Team photo from left:
Row 1: Jacob Ridley, Terrance Cole, Elijah Todd, Joey Wurzelbacher, Tyson Proctor, Devon Gant, Kamal Smith Kyle Young, Shawn Davis, Connor Crayne, Blake Neptune
Row 2: Warriclo Boaston, Melvin Wells, Navada Parker, Kory Petiniot, Christian Cooper, Andrew Myers Brian Chamberlain, Ross Lonsway, Markez Cunningham, Louis Fuller, Brandon Grohnke, Tevin Stuart
Row 3: Anthony Bronaugh, Davion Burton, Kelsey Brown, Kevin McLemore, Robert Prior, AJ Harrison London Edwards, Alex Englehardt, Jesse Ochoa, Tray Jones, David Robinson, Charles Buchanan Aren Harris
Row 4: John Martin, Daniel Brown, Zachary Kurtz, Alec Taylor, Justin Ridley, Justen Dilworth Cameron Vaughn, Darrion Durhart, Logan Gorey, Stephan Robinson, Fred Johnson Scottie Seymour
Row 5: Zach Mayette, Josh, Perszon, Austin Eversman, Bryant Koback, Bryan Rogers, Noah Patten Akei Coffman, Chris Hamer
Row 6: Mark Thompson, Nate McAfee, Jim Eberly, Garrett Barga, Rusty Smtih, Pat Gucciadro, Kellen Taylor, Nick Chappetta, John Willis, Scott Baillie, Ryan Reibau
ABOUT THE TEAM:
Coach: Pat Gucciardo, second year
Last season: 1-9 overall, 1-6 NLL
Returning letter winners: 16
Returning starters: Offense 4, defense 6
Schemes: Fun and gun/Multiple 3-4
Top players: Seniors Ross Longsway, 6-0, 215, FB-MLB; Elijah Todd 6-1, 217, TB-OLB; Tyson Proctor, 6-1, 175, CB; Connor Crayne, 6-3, 185, FS; Louis Fuller, 5-10, 180, TB-OLB, Terrance Cole, 5-11, 185, SS. Junior Jesse Ochoa, 6-2, 215, OLB.
Outlook: Gucciardo enters his second season at Springfield after stints at Whitmer and Start with guarded optimism.
“Our expectations have to be high, but realistically we need to keep the continuity and continue to build the program,” he said. “If we stay healthy we can build this program. We will be much more competitive. We expect to take major strides.”
The Blue Devils have 59 players including 17 seniors.
Todd led the NLL in rushing with 1,415 yards on 225 carries and scored 15 touchdowns, earning All-NLL second team.
“We turned into the fun and run last year,” Gucciardo said. “He's a good kid and we're getting better up front.”
Fuller transferred from St. John's and will start at outside linebacker.
“We have very good team speed,” Gucciardo said. “Our team chemistry, attitude, and work ethic are getting better by the day. That is a major stride forward.”
But he said depth on the offensive and defensive lines is a concern.
SPRINGFIELD SCHEDULE
Aug. 30-Swanton
Sep. 6-at Bowsher
Sep. 13-at Rossford
Sep. 20-Southview
Sep. 27-at Bowling Green
Oct. 4-Northview
Oct. 11-at Napoleon
Oct. 18-Maumee
Oct. 25-at Perrysburg
Nov. 1-Anthony Wayne
First Published August 28, 2013, 4:00 a.m.