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Affiliation: Midwest Athletic Conference.
Head coach: Brent Niekamp, 13th season, all at Fort Recovery; career record 53-77.
Assistant coaches: Toby Metzger, Kirk Link, Tyler Wuebker, Greg Stoll and Brandon Schoen.
2016 record: 4-4 MAC, 8-5 overall.
2016 highlights: Qualified for the playoffs for a third straight year despite a deceiving 6-4 record. Posted convincing first-round defeat of Ada, then hung a 42-14 hammering on unbeaten Covington. Lost 35-33 to Minster in a D-VII, Region 28 final shootout. Beat Minster 33-21 in Week 5 of the regular season.
Returning offensive starters
Will Homan, sr., RB 5-8, 180
Andrew Stocker, sr., TE 5-11, 260
Matt Kuess, sr., OL 6-0, 240
Ryan Braun, sr., WR 6-4, 200
Returning defensive starters
Will Homan, sr., DB
Andrew Stocker, sr., DE
Matt Kuess, sr., DT
Ryan Braun, sr., LB
Ethan Schoen, sr., LB 6-0, 190
Cade Wendel, sr., DB 5-10, 175
New contributors
Cade Wendel, sr., QB
Clayton Pearson, jr., QB/DB 6-2, 175
Robby LeFevre, jr., WR/DB 6-1, 170
Curt Grube, sr., OL/DL 5-10, 220
Brandon Siegrist, jr., OL/DL 5-11, 270
Coach's comments: I'm really excited for the season. It is neat to see the players take ownership and lead this team. I'm looking forward to another great season working with some pretty amazing kids. Our No. 1 goal is to somehow make the postseason. That will take major focus and effort on daily improvement.
About the Indians: No longer a bottom-rung MAC member, Fort Recovery has backed up a stunning 2015 D-VII state title season with another impressive playoff run, big-time players and a tough-out label.
Senior Will Homan is among the area’s leading returning running backs. He gained 1,805 yards (7.1) and scored 24 TDs last season. He also led the team with 46 solo tackles and was second in total tackles (89).
This will be the first time Caleb Martin (freshman at Toledo) will not be under center in three seasons. He had 1,648 yards passing and threw for 16 TDs as a senior. Adequately replacing him will be key.
Recovery steps out of its comfort zone in Week 2 with an intriguing non-league matchup at SWBL power Valley View. The Indians also bump up a division into a loaded D-VI, Region 24 field that includes MAC rivals Coldwater, Marion Local and St. Henry in addition to Covington, Bethel and Troy Christian.
Schedule: All games 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Week 1: Fri., Aug. 25, Lehman Catholic
Week 2: Fri., Sept. 1, at Valley View, 7 p.m.
Week 3: Fri., Sept. 8, at Parkway
Week 4: Fri., Sept. 15, Coldwater
Week 5: Fri., Sept. 22, at Minster
Week 6: Fri., Sept. 29, Versailles
Week 7: Fri., Oct. 6, Delphos St. Johns
Week 8: Fri., Oct. 13, at Marion Local
Week 9: Fri., Oct. 20, at New Bremen
Week 10: Fri., Oct. 27, St. Henry
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