Salem’s strong schedule provides tests

August 21, 2019 at 12:00a.m.

Walter to handle quarterback, DB and special teams duties

The Salem Quakers went 6-4 last season, faring better on the road where they won four of five outings but dropping three of five on their own turf.

They started strong, winning their first three contests and finished strong, winning their final three games, but had to weather a four-game losing streak in the middle of the season as they dealt with injuries.

“Like any other school our size, we were bit by injuries last season,” said Ron Johnson, in his 21st season as a head coach and eighth with the Quakers.

“When healthy we can be a really good team, so we hope to avoid that this season.”

The Quakers have 60 players out for the team, returning 20 letter-winners. They have 12 starters back, five on offense and seven on defense.

Johnson feels the team possesses the necessary speed to go along with the schemes they’ve installed.

“Offensively, we must take care of the football, win the time of possession and finish drives,” he said.

“Defensively, we must dictate the tempo and push people out of their comfort zone. The structured chaos will create big-play opportunities.”

This year’s schedule opens at East Fairfield as the Quakers take on first-time opponent Crestview. Johnson said the team won’t be a finished product at the start of the season.

“The goal remains the same and that is to win our league and stay healthy,” Johnson said.

“Our schedule includes some great local rivalries and while we’ve always scrimmaged Crestview, we’ll now play them in the regular season.”

OFFENSE

The Quakers run a multiple spread but must replace production from their skill positions. They rushed for 2,114 yards and passed for 1,622 yards, averaging 373.6 yards of offense each game.

Senior Niko Walter is a two-year letter-winner and is expected to play quarterback to start the season. He’ll be pushed for playing time by freshman Jackson Johnson and sophomore Logan Blissenbach.

Running back Cade Campolito rushed for 884 yards and eight touchdowns last season on 168 carries.

Damon Wolfe is the tailback while Anthony DiMuzio and Joey Watson are the H-backs.

Brock Young and Zach Murray are the X-backs, the tight end hopefuls include Jacob Monigold and Tyson Swiger while the flankers are Jax Booth, Blaize Exline and Bradlee Kitts.

Caleb Stockman returns at center after starting all 10 games as a freshman, and Cody McElfresh and Carson Stockman, Caleb’s twin brother, will play tackle.

Isaac Turnbull, Jesus Juan and Andrew Walla are in a battle for the two guard slots.

DEFENSE

The Quakers are a 3-4 defensive unit with Dylan Sinkovich and Juan set at nose guards.

Zarek Ross and Logan Stecker are one set of ends with Murray and Monigold set on the other side.

Campolito and Cooper Gottschling hold down one inside linebacker slot with Watson and Blissenbach the counterpart.

One set of outside linebackers includes Swiger and Austin Sinkovich with DiMuzio and Wolfe the other outside set.

Exline and Jacob Frost are one pair of cornerbacks while Kitts and Landon Cooper are locked in a battle at the other cornerback position.

Walter and Young are the free safeties with Booth and Johnson the strong safeties.

SPECIAL TEAMS

In addition to his offensive and defensive assignments, Walter is the team’s punter with Noah Van Pelt slated for placekicking and kickoffs.

Caleb Stockman is the snapper with Walter and Booth earmarked for punt return duty, and Kitts joining Walter for kick returns.