High school football preview: Fort Recovery Indians

Fort Recovery defeated Mogadore 33-14 to win the high school football D-VII state championship at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

Fort Recovery defeated Mogadore 33-14 to win the high school football D-VII state championship at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

High school: Fort Recovery Indians

Division: VI, Region: 24

»SEE PHOTO GALLERY BELOW

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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»PHOTO GALLERY

Fort Recovery head coach Brent Niekamp savors the school's first state title with his wife Kim. Fort Recovery defeated Mogadore 33-14 to win the high school football D-VII state championship at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

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