Time for turnaround at Margaretta

CASTALIA — Gary Quisno might have picked a good time to return to coaching. The hall of fame football coach takes over a Margaretta program that has just one winning season since 2011, but its 2022 roster includes plenty of size and skill. "We got to make them football players. There are athletes here," said Quisno. "My style has been a physical style and we're trying to resurrect that part of it." The Polar Bears, who won four games total the last two seasons under former coach Todd Pooch, welcome back 15 letter winners after losing only a handful of graduated seniors. The roster is up to 42 players and the vibe in the locker room is upbeat. "We've got the numbers up, had great attendance over the summer," Quisno said. "Kids are doing what we've asked of them." Quisno, who has a 253-95 record in 33 years as a head coach, most of them at Oak Harbor, turned 68 earlier this month. He was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2013. He's pleased with the staff he's assembled and is ready to win. His players are learning. "You have to learn to win and we're still trying to teach that," he said. "We're gonna get it turned around." Offense Margaretta will run an offense based in the Wing-T, which means plenty of running and misdirection. Senior quarterback Cameron Sosa returns after throwing for 1,443 yards and 14 touchdowns. "It's an adaptable offense. You don't necessarily need big linemen, although we've got big linemen," Quisno said. "We use three backs so we get the chance to spread the ball around a little bit, and we use play-action pass. "We're based in the run and play-action pass. With a returning quarterback, we'll spread it out and throw it a little bit." Sosa, one of nine seniors, also carried 64 times for 244 yards last season. "Real pleased with his leadership," Quisno said. "We changed everything from what they've done in terms of scheme so he's had to adapt as much as anybody. He can run the ball a little bit, has a good arm, good athlete." Freshman Judah Keller will be the backup quarterback. Junior Gage Bodey, Margaretta's leading receiver last year, also can step in behind center. The Bears have sold options at running back, starting with sturdy senior Jake Boggs (70 carries, 315 yards, 2 touchdowns). "He's big, strong, fast and he's got what you want in a running back," Quisno said. "He can be explosive." Kane Smetzer, Austin Dillery, Jordan Luzader and Bodey also will get carries. Bodey rushed for 100 yards and caught 32 passes for 592 yards and six TDs last year. "We move those guys around, especially (Bodey)," Quisno said. "He's a talented guy, can run the ball and catch the ball. Good speed." JT Patrick and Hayden Wiley give the Bears two good blockers at tight end. Joining Bodey as targets at receiver are Cooper Tigges, Ethan Thayer, Ayden Miller and Luke Ryan. The offensive line is big and includes five letter winners. Left tackle Anthony Flewelling, at 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds, is the biggest of the bunch. The line averages 262 pounds. Kellen Moore starts at left guard, Evan Miller is at center while Dylan Gibson (guard) and Adam Heath (tackle) hold down the right side. Flewelling and Miller are seniors; the other three starters are juniors. Dalton Rohrbaugh will rotate in at tackle, Easton Young at guard and Ben Coffman at center. "They're big and tall but we have to get them to lower their pads a little bit," Quisno said. "They fill out a uniform, no doubt about that." Defense Margaretta has some work to do on defense. The Bears allowed an average of 31.3 points per game during last year's 2-7 season. Ends Hayden Wiley, a 6-4 senior, and Seth Stanley (6-3, 248) will look to pressure opposition quarterbacks. Wiley had 33 tackles, one sack and one interception last year. Flewelling, Heath, Moore and Gibson will rotate at defensive tackle. The Bears return plenty of experience at linebacker. Senior JT Patrick made 82 tackles last year, good for seventh in the SBC River Division. Patrick, Boggs and Sosa were voted team captains. Boggs (51 tackles), Tim Kelley and Smetzer, who hopes to return soon from an injury, also will be keys at the linebacker position. Bodey (32 tackles), Sosa and Tigges are the top cornerbacks while Luzader (34 tackles), Dillery and Keller are the safeties. Bodey will handle placekicking duties while Sosa returns as the punter. Quisno was announced as the Bears' new coach in January. He had only two holdovers on his coaching staff (Tyler Henderson and Luke Weyer) and added Tim Heffernan, Jeff Keck, Brian Ringholz, Maddy Mullins and Brian Kingsborough. They're working with players who experienced seven straight losses to start the 2021 season before closing with two wins, including a 48-14 victory over Fremont St. Joseph. "They've suffered from numbers here in recent years," Quisno said. "I was excited to take the job and I still am. I saw the athletes after I took the job and what they had coming back. "There are athletes here; we just gotta make them football players." --- 2022 schedule Aug. 19: VermilionAug. 