By Spencer Waugh
Logan Daily News

COLUMBUS — After four years in Division I, the Brookhaven Bearcats (9-2) are back in Division II and expect to return to Massillon to play for a state championship.

After all, Brookhaven was state champion in 2004 (the last time they were Division II) and made the Final Four in 2003.

Second -year head coach Anthony Thornton (18-4 overall) is hoping to build his own post-season legacy. Thornton’s teams have won two City League North championships (Brookhaven has won eight straight overall) and qualified for the playoffs in each of his seasons as head coach.
The Bearcats are 1-1 in the playoffs under Thornton and 16-11 overall in post-season play.

In 2009, Brookhaven has victories over playoff qualifier Marion-Franklin (23-21), Northland (14-6), Whetstone (23-20), Linden-McKinley (35-6), Centennial (69-0), Beechcroft (24-21), East (32-0), Mifflin (38-12) and last week’s first-round Region 7 opponent, Walnut Ridge (27-20 in overtime).

Brookhaven lost to Division I playoff qualifiers Hilliard Davidson (22-13) and Dublin Coffman (33-0), who are a combined 20-1 and with Davidson’s only loss coming against Coffman.

Brookhaven overcame a 20-6 deficit to edge Walnut Ridge in overtime last week. It was a sloppy, mistake-filled game that saw the two teams combine for 13 turnovers, including six by Brookhaven.

Brookhaven will hang its hat on speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball and will come out with an aggressive game plan.

On offense, the Navy and Gold average 27 points per game and operate out of a Pro-I formation, similar to the offense Logan ran prior to moving to the spread in 2008.

The Bearcats are led by their two-headed monster of Antwonne White (5-9, 180, senior) and speedy Donivan Lipsey (5-7, 170, junior) at tailback. Lipsey ran for 186 yards and three touchdowns last week against Walnut Ridge.

Sophomore Tajuan Green (6-0, 170, sophomore) has played beyond his years at quarterback for the Bearcats. Rounding out the Bearcat backfield is Demetrus Johnson (5-11, 225, senior), a bruising fullback.

On the outside, William Tweedy (5-10, 170, senior), Deshawn Alston (5-11, 175, senior), Michael Sellers (5-11, 175, senior), and Frank Marsh (6-0, 190, junior) are all reliable targets. Deonta Stenson (6-2, 180, senior) will line up as a tight end and can also split out and play in the slot.

Up front, the City League champions have size similar to the Chieftains, averaging 226 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. Decorey Evans (5-10, 205, senior) is the leader of the line and will play center with D.J. Greggs (6-1, 225, senior) and Zaphere Carroll (5-10, 245, senior) playing guard and Patrick Glenn (5-10, 205, senior) and Brandin Wright (6-0, 250, senior) at tackle.

The Bearcat defense is stingy, allowing only 14 points per game and recording two shutouts. They have one of the top defensive lines in the state of Ohio, led by UCLA-bound defensive end Derrick Bryant (6-4, 235, senior).

Carroll and Corey Marshall (5-11, 195, junior) are the tackles with Greggs playing the other end spot. Greggs can also move inside and play tackle bringing sophomore Ari Backus (5-11, 205) in to play defensive end.

The linebacking corps is led by Demetrus Johnson in the middle with Marsh and Marcus Reed (6-0, 205, senior) on the outside. Louis Ford (5-10, 175, senior) and Vincent Meek (6-0, 180, sophomore) add depth at outside linebacker.

In the secondary, strong safety Ryland Ward (5-10, 190, senior) is one of the top prospects in Ohio. Joining him is Lentwan Smith (5-11, 175, junior) at free safety.

The cornerbacks are Sellers and Lipsey, with Isaiah Ealy (5-9, 170, senior) rotating with Lipsey when Lipsey is playing tailback.

Alex Garin (6-1, 185, junior) handles kickoffs for the Bearcats while Prince Gboya (5-6, 175, junior) does the placekicking. Lipsey handles the punting chores. Alston and Johnzelle Meek (5-10, 155, sophomore) return kickoffs and Ward returns punts.

Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com offers his scouting report of the Chiefs’ opponent every week in The Logan Daily News.