CELINA – By the time Celina had reached the first round of the playoffs, the Bulldogs were bruised and battered and it showed when they were bumped off in the first round by Trotwood-Madison.
“We had lost six starters by the week eight and that was tough,” Celina head coach Trent Temple said. “We got into some major issues with injuries.”
Temple said he believes if the Bulldogs, who bring back eight returners on offense and nine on defense, can avoid the injuries this year and get out of the gate quickly they should be in the mix for the league title and have a shot at making the playoffs.
Even though the Bulldogs lost some key skilled players such as Jacob Stolly, Justin Keeling and quarterback Caleb Hoyng, Temple remains optimistic this season due to the number of the key players returning to the offensive and defensive line.
“That where it all starts,” Temple said. “We have a lot of talented players on the line and that is a positive for us.”
With an experienced team, Temple said during the preseason the team has been “fine tuning and knocking of some of the rust.”
Returning to the trenches for the Bulldogs will be Blake Norton (center/defensive end), Austin Boeckman (offensive line/defensive end) and Tyler Ross (defensive tackle/offensive line).
On offense the majority of the line comes back along with some skill players but as Temple puts it, “We have the most inexperience at the most important spot and that is quarterback.
Brett Schwieterman, a sophomore will get the nod as the Bulldogs signal caller.
Temple describes Schwieterman as the opposite of three-year starter and graduate Hoyng.
“Brett is 5-7 and pretty fast and Caleb was 6-5 and not nearly as fast,” Temple said. “He is one of the smartest kids I know and can make the throw when he has to. So I think teams will initially stack the box but when he shows he can throw he will be tough to defend.”
Primarily a running team, Hoyng was the team’s leading rusher with more than 800 yards and Schwieterman is expected to exceed those numbers.
Even though Temple is high on his new signal caller’s smarts and speed, the Celina head coach also understands he will experience some growing pains.
The Bulldogs defense should be Celina’s strong point with a wealth of talent up front, two linebackers returning and Ryan Harter anchoring the secondary. Harter, one of the Bulldogs captains, is a three-year starter at free safety.
Also a key component to the Celina defense is sophomore lineman Seth Huston, who was a second-team all-WBL selection.
“He is one of those players who doesn’t stay blocked,” Temple said. “He goes out and makes plays.”
Junior Ian Hawkins is also a lineman Temple said is a difference maker.
Returning linebackers for the Bulldogs include senior Lance Orick and the versatile Kole Murlin at middle linebacker.
“Our defense is going to be good,” Temple said. “If don’t have much depth but if we can stay healthy our defense will be tough.”
With a tough opener against Versailles followed by games against Elida and Bath, Temple said if they can get through these games before entering the meat of their lineup with Ottawa-Glandorf, Defiance and Wapakoneta, and garner some confidence he said he feels his team can vie for the WBL title.
“If we can get some momentum early we should do well,” Temple said.
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