Head Coach: Jim Smith
Team Name: Troy Area Trojans
2014 Record: 9-2
Key Starters Lost: Qb Isaac Havens, C. Dylan Brennan, T. Brock Schucker, DB. Brandon Mattocks, LB. Nick Stephani
Offensive Starters Returning: (7) Sr. RB Diante Jones 5-8 160, FB SR, 6 220 Ben Sherman, RB,. SR. 6-2 230. Cody Ercolino , OG, SR. 6-1 250 Takoda Kelley, OG SR. Kyle Schucker 6-1 230, TE SR 5-9 225 Rob Rigby, JR. WR Curtis Roupp 6-2 170.
Defensive Starters Returning: (5 ) SR. MLB, Kyle Schucker 6-1 230, JR LB Zach Zimmerman 5-11 205, SR LB Ben Sherman 6 220, SR DT Takoda Kelley 6-1 250, SR DB 5-8 160 Diante Jones,
Key Newcomers: Nate Swain SR Qb, DB,Wr, 5-10 190. SR Tristen Drake FB, TE LB , 5-10 190, SR John Terre-Blanche OL, DL 6-3 230, Sophomore QB DB Clark Jackson 5-7 145. SR Mitchell Robson OL 6-2 220, JR Cody Schucker OL 5-10 260, JR Roy McClelland RB,TE,DL 6-0 195. SO Ja Wallace DB,WR 6-1 170.
D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects: D1-D-2 prospect, Kyle Schucker 6-1 230 MLB.
Key Stats: record 9-2, NTL Co-Champs
2015 Outlook: Defensively we return 3 linebackers, lead by Kyle Schucker who has dominated play at Mike backer for the past three seasons.
Our defensive line will be held together by Takoda Kelley who is a big strong fast player with a lot of Varsity experience.
The defensive backs return Diante Jones for the third year. I feel defensively we return a good core group of guys with a ton of experience. They should help the newcomers fill in the gaps and learn the system.
Offensively we return a lot of experienced skill players lead by senior Ben Sherman and Diante Jones. Both of these guys have started the last 2 seasons in the backfield. Our guards return for the third year and will help communicate our scheme accurately on the OL. Our biggest replacement will come at the quarterback position.
The key to our success on the offensive side of the ball will be finding that guy under center to lead us. Our overall success will be determined by the ability of our senior leadership.
How we gel as a team will be determined by that. Four returning starters will come into the 2015 season with 36 games of experience including district and state playoff games under their belt. I feel hopeful that their experience will aid in their ability to lead.
