Dublin Scioto

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Irish out to prove last season was fluke

By SCOTT GERFEN
Villager Contributor
The Dublin Scioto High School football tra-
dition includes a Division II state championship
in 1995 and five consecutive playoff appear-
ances and three OCC championships this decade.
In eight seasons under coach Karl Johnson,
the Irish have grown accustomed to winning.
But with just one returning starter on offense
and five on defense, Scioto last season finished
4-6 overall and suffered through a schedule
which included seven opponents that reached
the postseason.
“We felt like we were competitive in most of
our games last year, but we just didn’t get over
the hump to win those close ones,” said John-
son, whose team will open Friday at home against
Olentangy. “With as many returnees that we
have this year, it’s something that doesn’t sit
well with the seniors. They don’t want to be
remembered that way and definitely want to
improve.”
Scioto returns nine starters on offense and
eight on defense as it looks to rebound from a
fourth-place tie with New Albany at 2-3 in the
OCC-Capital Division behind Big Walnut (4-
1), Watkins Memorial (4-1) and Olentangy Lib-
erty (3-2) and ahead of Franklin Heights (0-5).
It was a season that also included the worst
defeat for Johnson, 44-0 to Dublin Coffman,
and a defense that allowed 345 yards and 27
points per game.
“We’ve been talking about restoring the tra-
dition,” senior quarterback Ryan Pendleton said.
“We know we can bring it back and we’ve been
working hard every day to get back to where
He’s bigger. He’s stronger. He’s faster. He knows
the offense and he’s learned what we want him
to do.”
He’ll lead an offense that includes plenty of
experience at the skill positions in senior run-
ning backs Taylor Rice (5-11, 175) and Bradley
McDougal (6-2, 182) and junior running back
Andrew Koogler (6-0, 200).
Koogler last season rushed for 564 yards on
119 carries and five touchdowns.
Three of the four returning starters along the
offensive line are seniors inAlex Duff (6-3, 240),
Cameron Martin (5-11, 210) and Nathan Votino
(6-2, 240), along with junior Jason Tiemeier (6-
0, 255). Senior Brennan Heigel (6-1, 190) is
returning at tight end.
The defense appears to have more speed this
year, Johnson said. Its returning starters are all
seniors in linemen Tommy Duffey (5-10, 215),
Alex Morris (5-10, 195) and Adam Morris (6-
0, 290), linebackers Corey Strawser (5-8, 160)
and Jimmy Bullock (6-2, 195) and defensive
backs Rice, Justin Rinaldi (5-11, 162) and Casey
Gordon (5-10, 150). By Darrin Bryan/ThisWeek
Bullock led the team last season in tackles Scioto’s Ryan Pendleton threw for 1,200 yards and six touchdowns last season but also
(86) and Strawser had eight sacks. had 12 interceptions. “He has improved greatly from last year,” coach Karl Johnson said.
“I think last year we wore down in some
games,” Adam Morris said. “I think condition- The Irish also return junior punter and kicker are just like us and had junior-laden teams last
ing is something that’s been emphasized for Rainer Duzan, who made the winning 31-yard year,” Johnson said. “Big Walnut and Dublin
everybody this season. We’d get slow last year field goal in the 27-24 victory over Worthing- Coffman were junior-led teams, and they were
and tired in the second half and that’s when ton Kilbourne in the Battle of Hard Road. league powers last season. Our schedule hasn’t
somebody would break a big play on us.” “There are a lot of teams on our schedule who changed, and it’s going to be just as tough.”
Good Luck

. . . .
we were.”
Pendleton (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) completed
127 of 229 passes last season for 1,200 yards

Dublin Scioto
cs 082207 B88794-4

and six touchdowns, but also threw 12 inter-

ceptions. Johnson has seen a better decision-
maker in preseason practices and scrimmages.
“I think the kids look to him as a leader,” he
said. “He has improved greatly from last year.

At a glance Good Luck ALL

DUBLIN SCIOTO IRISH 614-798-1321 Dublin Schools GOOD
Colors: Green, white and silver
Coach: Karl Johnson, eighth season
6400 Perimeter Drive
LUCK
Key players: Jimmy Bullock, Alex Duff, Tommy Duf-
fey, Casey Gordon, Brennan Heigel, Andrew Koogler, Dublin, Ohio IRISH!
Cameron Martin, Bradley McDougald, Adam Morris,
Alex Morris, Ryan Pendleton, Taylor Rice, Justin Rinaldi,
Central Ohio High School Football Preview ’07 • August 22, 2007

Cory Strawser, Jason Tiemeier and Nathan Votino

www.ChampaignBank.com Restaurant
On the Web: scioto.dublin.k12.oh.us
cs 082207 B86874-2

and Party
2007 SCHEDULE 655 Metro Place South
Aug. 24..............Olentangy .........................Home Dublin, OH 43017 Facility
Aug. 31..............Marysville .........................Home (614) 761-3355 cs082207 B79455-2

!
Go IRISH
Sept. 7...............Westland............................Away
Sept. 14 ............Worthington Kilbourne.........Away
www.metro-v.com CALL
ON
Sept. 21 ............Dublin Coffman ..................Away
Sept. 28 ............Franklin Heights ................Home BOLETLD 878-7422
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Oct. 5 ................Big Walnut..........................Away
Oct. 12 ..............New Albany.......................Home
Check on your rivals
We have the What kind of
Oct. 19 ..............Olentangy Liberty ..............Home
Oct. 26 ..............Watkins Memorial...............Away
Fighting Irish Custom Meet the new coach
Good
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2006 RESULTS season will it be?

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Olentangy .................................................L, 24-0
Marysville ..............................................W, 34-30
Westland .........................................L, 41-35 (OT)
Worthington Kilbourne ............................W, 27-24
Dublin Coffman .........................................L, 44-0
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Franklin Heights .....................................W, 41-21 from feature will cover all fall
Big Walnut ..............................................L, 16-10 sports in central Ohio.
New Albany .............................................L, 30-19 Visit us online
Olentangy Liberty....................................W, 24-21 See our Sports Section
Watkins Memorial......................................L, 20-7 for the best August 23 and 30
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