East Clinton Astros: Will the Astros win one final SBAAC championship before moving to SCOL?
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
One year before the East Clinton Astros step into the South Central Ohio League, they have some unfinished business to take care of in the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference in 2011.
The Astros are in the final season in the SBAAC, and with that, they have a chance to leave as league champions, as they are the defending three-time SBAAC champs, and their seniors especially want that four-peat as champs.
Leading the Astros is sixth-year head coach Matt Hodge, and with his team coming off a playoff berth in '10, a season where they finished 8-3 overall, the Astros have the same high expectations this year.
EC enters the season with 12 seniors, and they lost seven starters from the playoff team, including six two-way starters. Also, EC switched divisions, moving up from Division V to Division IV.
"It may take a few more points to make the playoffs, but if we do what we are capable of doing, then the playoffs will take care of themselves," Hodge said about switching divisions and making the playoffs.
Returning for the Astros on offense are senior Matt Blackburn, who plays fullback, and senior Austin Miller at tailback. Nate Witkemper and Will Henderson (both seniors) will play wide receiver and at tight end will be senior Zach Bosier. The Astros will be young at quarterback, with sophomore Dalton Floyd taking the reins under center.
"Our skill spots on both offense and defense are our strengths," Hodge said. "We have a lot of experience returning."
The offense of the Astros is a multiple offense where Hodge said they will set up in anything from an I-formation to four wide. In the offense, they try to be as balanced as possible, most of which depends on the opponent that week.
"A lot depends on our game plan, but we like to be more balanced than anything," Hodge said.
Floyd last season passed for 127 yards in limited time as a freshman, throwing for three touchdowns. Floyd is replacing Kaeleb Bean, who passed for 644 yards in '10. Bean could run the ball as well, gaining seven touchdowns on the ground and rushing for 439 yards on 96 carries.
Miller, at tailback, rushed for 373 yards on 59 carries. He finished with four touchdowns, with his longest run going for 75 yards. Blackburn had 48 rushes last season for 239 yards and three touchdowns. At receiver last year, Miller had 19 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown. Witkemper had 18 catches for 274 yards and three TDs. Henderson caught the ball three times for 111 yards, and all three catches were for touchdowns.
Returning to the offensive line are two players in senior Matt Ison and senior Ricky Habermehl.
"It's good to have a lot returning on offense, but we need a couple of our younger offensive linemen to step up," Hodge said. "We are pretty experienced at the skill positions, we just need to develop up front.
"Anytime you are replacing players up front, that can be a challenge, just because they've never done it. There is a lot more to those positions than what people think. We do have two good returners there, and I'm sure they will do a good job leading them."
On defense, Blackburn, who had 101 tackles last season, 71 of which were solo, is returning at linebacker. Henderson, who had over 100 tackles last year, returns as defensive back, and Witkemper returns at cornerback and was the conference player of the year, gaining six interceptions a year ago.
"Matt has had a great winter, joining the 1,000-pound club. He's extremely strong, very dedicated, and we are looking for big things from him," Hodge said.
Also on defense are Floyd at cornerback, Ison at defensive tackle and junior Hayden Knisley and Habermehl, who will play at defensive end.
"We are a very aggressive 4-4 defense that likes to put a lot of pressure on the ball," Hodge said, describing his defense.
The offseason is described as good for the Astros.
"We have a lot of kids who play a lot of sports around here, but I feel the kids did a good job of getting in the weight room when they weren't involved with other things, and I feel we got a lot stronger in the offseason," Hodge said.
Being that this is the final season the Astros will be in the SBAAC, Hodge was asked if there were any mixed feelings in this final season in the current conference.
"We have good relationships with the conference that we are in. I know a lot of the coaches in the SCOL (South Central Ohio League), and I'm sure there will be good relationships there as well."
Before they move to the SCOL, EC will play Clinton-Massie in Week 10 (a Clinton County rival) and the McClain Tigers in Week 3 of the '11 season, in non-league games. They also scrimmaged Washington and Madison-Plains.
"We've scrimmaged Greenfield the last couple years. We both had a Week 3 opening, and we just added them to the schedule this year," Hodge said. "It worked out for us. They will be a great game for us, and they are always physical and tough.
"Massie, everyone knows about Massie … they are big and strong."
Making the playoffs is just one of the goals for EC.
"Our goals never change around here," Hodge said. "Our goals are to win the league and make it to Week 11."
