Salem hopes seniors can take next step

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

By BRANDON JUDEH

SALEM

For a lot of teams around the area, a 3-7 campaign would be considered a huge disappointment, but for the Salem Quakers it was a stepping stone.

After going 0-10 in 2012 the Quakers shocked the Valley by getting off to a 2-0 start, upsetting both Liberty and United.

Seven straight losses followed, but Salem finished on a high after beating rival West Branch, 48-33.

“That win over West Branch was big,” Quakers head coach Ron Johnson said. “It sent us into the offseason with some confidence and it has showed in the weight room and during conditioning.”

Now in his third season at the helm, Johnson is expecting even bigger things from his team, especially his seniors.

“A lot of the kids on this team were freshmen and sophomores when I got here, now they are the leaders of this team and have put in a lot of hard work and effort over the past few years. We expect all of that hard work to translate to wins on the football field,” Johnson said.

OFFENSE

The Quakers’ offensive line should be solid with three returning starters.

Senior Logan Joy, who Johnson calls “an outstanding player,” will anchor the line, while juniors Keaton Turney and 270-pound Alex Sosbe will help round out the core group.

Receiver Trace Jenkins returns, along with a couple other players — including Blake Hochadel — who started at other positions a year ago.

For now, the competition at running back is fierce as there are several candidates who could emerge as the Quakers’ starter.

It figured to be an interesting August for Haedan Panezott, Kade Byland and Dylan Spencer, who were battling for the job.

All three could see some playing time at running back.

Though the quarterback position is locked up by junior Matt Weingart, that could be the most interesting storyline for Salem.

“Weingart took over in Week 4 and ended up doing a great job and setting some school records along the way,” Johnson said. “Us coaches, along with the fan base, are expecting some big, exciting things out of him this season.”

DEFENSE

Salem’s defense should be much improved as four-year starting linebacker Mike Ciotti and senior strong safety Jake Bezon should be two ball hawks on defense.

“Jake is the glue to our defense and is kind of the quarterback of our defensive backs and Mike is a great player with a fantastic motor that is all over the field and seems to always find the ball carrier,” Johnson said.

Junior Josh Campbell will join Ciotti as a linebacker after having a standout sophomore campaign.

Ross Armeni should be able to make some big plays playing next to Bezon.

Coach Johnson says he is expecting big things from both Jesse Slocum and Daemin Robinson on the defensive line.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Things are wide open on special teams, as no decision has been made. Johnson says a possible candidate kicking could be Caleb Quinn.

OUTLOOK

There is little doubt the Quakers will continue to improve and turn heads this season and Johnson says he and his players expect to go far.

“Everything we work for is geared toward Week 11,” Johnson said. “These young men know that if they continue to work hard, they can take the next step.”

Roster

2Cooper BezerediWR-DB6-1159So.

3Levi MaenzRB-LB5-8162So.

4Ross BarnettQB-DB6-0180So.

5Blake HochadelWR-LB6-2188Sr.

6Jake BezonRB-DB5-6148Sr.

7Zain RogersQB-DB5-8152So.

8Cody TonkinsonWR-DB5-8137So.

9Chase GrahamWR-DB5-9146So.

10Matt WeingartQB5-10164Jr.

12Matt ShrontzWR-LB6-2189Sr.

13Colton Herr-BurdenWR-DB5-6137So.