Print |
E-mail to a friend
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Chesapeake looks for fast start in opener at Oak Hill
CHESAPEAKE, Ohio -- Chesapeake senior quarterback Aaron Donahoe is a soft spoken leader, but once he steps on the football field the volume is turned up and the speakers are set to blow.
Donahoe and the Panthers are looking to rebound after two straight losing seasons. The mission to get back on track begins in the season opener Friday at Oak Hill, Ohio.
"A lot of people are doubting us at school and saying that we're in for another losing season, but we're out to prove them wrong," Donahoe said. "I've never been that big of a talker, but I just lead with my actions on the field."
In past seasons Chesapeake usually had a defense that didn't surrender points easily. But last season missed tackles and other miscues added up to a disappointing 3-7 season.
"All of our concentration is on this game with Oak Hill and we have been looking forward to this matchup since practice started," Chesapeake coach Phil Davis said. "We had 10 or 11 straight winning seasons before the past two years and our goal is to get the program back to its winning ways."
Donahoe brings life to the offense, with the ability to rifle the ball down field or make a play with his feet. He also has a talented group of runners to support him in the backfield.
Senior fullback Alex Wells is the headliner of the running attack. Senior running backs Drew Blake and Tyler Edwards are also capable of breaking out for a big run.
With an experienced quarterback and a deep group of runners, Chesapeake's offense has the versatility it needs to win. The only question is whether the defense can squash its bad habits and return to its old form.
Chesapeake will face an Oak Hill squad that has size to spare and enough athletic ability to turn heads. The Panther defense will have to stay aggressive early and make Oak Hill's big men a non-factor.
It starts under center for Oak Hill with 6-foot-4, 190-pound quarterback Jesse Slone. He is a dual threat passing and running with great vision downfield who knows how to utilize his size.
Slone is fortunate to have a monstrous target in 6-6, 225-pound receiver J.D. Hale. With Hale's size advantage over practically every cornerback he faces, all Slone has to do is throw the ball up and Hale goes up and gets it.
Oak Hill also has a stable of solid running backs. Leading the pack is fullback Westen Halle, followed by tailbacks Travis Bailey and Trey Bailey.
