MP Golden Eagles: With a new coach, can the Golden Eagles climb the SCOL ladder?
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The overall tune for the Madison-Plains Golden Eagle football program is going from the blues to something more upbeat in 2011, as there is a new coach and new energy for a team that won one game a season ago.
New head coach Mike Siders expects the very best from his players, taking over for former head coach Barry Blackstone, who took a coaching job in the college ranks over the winter.
Siders is no stranger to the MP football program, coaching at all levels the past few years. This is his team now, and he wants to be a part of making the Golden Eagles competitive inside and outside the South Central Ohio League.
"This is my first year as varsity head coach. I've coached the past four years at the middle school level, and I've seen these kids grow up. The senior group was my first group," Siders said.
In '10, the Golden Eagles went 0-6 in the SCOL, scoring 176 total points in the 10-game regular season while allowing 449 points, the most of any team in the league. Their lone win was a 20-18 victory against Meadowdale in Week 8.
But this young group of Golden Eagles knows all of that is in the past, and the only season that matters is this one, 2011.
MP has six seniors, two being kickers who play on the soccer team. Only one senior, Drew Hatfield (running back), has been a part of the high school program for the past four seasons.
"We are very, very young. We have some juniors and sophomores, and we have 14 freshmen," Siders said. "Drew is a special kid to me because he's the only senior that stuck it out for four years. Nothing against my other three seniors, they are just as special, but I look at that total four-year commitment.
"This is my first run, and this is a family out here, on and off the field. With the parents, and looking and seeing these kids grow up … it leaves more passion to get as far as our goals."
The offense for the Golden Eagles is a young team, but Siders said that can be a good thing because the players do have some experience on Friday nights.
"These kids have been baptized in the fire of varsity football the past two years, and that's OK because the speed of the game ... they will be up to it."
Returning are lineman are right tackle Kyle Young and right guard John Robinette, both of whom are juniors. The center is junior Joe Francis, and there is some competition for other spots on the offensive line.
"All three of them are solid," Siders said. "Our offensive line as a whole is pretty solid. As for the other spots, I like the competition because I like getting the best out of my players."
Siders wants his offense to be a ball-control offense. He said if people think they will throw the ball 25 times a game, that will not happen.
"I don't care if a team puts eight or 10 in the box, I'm expecting three yards a pop, if not more," Siders said. "We aren't going to be super flashy, that's for sure."
As for the backfield, the Golden Eagles return two seniors in Hatfield and Derrick Ridenour, who both played defense last season. Freshman Travis Chaffin and junior Matt Toops (who was a wide receiver in '10) will also carry the football for MP.
Another ball carrier will be junior Stephen Lemieux, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Also rushing the ball will be Grant Johnson, who Siders said will be ready anytime he is called upon.
"You can't say enough about him," Siders said. "We are waiting to see what's on the table for him this year."
The MP quarterback this season will be Ryne Davis, a junior, replacing former QB Seth Castro.
"Ryne saw some flash at quarterback last year, and I saw some things l liked," Siders said. "I decided the best for our program was for the junior quarterback to lead this team, even though he wants to play some safety on me. My rule of thumb is if you are the quarterback, you are going to be standing by me when the defense is headed to the field."
At receiver this year will be Alex Williams, Brooks Taylor and Derek Williams.
"Last season Alex stepped out and didn't play, but I talked to him and he hit the weight room all year round and decided to come back," Siders said. "Brooks is a transfer from London, and he's doing really well. Derek is one of those seniors that should have stuck with the program for four years, but for the past two years he's been one of the leaders of the program. He'll do anything for this program. If I needed a right tackle, he knows even if he's a wide receiver he would step in just to get the job done. The kid wants to win.
"Like I said about the offense, we are young, we are the small dog in the league, but we are up for the challenge. These guys know how I feel about it. There are no easy wins on our schedule, and there is no reason for us to underestimate any opponent. Our kids know that, and if they keep that frame of mind, I think something special can come out of this year."
One thing about the MP Golden Eagles is they have a total of four coaches for the varsity program. Coaching for MP are Jake Daniels (defensive coordinator), Chris Laslow (special teams), Mike Dotts and Siders.
"We've had a good offseason, but we have four coaches, when most teams have six, eight or 12. We have four very dedicated coaches, and I'm fortunate to have four. Two-a-days went well, but we know we have to pick up the intensity. As far as offseason training, it's been drilled into them there is no offseason," Siders said. "I've got three-sport and two-sport athletes pumping the iron in the weight room year round. They know as soon as the last snap is taken, they are in the weight room the next day.
