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BATH | During one mighty impressive stretch last season, the Bath Haverling football team posted four consecutive shutouts.
It was a feat that helped vault the Rams to a brief stay as the state’s top-ranked football team in Class B.
However, with just one player returning from Bath’s starting front seven defensively, the Rams will likely have a difficult time duplicating last season’s stingy standard.
And while Bath recorded lopsided victories during its four-week shutout tear a year ago, the 2010 Rams may have to compensate for their defensive losses by putting lots of points on the scoreboard.
A year ago, a touchdown or two per game would have been ample most weeks. This year, the Rams might have to win some high-scoring affairs in order to be successful.
“I just told those guys we need more pop in our offense and we’ve got to run the ball more and do whatever we have to do to score more points,” Bath head coach Wayne Carroll said. “Our defense has got a lot of holes in it and a lot of new guys, especially in the box.”
Bath’s offensive hopes this season will be riding predominantly on the shoulders of senior tailback Nick Carroll, the team’s top rusher in 2009. Although Carroll was a first-time starter in the offensive backfield last season, he adapted to his new role quite seamlessly.
Carroll amassed 1,180 yards and 20 touchdowns on just 158 carries for a robust 7.4 yards per carry rushing average. Despite the fact the Rams entered 2009 with virtually no experience at the skill positions, Carroll quickly quelled those fears.
But just as Bath’s offense may have to potentially be less reliant on a consistently-stout defense, runners like Carroll won’t have the luxury and peace of mind that comes with a veteran offensive line blasting open holes.
The Rams will have four new starters on the offensive line in 2010. Junior tackle Kyle Weaver, who stands an imposing 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds, is the only returning starter on the offensive front.
“We lost a lot of guys on the line, but I think we’ve got some guys who are willing to step up right now and some guys are pretty hungry, so I think we’ll be all right,” Nick Carroll said.
Weaver will anchor the line and looks forward to leading Bath’s men in the trenches.
“We’ve got a bunch of new and inexperienced guys and I’ve just got to help them and teach them different moves so they can get better and so we can improve as a team,” Weaver said.
Joining Weaver on the offensive line will be first-time varsity starters Mike Conner at tackle, Tyler Hillman at center and Tyler Reeves at guard. Justin Elward, Jeff McGlynn and Devon Lewberg are expected to battle for the second starting guard spot.
The Rams do have senior Tyler Hutcheson returning as a starter at tight end.
However, the primary concern heading into the season is how quickly the front five can develop and be productive. And aside from Weaver and Reeves, who stands 6-foot and 230 pounds, the Rams don’t have ideal size in the trenches.
“I think the biggest key this year is going to be the offensive line and seeing if those guys can pull it together,” Wayne Carroll said. “We’re not as big as we’ve been in the past (up front).”
But for all of the inexperience Bath has on the line, Carroll likes the talent he has at the skill positions.
Sophomore Dan Leonard will return at quarterback for Bath after starting last year as just a freshman. Carroll said seniors Brian Gable and DeVante Staton also might see some time at quarterback as he looks to mix things up in the backfield.
And even when Gable and Staton aren’t lining up under center, Carroll plans on using the duo either as running backs or receivers.
“Gable and DeVante are athletes, so we’re going to try to use some of those guys to run,” Wayne Carroll said.
In addition, the Rams have senior Brett Partridge returning at split end, along with senior Brady Santacroce, a 6-foot-1 target who will also see time at split end.
Ultimately, Bath’s success could boil down to its proven skill-position players absorbing the burden and finding the end zone with great frequency.
“The biggest thing is you’ve got to have playmakers,” Wayne Carroll said. “A lot of kids play, but they just don’t make any plays in the game. We’ve got to have kids who can throw touchdown passes and catch some touchdown passes.”
BATH | During one mighty impressive stretch last season, the Bath Haverling football team posted four consecutive shutouts.
It was a feat that helped vault the Rams to a brief stay as the state’s top-ranked football team in Class B.
However, with just one player returning from Bath’s starting front seven defensively, the Rams will likely have a difficult time duplicating last season’s stingy standard.
And while Bath recorded lopsided victories during its four-week shutout tear a year ago, the 2010 Rams may have to compensate for their defensive losses by putting lots of points on the scoreboard.
A year ago, a touchdown or two per game would have been ample most weeks. This year, the Rams might have to win some high-scoring affairs in order to be successful.
“I just told those guys we need more pop in our offense and we’ve got to run the ball more and do whatever we have to do to score more points,” Bath head coach Wayne Carroll said. “Our defense has got a lot of holes in it and a lot of new guys, especially in the box.”
Bath’s offensive hopes this season will be riding predominantly on the shoulders of senior tailback Nick Carroll, the team’s top rusher in 2009. Although Carroll was a first-time starter in the offensive backfield last season, he adapted to his new role quite seamlessly.
Carroll amassed 1,180 yards and 20 touchdowns on just 158 carries for a robust 7.4 yards per carry rushing average. Despite the fact the Rams entered 2009 with virtually no experience at the skill positions, Carroll quickly quelled those fears.
But just as Bath’s offense may have to potentially be less reliant on a consistently-stout defense, runners like Carroll won’t have the luxury and peace of mind that comes with a veteran offensive line blasting open holes.
The Rams will have four new starters on the offensive line in 2010. Junior tackle Kyle Weaver, who stands an imposing 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds, is the only returning starter on the offensive front.
“We lost a lot of guys on the line, but I think we’ve got some guys who are willing to step up right now and some guys are pretty hungry, so I think we’ll be all right,” Nick Carroll said.
Weaver will anchor the line and looks forward to leading Bath’s men in the trenches.
“We’ve got a bunch of new and inexperienced guys and I’ve just got to help them and teach them different moves so they can get better and so we can improve as a team,” Weaver said.
Joining Weaver on the offensive line will be first-time varsity starters Mike Conner at tackle, Tyler Hillman at center and Tyler Reeves at guard. Justin Elward, Jeff McGlynn and Devon Lewberg are expected to battle for the second starting guard spot.
The Rams do have senior Tyler Hutcheson returning as a starter at tight end.
However, the primary concern heading into the season is how quickly the front five can develop and be productive. And aside from Weaver and Reeves, who stands 6-foot and 230 pounds, the Rams don’t have ideal size in the trenches.
“I think the biggest key this year is going to be the offensive line and seeing if those guys can pull it together,” Wayne Carroll said. “We’re not as big as we’ve been in the past (up front).”
But for all of the inexperience Bath has on the line, Carroll likes the talent he has at the skill positions.
Sophomore Dan Leonard will return at quarterback for Bath after starting last year as just a freshman. Carroll said seniors Brian Gable and DeVante Staton also might see some time at quarterback as he looks to mix things up in the backfield.
And even when Gable and Staton aren’t lining up under center, Carroll plans on using the duo either as running backs or receivers.
“Gable and DeVante are athletes, so we’re going to try to use some of those guys to run,” Wayne Carroll said.
In addition, the Rams have senior Brett Partridge returning at split end, along with senior Brady Santacroce, a 6-foot-1 target who will also see time at split end.
Ultimately, Bath’s success could boil down to its proven skill-position players absorbing the burden and finding the end zone with great frequency.
“The biggest thing is you’ve got to have playmakers,” Wayne Carroll said. “A lot of kids play, but they just don’t make any plays in the game. We’ve got to have kids who can throw touchdown passes and catch some touchdown passes.”
