Experienced McDonald expects success

August 24, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

MCDONALD

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

For McDonald High and coach Dan Williams, even in an ever-changing landscape of high school football in northeast Ohio, one may count on two things.

Wins and the Wing-T.

The Blue Devils take a back seat to very few when it comes to consistency.

In Williams’ 14 previous seasons as head coach at his alma mater (where he played quarterback), his teams have made seven Ohio state playoff appearances.

From the top down, McDonald football is a logistics analyst’s dream. From grades seven through 12, the routine is standard and the message is the same.

“We don’t have a lot of turnover in our coaching staff,” said Williams, who ironically oversees the offensive line and empowers his assistants to lead the skill players. “I’m coaching with the same guys I’ve been coaching with since day one. And they’re all McDonald guys. They’ve been through our system and they’re guys I played with. We haven’t changed the system in 30 years.

“We promote our tradition and we promote our winning ways. We show them that they’re the next step and they’re a part of it.”

After a two-year drought, 2013 saw the Blue Devils climb back into the spotlight where they fell to eventual Division VI state champion Kirtland.

“Last year got us back to our winning ways,” Williams said.

With a horde of seniors returning at just about every key spot, Williams foresees greater success this season.

“We’ve got all our skill guys back and you can get a lot more offense in because of the experience we have,” Williams said, naming off seniors who all have at least three years of varsity playing time.

Now is their time to shine, he says.

“Any time you have 17- and 18-year-old kids and they’re your starters, it gives you a better chance to win.

“I expect to have a great season because of it.”

OFFENSE

“You’ve still got some old-school guys that still like to run the football,” Williams said. “Our bread and butter is running the football and controlling the clock.”

Running backs Jake Reckard and Cameron Ifft have both been integral parts of the offense for three years while Caleb Dimery will play running back as well as linebacker.

Albert Yates is a multi-year starter on both offensive and defensive lines and Jake Billock is a third-year starter on the offensive line.

All are seniors.

Quarterback Ben Carkido started much of 2013.

DEFENSE

To combat the increasingly common spread offenses sprouting up in northeast Ohio (as has happened across the country), Williams says the Blue Devils will combat it with their offensive skill players on the field as extra defensive backs.

He’s confident the experience he has in those upperclassmen will allow them to seamlessly transition and revert back if a power running team is on the opposite sideline. Eight players with extensive playing time return, including all three linebackers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Zack Conley continues his punting duties for the second year. A returner-by-committee will be back to receive kicks.

OUTLOOK

As long as the Blue Devils stay healthy and keep their two-way athletes healthy, they will have more than enough talent to reach the playoffs once again.

Ifft is a fast, imposing threat to run and catch.

As Williams put it, “These guys got a taste of [the playoffs] last year and they’re out to prove this year to put on a better showing. They want to do a better job of competing in Week 11 and not just getting there.”

Roster

2David LicekWR5-7140So.

3Austin ColburnTE6-1170Sr.

4Joey CelliRB5-8145So.

5Caleb DimeryRB6-0205Sr.

6Cody HawthorneRB5-4105Fr.

7Ben CarkidoQB6-2185Jr.

8Nate IfftQB5-9150Fr.

9Jake ReckardRB6-2175Jr.

10Cameron IfftRB6-4220Sr.

11Dan Van MeterWR6-2165Sr.

12Austin BlackRB5-11155So.