Even though Tecumseh is focusing on the start of the 2009 high school football season, which starts Friday night at Fairborn, it is hard to forget what happened in New Carlisle last season.

A 10-0 regular season, and Central Buckeye Conference championship was claimed by the Arrows, along with advancing to the second-round of the state playoffs. While the Arrows return several key players for another hopeful run this season, Tecumseh coach Kent Massie knows that the lofty goals his team has set can only be gained by a lot of hard work.

“If we want to be successful, team chemistry is the biggest thing,” Massie said.  “This is a close group of kids, and they believe in each other.”

“We have good leadership with some solid seniors,” he added.  “Health wil l be the key.  The kids have done the right things to make sure that happens, and they did them the right way.  We need to stay away from injuries.”

Eight starters return for the Arrows on offense, and seven on defense.  So while many have been through the routine of Friday nights, Massie knows that without putting in hard work, there is no guarantee of success.

“We have to work that much harder to stay on top,” the Arrows coach said.  “If we don’t, they will outwork us and knock us off.”

The Arrows offense returns their entire backfield, including senior quarterback Riley Gault (6-0, 187) who is a three-year starter for the Arrows.  He is joined in the backfield by leading returning rusher Dustin Holmes (6-0, 190, senior), who was all-conference last season.  

“Dustin is a very skilled player,” Massie said.  “He is20a great blocker and a tremendous runner.”

Joining Holmes at the running back spot will be Jeremy Strahan (5-8, 177, senior), Kyle Sanning (5-11, 205, senior) and Mike McKee (5-10, 164, junior).  All of those players played a key role last season.

On the offensive line, the center will be a battle between Eddie Owens (6-0, 215 senior) and Phil Nolasco (5-8, 243, junior), while also manning the line will be Josh Cantrell (5-10, 186, senior), Cody Arthur (5-6, 140, senior) and Andy Hufford (6-0, 200 senior) at the guards, while the tackles will be all-conference player Karson Williams (6-4, 255, senior) and Jake Masters (6-3, 215, senior).  Williams goes into the season ranked the number 78 player in Ohio according to some scouting reports.

Jacob Nickell (6-1, 206 junior) and Alex Peters (5-10, 175, junior) also look to contribute.

Handling the tight end duties will be Rex Bonham (6-3, 240, senior) and Jordan Trick (6-5, 178 senior), who also handles the backup quarterback duties.

The20wide receivers look to be Ryan Christmann (6-3, 185, senior) and Wes Henderson (5-11, 155, senior), who moved out from the running back spot.

“We are just going to run our system, and we have to execute,” Massie said.  “This is physical offensive unit, and we can throw the ball more this year than in the past.  We were very successful in several 7-on-7 drills this summer.”

Defensively, the Arrows take pride in controlling their opponents.  Up front on the line, the key players will be Tyler Perry (5-11, 230, junior), along with Williams, Hufford, Masters and all-league player Bonham at that position.

The inside linebackers to watch are Zeke Eier (5-11, 210 junior) and Sanning, both all-conference.  Arthur also will be a key contributor.  On the outside, they are led by all-CBC player Cantrell, along with Strahan and Mike Jones (5-9, 171, junior).

In the secondary, Holmes will man the safety spot, while Christmann (all-league), McKee, and Henderson will all compete for the corner spots.

One of the most important aspects of the Arrows squad are the special teams, which Massie puts a lot of efforts into.

“We do spend a lot of time on it,” he said.  “We need to have a good punt and punt return team.  We had a few punt blocks last season which turned around some games.”  The punter will be either Eier, Christmann or Gault, while Williams (9/9 in field goals last season) will be the place kicker.

With the success the Arrows had last year, Massie knows that their game is marked on every opponents calendar this year.

“We will have a huge bullseye on our backs this year, everyone wants to beat Tecumseh,” he said.  “Honestly, I would rather be in that position any day.  We have earned that privilege, and now that we are there, we have to maintain the tradition which has been established.”

“The kids understand that everyone will bring their best games to knock us off, it will make their season.”

While they have chosen not to print their goals, Massie did state that their goals are high this year.

“The kids have to believe in their goals, and they are lofty what we want to accomplish,” Massie said.  “The team comes first, and everyone needs to hold each other accountable.  We can never be content, and leave it all on the field.”

Tecumseh opens the season at Fairborn, 7:30 Friday night.

Tecumseh football fans that cannot make a game can now follow every game this season on Twitter.  Just log onto www.twitter.com/JDabbs86, and fans can get the latest from every game.  Scores afte r each quarter, highlights, and more will be posted throughout the game.  This can also be sent to a cell phone as a text message.
 
 
2009 Tecumseh Football
all games begin at 7:30
 
Aug. 28 @ Fairborn
Sept. 4  @ Butler
Sept. 11  Miami Trace
Sept. 18 @ Urbana
Sept. 25 Graham
Oct.  2 Kenton Ridge(Homecoming)
Oct.  9  @ Stebbins
Oct. 16 Shawnee (Jr. High Football night)
Oct. 23 Tippecanoe (Senior Night)
Oct. 30 @ Bellefontaine