VAN WERT – One day at a time.
After suffering a winless campaign in 2016, Van Wert head football coach Keith Recker is resetting the mindset of both his players and coaching staff.
The goal is simple.
Recker wants his players to take care of business on a daily basis, and not be concerned on what lies ahead.
“We talk to our guys about just being concerned with what they have control of, which is their effort and focus today,” Recker said. “If we continue to take care of what we can control, we will be competitive against the teams in our league.”
Last season, Van Wert gave up nearly 39 points per game, while scoring just a little under 11 points per contest.
This fall, Recker’s goal is to improve in all facets of the game.
On the offensive side of the football, the Cougars have two playmakers in particular they are counting on in their spread offense.
Calling the signals at quarterback for the Cougars will be junior Nate Place (6-foot-1, 170). Last season, Place was catching passes at a wide receiver position for the Cougars (26 catches, 312 yards, seven touchdowns). However, this season Place will utilize his athleticism at quarterback.
Senior Jacoby Kelly (5-9, 165), last year’s leading receiver for Van Wert (55 receptions, 481 yards, one TD), returns at one of the receiver positions.
“We had to ask ourselves, if we wanted Nate (Place) to have the football 20 times per game, or four times per game,” Recker said. “And with Jacoby at a slot receiver, it will give Nate the opportunity to run the counter option.”
The Cougars return four of their offensive linemen. In all, Van Wert returns 13 letterwinners.
“Depth is going to be an issue,” Recker said. “We need other guys to be able to step up and give us a little more depth. We must stay in good shape, so our guys can go both ways.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Van Wert is hoping to improve on last season’s performance. In 2016, the Cougars gave up 3,925 yards in 10 games.
“So far, we’ve looked pretty solid (in scrimmages),” Recker said about his defensive unit. “Drew Bagley (6-3, 210, Jr.) has a great motor at defensive end. Jordon Danylchuk (6-1, 245, Sr.) will move to middle linebacker and should be one of the best in the league.”
Recker is trying to keep things basic for his athletes.
“We have a group of guys that have bought into ‘changing our best’,” Recker said. “We are not worried about what happens in two days or in two weeks. We are going to take care of what we can control today.”
