Wilkinson takes total command on field. Page 2

1 Thursday, September 5, 2013

H.S. FOOTBALL 2013 Thursday, September 5, 2013

A SEASON PREVIEW OF AREA NORTH COUNTRY TEAMS

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BAILEY’S COMETS

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AMANDA MORRISON „ WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES

Wilkinson takes total command on field. Page 2

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2 Thursday, September 5, 2013

WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES „ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2013

For Wilkinson, familiarity breeds confidence BALL’S IN HIS HANDS: Veteran quarterback provides enough knowledge that Carthage lets him call plays on field By JOHN DAY TIMES SPORTSWRITER

CARTHAGE — It may be coachspeak, but when Carthage football coach Sam Millich says he and senior quarterback Bailey Wilkinson “are on the same page,” you tend to believe him. The veteran coach is showing the ultimate faith in his senior leader not only to make the right decisions, but to call many of his own plays this season.

THE WILKINSON FILE School: Carthage Age, Year: 17, Sr. Position: Quarterback Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 160 pounds Family: Mother, Shelly Morgia. Father, John Morgia Other sports: lacrosse In the past, Millich has called the plays from the sidelines, necessitating his quarterback run the 25 yards from the huddle to the sidelines and back on almost every offensive play. But because Wilkinson has “such a great grasp of what we want to do,” according to Millich, “we’re giving him the freedom to make many of those decisions himself.” Wilkinson is a grateful for Millich’s faith in his abilities. “I know it’s going to put more pressure on me, but I think I’m ready,” Wilkinson said. “Besides, my offensive line and my backs and receivers give me a lot of help, so it’s not just me.” Carthage fans got only a small sampling of what Wilkinson means to the Carthage offense last season. Coming off a hamstring injury in summer lacrosse, the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder did not play the first two games with the Comets’ varsity a year ago. Over the last six games, Wilkinson rushed for 412 yards, an average of 5.1 yards per carry, scored two touchdowns and passed for 364 yards and two more touchdowns. And he finished by gaining 150 yards on 29

AMANDA MORRISON „ WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES

Carthage quarterback Bailey Wilkinson returns for a second season after breaking the pattern last season of senior QBs at Carthage.

carries in a Section 3 loss to Nottingham. “It was obvious that Bailey had a knack for making plays,” Millich said. “He knows how to create space, when and when not to keep the ball, and is elusive enough to not take a lot of big hits.” And what makes Wilkinson unusual for Millich is that he is the first starting quarterback in the last five years to return for a second season. All the others have mainly been seniors getting their first taste of starting. “His familiarity with the program is key,” Millich said. “Bailey has been around here since 2007 when he was a manager. He’s seen the highs and lows and what it takes to

be successful in our league. We knew several years ago he was probably our quarterback of the future.” Wilkinson remembers watching that 2007 team’s great run to the Section 3 Class A crown and then making it to the state semifinals before losing to Rochester Aquinas. “The Grimm brothers and guys like (quarterback) Zach Mulvaney and Dave Gallagher were my idols,” Wilkinson said. “This year’s team reminds me a lot of that one, with plenty of senior leadership and great players on both sides of the ball.” Wilkinson, a standout attackman on the Carthage lacrosse team who made the Times All-North first team this past spring, said he worked hard over the summer to improve in several areas. “I’ve gotten stronger in the weight room, and did a lot of passing drills,” Wilkinson said. “But I’m going to rely on my teammates and our core group of veterans to make this team as successful as we think we can be.” Millich said the key ingredient in his allowing his quarterback more freedom is “he really understands our offense because he’s been running it since modified. Bailey is a smart kid, a great student on and off the field. So he can grasp everything we’ve thrown at him.” Wilkinson believes his time on the la-

crosse field also benefits his play at quarterback. “I’m always looking for the open man in lacrosse, so my vision has become a lot better. That really helps when you’re looking for a receiver, or that open spot downfield on a run.” Millich also has an ulterior motive in leaving Wilkinson to make his own calls. “We want to run more plays, to put more pressure on the defense to adjust,” Millich said. “Without him coming to the sidelines each play, we can keep defenses guessing. Hopefully, we can get our athletes more touches and maybe tire out the defense a little bit more.” Wilkinson realizes that his play can well determine how far the Comets go this season. “It’s part of the job,” he said. “If the quarterback does well, teams usually win. But I’m so confident in the guys around me that I believe we have the potential to be a great team by the end of the season.” “Like most of our seniors, Bailey takes a lot of pride in our program,” Millich said. “He’s become one of the real leaders on the field with his work ethic and attention to detail.” Wilkinson will play lacrosse at the college level, and would like to study environmental science. But while lacrosse is probably his future, football will always be special. “There’s nothing like a Friday night under the lights getting ready for a big game,” he said. “That’s what I’ll miss the most.”

