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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Rock Hill Redmen looking to improve on 0-10 record
PEDRO, Ohio — It won’t take much to motivation Rock Hill’s football team this fall. Just think 0-10 from 2008 and that’s enough inspiration right there.
“We don’t have to say a whole lot,” Redmen coach Todd Knipp said. “We’re learned some painful lessons and have taken steps to correct them.”
Redmen players began the climb back in the offseason.
“We had a great offseason across the board,” Knipp said. “Across the board the kids are probably 20 pounds heavier. That strength will help and they’ve improved their speed.”
At quarterback, sophomore Will McCollister is back. As a freshman, the southpaw threw for more than 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and had 11 picked off. The backup is Jesse Lane.
“We didn’t put a lot on him at the start,” Knipp said. “We added more as the season progressed. He made mistakes that freshmen make. He’s worked to correct those mistakes.”
Fullbacks are Steve Lewis, Mitch Malone and Cody Roberts. “Each has a different strength and we’ll utilize each,” Knipp said.
Halfbacks are Coty Davis and Brian Cooper. McCollister’s targets at tight end are Cody Wilds, Sam Cooke and Wayne Jenkins. Wide receivers are Mitchell Davenport, Jeremy Blagg, Josh Malone, Trey Wilds, Bryce Freels and Alex Bare. “We’re a lot deeper than last year,” Knipp said.
Up front, Chris Lemaster and Zach Jenkins line up at center. Guards are Jason Howard, Jordan Fuhr and Shayne Wilds. Tackles are Josh Phillips, Tyler Shope and Luke Kirkpatrick.
On defense, players up front are Steven Moore, Wilds, Fuhr and Shope. Knipp says all offensive lineman have to be ready to play defense.
Jenkins, Roberts, Mitch Malone and Wayne Jenkins hold down linebacker spots. Davenport, Josh Malone, Blagg and Cooper comprise the secondary.
With five seniors on the roster, that means many players who went through that long 2008 season are returning.
“We’ve got more than 30 who saw action Friday nights,” Knipp said. “We had the Friday night experience. What we need now is better results on that Friday night experience.
“We’ve got to get over the hump and be able to handle adversity. We have to learn to fight through problems.”
Knipp had three preseason contests to evaluate his players in game conditions. One of the three was called a jamboree.
Knipp expects Coal Grove to be the top contender in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Hornets, who shared the title with South Point and Fairland in 2008, have plenty of experience.
“The rest of the teams have players who scare you,” Knipp said. “Stay healthy and work to get better each week. Those are our goals.”
