18 Rutland Herald Fall Sports Guide 2018
Football Continued from Page 17
“ They ’ re great kids ,” Norman said of the group . “ They put in a lot of time in the offseason . Our freshman class worked hard and it will help them down the road . I like the attitude of the kids ; they ’ ve bought in .”
Tim Pockette will call the defense this year and Norman the offense in light of a shake up on the coaching staff .
The Raiders will have a similar look to the option offense they have had such great success with in recent years . Norman will tailor it to the personnel he puts on the field .
SPRINGFIELD
The Cosmos football program is building momentum , and with 37 players out Springfield is going to have one of the meatier rosters in Division III .
That ’ s after getting three wins last year , including a playoff triumph on the road at BFA-Fairfax .
Coach Todd Aiken is hoping for more success this season , but is also building for the future .
One key piece will be his freshman quarterback , Sam Presch .
“ I was scratching my head about what to do with that position ,” said Aiken , who stopped scratching once Presch worked out in spring ball .
“ He ‘ s really stepped up and become a leader ,” Aiken said . “ He ’ s very mature for his age . He has natural athletic talent and stays composed . The older guys trust him .”
Presch is developing as a passer but also has the quick feet to call his own number . He might not have to do much of either if speedster Jacob Stepler gets loose . The junior has breakaway speed and is hard to take down . He ’ s also very hungry , having missed last season with a broken leg sustained in the team ’ s first scrimmage .
Six-foot-2 wideout Noah Zierfus will create matchup problems on offense , where linemen Deacon Watson and Greg Otis , running back Bryson Jester and receiver Kaleb Chambers return .
The Cosmos flew to the ball and were very physical in a scrimmage against Fall Mountain . They have a veteran core and
ROBERT LAYMAN / STAFF PHOTO
Otter Valley ’ s quarterback Tyler Rowe , center , prepares to fire off a pass during practice Wednesday afternoon , August 22 , 2018 .
a solid leader by example in Chambers .
“ He ’ s the kind of kid every coach wants on their team . No matter what position you put him in he will learn it to its fullest ,” Aiken said . “ He never stops asking questions , he ’ s physical and he ’ s a textbook tackler .”
Another up-and-comer is sophomore Donivan Sprano , who is at one of the team ’ s deeper positions , linebacker .
“ We have a good group ,” Aiken said . “ I told them the other night , we want to set the bar a little higher . The kids are hungry and they want a taste of the success we had last year . Our goal is to be playing at the end of October .”
WINDSOR
The talent-packed class of 2018 has gone away , but don ’ t call an end to Windsor ’ s joy ride just yet . There is veteran leadership to help guide a group of talented players who are ready for their turn .
Windsor won the last two Division III titles and enters the season with a 21-game win streak that no one wants to see end .
“ We ’ ll be all right . We have a strong younger group of kids who were waiting for their chance ,” coach Greg Balch said . “ No doubt we lost some phenomenal players , but it ’ s nice to see some of these kids get their chance , because they ’ ve worked hard at practice .”
Of the 32 players on Balch ’ s roster , 18 are underclassmen , giving this group the look of the one Windsor put on the field three years ago .
The new field leader will be athletic quarterback Ryland Richardson , a good passer who is a threat to run . Robert Slocum carried a fair amount of the rushing load last year and is back to take the pressure off Richardson . Former tight end Dakota Sanderson joins the backfield , along with Caleb Meagher and Josh Gaudette , who can also play on the line and at linebacker .
Windsor has a strong veteran presence on the line in Gavin Harriman , Cam Burton and Wyatt Bean .
Most of these players will be going both ways .
One of the newcomers who has caught Balch ’ s attention is Owen Abrahamson (“ He ’ s a super athletic kid ,” Balch said ), a sophomore who plays running back , wideout and cornerback .
Other talented sophomores include Caden Lockwood and Jackson Davis .
Windsor has five starters back on a defense “ that is pretty balanced , and we ’ ll continue to be aggressive ,” Balch said . “ We are fast on the line and the linebackers are quick as well .
“ It ’ s a very hard-working group .”
WOODSTOCK
The Wasps started last season with a rookie quarterback and less an all-star backfield . But to no one ’ s surprise , Woodstock pushed favored Windsor before losing in overtime in the Division III title game .
Now Trevor White is under center as a junior and has a seasoned line in front of him , including members of a senior contingent numbering around a dozen .
The concern is building depth . Most of the Wasps will have to go both ways to start the season : a good reason coach Ramsey Worrell isn ’ t too concerned with what else is out there in Division III .
“ I tell the kids anybody has a chance to get to the last game and win it ,” said Worrell , who has a group of 30 players . “ As long as we do our job and take it one week at a time and keep working we will give ourselves a chance . The last two years we were right there .”
White improved over the summer and looks more confident in a leadership role . He lost one of his top receivers in big Brendan Schwartz , but Worrell has the capable Gage Lory at tight end while Harrison Nunes moves to split end . Another target will be Evan Alsup , a firstyear player with a lot of ability .
The Wasps always have a crowd waiting to run the ball , and this year will be no different , with Jed Astbury , Ben Marsicovetere , Micah Schlabach and Charlie Amato in that group .
Two-way lineman Gabe Marsicovetere is in a group who will give the Wasps savvy and leadership . The Wasps are going to have to get a lot of mileage out of Marsicovetere , Ora Astbury , Jacob Maxham , Alden Shoemaker and Max Carlson up front on both sides of the ball .
Woodstock is seeking its first title since 2013 . Windsor has won the last two crowns .
As is their tradition , the Wasps don ’ t see Windsor until the last weekend of the regular season ( in Woodstock ).
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