‘Perseverance’ the word for Wittenberg football in 2021

What stands about this group, which did not play a season in 2020 because of the pandemic and saw its spring scrimmages cancelled because of COVID-19 issues?

“I think the first thing that stands out about them is perseverance,” Fincham said Tuesday. “I mean, golly, at this time last year, we were playing home run derby, freeze tag and duck duck goose to keep everybody engaged. We had plans. Even though we weren’t going to play a game, we were going to have spring practice in the fall and everything just kept falling apart. It became pretty apparent early on that we were going to have to fight really hard not to become victims. We certainly had some ups and downs and some highs and lows, but I thought there came a point where we kind of bonded together and just kept going forward. I think there’s a lot of perseverance on our team right now.”

Fincham released Wittenberg’s first two-deep this week and talked about the different position groups in advance of the opener. Here’s a breakdown. Players are listed in the order they appear on the depth chart.

Offense

Quarterback: Sophomore Collin Brown; and senior Bobby Froehlich.

Froehlich, a Cincinnati La Salle graduate, was a first-year starter in 2019 and threw for 192.8 yards per game. He had 14 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. Brown, a Mason graduate, was a part of the 2020 recruiting class. He threw 16 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions as a senior, averaging 152.1 passing yards in 12 games.

Fincham said both quarterbacks will play, and they’ll go with the hot hand. Froehlich is 6-foot-5, and Brown is 6-4.

“They’re both big, strong kids,” Fincham said. “They’re both tall, and we haven’t always had those guys. They both have good arm strength. I think Bobby is, from an athletic standpoint, maybe a little better runner. But at the same time Collin may be just a tad bit more accurate. I think both understand our offense really well. Bobby has got a very good voice in terms of leadership. Collin, on the other hand, has a real calmness about him. He doesn’t talk a lot. He doesn’t show a lot of emotion one way or the other. He has a very even-keeled demeanor.”

Running back: Junior Bryce Anderson; and junior LaShon Bright.

Anderson appeared in two games as a freshman, rushing for 72 yards on 11 carries. Bright was the team’s starting kickoff returner as a freshman.

“Bryce Anderson looks like he will be our guy,” Fincham said. “That’s a position where I do think that you’re going to see a couple of different guys through the course of the game. I think that you’ll see (sophomore) Garrett Gross, a Bellefontaine kid, at that position as well.”

Wide receiver: Senior Sam Kayser; and junior Brysen Dykes.

Wide receiver: Senior Jake Saus; and sophomore Gene Nobles.

Kayser led the Tigers with 32 receptions for 431 yards in 2019 and one touchdown. Saus ranked fourth on the team with nine catches and caught two touchdowns.

“Sam’s had a really good camp,” Fincham said. “You’ll see him play a lot. You’ll see Gene Nobles on the field a lot. You’re going to see Jake Saus a bunch. (Sophomore) Milik Bowe is a guy who’s not on the two deep, but you’ll see him a bunch on the field.”

Fullback: Senior Rodney Van Cleaf; and sophomore Isaac Grilliot.

Tight end: Sophomore Nate Wolf; and sophomore Troy Teepe.

Tackle: Junior Kacey Prospere; and junior Justin Chambers.

Tackle: Junior Wyatt Hutchins; and senior Logan Lange.

Guard: Senior Jeremiah Mensah; and Lange.

Guard: Senior Hunter Shelley; and junior Frank Kostzer.

Center: Senior Mark Pratt; and freshman Trace Ford.

Shelley and Pratt started the last time Wittenberg took the field on Nov. 16, 2019, in a 38-20 victory against Ohio Wesleyan. Van Cleaf is also a returning starter. Another linemen who will see the field, Fincham said, in addition to the players listed here is sophomore Joseph Landy.

Defense

Defensive end: Senior Deece Catanzaro; and junior Nate Snyder.

Defensive end: Sophomore Conner Walls; and junior Matt Render.

Defensive tackle: Senior Kameron Caudle; and junior Grant Hollinger.

Defensive tackle: Senior Mike Knock; and junior Levi Morrison.

Of the defensive line, Fincham said, “Kam Caudle is the only one who’s really played any. Mike Knock’s played a little. Deece Catanzaro’s played a little, too. ... All eight of those guys are going to play, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t play a couple more before it’s over with.”

Linebacker: Sophomore Cameron Snurr; and sophomore Tony Calovini.

Linebacker: Senior Logan Jewsikow; and senior Seth Jones.

Jewsikow, a Northmont graduate, ranked second on the team in tackles with 61 in 2019.

“He has a good nose for the ball and has leadership qualities,” Fincham said. “He’s worked really hard, and he’s had a good camp. I think (sophomore) Cameron Snurr and (sophomore) Tony Calovini will both get reps inside. Both are young guys who we have high hopes for.”

Linebacker: Senior Liam Wooldridge; and senior Julio Novarini.

Safety: Senior Jordan Burkey; and junior Christian Sweet.

Safety: Sophomore Anthony Pedro; and senior Otis Smith III.

Cornerback: Senior Rashon Edwards; and freshman Jourdan Stipe.

Cornerback: Senior Michael Fiessinger; and senior Kenny Bowling.

If Fincham had to pick a position of strength for the team, he would say the secondary because of the experience. Burkey and Fiessinger were both starters in 2018 and 2019.

Special teams

Kicker: Sophomore Brandon Goodwin; and freshman Nathan Hawks.

Punter: Novarini; and junior Justin Maynard.

“Brandon Goodwin, a Northmont kid, will probably be our short field-goal guy, starting off,” Fincham said. “Nathan Hawks (Greenon graduate) will probably be our longer guy. Punter has gone back and forth between Julio and Maynard. You could probably see both of those guys, particularly early in the season.”

Kick returner: Fiessinger; and Bright.

Punt returner: Fiessinger; and Kayser.

Snapper: Junior Jaden Sarragua; and freshman Ed Bolden.

Holder: Burkey; and freshman Max Milton.