2008 SEOAL Previews: Zanesville Blue Devils

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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: 3 (1 OFF, 2 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)
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 - 6'3 - 205lbs - JR
TB - Seth Garrison - 5'10 - 175lbs - SR
FB - Anthony Scott - 5'7 - 210lbs - SR
SE - Michael Lynn - 5'10 - 140lbs - JR
FL - JT Bunting - 5'5 - 145lbs - SR
TE - Noah Baldwin - 6'2 - 195lbs - JR
OT - Shawn Berry - 6'2 - 205lbs - JR
OG - Chris Sims - 6'0 - 210lbs - JR
C - Zane Humphrey - 5'9 - 190lbs - SR
OG - Charles Newton - 6'0 - 200lbs - JR
OT - Jordan Paul - 6'3 - 205lbs - JR
Other Offensive Players:
RB - Kyle Gladden - 5'11 - 185lbs - JR (Injured)
RB - Brydon Gillard - 5'7 - 175lbs - SR
SE - Cory Harris - 6'1 - 150lbs - JR
SE - Kyle Melvin - 5'9 - 140lbs - SR (Injured)

Defense
DE - Noah Baldwin - 6'2 - 195lbs - JR
DT - Shawn Berry - 6'2 - 205lbs - JR
NG - Greg Norris - 5'7 - 190lbs - JR
DT - Chris Sims - 6'0 - 210lbs - JR
DE - Bryan Brown - 6'0- 185lbs - SR
LB - Gary Ransom - 5'11 - 185lbs - Soph
LB - Wes Tandy - 6'0 - 185lbs - SR
LB - Brydon Gillard - 5'7 - 175lbs - SR
CB - Michael Lynn - 5'10 - 140lbs - JR
S - Seth Garrison - 5'10 - 175lbs - SR
S - JT Bunting - 5'5 - 145lbs - SR
CB - Cory Harris - 6'1 - 150lbs - JR
Other Defensive Players:
DB - Kyle Gladden - 5'11 - 185lbs - JR (Injured)
DL - Kaleb Mohler - 6'2 - 215lbs - JR
DL - Dominique Howe - 6'0 - 285lbs - SR
LB - Spencer McGlade - 6'0 - 175lbs - JR
LB - Jordan Durham - 5'9 - 180lbs - JR

2008 Outlook:
Zanesville might be re-loading instead of re-building in 2008, their final season as a member of the SEOAL despite the biggest talent loss in the SEOAL. Not only are running backs Bryan Gaiters (the defending North division MVP) and Anthony Chandler gone, but so is nearly every starter from both the offensive and defensive lines.

Still, the Blue Devils should be able to re-load behind junior southpaw quarterback Cole Hudson (6-3, 205) and junior running back Kyle Gladden (5-11, 185). Gladden ran for over 8 yards per carry in a mop-up role last fall.

Also back for the Blue Devils is fullback Anthony Scott (5-7, 215) who rushed for over 1000 yards as a sophomore and for nearly 500 yards last season as a compliment to Gaiters.

In the passing game, Hudson will be looking for JT Bunting (5-5, 145) and Michael Lynn (5-10, 140). Hudson must hope that a small Blue Devil offensive line with only one senior, center Zane Humphrey (5-9, 190) matures quickly.

Defensively, the Blue Devils will rely on junior Noah Baldwin (6-0, 180) at defensive end up front.

Bunting is one of the SEOAL’s top open field tacklers and will play an the defensive backfield, while Seth Garrison (5-9, 175) is a returning starter at linebacker but can play safety as well.

Lynn and Gladden will both see time in the secondary for ZHS.