High School Football Preview: New London on the verge of returning to 11-man football
With an eye on a full return to 11-man football in the near future, New London football coach Jon Harrison has the Wildcats primed for action.
“We have 13 players returning this year,” said Harrison. “One-two seniors, three juniors and the rest are sophomores. The great news is we have around 13 freshmen coming in. Our growth in numbers is striving in the right direction.”
Harrison is entering his third season as head coach (5-9) and his eighth year of coaching football. And with continued increase in numbers in the program, the lights at Wildcat Stadium should shine bright on Friday nights once again in 2024.
Offense
Hunter Chandley will get the nod again as the starting quarterback in 2023.
“He is a work horse and a great team player,” said Harrison. “He sets the tone for everyone to follow.”
Chandley will have multiple opportunities to find out of freshman Mathew Miller can develop into a threat at wide receiver.
“His potential is huge,” said Harrison of the talented wideout. “He is a great kid who works hard and is fast.”
Other potential starters on offense include sophomore Oliver Harrison (FB), sophomore Zach Collins (RB), wide receivers senior Travis Hinckley and sophomores Mason Yuhos and Jaxon Speicher.
Bradley Blanton (12), Weston Risner (11), Austin Schrader (11), Parker Taft (11), Chase Cook (10), Mikah Frye (10) and Garrett Weisman (10) are all potential starters in the o-line.
Keith Squire (10) is looking to start at tight end.
Defense
Another sophomore will be leading the Wildcat’s defense as Collins will be in place to anchor the unit.
“He will be a true asset to the defensive side of the ball,” praised his coach. “He is not afraid to attack downhill.”
This early in August, Harrison said no set starting lineup has been put into place.
“We are in a situation where we do not have any clear-cut starters,” he said. “Everyone has a chance at a starting spot.
“This breeds competition and this is what we have been missing the past few years.”
Risner, Schrader, Taft, Frye and Wiseman are competing for the defensive line jobs with Blanton, Harrison, Cooke and Squire all looking for time at linebacker.
Defensive backs listed include Hinckley, Chandley, Yuhos and Speicher.
Outlook
With the JV team playing an 11-man schedule, mostly against Firelands Conference teams, as well as Oberlin and Colonel Crawford, the plan is getting back into full-league mode in 2024.
“Camp days have been going great,” said Harrison. “Last year attendance was between 6-8 players. This year we have had 20-plus at every camp. This is great and the direction we want to be going.
“The accountable culture we are building is starting to develop and we are excited for the future.”
The return to 11-man football has been a slow and sometimes painful process for Wildcat Nation, but Harrison said the accountability for 2023 is heading in the right direction.
“The best thing about this year is our growth,” he added. “Last year we ended the year with 19 players on the roster and this summer we went to a few 7-on-7s with 24 players. Right now, we sit with 27 kids on the roster.
“This is great and will help us next year when we transition back to the varsity level.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Football: a season preview of the 2023 New London Wildcats
