Heath trains for conference three-peat ahead of 2022
By: Ethan Sargeant
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HEATH, Ohio (WOUB) — Heath Football has cemented itself as one of the premier competitors in the Licking County League.
Their dominance has been the headline of the past 2 seasons, as Heath has now won the Cardinal Division of the Licking County League in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Despite the loss of a talented senior class that had a number of stars at skill positions, head coach Tim Ward and returning junior QB Brayden Bayles are confident that the Bulldogs won’t relinquish their crown atop the LCL easily.
“The expectation is to win the LCL-Cardinal again, and if we don’t do that I’ll be a little disappointed,” said Ward.
Bayles and returning All-Ohio C Reece Shriner lead a talented junior class that’s looking to step up and be leaders.
For Coach Ward, the preseason grind also means just a little but more.
Ward and his son Joe successfully completed 10,000 catches last summer as Joe looked to improve after dropping some costly passes in his 6th grade season. As Joe now enters his 8th grade season, his goals keep getting loftier.
“We’re going for 16,000 catches this year, and yeag, its going good,” said Joe.
As Joe continues to improve, his dad is his #1 supporter, helping him with one-handed catches, over the shoulder drills and focusing on getting his toes inbounds.
The Bulldogs look set to be fiercely competitive in the LCL again, as their team motto for this season states: “Be The Standard”.