26: at Western ReserveSept. 2: at MonroevilleSept. 9: Ottawa HillsSept. 16: Hopewell-LoudonSept. 23: Tiffin CalvertSept. 30: at LakotaOct. 7: at GibsonburgOct. 14: MontpelierOct. 22: at Fremont St. Joseph 2021 results (2-7) Vermilion 30, Margaretta 28Western Reserve 34, Margaretta 10Monroeville 41, Margaretta 28Ottawa Hills 35, Margaretta 28 (OT)Hopewell-Loudon 49, Margaretta 6Calvert 31, Margaretta 0Lakota 40, Margaretta 7Gibonsburg: canceledMargaretta 35, Montpelier 8Margaretta 48, Fremont SJCC 14 ----- 2022 roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 1&emsp;&emsp;Judah Keller&emsp;&emsp;QB/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-11&emsp;&emsp;174&emsp;&emsp;92&emsp;&emsp;Gage Bodey&emsp;&emsp;RB/DB&emsp;&emsp;6-0&emsp;&emsp;164&emsp;&emsp;113&emsp;&emsp;Zack Bouy&emsp;&emsp;QB/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-9&emsp;&emsp;136&emsp;&emsp;94&emsp;&emsp;Ethan Thayer&emsp;&emsp;QB/DB&emsp;&emsp;6-0&emsp;&emsp;152&emsp;&emsp;105&emsp;&emsp;Jake Boggs&emsp;&emsp;RB/LB&emsp;&emsp;6-1&emsp;&emsp;220&emsp;&emsp;126&emsp;&emsp;Cameron Sosa&emsp;&emsp;QB/DB&emsp;&emsp;6-2&emsp;&emsp;177&emsp;&emsp;127&emsp;&emsp;Jordan Luzader&emsp;&emsp;RB/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;164&emsp;&emsp;118&emsp;&emsp;Bren Smith&emsp;&emsp;RB/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-5&emsp;&emsp;125&emsp;&emsp;99&emsp;&emsp;Luke Ryan&emsp;&emsp;WR/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-2&emsp;&emsp;177&emsp;&emsp;1210&emsp;&emsp;Cooper Tigges&emsp;&emsp;WR/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-8&emsp;&emsp;152&emsp;&emsp;1112&emsp;&emsp;Jarrett Bauer&emsp;&emsp;WR/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-6&emsp;&emsp;111&emsp;&emsp;913&emsp;&emsp;Austin Dillery&emsp;&emsp;RB/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-11&emsp;&emsp;188&emsp;&emsp;1214&emsp;&emsp;JT Patrick&emsp;&emsp;TE/LB&emsp;&emsp;6-0&emsp;&emsp;196&emsp;&emsp;1215&emsp;&emsp;Jake Bouy&emsp;&emsp;RB/LB&emsp;&emsp;5-8&emsp;&emsp;132&emsp;&emsp;917&emsp;&emsp;Lucan White&emsp;&emsp;WR/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-11&emsp;&emsp;135&emsp;&emsp;1019&emsp;&emsp;Ayden Miller&emsp;&emsp;WR/DB&emsp;&emsp;6-1&emsp;&emsp;147&emsp;&emsp;920&emsp;&emsp;Ty Gast&emsp;&emsp;RB/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-6&emsp;&emsp;114&emsp;&emsp;921&emsp;&emsp;Hunter Grahl&emsp;&emsp;RB/DB&emsp;&emsp;5-6&emsp;&emsp;125&emsp;&emsp;922&emsp;&emsp;Logan Sessler&emsp;&emsp;RB/LB&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;147&emsp;&emsp;1024&emsp;&emsp;Kaine Smetzer&emsp;&emsp;RB/LB&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;182&emsp;&emsp;1131&emsp;&emsp;Nolan Laird&emsp;&emsp;RB/DB&emsp;&emsp;6-1&emsp;&emsp;153&emsp;&emsp;934&emsp;&emsp;Hayden Wiley&emsp;&emsp;TE/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-4&emsp;&emsp;203&emsp;&emsp;1243&emsp;&emsp;Tim Kelley&emsp;&emsp;RB/LB&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;176&emsp;&emsp;1150&emsp;&emsp;Easton Young&emsp;&emsp;OL/LB&emsp;&emsp;6-0&emsp;&emsp;213&emsp;&emsp;1151&emsp;&emsp;Brett Miller&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-9&emsp;&emsp;154&emsp;&emsp;952&emsp;&emsp;Ben Coffman&emsp;&emsp;OL/LB&emsp;&emsp;6-0&emsp;&emsp;196&emsp;&emsp;1054&emsp;&emsp;Adam Heath&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-3&emsp;&emsp;270&emsp;&emsp;1155&emsp;&emsp;Kellen Moore&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;236&emsp;&emsp;1160&emsp;&emsp;Steven Leber&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;177&emsp;&emsp;1163&emsp;&emsp;Mason Yetter&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-9&emsp;&emsp;191&emsp;&emsp;965&emsp;&emsp;Anthony Flewelling&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-4&emsp;&emsp;302&emsp;&emsp;1267&emsp;&emsp;Evan Miller&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-0&emsp;&emsp;235&emsp;&emsp;1269&emsp;&emsp;Seth Stanley&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-3&emsp;&emsp;248&emsp;&emsp;1270&emsp;&emsp;Wyatt Goodrich&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-11&emsp;&emsp;165&emsp;&emsp;971&emsp;&emsp;Dylan Gibson&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-2&emsp;&emsp;267&emsp;&emsp;1172&emsp;&emsp;Logan Windau&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-9&emsp;&emsp;200&emsp;&emsp;1173&emsp;&emsp;Brayden Windau&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-9&emsp;&emsp;181&emsp;&emsp;1075&emsp;&emsp;Cooper Schoewe&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;166&emsp;&emsp;977&emsp;&emsp;Blake Middaugh&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-9&emsp;&emsp;188&emsp;&emsp;1078&emsp;&emsp;Dalton Rohrbaugh&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-1&emsp;&emsp;232&emsp;&emsp;1179&emsp;&emsp;Cohen Gahler&emsp;&emsp;OL/DL&emsp;&emsp;6-1&emsp;&emsp;178&emsp;&emsp;988&emsp;&emsp;Carson Miller&emsp;&emsp;TE/DL&emsp;&emsp;5-11&emsp;&emsp;168&emsp;&emsp;10