An Early Look at the SEOAL: The 2008 Zanesville Blue Devils

[loganlocos]

Zanesville Blue Devils

Head Coach: Chad Grandstaff (2nd season, 7-4 overall)
2007 Record: 7-4 (5-2) (D2 Playoff Qualifier)
Division: II, Reg. 7
Returning Starters: 4 (1 OFF, 3 DEF)
Key Losses: Bryan Gaiters (TB/DB), Lucas Graham (WR/DB), Anthony Chandler (TB/DB), Josh Weatherspoon (TE/DE), Nate Kaufman (WR), Brendan Reid (LB), Asaad Sumani (WR?DB), James Reid (QB/DB), Shane Centers (LB), Brandon Rollins (OL/DL), David Stewart (OL/DL), Richie Anderson (C), Jess Huey (OT/DT), Greg Clayton (DE), Adam Douglas (OL/DL), Josh Newton (OL/DL), Adam Cronin (OL/DL)
Key Returnees: Anthony Scott (FB/NG), JT Bunting (WR/DB/LB), Seth Garrison (RB/LB)

2008 Schedule:
Aug. 22 - AT Newark
Aug. 29 - VS Licking Valley
Sept. 5 - VS Wheeling Park (WV)
Sept. 12 - VS Chillicothe *
Sept. 19 - VS Warren *
Sept. 26 - AT Logan *
Oct. 3 - AT St. Charles
Oct. 10 - VS Marietta *
Oct. 17 - AT Gallia Academy *
Oct. 24 - AT Jackson *

Projected Line-Up:
Offense
QB - Cole Hudson - 6'2 - 180lbs - JR
TB - Kyle Gladen - 5'10 - 200lbs - JR
FB - Anthony Scott - 5'8 - 250lbs - SR
WR - JT Bunting - 5'8 - 175lbs - SR
WR - Jordan Minnick - 6'0 - 170lbs - SR
TE - Noah Baldwin - 6'0 - 180lbs - JR
OT - Jordan Paul - 6'3 - 225lbs - JR
OG - Shaun Berry - 6'1 - 210lbs - JR
C - Zane Humphrey - 5'10 - 200lbs - SR
OG - Charles Newton - 6'0 - 200lbs - JR
OT - Todd Wats - 6'2 - 210lbs - SR
Other Offensive Players:
TE/WR - Zach Watts - 5'10 - 185lbs - SR
RB/WR - Spencer McGlade - 5'10 - 170lbs - JR
RB - Seth Garrison - 5'9 - 175lbs - SR
OL - Josh Edgell - 5'10 - 190lbs - JR
OL - Dominique Howe - 5'10 - 305lbs - SR
OL - Kyle Richard - 6'0 - 340lbs - JR
OL - Neil Shreve - 6'0 - 205lbs - SR

Defense
DE - Noah Baldwin - 6'0 - 180lbs - JR
DT - Dominique Howe - 5'10 - 305lbs - SR
NG - Anthony Scott - 5'8 - 250lbs - SR
DT - Zane Humphrey - 5'10 - 200lbs - SR
DE - Neil Shreve - 6'0 - 205lbs - SR
LB - Seth Garrison - 5'9 -175lbs - SR
LB - JT Bunting - 5'8 - 175lbs - SR
LB - Brydon Gillard - 5'8 - 180lbs - SR
CB - Zach Watts - 5'10 - 185lbs SR
FS - Jordan Minnick - 6'0 - 170lbs - SR
SS - Spencer McGlade - 5'10 - 170lbs - JR
CB - Kyle Melvin - 5'9 - 150lbs - SR
Other Defensive Players:
DB - Cole Hudson - 6'2 - 180lbs - JR
DB - Kyle Gladden - 5'10 - 200lbs - JR
LB - Richard Gibson - 5'8 - 195lbs - JR
DE - Jordan Paul - 6'3 - 225lbs - JR
DT - Todd Watts - 6'2 - 210lbs - SR
DT - Josh Edgell - 5'10 - 190lbs - JR
DT - Charles Newton - 6'0 - 200lbs - JR
DT - Shaun Berry - 6'1 - 210lbs - JR

2008 Outlook:

[warrnwarriorfan]

Is it safe to say that Zanesville lost more than anyone else from last year's team? Wow.

I guess that's an opportunity for kids to step-up. Zanesville always has athletes.

[Zanes-Vegas]

By our recent standards (last decade or so) we had a huge senior class last season (22, I think it was). However, a lot of these kids played a ton last year, albeit not often in key situations. Talented group still, but one lacking in critical experience.

Biggest key -- line play. I know that always is an issue anywhere, but it's very much so with this group. The skill positions should be solid, if not excellent (though not likely to match what we saw last season!).

Locos ... I might note that Gladden was really the starter at SS about two-thirds of last season. Cronin was a junior and we're hoping his physical issues are behind him because he's a big kid who could help anchor the lines.

