By Kevin Connelly

kconnelly@vindy.com

MCDONALD

Explaining what happened in last year’s first-round playoff exit at Mogadore, McDonald High School senior lineman Matt Howard said bluntly: “We kind of got our butts kicked.”

The 33-6 loss wasn’t easy for any of the Blue Devils to swallow, especially on the heels of the school’s 15th undefeated regular season.

“You have to use that as motivation, you know, the taste in your mouth from last year,” said senior running back Jake Reckard.

A little more than nine months later, the Blue Devils — albeit a slightly different version than the one that walked off the field last season — are prepared to take care of some unfinished business.

OFFENSE

The bad news is McDonald loses a 1,000-yard rusher in Caleb Dimery.

The good news is it returns a 1,000-yard rusher in Reckard.

For a unit that returns just four starters from a year ago, Blue Devils head coach Dan Williams is very comfortable with where his offense is at headed into the season. Most likely because the experience is at quarterback, running back and offensive line.

Ben Carkido returns for his senior year under center with Reckard in the backfield and Howard up front.

“We have two guys stepping in at the wingback and fullback spots that haven’t seen a lot of Friday night action, but are good players,” Williams said. “People are probably going to key on Jake Reckard, of course, and try and take him away thinking they can slow us down somewhat.”

One option Williams and his staff are discussing to keep opposing defenses off balance is to rely more on the passing game with the experience of Carkido. After attempting just 65 passes in the regular season last year, Carkido threw it 25 times in the playoff game including a 37-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Portolese — who also returns — for their only score.

Don’t fret, Wing-T fans. Williams assured the Blue Devils will still feature plenty of misdirection and a variety of ball carriers. Last year’s version included Dimery, Reckard and four-year starter Cameron Ifft.

They all averaged more than seven yards per carry with Dimery and Reckard getting an equal amount of the attempts. But for at least the start of this season, Reckard is prepared to shoulder the load.

“As the games go on and the new guys get more experience, I think they’ll get more touches,” Reckard said. “That’s what we want and when we’re at our most effective.”

DEFENSE

The Blue Devils will have even less experience on defense with three returning starters.

Albert Yates was the anchor along the defensive line and, at times, impossible to block. Dimery, Ifft and Austin Colburn vacate their linebacker positions, while Zack Conley and Tyler Cvetkovich depart from the secondary.

That leaves Williams with a lot of production to replace. But Reckard returns to his defensive back position and will be one of the area’s more important two-way players.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Guess what?

McDonald has to replace both its punter and kicker. Williams says Portolese will assume the punting duties, while junior Joe Sudol will be responsible for kickoffs and PATs.

OUTLOOK

It won’t be an easy undertaking, but McDonald can win the ITCL Blue Division and get back to the postseason.

After all, that’s the expectation there. Every year.

“If you don’t go out and win a league title at McDonald, and even if you do win a league title, you’re just another McDonald team,” Carkido said. “We have to set our goals high and leave our name at an even higher level here.”