"If they want to win and do the right things, they are buying into what a winning program is supposed to do. It's not going to happen overnight, and they know that, but these kids understand there is no offseason because we can't allow any team to get an edge on us as far as the SCOL is concerned."
The Golden Eagle defense looks to improve from a year ago after allowing over 400 points in the regular season. Siders wants his defense to have a lot of gang tackling, helmets to the football and aggression.
"Our goal is to get a lot of three-and-outs so our offense can have the ball the whole game so we can be a clock grinder," Siders said. "That's my philosophy and our plan. In order to be successful in the SCOL, that's what we have to do."
At linebacker is Wilson, a two-year varsity player; nose tackle Logan McGraw, a two-year varsity player; and rounding out the lineup are defensive ends Kyle Young and Ridenour. Williams will play at safety, and Taylor will be one of the Golden Eagle cornerbacks or safety. Matt Wilson will play at cornerback, and Lemieux will be a safety.
Grant Johnson and Dotts will play at linebacker, playing at the varsity level as freshmen last season.
"That's where we are at … being a smaller school, we aren't as fortunate to play two platoon," Siders said. "We are up to the task. As far as experience, we have experience at the varsity level, but we still have a lot of work to do to become a great football team, as far as defensive-wise. I think the potential is there, but it is just a matter of getting the reps in and doing what we need to do. I'm looking forward to it."
With this being his first season as head coach, Siders has taken some advice from former MP coaches and added what he's learned to what he believes makes a successful football program.
"I tell you, I have followed two great head coaches and I have worked with both of them. I took a little bit from Coach Adams and Coach Blackstone and tied in what I like as well," Siders said. "What I follow is one coach is a great coach who went to the playoffs at other schools. You have a legend like Coach Blackstone to follow, so you have to learn something from him.
"I've learned a lot, and I haven't changed much. We all three believe you start in the weight room and you have to have the passion, heart and the will to be coached to produce. The kids have been around me long enough so they know what to expect. There wasn't much to change except the kids' minds to continue to groom them as far as what it takes to build a winning program."
With the season around the corner, Siders said he's ready for what's ahead.
"I couldn't be more proud of my team. I couldn't be more proud to be at Madison-Plains and to be their head coach," he said. "I'm looking for longevity … the parents know it, the team knows it. We are looking to build this program long-term, and I'm here and I'm willing to whatever it takes to get this program above and beyond and headed into the right direction."
MP opens the '11 season at Cedarville.[[In-content Ad]]
New head coach Mike Siders expects the very best from his players, taking over for former head coach Barry Blackstone, who took a coaching job in the college ranks over the winter.
Siders is no stranger to the MP football program, coaching at all levels the past few years. This is his team now, and he wants to be a part of making the Golden Eagles competitive inside and outside the South Central Ohio League.
"This is my first year as varsity head coach. I've coached the past four years at the middle school level, and I've seen these kids grow up. The senior group was my first group," Siders said.
In '10, the Golden Eagles went 0-6 in the SCOL, scoring 176 total points in the 10-game regular season while allowing 449 points, the most of any team in the league. Their lone win was a 20-18 victory against Meadowdale in Week 8.
But this young group of Golden Eagles knows all of that is in the past, and the only season that matters is this one, 2011.
MP has six seniors, two being kickers who play on the soccer team. Only one senior, Drew Hatfield (running back), has been a part of the high school program for the past four seasons.
"We are very, very young. We have some juniors and sophomores, and we have 14 freshmen," Siders said. "Drew is a special kid to me because he's the only senior that stuck it out for four years. Nothing against my other three seniors, they are just as special, but I look at that total four-year commitment.
"This is my first run, and this is a family out here, on and off the field. With the parents, and looking and seeing these kids grow up … it leaves more passion to get as far as our goals."
The offense for the Golden Eagles is a young team, but Siders said that can be a good thing because the players do have some experience on Friday nights.
"These kids have been baptized in the fire of varsity football the past two years, and that's OK because the speed of the game ... they will be up to it."
Returning are lineman are right tackle Kyle Young and right guard John Robinette, both of whom are juniors. The center is junior Joe Francis, and there is some competition for other spots on the offensive line.
"All three of them are solid," Siders said. "Our offensive line as a whole is pretty solid. As for the other spots, I like the competition because I like getting the best out of my players."
Siders wants his offense to be a ball-control offense. He said if people think they will throw the ball 25 times a game, that will not happen.
"I don't care if a team puts eight or 10 in the box, I'm expecting three yards a pop, if not more," Siders said. "We aren't going to be super flashy, that's for sure."
