High school football: Confidence is the first building block for Shawnee

When Shane Wireman became Waynesfield-Goshen’s head football coach in 2017 the Tigers were coming off back-to-back 0-10 seasons.

When he was hired as Shawnee’s head coach earlier this year the Indians had just completed an 0-10 season.

So, no surprise, he has been asked if there are similarities between the two situations and what he learned at Waynesfield-Goshen that can be used at Shawnee.

“The similarities I see are getting the kids confident again,” Wireman said. “It’s just getting that confidence back that we want to emphasize.

“Sometimes you can beat yourself just by not believing you can get the job done. We’ve got to get that mindset changed. If you have a bad play, OK, move on to the next one. Don’t dwell on last week. This week is a new game and a new opportunity,” he said.

“We have to get that confidence up and go out there and put it together. We want to establish a program and put some pride back in Shawnee football.”

Shawnee has 14 lettermen back from last season’s team, including Akyus Richardson, a H-back/defensive lineman who was honorable mention All-Western Buckeye League on defense.

Shawnee ranked tenth in scoring in the WBL (12.7 points a game) and ninth in points allowed (31.3 points a game).

“I would like to see us work on being more consistent offensively. Our players have done a good job of picking up the new system but we still have some kinks to work out from time to time. Defensively, we want to continue to focus on being able to stop the run consistently and not allow the explosive plays, start forcing more turnover to give our offense some short fields.”

J.J. Spyker, who passed for 708 yards and 6 touchdowns last season, and Caleb Bacome are competing for the starting quarterback job.

“Both players bring some great qualities to the position and both impact the game with their arm and on the ground,” Wireman said. “I look for both players to contribute to our team in big ways.”

Reece Davidson, a wide receiver and a defensive back who did not play football last season, “brings a lot of play-making ability to our team on both sides of the ball,” according to Wireman.

Kobe Bentz and Richardson “will be anchoring our offensive and defensive lines,” he said.

“There is some talent back. There is a lot of competition. I think some of the kids are learning a spot is not just going to be handed to you. We want guys to go out there and compete on every rep (repetition) and every play.”

TEAM PROFILE

Coach: Shane Wireman (first season)

Division: III

Last year’s record: 0-10, 0-9 WBL

Ticket information: https://www.limashawnee.com/page/athletic-tickets

Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Isaac Meeks (Soph., RB/LB), Yamaan Turjman (Soph., OL/DL), Kobe Bentz (Jr., OL/DL), Chase DePalma (Jr., WR/DB), Colton Hopson (Jr., WR/DB), Dalton Hopson (Jr., WR/DB), J.J. Spyker (Jr., QB/DB), Caleb Bacome (Jr., QB/WR/DB). Connor Brewer (Sr., OL/DL), Ben Caprilla (Sr., RB/LB), Michael Garlock (Sr., WR/DB), Akyus Richardson (Sr., HB/DL), Joel Stirn (Sr., WR/DB), Joel Stirn (Sr., WR/DB), Cold Sunderland (Sr., RB/LB)

Top newcomers: Gabe Jamison (Sr., OL/DL), Reece Davidson (Jr., WR/DB), Nicholas Luna (Jr., OL/LB), Reese Graph (Jr., TE/DE)

2024 schedule

(Kickoffs scheduled for 7 p.m.; subject to change)

8/22 — Lima Central Catholic

8/30 — at Elida

9/6 — Bath

9/13 — at Celina

9/20 — Defiance

9/27 — at Wapakoneta

10/4 — St. Marys

10/11 — at Van Wert

10/18 — Ottawa-Glandorf

10/25 — Kenton