Thursday, September 5, 2013 3

WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES „ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2013

Carthage primed for wins

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When Carthage coach Sam Millich says this team looks and feels like a sectional contender even before the season begins, you know he has something special. With 19 returning veterans among a 48-man roster, a number of impact newcomers, and athletes all over the field, the Comets have the talent, speed, and most importantly, depth, to be there at the end of the season. “Offensively, we’ve got more playmakers,”Millich said. “And defensively, we are quicker and can cover more ground. It still comes down to blocking and tackling, which we’ve done pretty well the last few seasons.” Senior quarterback Bailey Wilkinson will trigger the offense. Joining him in a deep backfield will be Gunnar Serota, Rodrick Groce, Kahlil Payne and Brendan Endrina. Versatile seniors Dylan James and Tim O’Connor will be the main receivers, and Millich also has a staunch line, led by returning All-North performer Trevor Gibbons. The defense will consist of many of the offensive standouts, with great experience at linebacker. “Our program is in great shape with over 150 kids participating,” Millich said. “We’ve been building toward this for a few years, and now we have to perform at a higher level every week.”

AMANDA MORRISON „ WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES

Carthage quarterback Bailey Wilkinson, left, will have plenty of help in the backfield and in front of him on the line.

CARTHAGE COMETS 2012 record: 3-5 overall, 3-2 Class A National. Coach: Sam Millich (14th year, 64-49). Players to watch: Trevor Gibbons (Sr., OL/DL); Bailey Wilkinson (Sr., QB/DB, 412 yds. rushing, 5 TD, 364 yds. passing, 3 TD); Dylan James (Sr., WR/ QB/DB); Jake Turck (Sr., WR/LB); Tim O’Connor (Sr., WR/LB); Gunner Serota (Sr., RB/LB); Rodrick Groce (Sr., RB/LB); Garret Posey (Sr., OL/DL); Malik Little (WR/DB); Josh Yelvington (Jr., WR/DB); Kahlil Payne (Jr., RB/LB); Brendan Endrina (Jr., RB/LB).

Beaver River hopes to surprise It’s now Matt Lyndaker’s turn to help bring the Beaver River football program back to prominence. But it’s not going to be easy. Not only do the Beavers enter the season with a lot of new faces in key positions, they also have an entirely new staff and play in a tough Class D Central division with defending sectional champion Sandy Creek, always powerful Westmoreland and strong clubs in Pulaski and Oriskany. “We’re really young, but we have some exciting athletes returning,’’ said Lyndaker, who coached the Beaver River baseball team to a sectional title last spring and took over the football program from Steve Puddington. “With a new staff, we’ll have some different looks than we’ve had in the past so we’ll see. I’m hoping we surprise some people.”

Coach Lyndaker can relay on senior running back Erik Lyndaker for solid production. He gained more than 900 yards last year. Senior quarterback Kyle Steiner needs to play more consistently. He does have some solid receivers in Kaelyn Ferguson, Dylan Pate and Alex Behling. Brett McVoy is the top lineman for the Beavers. Coach Lyndaker is hoping players like Cody Ardison, Jon Bush and Dan Jacobs also step up and play key roles up front on both sides of the ball.

BEAVER RIVER BEAVERS 2012 record: 2-6, 1-4 Class D Central. Coach: Matt Lyndaker (1st year). Players to watch: Erik Lyndaker (Sr., RB/DB, 165-907); Kyle Steiner (Sr., QB/LB); Kaelyn Ferguson (Sr., WR/DB); Alex Behling (Jr., WR/DB); Brett McVoy (Sr., OL/LB); Dylan Pate (Sr., WR/DL); Cody Ardison (Sr., OL/DL).

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WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES „ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2013

Sandy Creek hopes to be stronger than ever DEFENDING SECTION 3 CHAMP: Talented Comets come off disappointment of state loss ready for certain challenge By JOHN DAY TIMES SPORTSWRITER

Last Nov. 10, Sandy Creek suffered what senior fullback/linebacker John Shirley called “a devastating loss.” Not only were the Comets overwhelmed by Section 4 champion Tioga 54-13 in a state Class D regional game, they also felt a little depressed for giving such a poor showing just a week after capturing the school’s first Section 3 crown. But if nothing else, that game showed those Comets returning this season what they needed to do to reach Tioga’s level. Said Shirley: “We were back in the weight room that Monday with the sole purpose of getting bigger, faster and stronger.” To that end, with veterans returning at almost every position on both sides of the ball, and a spring and summer of nonstop conditioning, the 2013 Comets under veteran coach Mike Stevens are in a position they haven’t been — the team to beat. “We’ve been very competitive over the years,” Stevens said. “But we’ve never been the team with the bull’s-eye on their back. This year, that’s us. Everybody is going to give us their best shot because of what we accomplished last season. So even though we have a lot of talent, we have to be prepared for every game and take care of our own business.” Starting with one of the biggest and talented offensive and defensive fronts in all of Section 3, not just Class D, and ending with veteran, quick skill position performers that can make big plays on every snap, and you have a team that will be tough to beat. Matt Ennist is a 6-foot-4, 325-pound junior guard who is already drawing major interest from colleges all over. He is teamed with fellow senior guard Connor Rowell (290), standout sophomore tackle Zac Akey (6-3, 286) and the small man in the group, senior center Dakota Dens-

