returning letter winners: 14
Returning starters: offense 4, defense 7
Schemes: Spread/3-4
Top players: Seniors Micah Carter, 5-9, 235, DL; Alex Morse, 6-0, 205, DL. Junior Steve Slocum, 6-1, 185, QB.
Outlook: Fifteen of 70 varsity players are seniors, so a lack of experience is made up for with depth.
"While we lack experience at skilled positions, we have good depth at skilled positions and great athletic ability at quarterback," said Kregel, who has a 36-15 record at Perrysburg.
Slocum led the team with 45 receptions and led the NLL in scoring with 13 TDs as a wide receiver in 2010 but will move to quarterback.
Defensively the Jackets also are experienced, led by a very good defensive line. Carter had 22 tackles for loss and six sacks last season to earn first team All-NLL honors. Morse finished with 55 tackles
Inexperience on the offensive line with the loss of four linemen to graduation is a concern.
"We are very optimistic about this season," Kregel said. "We had great attendance at summer workouts and have great enthusiasm."
ANTHONY WAYNE
Coach: Craig Smith, 15th season
Last season: 7-3, 5-2
Returning letter winners: 24
Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense
Schemes: Wing T, Spread Wing T/5-2
Top players: Senior Jared Artz, 6-1, 210, OT; Zach Grohowski, 6-0, 175, RB; Hunter Lonseth, 5-11, 180, LB-RB; Logan Rulton, 6-0, 185, OG-LB; Josh Lindke, 5-9, 165, QB; Dusty Moosman, 6-0, 185, DT; Reed Allen, 6-1, 190, WR/TE/FS.
Outlook: Smith has produced a solid record at AW (82-58), but the Generals are seeking their first title since 1988.
AW finished runner up last year and returns overall team speed, and togetherness, Smith said.
With 22 seniors leading the way, experience is a huge positive. Grohowski finished third in the league in scoring with 10 touchdowns and second in rushing (810 yards). Lindke finished with 435 passing yards and eight TD passes.
Despite having 71 total players on the varsity, developing depth on the offensive line is a priority. Lack of physical size along the line also is a potential concern.
"We are a fairly experienced team looking to improve every day," Smith said. "We need to stay healthy, keep working hard daily, and continue winning ways. We need to do the little things correctly on a daily basis and give great effort and we will have a solid football team."
NAPOLEON
Coach: Tory Strock, fourth year
Last season: 6-4, 1-4
Returning letter winners: 10
Retuning starters: offense 6, defense 6
Schemes: Multiple, Wing T/3-5
Top players: Seniors Tyler Miller, 5-10, 170, FL/LB; Nate Walker, 5-8, 190, FB/LB; Jacob Plassman, 6-0, 174, QB; Skyler Anderson, 5-7, 178, HB/LB; Jordan Myles, 6-3, 177, WR/S; Ross Huber, 6-2, 198, G/DT; Tyler Carroll, 5-9, 237.
Outlook: Experience at the skill positions are the Wildcats' most obvious strength.
"Almost all of our starters saw action at some point in 2010," Strock said.
Miller, who led the team with 492 receiving yards, was the team's offensive MVP. Plasssman threw for 506 yards and five scores. Walker earned All-Ohio honorable mention. Myles and Huber started both ways last year.
Of the 41 players on the varsity roster, 11 are seniors.
Possible trouble areas include lack of experience on the offensive and defensive lines.
"Plain and simple, we must mature quickly in those areas if we are to compete in 2011," said Strock, who is 20-12 in three years at Napoleon.
NORTHVIEW
Coach: Marek Moldawsky, Jr., first year
Last season: 3-7, 1-6
Returning letter winners: 14
Returning starters: offense 3, defense 3
Schemes: Single wing spread/4-3
Top players: Seniors Josh Davis, 5-6, 150, HB/C; Blake Miller, 5-10, 190 FB/LB; Chris Jablonski, 6-0, 210, C/DE; Cole Whittemore, 6-1, 220, G/LB; Dalton Sturt, 6-0, 200, T/DE. Juniors Mark Bernsdorff, 5-10, 170, WR/S; Corey Bowman, 5-11, 175, HB/CB.
Outlook: Moldawsky has 15 seniors leading the way in his first season succeeding longtime coach Eric Keller. Moldawsky, a Maumee graduate, had been an assistant for 15 years and spent the last five seasons at St. John's Jesuit.
Northview last won an NLL title in 2005 when it split with Southview.
Moldawsky said he likes the look of his offensive backfield, listing his quarterback and running backs as strengths. He also said his defensive backfield and linebackers should be tough.
But his main concerns lie along the offensive and defensive lines.
"The team has excellent chemistry and the players' work ethic is above average to superior," Moldawsky said. "If this group tastes success early, they will challenge the NLL's 'normal' top performing teams. With a little luck added in to the mix, they will win the NLL."
SPRINGFIELD
Coach: Rob Materni, second year
Last season: 4-6, 3-4
Returning letter winners: 14
Returning starters: offense 5, defense 6
Schemes: Multiple sets/4-3
Top players: Seniors J.R. McNeal, 6-1, 300, C/DL; Jared Williams, 5-8, 160, RB/CB; Nick Anaya, 5-10, 200, RB/LB; Jeremy Hill, 5-8, 155, CB; Ed Guthrie, 6-2, 175, DE; Malachi Neal, 6-0, 195, DE; Kyle Ruiz, 5-9, 165, RB/DL.
Outlook: The Blue Devils should be tough in the trenches as both the offensive and defensive lines are solid. Williams and Anaya should lead a strong running attack.
Springfield's defensive secondary also should be solid. Materni has 15 seniors among 52 players on the varsity.
But lack of depth and inexperience are concerns for Materni.
"We are working to improve on last year's record and put ourselves in position to compete for an NLL championship," Materni said. "If we can stay healthy and improve each week, we have the potential to be pretty good."
BOWLING GREEN
Coach: Steve Aungst, second year
Last season: 3-7, 2-5
Returning letter winners: 13
Returning starters: offense 7, defense 8
Schemes: Pro A/B Set/4-2-5
Top players: Seniors Derek Schroeder, 6-1, 185, RB/DB; Justin Christoff, 6-3, 280, OL/DL; Keegan Beaverson 5-11, 170; RB/LB; Quinn Donaldson, 5-11, 160, RB/DB; Michael Sears, 6-1, 170, WR/DB; Andrew Dennis, 6-1, 150, QB/DB.
Outlook: Aungst said he likes his depth at running back. He also said his defense and offensive line should be much improved.
Schroeder and Christoff both earned All-NLL honorable mention.
But Aungst is concerned about finding consistency in the Bobcats' passing game.
"The team has been working hard since the end of last season," Aungst said. "As a whole, we are much stronger than last year. Staying healthy will be a key for us this year. Having our offense come together and mature will be a factor on our season."
Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com or 419-724-6354.
First Published August 24, 2011, 4:15 a.m.
