Grant Breitigam of Waynesfield-Goshen is player that coach Chris Sommers is excited about on both sides of the ball.
Don Speck | The Lima News
WAYNESFIELD – There’s a new head football coach this season at Waynesfield-Goshen.
However, the vibes around the program are anything but new.
Former Spencerville and Delphos Jefferson head football coach Chris Sommers takes over the W-G football program after Shane Wireman stepped down as the Tigers’ head coach earlier this year. Wireman was then hired as Shawnee’s head football coach.
After very successful stints at Delphos Jefferson and Spencerville as a head coach, Sommers stepped down from Spencerville in 2023 and accepted an assistant coach position at Fort Loramie, where he coached for one season.
However, once the opportunity at W-G presented itself, Sommers said he felt compelled to pursue it.
“I really wasn’t looking (for a head coaching job),” Sommers said. “I was very blessed to be at Fort Loramie and learn under Coach Wells. … He taught me a lot. We had been very close for many years. It was a great place to be.
“But when this (head coaching position at W-G) came open, I knew it was a good program. It felt right to me. When I came over to interview, it was easy for me to really see that it was. I felt like if I got the opportunity, this would be the place I would want to be. The interview committee was amazing. Then when I did get the job and started to work with the athletes I knew this was what I was looking for. So, I’m thrilled. I’m blessed beyond words. I didn’t close the door (on coaching football). I love football. I just want to be involved. When this opportunity came up, I prayed about it.”
Sommers has 13 letter winners returning from last season’s 10-1 (9-0 Northwest Central Conference) squad. Last season, W-G lost in the first round of the playoffs to Edon.
“We have 13 letter winners back – about six or seven guys on both sides of the ball,” Sommers said. “Obviously, they had a lot of success here, and they’ve lost some really good players. However, we certainly have a number of good players coming back and we’re really excited.”
Sommers brings his trademark Wing-T offense to W-G. In previous campaigns, the Tigers employed a spread offense. Sommers said his new players have been very receptive to the new offense.
“We are all Wing-T,” Sommers said. “We did a camp at St. Marys. Their coaches have always been fantastic. That really helped our guys to see what we want to do, and the way we want to do it so that was a great camp for us. We hit the ground running this summer. We’ve seen good improvement each and every day. We’re excited about it.
“But it (new offense) comes with guys changing positions. It really went well. I can’t say enough about the players. That’s what I appreciate so much. They just come in and work.”
Sommers said that he feels good about his coaching staff at W-G.
“Bringing John (Edinger) with me (as an assistant) has really helped. He’s been with me for many years. I was a head coach for 10 years total, and he was with me for maybe eight years. He retired for a couple of years, but I got him back. Brent Binkley was with me at Delphos Jefferson. He’s on the staff so those guys are familiar with it (Wing-T). I also inherited some really great coaches. It’s a great mix. I’ve always been blessed in that way. The Lord has always taken care of me by putting great people around me,” he said.
Sommers is optimistic about his offensive unit.
“At running back, Grant Breitigam (Sr., 5-9, 170, RB/LB), who has been a standout defensive player, has shown us a lot at running back. We’re really excited,” Sommers said. “Carson Barnes (Sr., 6-0, 195, RB/LB) and Gage Steinke (Sr., 5-8, 145, RB/LB) are back. Both of these guys were receivers in the past. They have shown good speed and power. We’re excited about the running back corps. We also return three of the five offensive linemen. That’s been a huge positive so we like our guys up front.”
The Tigers will look a little different this season on the defensive side of the ball.
“We’ll be in a 3-5 (formation) up front. We felt like it was the best system here,” Sommers said. “The guys have taken to it. They enjoy it. So far we’ve seen a lot of good things from it. We really like our D-line. They’re big and physical, and we like that. We’re going to have to be in good shape to go both ways.”
There is plenty of excitement flowing around the W-G camp this summer.
“I would say that it’s pretty exciting. It’s a good experience,” Carson Barnes said. “I think it (Wing-T) will work pretty well. It will help us get our running game going. I think we’ll be pretty good with the Wing-T.”
Layden Porter (Sr., 5-8, 205), an offensive and defensive lineman, feels optimistic about the transition to the new offense.
“We’re used to more pass-block material. However, since we’re rolling with this new offense, I like the pace of it. … It’s definitely more fast-paced. Overall, I think we should have plenty of success with it,” Porter said.
Added senior lineman Troy Spencer (5-10, 185, OL/LB), “Now that we’ve changed our plays, we will run the ball more often. So, it’s a little easier to learn the plays, and it’s a lot simpler. I think we’ll be pretty good at it.”
Sommers realizes how successful the W-G football program has been over the past few years, and he’s ready for the challenge. Wireman guided W-G to a 21-2 mark in two seasons, which included two undefeated NWCC championships.
“I think that’s the expectation (win the NWCC and get into the playoffs) here, which I’m excited about. … That’s where the bar is,” Sommers said. “That’s good. That’s where you want the program to be, and the guys expect it. It’s a hungry team. They came to the early-season workouts and really got after it. Coach Wireman did a really good job with this program. Now, I want to continue that and keep it going.”
TEAM PROFILE
Coach: Chris Sommers (first season)
Division: VII
Last year’s record: 10-1, 9-0 NWCC
Ticket information: wgschools.org/o/wga/page/online-ticket-purchasing
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Jace Kaufman (Sr., QB/DB), Grant Breitigam (Sr., RB/LB), Tyler Wireman (Sr., WR/DB), Bradey Miller (Jr., RB/LB), Reed Waitman (Jr., WR/DB), Carson Barnes (Sr., RB/LB), Gage Steinke (Sr., RB/LB), Troy Spencer (Sr., OL/LB), Brody Roberts (Jr., OL/DL), Layden Porter (Sr., OL/DL), Kolton Webb (Jr., OL/LB), Jayce Turner (Sr., OL/DL), Eli Zechman (So., OL/DL)
Top newcomers: Griffin Stiles (Fr., RB/DB), Braylen Clay (Fr., RB/LB), Trenton Faraglia (Fr., WR/LB), Lincoln Glaser (Fr., OL/LB), Cole Little (Fr., OL/DL), Levi Coy (Fr., OL/DL), Landon Kabara (Fr., OL/DL)
2024 schedule
(Kickoffs scheduled for 7 p.m.; subject to change)
8/23 — Mississinawa Valley
8/31 — at Crestline
9/6 — Upper Scioto Valley
9/13 — Hardin Northern
9/20 — at North Baltimore
9/27 — Cory-Rawson
10/4 — at Elgin
10/11 — at Perry
10/18 — Ridgedale
10/25 — at Ridgemont
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See more about 2024 high school football season at LimaOhio.com/tag/hsfootball24.