AMANDA MORRISON „ WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES

The Sandy Creek defense surrounds a Lowville ball carrier during a scrimmage last week. The Comets’ front line should be a force.

more at just 215 pounds. “We want them to be a physical presence and dominate the line of scrimmage,” Stevens said. “Those guys really learned a lot last season, and our expectations are that

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they will be even better this time.’’ Senior quarterback Tyler Swarthout made tremendous progress last season and now is an established leader who can run and pass with great efficiency. Senior fullback Shirley and explosive junior Cameron Hall form a dynamic backfield, that will also include standout linebacker Jake Benedict, who will see backfield duty for the first time. Stevens really likes the potential of sophomore Kyle Fayette, who will play some quarterback, wingback and wide receiver; and junior tight end Zach Halsey can make plays with good hands and speed. Last year, Sandy Creek’s defense was its strongest unit, allowing just 48 points in five conference games. This season, it could be even better with that strong defensive front, tackling machines at linebacker in Benedict and Shirley, and veterans in the secondary.

“We need to be focused every game and play together,” said Benedict, a Times firstteam All-North selection. “Our goal is be prepared for every game like it’s the sectional finals.” Shirley said he doesn’t feel the extra pressure of taking the field as the defending sectional champions. “Now we know we can do it, and what it takes,” he said. Stevens said the pressure to finally claim that first sectional crown a year ago was “probably as much as we’ll ever face. So this year we can just go out and play and work hard, knowing we can accomplish our goal if we stay together and execute.” However, Class D may be even tougher this season with Class C-2 champion Herkimer as well as Tully moving down in class. Sandy Creek will be challenged in its own Class D Central by always tough Westmoreland, which it beat in last year’s sec-

See COMETS T14

Thursday, September 5, 2013 5

WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES „ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2013

Cavaliers’ ‘next year’ could happen this year SEEKING A TITLE: Immaculate Heart Central feature 14 seniors, depth across the board in potential dream season By JOHN DAY TIMES SPORTSWRITER

Falcons take off with new coach The return to varsity football last season at South Lewis went about as expected. The Falcons weren’t very competitive in a tough Class D Central, had trouble scoring points (120) and stopping the opposition from scoring (allowing 322). And now, they have another new coach in Mike Absolom, who takes over from Mike Tesak. Absolom expects his eight seniors and nine juniors “to lead by example,” helping the sophomores and freshmen to become acclimated to the varsity level quicker. Absolom has a 26-man roster, and expects every player to play an important role. “We all need to understand our responsibilities and be ready for action when the time comes,” he said.

Senior Cody Capron takes over at quarterback, and has a couple of capable ball carriers in Lucas Kelly and Nick Kraeger. Versatile Nick Ripp gives South Lewis some speed on the perimeter, while senior twoway lineman Josh Wheeler gives the Falcons some stability up front. South Lewis plays at New York Mills on Saturday to open the season.

(6-foot-2, 185 pounds) to succeed. “Cole’s been looking good so far,” Sexton said. “We’ve got a new playbook this year, so he’s had to learn a lot. But we all have confidence in him.” St. Onge and junior Grant Chamberlain are the leaders on an undersized line. Defensively, nine starters are back from a team that allowed just 124 points a year ago. Defensive ends Sexton and Koelmel, linebackers Frechette and Sharlow and defensive backs Marra and Baker will again form one of the best units around. But Alteri is concerned that low numbers may force IHC to abandon its modified program. “Our numbers are not good at the lower levels,” he said. “Hopefully, we can hang on (to the modified program) and sustain our varsity program down the line.”

IMMACULATE HEART CAVALIERS 2012 record: 5-3, 3-2 Class C North. Coach: Paul Alteri (8th year, 42-20). Players to watch: Nick Koelmel (Sr., WR/DB, 40629, 3 TD); Haden Baker (Sr., RB/DB); Austyn Frechette (Sr., RB/LB, 42-245); Miles Sexton (Sr., TE/ DE, 18-320, 3 TD); Cole Carpenter (Jr., QB); Michael Marra (Sr., RB/DB, 67-358, 7 TD); Spencer Sharlow (Sr., RB/LB, 62-378, 9 TD); Cody St. Onge (Sr., OL/ DE); Jude Whalen (Sr., WR/DB).

DAVE SHEA „ JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

Immaculate Heart Central running back Jordan Trudeau carries the ball during a scrimmage against Ogdensburg Free Academy last Saturday in Ogdensburg.

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SOUTH LEWIS FALCONS 2012 record: 1-7, 0-5 Class D Central). Coach: Mike Absolom (1st year). Players to watch: Cody Capron (Sr., QB/DB); Lucas Kelly (Sr., RB/LB); Brandon Delano (Sr., WR); Nick Kraeger (Sr., RB/ LB); Mike Lesperance (Sr., WR/DB); Matt Mooney (Sr., TE/DL); Nick Ripp (Sr., WR/LB); Josh Wheeler (Sr., OL/DL).

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