As for the backfield, the Golden Eagles return two seniors in Hatfield and Derrick Ridenour, who both played defense last season. Freshman Travis Chaffin and junior Matt Toops (who was a wide receiver in '10) will also carry the football for MP.
Another ball carrier will be junior Stephen Lemieux, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Also rushing the ball will be Grant Johnson, who Siders said will be ready anytime he is called upon.
"You can't say enough about him," Siders said. "We are waiting to see what's on the table for him this year."
The MP quarterback this season will be Ryne Davis, a junior, replacing former QB Seth Castro.
"Ryne saw some flash at quarterback last year, and I saw some things l liked," Siders said. "I decided the best for our program was for the junior quarterback to lead this team, even though he wants to play some safety on me. My rule of thumb is if you are the quarterback, you are going to be standing by me when the defense is headed to the field."
At receiver this year will be Alex Williams, Brooks Taylor and Derek Williams.
"Last season Alex stepped out and didn't play, but I talked to him and he hit the weight room all year round and decided to come back," Siders said. "Brooks is a transfer from London, and he's doing really well. Derek is one of those seniors that should have stuck with the program for four years, but for the past two years he's been one of the leaders of the program. He'll do anything for this program. If I needed a right tackle, he knows even if he's a wide receiver he would step in just to get the job done. The kid wants to win.
"Like I said about the offense, we are young, we are the small dog in the league, but we are up for the challenge. These guys know how I feel about it. There are no easy wins on our schedule, and there is no reason for us to underestimate any opponent. Our kids know that, and if they keep that frame of mind, I think something special can come out of this year."
One thing about the MP Golden Eagles is they have a total of four coaches for the varsity program. Coaching for MP are Jake Daniels (defensive coordinator), Chris Laslow (special teams), Mike Dotts and Siders.
"We've had a good offseason, but we have four coaches, when most teams have six, eight or 12. We have four very dedicated coaches, and I'm fortunate to have four. Two-a-days went well, but we know we have to pick up the intensity. As far as offseason training, it's been drilled into them there is no offseason," Siders said. "I've got three-sport and two-sport athletes pumping the iron in the weight room year round. They know as soon as the last snap is taken, they are in the weight room the next day.
"If they want to win and do the right things, they are buying into what a winning program is supposed to do. It's not going to happen overnight, and they know that, but these kids understand there is no offseason because we can't allow any team to get an edge on us as far as the SCOL is concerned."
The Golden Eagle defense looks to improve from a year ago after allowing over 400 points in the regular season. Siders wants his defense to have a lot of gang tackling, helmets to the football and aggression.
"Our goal is to get a lot of three-and-outs so our offense can have the ball the whole game so we can be a clock grinder," Siders said. "That's my philosophy and our plan. In order to be successful in the SCOL, that's what we have to do."
At linebacker is Wilson, a two-year varsity player; nose tackle Logan McGraw, a two-year varsity player; and rounding out the lineup are defensive ends Kyle Young and Ridenour. Williams will play at safety, and Taylor will be one of the Golden Eagle cornerbacks or safety. Matt Wilson will play at cornerback, and Lemieux will be a safety.
Grant Johnson and Dotts will play at linebacker, playing at the varsity level as freshmen last season.
"That's where we are at … being a smaller school, we aren't as fortunate to play two platoon," Siders said. "We are up to the task. As far as experience, we have experience at the varsity level, but we still have a lot of work to do to become a great football team, as far as defensive-wise. I think the potential is there, but it is just a matter of getting the reps in and doing what we need to do. I'm looking forward to it."
With this being his first season as head coach, Siders has taken some advice from former MP coaches and added what he's learned to what he believes makes a successful football program.
"I tell you, I have followed two great head coaches and I have worked with both of them. I took a little bit from Coach Adams and Coach Blackstone and tied in what I like as well," Siders said. "What I follow is one coach is a great coach who went to the playoffs at other schools. You have a legend like Coach Blackstone to follow, so you have to learn something from him.
"I've learned a lot, and I haven't changed much. We all three believe you start in the weight room and you have to have the passion, heart and the will to be coached to produce. The kids have been around me long enough so they know what to expect. There wasn't much to change except the kids' minds to continue to groom them as far as what it takes to build a winning program."
With the season around the corner, Siders said he's ready for what's ahead.
"I couldn't be more proud of my team. I couldn't be more proud to be at Madison-Plains and to be their head coach," he said. "I'm looking for longevity … the parents know it, the team knows it. We are looking to build this program long-term, and I'm here and I'm willing to whatever it takes to get this program above and beyond and headed into the right direction."
MP opens the '11 season at Cedarville.[[In-content Ad]]