Bath’s Kahne Sullivan lets go of a pass as Celina’s Dalton Chilcoat is in pursuit during a 2022 game at Celina.
Don Speck | The Lima News
With a year of experience, even if some of it was painful experience, Bath hopes to put some games into the win column this football season.
Bath is coming off an 0-10 season last fall when 37 of the 51 spots on its roster belonged to freshmen and sophomores.
First-year coach Frank Russell says the trajectory of the Wildcats’ program can be changed. But he knows programs are built, that it’s not a one or two step process.
“I’ve been in some programs that won championships and I think I know exactly what it takes to win championships and we’re trying to instill those values here,” he said.
Russell spent most of his coaching career as an assistant at Franklin High School, where he was a 1990 graduate, before being an assistant the last two years at Colerain High School in Cincinnati.
“They want to win in this community,” he said about Bath. “Our No. 1 goal is to try to move in that direction.
“Obviously, winning cures all evils. But also you’re up front and honest with people. We want to create a positive environment that kids want to be around. We use the word culture a lot in this program and our culture is going to be a culture of we’re going to be kind to people, we’re going to be empathetic to people and we’re going to treat people with respect. In return, we hope they do the same thing to us.
“I’m not saying we’re not going to play hard. We’re going to go out and try to fight for every victory,” he said.
Bath is still one of the youngest teams in the Western Buckeye League but several of its younger plays got on the field last season.
“We’re going to be a young team but I feel like we’re talented. We’re going to benefit from the younger kids playing a lot last year,” Russell said.
“To be young and be in the WBL, that’s a problem. But we just have to face our challenges and get better. We’ve got to move forward. We’re trying to build things and do it the right way.
“I want Bath to be a contender every year in the WBL. I truly believe it can happen here. But it comes back to our goals have to equal our work ethic. If that doesn’t happen and there’s a disconnect, it isn’t going to work,” he said.
Bath was shut out five times last year, scored more than one touchdown in a game only once and had just one rushing touchdown all season.
The building process up front on the offensive line starts with senior guard Quintin Collins.
“I think he’s really, really good. We’re trying to go two platoon right now. He is the one guy who could play both ways for us. He’s that good. He does everything right. He’s a leader in the program,” Russell said.
Kahne Sullivan, a senior, and sophomore Zach Welsch are competing for the starting quarterback position. Welsch was the starter most of last season.
“We haven’t decided what direction we’re going to go there yet,” Russell said.
Skyler Lhamon, who can play receiver and running back, was the Wildcats’ top rushing threat last season, including gaining 77 yards on 19 carries against Kenton and 65 yards on 13 carries against Defiance.
“Skyler Lhamon is just an athlete. He can make a ton of plays for us on offense,” Russell said. “He’s the best route runner on the team. I look for big numbers from Skyler this year.
“At wide receiver Ethan Cole is super athletic, really fast, runs great routes. Vinnie Vendetta is really fast and a strong kid. Logan Markley at wide receiver has probably the best hands on our team.”
Defensive lineman Jeremy James might be the only senior starter on the Wildcats’ defense.
“He’s a big, strong kid. The Slaught brothers – Kory and Kyle – they’re big, strong kids. They’re block eaters. Jack Rader has been really good,” Russell said.
Sophomore linebacker Carson Kinnaird was second in the WBL in tackles during the regular season last year with 105.
“Kinnaird is really good. I’ve been impressed with Keaton Vernon at outside linebacker. We’re a build a wall type defense and our linebackers should be able to flow and make plays,” Russell said.
Dalton Woodruff, Foster Deters, Espn Mikesell and Andru McDermott are some of the players competing for playing time in the defensive backfield. “Dalton is a leader for us in the defensive secondary. He is a hard worker and has a nose for the football,” Russell said.
Bath opens its season Aug. 18 at home against last year’s Division VII state champion New Bremen.
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TEAM PROFILE
Coach: Frank Russell (first season)
Division: IV
Last year’s record: 0-10 (0-9 WBL)
Ticket information: bathwildcats.org/TicketBoxOffice.aspx
Returning 2022 varsity letter winners include: Quintin Collins (Sr., OG/DL), Kahne Sullivan (Sr., QB), Skylar Lhamon (Sr., RB/WR), Dalton Woodruff (Sr., DB), Jeremy James (Sr., DL), Jagger Smith (Sr., OL), Tristan Kell (Sr., LB), Clay Boedicker (Sr., DB), Mickey Casey (Sr. LB), Ethan Stevens (Jr., OL), Izayah Murphy (Jr., OL), Landon Oglesbee (Jr., H-Back), Kory Slaught (Jr., DL), Kyle Slaught (Jr., DL), Zach Welsch (Soph., QB), Ethan Cole (Jr., WR), Vinny Vendetta (Jr., WR), Logan Markley (Soph.,WR), George Rope (Soph., OL), Richard Rope (Soph., OL), Mikey Hale (Soph., RB)
Newcomer to watch: Daniel Cole (Fr., QB)
2023 schedule
(Kickoffs scheduled for 7 p.m.; subject to change)
Aug. 18 — New Bremen
Aug. 25 — at Van Wert
Sept. 1 — Shawnee
Sept. 8 — at Kenton
Sept. 15 — Elida
Sept. 22 — at Ottawa-Glandorf
Sept. 29 — Celina
Oct. 6 — at Defiance
Oct. 13 — Wapakoneta
Oct. 20 — at St. Marys
