Sports
Three-Point Stance: Crooksville Has High Expectations
By: Eric Singer
Posted on:
Editor’s Note: Three-Point Stance is Gridiron Glory’s written preview series leading up to its 15th season on WOUB. Gridiron is visiting training camps for all 32 teams in the coverage area as they prepare for the 2013 football season. The series continues in the MVL, where competition is always high from top to bottom.
In Brent Gorby’s second year as the head coach at Crooksville, the Ceramics have big plans for the upcoming season. After consecutive four-win seasons, fans in Crooksville might be pleased with a winning record.
But Gorby laid out much higher aspirations for his team.
“Our main goal is to win the MVL and get in the playoffs, but another goal of ours is to be the top dog in Perry County,” Gorby said.
Here are three things to know about the 2013 Crooksville Ceramics:
1. Getting in Better Shape
Coach Gorby realized after last season that the Ceramics needed to be physically able to compete with the top schools in the league.
“We are one of the littlest schools in this league, so we know what we have to do to compete in it, and one is conditioning,” Gorby said. “So we put our emphasis this offseason into getting in better shape.”
This June, the Ceramics started a more intense offseason conditioning program than in previous seasons, trying to get their speed and endurance to the next level to compete with the best teams in a deep MVL.
2. Experienced Skill Positions
One of the Ceramics’ strong points in 2013 will be in their offensive skill positions. And with Crooksville running multiple offensive sets, from the spread to the wishbone, the players at those skill positions are crucial.
Led by senior quarterback Austin Ebert and senior tailback Dylan Love, as well as receivers Jeffrey Patrick and Dylan Shevalier, the Ceramics should have plenty of offensive firepower to compete with the rest of the MVL.
“We’re expecting big, big things from those kids this year,” Gorby said, “We’ll be just fine.”
3. Improved Defense
In 2011 the Ceramics gave up an average of 30.3 points per game on the way to a 4-6 season, including two consecutive games giving up 50-plus points.
But last season the Ceramics switched to a 4-3 defense from a 4-4, hoping to gain more speed in the secondary. And they did see some improvement, averaging 25 points against per game, with one shutout.
Gorby is expecting big things from his defense in the upcoming season.
“This is the second year in the 4-3 defense, and the kids know what to expect this year, and they know what needs to be done. They’re catching on real quick, and we’re real excited about it this year.”
Crooksville kicks off the 2013 season at home against Maysville Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.
Follow @gridironglory on Twitter and Instagram and Like the Gridiron Glory Facebook page for continued coverage throughout the preseason. Gridiron Glory returns Friday, Aug. 23 at 11:30 p.m. on WOUB.