Licking Valley

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Klein excited for return to defense

By KURTIS ADAMS
ThisWeek Staff Writer
Storm Klein, a standout with the Licking Val-
ley High School football team, has demonstrated
considerable patience.
Nearly everyone knew him either by name
or reputation even before he began his fresh-
man year, yet he never complained as coach
Randy Baughman held off until the fourth game
of 2005 before bringing him up to play varsity.
Then he had to be satisfied playing on just one
side of the ball, something he wasn’t accustomed
to after playing running back and linebacker in
middle school.
Klein, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior, finally
is getting the opportunity to return to playing
defense on a regular basis. He saw limited duty
at linebacker a year ago as the Panthers finished
9-2 overall, won the MSL-Ohio Division title
(7-0) for the third time in four seasons and
advanced to the playoffs for the sixth time in
seven years and 10th time overall, falling to Can-
ton South 27-17 in a Division III regional quar-
terfinal.
“It’s been a while (since I played defense),
except maybe for a few plays last year. Really,
the last time was my freshman year before I got
called up,” said Klein, who already has accepted
a scholarship offer from Ohio State. “Coach
Baughman and I talked about right after last
year and then we talked some more a few months
ago.
“I’m ready for it, definitely. I think our defense
is going to be pretty good. I’ve been saving a
Randy Baughman enters his 25th season as head coach of Licking Valley, which opens
Friday at home against Zanesville.
tle of the linebackers we had two years ago, and
I think that team only gave up 34 points (dur-
ing the regular season with six shutouts).”
Junior safety Drew Ryan (5-11, 160), who
made second-team all-district, also returns to
help anchor a defensive secondary also featur-
ing senior Taylor Rakestraw (5-11, 170) at strong
safety and junior Grant Markert (5-11, 160) at
one of the corners. Senior Nick Phillips (6-1,
By Rob Hardin/ThisWeek
The Panthers, who also defeated playoff-
bound Columbus Academy 56-27 in the MSL-
Ohio opener and Newark Catholic 35-0 in the
regular-season finale for their third shutout, have
replaced all three of last year’s non-league oppo-
nents, including Northridge and Beechcroft.
They’ll play Aug. 31 at Division I North Can-
ton Hoover and Sept. 7 at home against Bishop
Ryan Catholic, a big-school team from Hamil-
At a glance
LICKING VALLEY PANTHERS
Colors: Red, white and blue
Coach: Randy Baughman, 25th season
Key players: Josh Bailey, Jake German, Tim German,
Cody Hammond, Donald Houston, Storm Klein, Nick
Phillips and Drew Ryan
On the Web: lickingvalleypanthers.com
2007 SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 ...........Zanesville............................Home
Aug. 31 ...........North Canton Hoover .............Away
Sept. 7............Hamilton (Ontario) Ryan........Home
Sept. 14..........Bexley...................................Away
Sept. 21..........Heath..................................Home
Sept. 28..........Whitehall .............................Home
Oct. 5..............Granville ...............................Away
Oct. 12............Lakewood............................Home
Oct. 19............Newark Catholic...................Home
Oct. 26............Columbus Academy ...............Away
2006 RESULTS
(9-2 overall, 7-0 MSL-Ohio)
Jonathan Alder ..........................................L, 21-3
Northridge................................................W, 30-0
Beechcroft ...............................................W, 34-6
Columbus Academy ................................W, 56-27
Bexley....................................................W, 41-17
Heath ....................................................W, 38-14
Whitehall ...............................................W, 55-20
Granville ..................................................W, 35-0
Lakewood ................................................W, 50-7
Newark Catholic .......................................W, 35-0
PLAYOFFS
Canton South..........................................L, 27-17
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few hits for when I got this chance (to play
defense) again.”
Klein rushed for 1,839 yards and 27 touch-
downs last year on 208 carries (8.9 average) and
is approaching 3,000 career yards with two sea-
sons remaining with the Panthers, who will open
Friday at home against Division II Zanesville.
He strengthens what already was going to be a
strong group of linebackers with the return of
senior Josh Bailey (6-1, 185) on the weak side
along with first-team all-district and honorable-
mention all-state classmate Jake German (5-11,
190) on the strong side. Klein, who made first-
team all-district and first-team all-state and was
named the district Offensive Player of theYear,
will play in the middle.
“He has good instincts. Now it’s just a mat-
Central Ohio High School Football Preview ’07 • August 22, 2007
. . . .
180), who split time last year at quarterback ton, Ontario.
with graduate Derek Stein, at the other corner.
Key defensive linemen include senior Michael
Kuhlwein (6-2, 200) and junior Vince German The Great Skate SKATE
!
Es c a p e
(6-1, 225) on the ends and junior Joe Asselin
(6-0, 255) at a tackle spot. Vince German and
Kuhlwein also play tight end. 7 DAYS
Also on the offensive line, seniors Tim Ger-
man (6-5, 280) and Donald Houston (6-2, 270) A WEEK
return after making first-team all-district at tackle No matter what your age, the Lou & Gib Reese Ice Arena has lessons,
and guard, respectively. Senior Cody Hammond
(6-0, 210) is another returning starter. Tim Ger- leagues and plenty of open ice time for everyone!
man made second-team all-state and Houston
Learn to Skate – 6 Weeks
was honorable mention.
A wide range of classes in a fun & relaxed environment
They’ll provide solid protection for Phillips, for all skill levels.
who completed 30 of 61 passes (49.2 percent)
and threw for 417 yards and two touchdowns Fall I Session September 4 – October 13, 2007

ter of applying what he knows,” said Baugh-
man, who begins his 25th season at the school
with a 216-71-1 career record, including 210
victories with the Panthers. “He’s still so young.
He just turned 16 and isn’t even driving yet.
“With him in the mix, this reminds me a lit-
Tots (Beginner) – Beta (Intermediate) $60
and rushed for 317 and six touchdowns last year.
Gamma Delta (Advanced) – Freestyle 1-10 $75
Stein threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns.
The Panthers also have to replace first-team all- Fundamentals in Action (Hockey Classes)
district defensive back Seth Rine and second- This program is designed to focus on the fundamental
team all-district defensive lineman Luke Walker. of skating, stick handling, passing and shooting.
Rine also made honorable mention all-state. Progressive drill sequence, overspeed &
resistance training are an integral part of this program.
Fall I September 4 – October 13, 2007
Youth and Adult Classes $75

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