HARROD – Allen East football is back on the map.
First, there’s the comfy and squishy new field turf at the stadium this year.
Then, there’s the fact that the Mustangs return 14 starters from a team that went 6-4 last year.
“It had been about 10 years since we had a winning season and that’s the bright side of it,” Allen East coach Mike Abbey said. “The down side was we let a couple games slip away. But we had a strong offseason and we have a strong senior class coming back.”
Then, there’s the turf, which includes painted blue end zones, with “Allen East” at one end and “Mustangs” painted in white at the other.
“It was finished a month early so we’ve been out on that turf and it has been exciting,” Abbey said. “It definitely brings a different energy out there.”
Gone are Logan Schick, who ran for 1,000 yards as a junior, and first team all-Northwest Conference offensive lineman Logan Emerick.
The Mustangs will have six starters back on offense and eight on defense, with many going both ways.
Senior Spencer Miller is back at quarterback. In the Wing-T offense, out of the shotgun, Miller threw for 1,082 yards and 11 TDs. He also ran for 468 yards (5.8 average) with six TDs.
“Spencer is our leader. He has a great understanding of our offense,” Abbey said. “Spencer has complete control of our offense.”
The bulk of the offense will feature wingback Caleb Smelcer, who was second team all-NWC last year at running back. He ran for 626 yards (7.0 average) with five TDs. Smelcer also had 26 receptions for 545 yards and six TDs. That gave him over 1,100 yards from scrimmage.
“Caleb brings speed number one,” Abbey said. “His speed and athleticism are probably the best we’ve had around here in a while. Caleb could be something special. I think he’s a D-II (college) athlete. … Spencer and Caleb together are pretty outstanding.”
Another returning wingback is Kyle Nickles, who ran for 321 yards and three TDs. He also had eight receptions for 98 yards.
Also back is fullback Brent Wilson, who ran for 192 yards and two TDs.
The Mustangs return two on the offensive line in seniors guard Blaine Blankenship and tackle Travis Goodin.
“We do have to do a little bit of replacing there (on the offensive line), so on offense, that’s our question mark,” Abbey said.
One of spots on the line will be handled by Johnny Brinkman, a starter at defensive tackle, who now will also play guard.
Veterans joining Brinkman on the defensive line are nose guard Schuyler Caprella and defensive tackle Jesse Erevia (34 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks).
Caprella is a wrestler for Abbey, the longtime successful Allen East wrestling coach.
Returning at linebacker in the Allen East 3-5 defense are Wilson (49 tackles, 8 tackles for loss) at outside linebacker and Austin Tafe at inside linebacker.
“Our leader on defense is Brent Wilson at linebacker. He knows our defense well,” Abbey said. “He’ll play inside and outside.”
Miller returns as the starting safety.
Smelcer will start at cornerback. Smelcer had four interceptions last year and was first team all-NWC on defense.
Also back is safety Shane Gipson (28 tackles, 3 interceptions).
Once again, Cam Staley will coach the defense.
“We saw a great improvement on defense last year,” Abbey said. “We only gave up 153 points in the league and I know we gave up well over 200 points the last few years.”
With the winning season last year, expectations are much higher this season.
“We have to play as team and we have to have great discipline, on the football field and off the football field,” Abbey said. “Defensively, we still have to keep getting better. We have to be able to stop the run. And we have to be more physical up front. … Offensively, we have to take care of the football.
“It should be a great, exciting year with the field.”
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Allen East at Delphos Jefferson in football on September 19, 2015
photo by DENNIS SAAM for The Lima News