The Astros open the '11 season hosting Waynesville on Friday, Aug. 26.[[In-content Ad]]
The Astros are in the final season in the SBAAC, and with that, they have a chance to leave as league champions, as they are the defending three-time SBAAC champs, and their seniors especially want that four-peat as champs.
Leading the Astros is sixth-year head coach Matt Hodge, and with his team coming off a playoff berth in '10, a season where they finished 8-3 overall, the Astros have the same high expectations this year.
EC enters the season with 12 seniors, and they lost seven starters from the playoff team, including six two-way starters. Also, EC switched divisions, moving up from Division V to Division IV.
"It may take a few more points to make the playoffs, but if we do what we are capable of doing, then the playoffs will take care of themselves," Hodge said about switching divisions and making the playoffs.
Returning for the Astros on offense are senior Matt Blackburn, who plays fullback, and senior Austin Miller at tailback. Nate Witkemper and Will Henderson (both seniors) will play wide receiver and at tight end will be senior Zach Bosier. The Astros will be young at quarterback, with sophomore Dalton Floyd taking the reins under center.
"Our skill spots on both offense and defense are our strengths," Hodge said. "We have a lot of experience returning."
The offense of the Astros is a multiple offense where Hodge said they will set up in anything from an I-formation to four wide. In the offense, they try to be as balanced as possible, most of which depends on the opponent that week.
"A lot depends on our game plan, but we like to be more balanced than anything," Hodge said.
Floyd last season passed for 127 yards in limited time as a freshman, throwing for three touchdowns. Floyd is replacing Kaeleb Bean, who passed for 644 yards in '10. Bean could run the ball as well, gaining seven touchdowns on the ground and rushing for 439 yards on 96 carries.
Miller, at tailback, rushed for 373 yards on 59 carries. He finished with four touchdowns, with his longest run going for 75 yards. Blackburn had 48 rushes last season for 239 yards and three touchdowns. At receiver last year, Miller had 19 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown. Witkemper had 18 catches for 274 yards and three TDs. Henderson caught the ball three times for 111 yards, and all three catches were for touchdowns.
Returning to the offensive line are two players in senior Matt Ison and senior Ricky Habermehl.
"It's good to have a lot returning on offense, but we need a couple of our younger offensive linemen to step up," Hodge said. "We are pretty experienced at the skill positions, we just need to develop up front.
"Anytime you are replacing players up front, that can be a challenge, just because they've never done it. There is a lot more to those positions than what people think. We do have two good returners there, and I'm sure they will do a good job leading them."
On defense, Blackburn, who had 101 tackles last season, 71 of which were solo, is returning at linebacker. Henderson, who had over 100 tackles last year, returns as defensive back, and Witkemper returns at cornerback and was the conference player of the year, gaining six interceptions a year ago.
"Matt has had a great winter, joining the 1,000-pound club. He's extremely strong, very dedicated, and we are looking for big things from him," Hodge said.
Also on defense are Floyd at cornerback, Ison at defensive tackle and junior Hayden Knisley and Habermehl, who will play at defensive end.
"We are a very aggressive 4-4 defense that likes to put a lot of pressure on the ball," Hodge said, describing his defense.
The offseason is described as good for the Astros.
"We have a lot of kids who play a lot of sports around here, but I feel the kids did a good job of getting in the weight room when they weren't involved with other things, and I feel we got a lot stronger in the offseason," Hodge said.
Being that this is the final season the Astros will be in the SBAAC, Hodge was asked if there were any mixed feelings in this final season in the current conference.
"We have good relationships with the conference that we are in. I know a lot of the coaches in the SCOL (South Central Ohio League), and I'm sure there will be good relationships there as well."
Before they move to the SCOL, EC will play Clinton-Massie in Week 10 (a Clinton County rival) and the McClain Tigers in Week 3 of the '11 season, in non-league games. They also scrimmaged Washington and Madison-Plains.
"We've scrimmaged Greenfield the last couple years. We both had a Week 3 opening, and we just added them to the schedule this year," Hodge said. "It worked out for us. They will be a great game for us, and they are always physical and tough.
"Massie, everyone knows about Massie … they are big and strong."
Making the playoffs is just one of the goals for EC.
"Our goals never change around here," Hodge said. "Our goals are to win the league and make it to Week 11."
The Astros open the '11 season hosting Waynesville on Friday, Aug. 26.[[In-content Ad]]