Can Meadville rebuild its run game to repeat as the District 10 Class 4A champion?
The start of the 2023 District 10 football season is right around the corner. Visit GoErie.com throughout August for updated videos and photos from team camps. Here is one in a series of previews for all 39 D-10 teams:
Meadville Bulldogs
Coach: Ray Collins (10th season, 64-38)
2022 record: 12-2 (5-0 Region 4)
2022 playoff results: Defeated Corry 62-14 to win the District 10 Class 4A championship. Meadville then defeated University Prep 40-12 in a PIAA Class 4A subregional and defeated Juniata 27-14 in the PIAA first round before losing to Allentown Central Catholic 50-7 in the PIAA quarterfinals.
Assistant coaches: John Amato, Mike Richards, Jerry Davis, Jason Stearns, Bryan Borkovich, Andy Herbstritt, Doug Knauff, Tanner Niemann, Don Erdley
More: Preseason prep: Everything you need to know for the 2023 District 10 football season
Rebuilding the run game
Meadville has been synonymous with running the ball throughout Ray Collins' tenure as head coach. The Bulldogs have produced some big-time running backs such as Journey Brown, Isaiah Manning and Khalon Simmons, among others, in recent history. Meadville will have to completely rebuild the rushing attack in camp this year after losing almost all of its leading rushers to graduation. Simmons ran for 2,182 yards and 37 touchdowns last fall, while Brady Walker ran for 1,548 yards and 21 touchdowns and Amarri Lewis ran for 638 yards and eight touchdowns. All three are gone for the Bulldogs.
Brighton Anderson, who has mostly been a standout at linebacker, could start at running back this year, while Ryan Reichel and Nic Williams are solid athletes that could see more carries or make an impact as wide receivers. All three should get plenty of touches this season to replace the production gone to graduation. Some of the younger players that could step up and fill the need at running back and fullback include junior Brayden Miller and sophomore Jordan Lawrence.
Big guys up front
For as many solid running backs Meadville has produced over the years, the Bulldogs have also relied on standout linemen to pave the way. It's no different this year as Justice Esser is one of the top returning offensive and defensive linemen in District 10 this season. Esser returns at guard on offense and defensive end where he had 61 tackles and four sacks last year. Ty Tidball is also back on the offensive line and Jack Brown could play a big role at tight end. The Bulldogs will need to fill in the rest of the gaps with new and younger players after losing a lot to graduation. Anderson will be a leader at linebacker as the top returning tackler with 68 tackles, and he intercepted seven passes last fall, while Williams had 53 tackles and four interceptions. The Bulldogs return several playmakers on both sides of the ball, but their success could come down to how quickly they rebuild the offensive and defensive lines in camp.
Schedule
Aug. 25 vs. Corry 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 at Butler 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 vs. Fairview 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Titusville* 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 vs. Conneaut* 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 vs. Oil City* 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 at McDowell 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Franklin* 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 vs. Warren* 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 at Hickory 7 p.m.
*Region 4 game
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Meadville will need to fill plenty of holes left by graduation
