By Doug Chapin

dchapin@vindy.com

NEWTON FALLS

Coming off consecutive 1-9 seasons — and a pair of 2-8 campaigns before that — the Newton Falls Tigers are hoping to take small steps in 2014.

“Our kids are looking at this year as a new team and a new attitude,” third-year coach Jon Culp said. “The goal is to win. Whether that’s win a play or win the moment, that leads to winning some games. We’re trying to take care of the little things and try to build this program in the right direction.”

The Tigers lost their last nine games in 2013 and have dropped 13 straight games in the All-American Conference National Division. Of their nine defeats last year the closest deficit was 26 points.

“We just had a lot of problems last year. We only had three juniors and seniors that started every game last year so that kind of held us back,” Culp said. “I think we played 25 freshmen and sophomores the last two years. From that aspect we’ve gotten our young kids some playing time and so have made some progress there.”

OFFENSE

Josh Walters is battling Alex Ball at quarterback position. Walters was the backup quarterback last season while Ball saw a lot of action at tight end.

Whisonant and Backherms both saw action in the backfield last year. Culp said they complement each other well with Whisonant playing a “hammer” role and Backherms a shifty alternative.

The receiving corps returns Alan Boone, Ball and Brad Mitchell.

Up front, returning starters are senior Bucyrus Palo and junior Tim Eckenrode. They will be joined by Davis Eaken, Mitchell Sherwood and Nick Gibson.

“Our offensive linemen are all good-sized kids,” Culp said. “I think the smallest is 235 pounds.”

DEFENSE

Newton Falls returns plenty of experience on defense, especially up front in the 4-3 alignment.

Among those who saw a lot of playing time last year on the line are senior Matt Swingle, a four-year starter, juniors Eaken and Sherwood and sophomores Gibson and Ben Simpson.

Senior Jon Whisonant and sophomore Hayden Sherwood return at linebacker and will be joined by juniors Derek Backherms and Boone who will play a hybrid outside linebacker-safety role.

In the secondary, senior Mitchell and junior Ball return. They will be joined by junior Walters, sophomore Mitchell Champion and senior Zack Rasp.

OUTLOOK

Improved depth is another factor for Newton Falls. The roster lists 17 letter winners from 2013.

“We’re trying to have 11/2 starters at each spot so we don’t have as many guys going both ways,” Culp said.