Bowling Green running back Peyton Harris runs with the ball during the first half of a game against Maumee at Kazmaier Stadium last year.
Scott W. Grau | Sentinel-Tribune
Bowling Green football may have seen major losses to graduation, but don’t count them out, especially in the Northern Lakes League’s new small-school Cardinal Division.
“On paper, we graduated 21 seniors and I think people write us off early, but this group plays for each other,” third-year coach Joshua Wade said.
“We always expect to be at the top. It’s the NLL — every week is competitive. Our kids are buying into our system and the competition level in practice has skyrocketed. Our first-year starters will be tested early.
“We’ll be young. We have guys who will be starting their first varsity game against (non-league season opener) Otsego, but I think they are ready for it.
“We’ve had some positive things, and we’ve had some not so positive things and I think our kids have really responded well in the few scrimmages that we had. I think that they’ll be ready, especially with it (Otsego) being a crosstown rivalry.
“They haven’t played them since before they were in high school, so it’s something different and a different opportunity and the environment is going to be pretty amazing.”
The Bobcats scrimmaged Oak Harbor in their final preseason test, and Wade liked what he saw.
“It was good. We did some good things, scored early, and we didn’t take care of the ball at a couple early points, but we came out from halftime, we got a pick-six on the first play,” Wade said.
“It was good to see those guys respond. Both sides had their half as well, but seeing that and feeling that was good for the kids.
“I feel like we can play with anybody on any given night. We must bring it. There is no game on our schedule that we can say, ‘Oh, that’s an easy one.’”
In his first two seasons, Wade’s BG teams went a combined 5-15, including 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the NLL last year. This year’s team returns 15 lettermen.
Key returnees include senior defensive lineman and slot receiver Reece Rath, senior running back Peyton Harris, senior linebacker and wide receiver Mitch Keller and junior linebacker and slot receiver Ja’ceous Shannon.
Shannon, who had 35 carries for 169 yards and one touchdown last year, had a big night in the scrimmage with Oak Harbor.
“He’s looking good. He had over 100 yards against Oak Harbor yesterday and had a touchdown — he busted another long one,” Wade said.
“He’s got experience so this will be his third year starting and he’s only a junior still. I think the game has slowed down for him.”
“Reece Rath is back for another year, and I think that helps us with our front on defense. He’s a first team All-NLL nose tackle and he plays on offense, and we have Mitch Keller who came on late last year.
“We have some good pieces in place. This group has been sticking together through the good times and the not so good times throughout camp and scrimmages.”
Keller, who had 43 tackles and four interceptions last year, was a third team All-NLL safety and Harris was a third team All-NLL running back after running for 801 yards on 148 carries with seven touchdowns. Rath had 39 tackles last year.
Other top skilled players include junior quarterback Jamison Horst, junior running back Brogan Pasley, junior slot Jackson Shafer, senior wide receivers Keller and Casey Moore and junior receiver Brennan Howard.
Wade says Horst “is putting his stamp on this offense and leads by example,” and Casey Moore “has been a great addition for us this year.”
Junior Rhett Winger, a defensive back and slot receiver, “brings a confidence with him and it is contagious.”
Other top linemen are senior Ryan Gerwin on offense and on defense Rath, Shafer and senior Deane Lamb. Leading the defensive backfield is Shannon and Keller.
BG SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 OTSEGO
Aug. 25 @ Fostoria
Sept. 1 @ Anthony Wayne
Sept. 8 SPRINGFIELD
Sept. 15 @ Sylvania Northview
Sept. 22 CLAY
Sept. 29 @ Sylvania Southview
Oct. 6 TOLEDO WOODWARD
Oct. 13 NAPOLEON
Oct. 20 @ Fremont Ross
