Loudonville scouting report: Defense is king in Loudonville, where D6 playoff hopes are high
By SPENCER WAUGH for The Logan Daily News
LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — Last season, Loudonville defeated Logan 31-7 on its way to the second round of the OHSAA Division V playoffs, where they lost to Huron 17-13.
In the offseason, however, a clerical error was discovered that showed the Redbirds actually belonged in Division VI, where they play this year.
Now that the Redbirds are in the correct division, hopes are high in the small Ashland County village.
LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — Last season, Loudonville defeated Logan 31-7 on its way to the second round of the OHSAA Division V playoffs, where they lost to Huron 17-13.
In the offseason, however, a clerical error was discovered that showed the Redbirds actually belonged in Division VI, where they play this year.
Now that the Redbirds are in the correct division, hopes are high in the small Ashland County village.
Justin Todd was named head coach in 2012 after Loudonville had been 18-22 in the previous four seasons.
Todd has turned the program around to the tune of a 21-5 overall record and been in the playoffs each of the last three seasons… with all five losses against playoff teams. The Redbirds have defeated three playoff teams in that same span.
In 2014, the Redbirds are all about defense. While Loudonville was impressive last season in Logan Chieftain Stadium — holding Logan to four first downs and minus-6 yards of total offense — the Redbird defense has been even more impressive this season.
Loudonville has allowed only 31 yards rushing on 87 attempts in three games and, even when accounting for four bad punt snaps that lost opponents 67 yards, they’re still allowed only 98 yards on 84 attempts… just over one yard per carry.
The Ashland Countians will line up in a 3-3 stack defense that features Blake Cary (6-1, 240, senior) and Joey Artrip (6-3, 225, senior) on the ends and Kyle Graham (6-0, 220, senior) at nose tackle.
The linebackers are all big, fast, and plug holes quickly. 2013 All-Ohioan Tristan Bender (6-2, 210, senior) and Mike Henderson (5-11, 200, senior) flank middle linebacker Heath Snyder (6-1, 205, junior), the only underclassman in the front six.
Jordan Wright (5-9, 175, senior) plays as an outside linebacker who can move out into coverage on passing downs while Tucker Bender (5-8, 170, senior) plays a strong safety role. Lane Harper (5-9, 195, senior) and Devon Howland (6-0, 160, sophomore) add depth.
Austin VanSickle (5-10, 165, junior) and Garrett Quickle (5-10, 165, junior) are the cornerbacks with Kolton Edmondson (6-0, 195, senior) playing free safety. Tucker Bender can also play some cornerback, moving from the strong safety spot.
On offense, the Redbirds are tough and physical up front but balanced out of a spread formation that revolves around All-Ohio quarterback Edmondson.
Edmondson has ran 31 times for 299 yards and four touchdowns (nearly 10 yards per carry) while throwing for 579 and seven touchdowns, completing 35 of 60 passes. He has not been intercepted.
Edmondson’s top targets are VanSickle (10 receptions, 287 yards, three touchdowns) and Quickle (11 receptions, 133 yards, one TD). Yight end Joey Artrip adds seven catches for 79 yards and a pair of scores. Both Benders will see time at receiver as well.
Joining Edmondson in the backfield are Wright and Josh Weber (5-7, 165, senior). Wright has 194 yards and seven touchdowns on 17 carries while Weber has added 63 and a touchdown on 10 carries. VanSickle is a danger on jet sweeps as well.
The Redbirds return only two O-line starters from last season, but appear to have reloaded. Kyle Clady (5-11, 250, sophomore) is the center with Moe Aounah (6-0, 305, junior) and Malakye Nall (6-0, 240, junior) playing guard. All three interior linemen rest on defense. The tackles are Cary and Snyder.
Edmondson will handle the punting duties and return kicks alongside Weber. Tucker Bender will do the placekicking where he is a perfect 14-of-14 on PATs and 1-1 on field goal tries.
Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Chiefs’ opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News.
Todd has turned the program around to the tune of a 21-5 overall record and been in the playoffs each of the last three seasons… with all five losses against playoff teams. The Redbirds have defeated three playoff teams in that same span.
In 2014, the Redbirds are all about defense. While Loudonville was impressive last season in Logan Chieftain Stadium — holding Logan to four first downs and minus-6 yards of total offense — the Redbird defense has been even more impressive this season.
Loudonville has allowed only 31 yards rushing on 87 attempts in three games and, even when accounting for four bad punt snaps that lost opponents 67 yards, they’re still allowed only 98 yards on 84 attempts… just over one yard per carry.
The Ashland Countians will line up in a 3-3 stack defense that features Blake Cary (6-1, 240, senior) and Joey Artrip (6-3, 225, senior) on the ends and Kyle Graham (6-0, 220, senior) at nose tackle.
The linebackers are all big, fast, and plug holes quickly. 2013 All-Ohioan Tristan Bender (6-2, 210, senior) and Mike Henderson (5-11, 200, senior) flank middle linebacker Heath Snyder (6-1, 205, junior), the only underclassman in the front six.
Jordan Wright (5-9, 175, senior) plays as an outside linebacker who can move out into coverage on passing downs while Tucker Bender (5-8, 170, senior) plays a strong safety role. Lane Harper (5-9, 195, senior) and Devon Howland (6-0, 160, sophomore) add depth.
Austin VanSickle (5-10, 165, junior) and Garrett Quickle (5-10, 165, junior) are the cornerbacks with Kolton Edmondson (6-0, 195, senior) playing free safety. Tucker Bender can also play some cornerback, moving from the strong safety spot.
On offense, the Redbirds are tough and physical up front but balanced out of a spread formation that revolves around All-Ohio quarterback Edmondson.
Edmondson has ran 31 times for 299 yards and four touchdowns (nearly 10 yards per carry) while throwing for 579 and seven touchdowns, completing 35 of 60 passes. He has not been intercepted.
Edmondson’s top targets are VanSickle (10 receptions, 287 yards, three touchdowns) and Quickle (11 receptions, 133 yards, one TD). Yight end Joey Artrip adds seven catches for 79 yards and a pair of scores. Both Benders will see time at receiver as well.
Joining Edmondson in the backfield are Wright and Josh Weber (5-7, 165, senior). Wright has 194 yards and seven touchdowns on 17 carries while Weber has added 63 and a touchdown on 10 carries. VanSickle is a danger on jet sweeps as well.
The Redbirds return only two O-line starters from last season, but appear to have reloaded. Kyle Clady (5-11, 250, sophomore) is the center with Moe Aounah (6-0, 305, junior) and Malakye Nall (6-0, 240, junior) playing guard. All three interior linemen rest on defense. The tackles are Cary and Snyder.
Edmondson will handle the punting duties and return kicks alongside Weber. Tucker Bender will do the placekicking where he is a perfect 14-of-14 on PATs and 1-1 on field goal tries.
Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Chiefs’ opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News.
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