Meyersdale hoping experience translates into success
After four straight losing campaigns, Meyersdale coach Ryan Donaldson believes he has the pieces in place to get the Red Raiders back to winning form in their first year in the Inter-County Conference.
"These guys have shown us so far that they are going to lead by example and lead on the field," said Donaldson. "They've put in good work and there are some underclassmen stepping up. We told them all that their spots are written in pencil, and that can change. If they let up, someone can take their spot."
Players to watch Meet the Daily American's top 30 Somerset County football players to watch in 2023
Coach: Ryan Donaldson (6th season, 18-32 career record)
2022 records: 1-4 conference, 2-7 overall
2023 football schedules Plan ahead for the 2023 Somerset County football season with all 6 teams' schedules
Top players lost: Daulton Sellers (QB/CB), Collin Krause (HB/LB)
Top players returning: Drake Sellers (QB/DB), Lance Jones (QB/DB), Malachi Carr (WR/DB), Tristin Ohler (WR/K), Zack Ryan (HB/LB), Conner Shuck (OL/LB), Zach Summy (OL/DL), Brady McKenzie (OL/DL)
Assistant coaches: Jerry Donaldson, Cody Stewart, Bobby Hartman, Riley Whitfield, Glen Hetz, Keith Walker, D.J. Donaldson, Trenton Swan
Offensive outlook: Meyersdale managed only 1,884 yards of total offense a season ago. Senior Drake Sellers, a Salisbury-Elk Lick student-athlete that competes in a co-op with Meyersdale, will take over at quarterback for his brother Daulton. With an established offensive line and some playmakers at the skill positions, the Red Raiders should be able to move the ball more efficiently this season.
"We definitely have some guys on the outside that can help our passing game," Donaldson said. "Drake is a pocket passer. One thing we've found out is that we are able to run the ball with a variety of guys, whether that's getting our receivers involved in the run game or the two or three running backs that we are mixing in."
Defensive outlook: Despite the loss of linebacker Collin Krause, the leading tackler in Somerset County, Meyersdale's defense will be much improved with the help of linemen Brady McKenzie, Zach Summy, and Conner Shuck, along with Lance Jones, Malachi Carr and Karter Schurg in the secondary.
"The secondary is going to be a strong point of the defense, but we are also seeing a lot of good things up front," Donaldson said. "What we've seen so far out of our veteran group on the offensive side of the ball is definitely carrying over to the defensive side of the ball. Our box seven guys are giving us everything we want ‒ being physical, playing downhill playing fast ‒ all three levels on defense have stepped up."
Classification: District 5-1A
Last District 5 playoff appearance: 2019
Last District 5 playoff win: 2016
District titles: 4
Meyersdale Red Raiders
Aug. 25 vs. Curwensville, 7
Sept. 1 vs. Glendale, 7
Sept. 8 vs. North Star, 7
Sept. 15 at Windber, 7
Sept. 22 at Tussey Mountain, 7
Sept. 29 at Berlin Brothersvalley, 7
Oct. 6 vs. Northern Bedford County, 7
Oct. 13 vs. Brownsville, 7
Oct. 20 at Everett, 7
Oct. 27 at Southern Huntingdon, 7
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Meyersdale football seeking first winning season since 2019
