By ryan buck

rbuck@vindy.com

Brookfield

Perhaps no team in the area needs to replace as much production and leadership as Brookfield.

The Warriors’ historic run to the Division IV regional final, ended by state power Norwayne, centered on the collective talents of namely Jeremy and Jimmy Quinlan and Ryan Mosora.

Three-sport standout Jeremy Quinlan was the ultimate dual threat at quarterback while Mosora, now entering his freshman season at Youngstown State, rushed for more than 1,700 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. Jimmy Quinlan was a receiving target, but more importantly registered 125 tackles on defense to lead the team.

All three have graduated, leaving this Brookfield team with lots of question marks.

“It’s going to be hard to replace the production we lost,” said Warriors coach Randy Clark, who is entering his ninth season in coaching. “We’ve got some young kids coming up who can hopefully fill those shoes. Right now, game experience-wise, we’re a little bit behind, but I think we have some kids that hopefully soon can step up.”

offense

Clark plans to employ a spread offense with pistol elements after Jeremy Quinlan ran the show from a purely spread offense a year ago.

Augustus Necastro, a sophomore, will start at quarterback.

While Clark insists Necastro’s future is bright, Joey Clark will be relied upon heavily as his running back. R.J. Leon will be a threat on the outside when Brookfield wants to air it out, but they will look to him in all facets.

Brookfield will field a young, but sizeable offensive line.

“I think we’re going to be able to run the ball and spread everybody out,” the elder Clark said.

defense

New starters will also be tasked with replacing the Quinlans and Mosora on the defensive side of the ball, but plenty of experience returns that should enable the Warriors to play with anybody.

Leon and Clark are two of the three returning starters in the defensive backfield. Tyler Hailey will roam the secondary, providing versatility. Junior C.J. Johnson is poised to break out at linebacker.

“Overall, defensively we’re going to be all right,” Clark said. “Our team speed’s probably going to be a little faster [than last year], but not as athletic.”

special teams

Leon returns as the punter while sophomore Kasey Tingler will kick.

outlook

Brookfield will drop down to Division VI this season under the division realignment after a long stint in Division IV.

The Warriors’ schedule against the likes of Hubbard, Struthers and Campbell, schools in bigger divisions, will aid their playoff hopes if they can pull off wins.

“If you beat those bigger schools, of course we’ll get more [computer] points than we did if we were [Division] IV,” Clark said.