Football preview: Coshocton breaking in new faces

COSHOCTON — Like many teams in the Muskingum Valley League's Small School Division, Coshocton has its share of questions.

The team lost 15 seniors, including two that were All-Ohio caliber in Korbyn Haley and Alec Shook. Veteran quarterback Kobe Rust is also gone.

But Coach Steve Smith's squad also has something else many of its opponents have — potential.

"It all depends on the leadership," Smith said. "They know there is potential there. It all depends on how we jell together and deal with adversity. The people in the locker room and the coaches office know what we are capable of."

Just 10 lettermen return, Smith said camp has been productive and enjoyable.

"We're a young football team," Smith said. "We're trying to build a program, and when you do that, kids have to wait their turn. We had 15 seniors last year and with graduation you need guys to step into new roles."

OFFENSE

Haley was the heartbeat of the offense last year, serving as the team's top runner and pass catcher from his halfback spot. Shook was a productive tight end and Rust a dual-threat quarterback.

Cadin Whiteus, a 5-6, 170-pound senior, is the most experienced runner returning after starting a year ago. Senior Dustin Hall (5-11, 170) will join him at halfback after earning a letter last year.

The newcomers offer a little of everything. Junior fullback Riley Woodie is a 6-0, 200-pounder that adds some thump that was lacking last season; juniors Antwone Johns (5-11, 165) and Israel Rice (6-0, 160) bring speed and versatility.

Sophomore Colton Conkle (5-11, 155), a freshman starter in baseball and basketball in 2021, takes over at quarterback. His receivers will be junior Trey Cox (6-1, 150) and senior Dalcin Smith (5-10, 165), with junior Gage Wright (6-1, 160) also in the rotation.

Johns and Rice also have wide receiver capability.

"We still have some speed," Smith said. "We're going to have a sophomore quarterback, but he has showed a lot of promise and made some good throws in the scrimmages. It's about getting some experience and jelling together. There are going to be growing pains, but I think we have a lot of potential there.

"We have some nice running backs," Smith added. "They put the work in during the offseason. Cadin is the strongest kid on our team pound for pound. He's very explosive for his size. Riley is a bruiser that we haven't had in a while. We will be more versatile."

The line paving the way features brothers at tackle in senior Michael Walters (5-11, 260) at left tackle and sophomore Joe Walters (5-11, 270) at right tackle, while Ellzye Smith, a 5-9, 220-pound junior, is at center and senior Braxton Wilson (6-2, 230) and sophomore Allan Harstine (5-11, 215) at the guards.

Sophomore Julian Rivera (5-10, 240) and senior Gage Smith (5-6, 165) are the top backups.

"We had a great camp and we're getting healthy," Coach Smith said. "We got to see what guys can do in the two scrimmages (against Newcomerstown and Malvern). Some guys have separated themselves."

DEFENSE

Coshocton's 4-3 alignment features many of the same faces as the offense, headlined by a stout four-man front featuring ends Wilson and Woodie and tackles Michael Walters and Michael Mills.

Behind them is an inexperienced group of linebackers where Shook and Haley were mainstays for two years. Senior Travin Berry (6-1, 185) and junior Evan Unger (5-11, 175) will be new starters, with Hall and Whiteus sharing time at the other outside spot.

The secondary is an athletic contingent featuring Cox and Dalcin Smith at safety and Johns and Rice at cornerback, with Conkle and Wright providing quality depth.

Others in the defensive rotation include Gage Smith at end and Haststine, Joe Walters and Ellzye Smith in a deep tackle rotation.

"I really like how we are shaping up, especially on the edges," Steve Smith said. "We've got two defensive ends that are bigger than we are used to having. Braxton, at 6-2, 235, and Riley, who is 205-210 and 6-foot, you need those people because people spread it out."

The secondary, with Johns and Rice leading the way, also figures to be a strength.

"We're athletic and we're long," Steve Smith said. "Israel is over 6-foot and Trey is over 6-foot, and Antwone tracks the ball well. Dalcin is physical and plays with outstanding effort. We've had to replace our linebackers from the year before, but they will round into form. Getting Travin, who started three years at River View, obviously helps. And Evan Unger is looking forward to stepping up. Just like anything, if we stay healthy we should be okay. In two scrimmages we haven't given up a point yet."

OUTLOOK

Depth is an issue, much like most teams which are fighting numbers battles in the state's smaller divisions. But the staff is looking forward to watching the team develop as new faces get acclimated.

Coach Smith said the team's level of success will rely largely on how its leadership develops, as most of it graduated from the 2021 team.

"Anytime you have that many seniors, you have to have guys step forward," Coach Smith said. "We have to stay healthy, like any small school with a lack of depth. Someone gets hurt it changes who we are."

But it's more than about health. There is also a matter of consistency, something Coach Smith feels will be critical, especially with the glut of new faces.

"Our sole focus is each week," Coach Smith said. "We're not looking ahead, just in the mirror."

The season begins on Friday with much-anticipated home affair with Ridgewood before a difficult road game at a veteran Cambridge squad. Maysville, featuring former Redskin assistant Craig Clarke, invades Stewart Field in Week 3, followed by a road game at MVL-Big School power John Glenn.

MVL-Small School play commences in Week 5 at Morgan, a team with one of the most veteran squads in the league. The Raiders and Redskins are among many Small School teams who feel they're in the hunt.

"They all see the same thing," Coach Smith said. "They look at us graduating 15 players, Meadowbrook graduated 17 seniors, New Lex lost its quarterback and a handful of other people and, obviously, Crooksville is excited with a new facility. Morgan has a great line and a great power running game. West M has athletes and it's Year 3 for them under Coach (Nathan) Brownrigg.

"So I can see why people think it's wide open," Smith added. "All of us are playing big school crossovers early, and the ones who come out of that healthy are going to have an advantage."

sblackbu@gannett.com; Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR