Announcement
From the GAZETTE: By Jason P. Skoda, Staff Writer
Chris Medaglia's first season as Buckeye's head football coach will be about fun and games.
"We have 11 dominoes and you can't get to the last one unless you knock down the first one," said Medaglia, who included the team's scrimmage against Columbia Station as the first. "We have to stay healthy — we are already dinged up — and take it one day at a time.
"The kids understand the concept of the dominoes and we will see where we are when the last one falls."
The Bucks (6-4, 3-2) are coming off their first winning season since 1995, and a third-place finish in the Mohican Area Conference.
Buckeye lost several key contributors from last year, but there is plenty of talent left.
The offensive line should be solid with tackles Jason Reutter (6-foot-4, 300 pounds) and Brian Vasel (6-1, 210), guards Travs Travers (5-11, 260) and Chad Collins (6-2, 265) and center Adam Peters (6-0, 210).
Junior Dan Cereshko will take over for the departed Dustan Dolata at quarterback.
"We will do a lot of sprint-outs with Dan," said Medaglia, who will retain his role as offensive coordinator. "At 5-foot-11, he'll have some trouble seeing over the offensive line, so we are going to move the pocket around."
The running game should set up with senior Forest Mercer (630 yards, 7 TDs) getting most of the work. Junior Tyler Van Drei and senior Tim Maxworthy (380 yards, 13 catches) will also get a handful of carries a game.
Senior wide receiver Mike Kruse, junior split end Darren Cereshko and tight end Joe Filous should contribute to the offense as well.
The defense has a chance to be very good with Maxworthy, a MAC honorable mention pick in 2001, and Van Drei leading the linebacking corps.
"Maxworthy will anchor our defense," Medaglia said. "We might cut back his reps on offense because we want him fresh when the opponent has the ball."
Travers, a MAC honorable mention pick, Reutter, Vasel and senior Jason Seeley will get the majority of time on the defensive line.
The Cereshko brothers and Kruse should man the defensive backfield.
Medaglia said his first couple of weeks at the helm have been positive.
"They are starting to trust us, believe in us," Medaglia said. "That hasn't always been the case in the past. We have been trying to change that. There haven't been any surprises from the coaching staff."
Medaglia has also done little things to try and instill team unity.
"Even if it is wearing black shorts instead of anything they want, it shows some discipline," the coach said. "If you can't show enough (discipline) to wear the correct shorts on the right day, then how can you be expected to carry out your assignment on a certain play?"
Or win a game of dominoes.
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