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The Lima News
High school football: Van Wert rebuilds with hopes to compete
By Chris Howell,
2 days ago
Briston Wise is expected to take over under center for the Cougars. Don Speck | The Lima News
VAN WERT — Van Wert has developed a track record under coach Keith Recker.
The Cougars tend to be extremely skilled on offense with one of the league’s best athletes at quarterback.
They almost always roll out a talented group of playmakers who pose a multitude of threats from all sides of the field.
And they’ve consistently competed for the top spot in the WBL standings.
All of that has been true in the past. But 2024 comes with a different set of challenges.
While still very talented, Van Wert is much younger and much more inexperienced than in past seasons.
However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the attitude and work ethic that Recker and his staff instill in its players.
“These guys have really come in with a good mentality and a good attitude,” Recker said. “I think they understand that we lost quite a bit over the last few years, so they understand that there’s a lot of work to be put in, but their attitude has been better than expected and they’re ready to go.”
For the Cougars, it comes down to learning techniques that come with a spread offense and a 4-2-5 defensive scheme.
It’s a tall task to replace the production of 14 starters on an 8-4 team, but having a well-rounded athlete under center always helps, and this year that player is Briston Wise.
After appearing in 11 games last season at running back, quarterback and defensive back, Wise becomes the full-time starter for the Cougars over sophomore Keaten Welch and freshman Zac Crummey.
Wise collected 334 yards on offense with two touchdowns in 2023.
“We want to put an athlete and a good arm back there, and Briston is both of those things,” Recker said. “He threw a no-hitter at the ACME state tournament, and he can run around everywhere. He’s done a really good job of taking control of that position.
“Like every year, we want to get the run game going so that Briston doesn’t have to sit back and throw it 40 times. That’s one of his strengths, so we hope we can do a better job of establishing that.”
Both Welch and Crummey will slot in at different positions with prominent roles in the offense, but Recker stated that all three players are capable of taking snaps.
Crummey, a 6-5, 220-pound freshman, made quite an impression on the coaching staff in the offseason and the early parts of camp.
“He’s a big, tall, strong kid. He’s going to be really good. Right now it’s just about learning for him,” Recker said. “He’s playing some H-back for us, and he runs the ball really well in between the tackles. He’s a tough guy for the defense to bring down.”
After serving as a backup during his junior season, Case Stegaman will play a prominent role on both sides of the ball, splitting time at running back with Geary Hilleary, who’s also in line for carries. Geary’s older brother, Jake, was a starting running back during his time at Van Wert a handful of seasons ago.
Keaten Welch slots in at wide receiver along with sophomore Micah Cowan and Nate Gearhart, a three-year junior varsity player who’s in line for his first prominent role at the varsity level.
“He never stopped working, and he’s faster this year, running in the 4.7’s,” Recker said of Gearhart. “He has great hands, and he’s a smart player.”
Returning lettermen on the offensive line include Nick Edwards (5-10, 270), Chance Youngpeter (6-0, 225) and Trevor Dotson (6-3, 215).
At one point last season, 21 of Van Wert’s 22 starters were seniors. That was a hard pill to swallow, especially on the defensive side where the Cougars allowed 30 points per game.
Other players in the rotation were young, like Donovan Winkeljohn (6-0, 155) and Micah Cowan (6-0, 175), who combined for 63 tackles and five interceptions.
Caine Shobe (5-8, 150) joins those two in the secondary and Nick Edwards (5-10, 270) anchors the defensive line.
“We had to take a good look at ourselves going into this season to evaluate who we have and what they’ll be good at,” said Recker of his personnel. “It’s all about making sure our scheme fits us and not the other way around. We’ve had a lot of communication about that between the coaches and players about why we’re doing what we’re doing. These guys have to be assignment-sound and able to take care of their responsibilities. We’ve done a better job of that early on in practice.”
The Cougars finished 2023 in a three-way tie for third place in the WBL standings. They’ll open with Bryan at home on Aug. 23, followed by Bath and defending conference champion Celina.
That game against the Bulldogs opens a four-week stretch where the Cougars also take on Defiance, Wapakoneta and St. Marys.
“In our league, there are no games where we can just walk on the field and out-athlete or out-physical someone. We really have to be ready to bring it every week,” Recker said. “Our guys expect to win. That’s something they’ve learned how to do and we hope that pays dividends early on this year.”
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