Coach: Derek Kidwell, ninth year
Last season: 5-5, 2-5 TRAC
Returning letter winners: 16
Returning starters: Offense 5, defense 8
Schemes: Pro-I/3-4 and 4-4
Top players: Seniors Tyler Wolf, 6-0, 180, QB; Drew Starks, 6-1, 165, WR-DB; Dylan Starks, 6-1, 180, WR-DB; Mike Egbert, 5-10, 190, LB. Juniors Jabree Lather, 5-8, 175, RB; Hunter Trautwein, 6-2, 235, DE.
Outlook: The Little Giants opened 3-0 in nonleague play last season before dropping a tough overtime game in their TRAC debut to visiting St. John's. That defeat, plus a rash of injuries, derailed the Giants' title chances. This season, third-year starter Wolf (899 passing yards, 521 rushing yards, 13 TDs scored), Lather (1,082 rushing yards), and the Starks twins make a formidable skill-position quartet on offense.
But they must operate behind some inexperienced line personnel up front. Depth at the linebacker spot is a question mark, although Ross has an otherwise experienced defensive corps.
The Little Giants were picked to finish fifth in the TRAC.
"If we stay healthy we could be very good," Kidwell said. "We've got some great skill players coming back."
2012 FREMONT ROSS SCHEDULE
Aug. 24-Sandusky
Aug. 31-at Brecksville-Broadview Heights
Sep. 7-at Pickerington North
Sep. 14-at St. John's
Sep. 21-Lima Senior
Sep. 28-Central Catholic
Oct. 5-St. Francis at UT
Oct. 12-Whitmer
Oct. 19-Clay
Oct. 26-at
First Published August 22, 2012, 4:00 a.m.
