Ottawa-Glandorf coach Ken Schriner returns his starting quarterback, Peyton Kuhlman, for his senior season.
Jessica Trinko | The Lima News
OTTAWA – Longtime Ottawa-Glandorf football head coach Ken Schriner wants his team to run the football as much as possible.
Last season, Ottawa-Glandorf struggled at that, which resulted in a 1-9 overall record, and a mark of 1-8 in the Western Buckeye League.
“If you look at the plays we ran last year, we were about as close to 50/50 as we have ever been in my coaching career. That tells me that we’re throwing the ball too much,” Schriner said with a smile. “The goal is to always say 50/50, but to keep the defense off-balance, we want to run the ball. We want to try to grind it out and keep the possession. We’re not a wide-open (offensive) team by any stretch. However, I think this year, we’re also going to have the ability to throw the ball down the field.”
In 2023, the Titans averaged 89.2 rushing yards per contest, ninth in the WBL.
Returning at quarterback for O-G is senior Peyton Kuhlman (6-foot-4, 200 pounds, QB/DB). Last season, Kuhlman completed 127 of 261 passes for 1,495 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
“Peyton (Kuhlman) is a returning starter (quarterback). He’s a three-year starter now,” Schriner said. “We really have high expectations for him. We’re probably going to give him a little more responsibility on the field. We need him to take on the leadership role and work with the rest of those guys.”
Kuhlman will have plenty of weapons around him this season as the Titans will once again employ a spread offense.
“Grant Evers (Sr., 6-0, 200, RB/DB) is a returning running back, along with Vinnie Brinkman (Sr., 6-0, 210, RB/LB),” Schriner said. “Those two guys were the main part of our running back tandem last year. So, they’re back with a lot of experience, and we have high expectations.
“On the outside, we have Deegan Miller (So., 6-3, 180, WR/DB). He (Miller) is going to be a weapon for us. Dane Duling (Sr., 6-4, 200, TE/DL) will be at tight end. Last year, Dane was a guy that we didn’t use a whole lot at tight end, but track (this past spring) did him a world of good. Those guys (Miller and Duling) were out there (for track) and really got faster. I think the league will recognize those two guys as being dangerous.”
The Titans have 26 letter winners returning this season. Out of those returners, 10 were starters in 2023.
“We have a number of guys with experience back. Hopefully, that helps us out in the long run,” Schriner said. “Was it (last season) a good experience? … I don’t know. That remains to be seen but the best part is, we got bigger and stronger in the offseason. I think we also got faster. The kids grew up. The sophomores became juniors. The juniors became seniors. Hopefully, that experience bodes well in the long run.”
O-G returns some key players on the offensive line.
“Up front, we have a lot of guys back with experience,” Schriner said. “The right tackle, Hayden Kaufman (Sr., 6-2, 255, OL/DL) is back. Right guard, Austin Haley (Sr., 5-11, 225, OL/DL), is back as a returning starter as well. Some of the other guys have experience. However, we just have to put it together and see what happens.”
In 2023, O-G’s defense ranked seventh overall in the WBL. The Titans hope to tighten up on the defensive side of the football this season.
“Defensively, we have a lot of guys back. Our guys up front are going to be two-way players,” Schriner said. “We have some sophomores that are going to step up. Hopefully, they mature in a hurry and can handle the pressure of our schedule. We know there are no easy games.”
Schriner is pleased with the number of players on this year’s roster.
“We’re at 80 (players) for the four grades. Numbers are up. I’m excited about that,” he said. “I think the kids are having fun out there. So far, our practices have been much more intense and much more physical. Our mantra this year is to hit. We want to go out and be hitters. I think last year, we were pushed around by some teams because we were not mature and physical enough. I learned a long time ago that you cannot coach big. … You have to become big. So, that’s a challenge for us. I think our kids did a great job in the offseason. Now, they can go out there, learn the techniques and play football.”
Schriner said some team goals will never change.
“We always want to compete for the league (championship),” Schriner said. “However, right off the bat this season, the first goal is to beat Liberty-Benton. It’s a brand-new team on our schedule. … Gosh, what a game. We get to host that game. I’m sure L-B will bring a big group (of fans) over here. I think our kids are going to be excited about it. I’m sure they (L-B) are going to be excited as well.”
TEAM PROFILE
Coach: Ken Schriner (29th season)
Division: IV
Last year’s record: 1-9 (1-8 WBL)
Ticket information: https://www.ottawaglandorf.org/o/oglsd/page/tickets
Returning 2023 letterwinners include: Peyton Kuhlman (Sr., QB), Austin Haley (Sr., OL/DL), Vinnie Brinkman (Sr., RB/LB), Grant Evers (Sr., RB/DB), Hayden Kaufman (SR., OL/DL), Dylan Siefker (Sr., OL/DL), Jayden Stechschulte (Sr., LB/RB), Logan Maas (Sr., WR/DB), Ethan Metzger (Sr., WR/DB), Nolan Horstman (Jr., WR/DB), Trevor Rump (So., RB/LB))
Promising newcomers include: Dane Duling (Sr., TE/DL), Masen Vogt (Sr., WR/DB), Griffin Beckett (Sr., RB/DL), Larkin Felkey (Sr., WR/DB), Kaiden Fenbert (Sr., RB/LB), Will Gulker (Sr., OL/DL), Kolton Schroeder (Sr., WR/DB), Landyn Schulte (Sr., OL/DL), Ajani Thomas (Sr., RB/LB), Derek Brown (Jr., OL/DL), Jayden Guerra (Jr., OL/DL), Deegan Miller (So., WR/RB), Riley Trombley (So., RB/LB), Carson Yaeger (So., QB/DB)
2024 schedule
(Kickoffs scheduled for 7 p.m.; subject to change)
8/23 — Liberty-Benton
8/30 — Kenton`
9/6 — at Wapakoneta
9/13 — Elida
9/20 — at St. Marys
9/27 — at Bath
10/4 — Van Wert
10/11 — Celina
10/18 — at Shawnee
10/25 — at Defiance
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See more about 2024 high school football season at LimaOhio.com/tag/hsfootball24.