Might be a bit of a transition year for us, since a lot of the skill people are juniors (or younger). How fast they come together (especially starting out with Nerk, Licking Valley and Wheeling Park) could be crucial as to how well things go in '08.

[loganlocos]

ZV -

I didn't realize that. I knew J.Reid was in and out of the line-up late in the season, I didn't realize that Gladden started there. And Cronin was a junior? That will add some depth if he can stay on the field.

I'm totally guessing as far as linemen on both sides of the ball. I'm sure Coach Grandstaff will find the right bodies. ZHS could easily be one of the league's top teams if they can develop line play by the time SEOAL play starts.

[Paladin]

ZHS doesn't have the talent to challenge for the SEOAL Champ, but the material is good enough that they'll stay in the top half of the league standings.

Look for them to be led by two way player Scott. While they won't be as dangerous on the ground this year, they will be fundamentally sound and able to score. D should be their strong suit & keep them in games .

I look for them to finish no worse than 5-5 overall. 6-4 is doable. In SEOAL they'll go at least 3-3 and 4-2 also looks doable.

[Zanes-Vegas]

We apparently now have a tremendous home field advantage. We are outfitting our running backs with outboards, and our wideouts with Jet-Skis. Good luck beating us at Sulsberger this year!

[loganlocos]

We apparently now have a tremendous home field advantage. We are outfitting our running backs with outboards, and our wideouts with Jet-Skis. Good luck beating us at Sulsberger this year!

Glad the Devils come to "Logan Chieftain Stadium" this year! LOL

[Paladin]

Wow !! Never seen it that bad at Sulsberger. Been there coaching at the Muskingum County Track Meet and its been wet , but never under water !!

[Army]

We apparently now have a tremendous home field advantage. We are outfitting our running backs with outboards, and our wideouts with Jet-Skis. Good luck beating us at Sulsberger this year!

Zanes Vegas,

WOW

I am looking forward to coming back up their this season to support our Chillicothe Cavaliers play against their old foes, your Zanesville (Blue Devils) in week 4. I hope the field looks a little better than the pic.

I am glad to hear, that our Chillicothe Cavaliers will continue the series in Football, with Zanesville when your (Blue Devils) go independent in 2009. We have you all at home at Chillicothe Hernstein Field, I believe in week 3 in a 2009 non-league game. I hope our two respected schools also continue the series in basketall once your (Blue Devils) go independent. It sure has been great the past two years in B-Ball for our two schools, that's for sure.

Good Luck this season to your kids team, the Zanesville (Blue Devils) in their last season in the SEOAL.

Respectfully

Army

GO CAVS

GO SEOAL

[Zanes-Vegas]

Paladin ...

Once we excavated the field, it was "rolled" nice and compact. With the new concrete curb almost completely installed, and with the current field level (pending field construction) sitting several inches below track level, it made for an easy way to start our own pool. Most of that was gone by this morning. Thank goodness.

Locos ...

Someone said that the new school site is on a 100-year flood plain? Is that true? If so ... well ... I'm not banking on ANYTHING!

Army ...

Week 3 in '09? Hadn't looked at the schedule that far out yet, but that would mean we are either dropping Wheeling Park or moving their game to later in the season (and I would believe the latter; we've had a long-standing relationship with them, especially in basketball). As for basketball, I would believe that as long as both programs are operating at a high level, there would be some thought to maintaining at least one matchup a year. We did that for a long time with East Liverpool, and really only had to drop the Potters after our entry into the SEOAL limited the number of non-conference openings (plus, ELHS has really dropped off in recent years).

[Army]

Zane Vegas,

Sorry, I over looked the schedule on Highschoolsports.net

The football game at (Hernstein Field) in Chillicothe is played on:

Fri 09/18/2009 Home Zanesville High School 7:30PM

Sounds like week 4

[Zanes-Vegas]

That's OK. It seems Ohio's high school football season will soon coincide with the start of the CFL season. Gets earlier and earlier all the time, or so it seems. But that does make a little more sense that it would be in Week 4. I can't see us interrupting that series with Park. At least not now.

[Botcowa]

Wow, anybody got a fishing rod? Has anyone ever noticed that when Chillicothe and Z-ville get together water starts to fall? When was the last time we played a dry game together? I know for a fact the last 2 years it has been a mud-fest, but that pic is rediculous!

Well maybe that will since we are not playing in week 10 this year. Good Luck everyone see you soon! Stay dry...lmao

P.S.
If anyone needs a drain in Z-ville let me know....lol J/J

[Zanes-Vegas]

Plenty of drainage going in this week!

[Botcowa]

WOW! lol

[loganlocos]

http://www.jjhuddle.com/news/articles/2 ... es-to-fill

JJHuddle preview of the Blue Devils.