OFA Faces Major Challenge, Big Opportunity Hosting Malone Fri.
Opening its season with a Northern Football League interdivisional matchup against Malone presents OFA with a formidable challenge.
The Devils, who moved to Class B this season after going unbeaten in league play and in the Section 10 Class C Tournament, will host a Huskie team which returned the bulk of its starters from last year's dominant Class A Championship season.
But the Devils also face a valuable opportunity on two fronts one week away from a trip to Peru to open their Class B season. A chance to rekindle the momentum of last year's 9-2 season with a high-quality opening night win and a chance to gauge where they stand in their early season development.
"Malone is obviously a very good team and their program is on the rise. They are tough defensively and offensively they run a Wing T something like Indian River does with a "Jet Sweep," said OFA Head Coach Matt Tessmer on Wednesday evening.
"They can run ball right at you and they can also throw the ball. Playing them is a great way for us to start the season. We will know where we stand right away."
Offensively, OFA stands for explosiveness in the air and on the ground triggered by senior quarterback Jared Morrow at the helm of a spread formation. Morrow established school records by throwing for 1534 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior while also making big plays with his running abilities.
Morrow will operate behind a senior-oriented offensive line featuring three-year starters in Nick TenEyck and Tim Barr at the tackles and another senior in center Ryan Bouchey who logged a great deal of starting experience last year. Juniors in Dave Dalton, who joined the varsity at midseason last season, and Brad Seguin will fill the tackle roles.
Senior Kris Folsom earned the starting fullback position in an intense preseason competition and seniors Eric Barr and Joel King give Morrow two dangerous slotback receivers.
King's ability to play with a cast on a broken finger was one of the top developments in the preseason. Along with significant running and receiving contributions Barr has assumed the place-kicking duties.
"Joel King is our best receiver heading into the season and getting him back was a big key. With Jared Morrow we have an outstanding quarterback and we have people with speed on the outside" said Coach Tessmer who will once again be assisted by Charlie McCormick, Tony Williams and Brett Monnat.
"Kris Folsom won the starting fullback job in a our scrimmage with Malone but Nevin Parish has looked good and will also be in there quite a bit."
The trio of Owen Luckie, the teams backup QB; Zach Grenier and Josh Liebstein will form the starting wide receiver combinations and juniors Christian Lesperance and Zach Sharpe are expected to see action as running backs.
Sharpe, Folsom, Grenier and Parish will form the starting linebacker corps backed by Tyler Knowlton and Greg Denner. A corps which was re-tooled with TenEyck moving into a defensive end position to start up front with tackles Tim Barr and Dalton and end Zach Sweeney. Jake Garrison, Gator Simmons and Andrew LeBeau will see interior action as reserves.
The secondary features three seniors in Eric Barr and King at the corners and Morrow at safety backed by Lesperance, Marv Petell and Nick Crawford. Morrow starts his fourth season as the Devil punter and Barr and Lesperance will handle the kick returns.
"We did a lot of good things in the scrimmage against Malone and our starting units look solid," said Coach Tessmer. "Developing depth is going to be a key for us."
QB Key For Huskies
The major key for the Huskies is quarterback Jordan Cosgrove who replaces Jake Gravel who led last year's team in several offensive categories. Brad Doe, last year's second leading rusher, returns along with top receivers Taylor Hilyard and towering tightend Austin Dunlavey.
Last season's leading tacklers in Sam Moore, Cody Gibson and Hilyard lead the defense along the Cosgrove who intercepted four passes. Blending with the veterans are graduates for a power junior varsity squad.
The OFA JV Football squad will visit Malone for a 10 a.m. season opener on Saturday.
