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By Steve Wilaj
By Steve Wilaj
BERLIN CENTER
When Western Reserve quarterback Nick Allison takes the field this season, he’ll have something on his back in addition to his familiar No. 15. It’s something he’ll share with the rest of his teammates.
A bull’s-eye.
Coming off a 9-3 playoff season in 2012, a 13-1 playoff season in 2011 and holding a 40-10 record in head coach Andy Hake’s four-year tenure, one thing is obvious to the Blue Devils.
“I think everybody wants to beat us,” Hake said. “It’s a good thing, though. Guys want to beat you because you’re good.”
Allison welcomes the challenge.
“It’s always best getting somebody’s best game,” he said. “It’s a lot more fun when you play hard and have to earn the win.”
OFFENSE
Allison (6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Sr.) will lead a Western Reserve offense that wants to throw the football as much as run it.
“On offense we want to go 50-50,” said Dan Rosati, a senior receiver and halfback. “We want to be pretty split.”
Rosati, a 2012 All-ITCL Tier Two selection, is one of many offensive weapons who complement Allison. Senior Dan Zilke will be featured in the backfield, along with Jon Timko and junior Evan Nesbitt.
Nick Tobin — a 6-foot-4 tight end — is another option on offense, while senior Sam Steininger anchors an offensive line that averages 280 pounds.
“We’re just really blessed. We have guys,” Hake said. “So we better be moving the ball. We have big boys on the line, but they’re not cowards.”
While only one is on the offensive line, the Blue Devils enter 2013 with 11 seniors — its largest class in Hake’s tenure.
“We have leaders,” he said. “They do the right things and the young kids do the right things because they want to emulate them. Everybody works hard, but it comes down to if you’re being a leader and doing the right things.”
DEFENSE
Senior linebacker Parker Clegg said the 11 upperclassmen enjoy the responsibility.
“There’s a lot more people to take leadership,” he said. “We’re just gonna do what we do best, and take lead in what we do.”
Clegg, Zilke and Timko are three linebackers who will anchor the defense, which Hake said plans to blitz often.
“Our defense is a really strong run defense,” Timko said. “We always do well on stopping the run. And we have some good corners and safeties coming back, too.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Western Reserve has experience here, too. Clegg will once again handle the kicking duties and Rosati will return kicks.
“Usually, it’s the younger guys but this year we have a lot of guys going one way,” Hake said. “So I’ll have a lot of older guys there and our special teams should be unbelievable.”
OUTLOOK
With depth, talent and experience across the board, the Blue Devils can’t help but feel optimistic heading into 2013.
While a third straight Inter Tri-County League title is on his mind first and foremost, Hake feels his team is ready for bigger accomplishments.
“We’ve been [to the playoffs] the last four or five years and I think it’s just taking the next step,” he said. “Our expectations are to win the whole thing. That’s it — win the state championship.”