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PREVIEW: West Muskingum Focused To End Winless Streak In 2014
By: Corbin Bagford
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Editor's Note: Over the next two weeks our reporters will be bringing you team previews for each team in the SEOAL, TVC-Ohio, TVC-Hocking, and our West Virginia teams. We continue in the MVL, where physical football is the name of the game.
West Muskingum has not won a football game since October 14, 2011, but the group of seniors is determined to turn things around for the Tornadoes this season.
The Tornadoes have seven seniors after graduating just one player from last year’s team, which is key from a leadership standpoint when the team has a total of 40 players.
“It’s actually one of the bigger senior classes we’ve had in a while,” coach Jeremy Ketcham said. “A lot of these guys have started since their freshman year, so they have a lot of experience.”
The Tornadoes went 0-10 last season, losing each game by an average of 41 points, but Ketcham thinks the improved defense is the Tornadoes’ best asset.
“Our defense has done an excellent job so far,” Ketcham said. “They’re gang tackling well and just flying around and having a blast.”
The faces behind the Tornadoes' facemasks may be familiar, but West Muskingum’s offense will look much different this season. After scoring 20-plus points just twice in 2013, Ketcham decided to scrap the spread offense in favor of the Wing-T. Quarterback Seth Mirgon is returning for his senior season and sophomore running back Jaden Gianettino is back as well, and also Mirgon’s go-to-guy at receiver Tyler Gibson.
The Tornadoes begin their 2014 season on Friday, Aug. 29, when they travel to Duncan Falls to face MVL opponent Philo.
“Our main focus now is to get our minds right,” Ketcham said. “We need to get the space between our ears right and make sure we’re mentally ready to go against Philo.”
'Gridiron Glory' airs every Friday at 11:30 p.m. on WOUB. You can follow the show on Twitter @gridironglory, like the Gridiron Glory page on Facebook, and follow along on Instagram @woubsports. You can also join the conversation throughout the season by using the hashtag #gridglory.