There’s a lot of new surrounding the Wadsworth High School Football team this year. But, there’s plenty of the ‘same old, same old’ that should help the Grizzlies to a successful campaign.
Greg Dennison is back as head coach. The veteran coach has led the Grizzlies for the past 20 seasons. His record is 146-63.
Another big help for the Grizzlies is all-Ohio tailback Dan Weinerman. The senior rushed for over 1,800 yards last season, scored 15 touchdowns on the ground and averaged 26 carries a game. This year, you may see Weinerman more involved in the passing game. Joining him in the backfield will be juniors Alex Jones and Luke Clinton.
The Grizzlies have four returnees on the offensive line. Center Kyle Green is back, along with seniors Chris Byers, Bryan Perebzak and Blake Horner. Senior Chase Pegrim and junior Andrew McNutt should see some time on the o-line as well.
Wadsworth will have some talented receivers who can catch the ball. Zach Looser, Craig Palidar, Mitchell Blackburn will be the wide outs and the tight end position will be handled by sophomore Joey Fernholz. Last year, Looser had eight receptions in the playoff game against Austintown-Fitch.
On defense, senior linebacker Bailey Jarnigan, defensive backs Looser, Palidar and Blackburn will lead the way. Byers and Dan Horvat will anchor the line and Jones, Clinton and junior Cody Surratt will help to stuff the run from their linebacking positions.
There are plenty of ‘new’ aspects to the Grizzlies this year.
Of the starting 22 players for Wadsworth this year, as many as six could be sophomores.
Leading the offense is senior quarterback Connor Montgomery. Montgomery has good size at 6-foot-3, 186 pounds. But, the first pass Montgomery throws against Ashland, will be his first varsity pass.
The kicking game will feature brothers Cameron and Connor Mendel. Cameron is a senior, Connor a sophomore. This is the first year for both on the football team.
Of the 59 players on the Grizzlies Football roster this year, 23 are sophomores. Coach Dennison called the sophomores ‘talented’. How quickly they adjust to playing varsity football will be key.
Also new to Wadsworth this year is the Suburban League. Only Nordonia returns as a member along with Wadsworth. The new teams are Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, North Royalton, Brecksville and Twinsburg in the National Division.
Wadsworth will be in Division Two this year, instead of Division One. The last time Wadsworth was in Division Two, they reached the regional finals.
If the Grizzlies want to return to the playoffs, getting off to a good start is important. The first three games are against Ashland, Wooster and Medina. Then, the Suburban League schedule begins.
Wadsworth was 7-4 last year and lost in the first round of the Division One playoffs. The Grizzlies have made the OHSAA Football playoffs the last two consecutive seasons. They’re hoping to make it three straight.
