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By ERIC FORTUNE
By ERIC FORTUNE
EAST LIVERPOOL
With just five victories in the last two seasons, it seems logical to think the only place is to go up for East Liverpool.
Coach Rich Prescott’s Potters won their final three games last season to finish 4-6.
Prescott said avoiding another slow start and having his players buy into the program will be critical in 2013.
“As the season went on last year, we made leaps and bounds in the way of progress,” Prescott said. “Our players are now another year older.”
The Potters return nine starters on offense and nine starters on defense.
“We’ve got 20 seniors,” he said. “It’s the largest group we’ve had in a long time. They see the significance of getting out of the gates early.”
OFFENSE
Junior quarterback Kade Reynolds is expected to become a full-time starter.
“He only played three games under center prior to his sophomore year,” Prescott said. “He’s an athlete, though. He’s made a lot of progress. We worked with him a lot during the offseason. He really matured physically and mentally. We’re excited to see him play this year.”
Reynolds lines up behind a strong nucleus of linemen as eight players started at various times last season. That should give the Potters quality depth, something they’ve lacked in past seasons.
Four big running backs — John Miscuk, John Rickerd, Kaleb Tallent and Dylan Reynolds — will take pressure off Kade Reynolds.
DEFENSE
The Potters allowed 26.4 points last year. Prescott felt that was a bit misleading because of poor special teams.
“We never put our defense in a really good position,” Prescott said. “They played a really short field and as the season progressed, the numbers dropped. We got more comfortable. We have four linebackers, which will be our strength.”
Tallent, Miscuk, Rickard and Dylan Reynolds are the Potters’ linebackers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
With this many returning starters, special teams has become a focal point.
“We’ve spent a lot time in the offseason working on schemes,” Prescott said. “The big thing is — it’s a third of the game. If we don’t play that, we’re going to put ourselves in the same positions.”
OUTLOOK
Prescott feels he is seeing his players buying into the program.
“In the past we weren’t sure what type of expectations to have,” Prescott said. “Now, we’ve got a great group of seniors that are leaders and who are very experienced. We’re trying to improve on everything we’re doing. Let’s face the facts, we’ve won five games in two years.”