2009 SEOAL Previews: Portsmouth Trojans

[loganlocos]

2009 Portsmouth Trojans

Head Coach: Curtis Clifford (21st Season, 125-88 overall)
2008 Record: 1-9 (0-6)
Division: IV, Region 15
Returning Starters: 15 (7 OFF, 8 DEF)
Key Losses: John Prior (OL), Nate Cadogan (DL), Malik White (WR/DB), Ryan Jordan (RB/DB), Aaron Montgomery (LB), David Mallory (RB), James Lawson (DB)
Key Returnees: Josh Myers (QB/DB), Jason James (DL), Angelo Jackson (RB/LB), Jon Royster (WR/RB), Justin Welch (C), Brennen Howard (OL/DL), Casey Sanders (OL), Taylor Brown (OL), London Malone (WR/DB), Jalen Kennedy (RB/OLB), Patrick Underwood (WR/DB), Justin Smith (FB/DE/K), Collin Staker (WR/DB), Clay Lewis (OL), Kyle Simpson (WR)

2009 Schedule:
Aug. 28 - AT South Point
Sept. 5 - VS West
Sept. 11 - VS Wheelersburg
Sept. 18 - VS Jackson *
Sept. 25 - AT Chillicothe *
Oct. 2 - VS Gallia Academy *
Oct. 9 - VS Warren *
Oct. 16 - AT Ironton *
Oct. 23 - AT Marietta *
Oct. 30 - AT Western Brown

Projected Line-Up:
Offense
QB - Josh Myers - 6'1 - 180lbs - JR *
RB - Angelo Jackson - 5'10 - 190lbs - JR *
FB - Justin Smith - 5'10 - 185lbs - JR
WR/RB - Jon Royster - 5'10 - 155lbs - JR *
WR - London Malone - 5'10 - 155lbs - SR
WR - Kyle Simpson - 5'11 - 175lbs - JR
OT - Casey Sanders - 6'4 - 260lbs - JR *
OG - Brennen Howard - 6'0 - 280lbs - JR *
C - Justin Welch - 5'8 - 220lbs - SR *
OG - Clay Lewis - 6'0 - 230lbs - JR *
OT - Taylor Brown - 6'4 - 260lbs - JR
Other Offensive Players:
TE - Adam Bray - 6'3 - 175lbs - JR
TE - Trey Underwood - 6'2 - 195lbs - SR

Defense
DE - Jason James - 6'0 - 200lbs - SR *
DT - Brennen Howard - 6'0 - 280lbs - JR *
NG - Justin Smith - 5'10 - 185lbs - JR *
DE - Collin Staker - 6'2 - 175lbs - JR
OLB - Jalen Kennedy - 5'10 - 195lbs - SR *
ILB - Angelo Jackson - 5'10 - 190lbs - JR
ILB - Tre Underwood - 6'2 - 195lbs - SR *
OLB - Andrew Gulley - 5'8 - 175lbs - JR
CB - London Malone - 5'10 - 155lbs - SR *
CB - Patrick Underwood - 6'1 - 160lbs - SR *
FS - Josh Myers - 6'1 - 180lbs - JR *
Other Defensive Players:
DL - Casey Sanders - 6'4 - 260lbs - JR

2009 Outlook:

Coming Soon!

[loganlocos]

Need some help as you can see above. I could also use a copy of last years roster. I never got one last year.

Thanks!

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

Look for the Trojans to use their traditional 4-4 defense this year. I have heard that the other DT may be played in combination of Casey Sanders, Justin Welch, Taylor Brown, and Clay Lewis until one of them establishes himself. As for the LBs I would think Tre' Underwood would have an inside track at one of the spots, Andrew Gulley may be another option as well. I could also see Patrick Underwood working in at OLB which would open the door for Kyle Simpson, Jon Royster, or Collin Staker to get in at DB.

[crslpn44]

I think Sanders is taking the D-end position. He played 3 solid games there at the beginning of the season and then was benched for Nate Cadoghan. fail

[CANNIBAL]

josh myers will be a junior this coming year??

[Trojanbuckeye]

Yeah, Josh is a Jr.

Collin Staker, Adam Bray & Trey Underwood are all going to be Juniors.

[BigTime]

Yeah, Josh is a Jr.

Collin Staker, Adam Bray & Trey Underwood are all going to be Juniors.

Also,
Andrew Gulley, and Justin Smith are Jr's

[BigTime]

ttt

[loganlocos]

Updated

BIG BIG thanks to Portsmouth_98 for getting me a roster with last years HT/WT.

[trojandave]

From my understanding Portsmouth will be using a 4-3-4 defense this year.......and plan to run the ball a little more on offense. The Trojans will be very capable, though, of throwing the ball to a group of talented wide receivers........PHS may have the deepest set of wideouts in the SEOAL. London Malone, Kyle Simpson, Wayne Evans, Jon Royster, and Duke Edwards give QB Josh Myers a lot of targets to throw to.

Angelo Jackson and Jalen Kennedy will do most of the ground work, with Justin Smith helping out also. Smith will do the placekicking and kickoffs, and I believe he has developed a soccer style kick this year. Don't know who the punter will be.

Good job as always, Locos, on your 2009 previews.........your passion for the sport is greatly appreciated.

[trojanofthepast]

From my understanding Portsmouth will be using a 4-3-4 defense this year.......and plan to run the ball a little more on offense. The Trojans will be very capable, though, of throwing the ball to a group of talented wide receivers........PHS may have the deepest set of wideouts in the SEOAL. London Malone, Kyle Simpson, Wayne Evans, Jon Royster, and Duke Edwards give QB Josh Myers a lot of targets to throw to.

Angelo Jackson and Jalen Kennedy will do most of the ground work, with Justin Smith helping out also. Smith will do the placekicking and kickoffs, and I believe he has developed a soccer style kick this year. Don't know who the punter will be.

Good job as always, Locos, on your 2009 previews.........your passion for the sport is greatly appreciated.

Great post trojandave;

I agree with you about the skill player this year. It will be exciting to watch this group over the next 2 seasons. Everyone you mentioned above with the exception of London Malone, and Jalen Kennedy will be together the next 2 seasons. No one in the area has more talent at the WR spot than the Trojans this year. Myers will be great this year and this is Angelo Jackson's breakout year in my opinion. I though I heard that Justin Smith transfered out. Has anyone else heard or know this to be true.

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

You guys are right about the skilled players, we seem to have plenty of guys with speed that can catch and carry the ball. This season all hinges on how well the line can play. We are returning some guys that got some experience last year, and should be improved. I know that last year the defense was lacking, but I think that was primarily due to the fact that they were on the field for so long because the offence couldn’t hold the ball for any significant amount of time.

Also has anyone heard about a transfer from Oak Hill? Heard he was supposed to be a good OT, didn’t catch the name, anyone know anything about this.

I think the Trojans will be much improved and be able to challenge the SEOAL this season. Here is how I see the season going for the Trojans.


W Aug. 28 - AT South Point (Won this last year should be able to again)
? Sept. 5 - VS West (West will be a challenge, but have to break in a new QB and secondary, should make for a great game)
? Sept. 11 - VS Wheelersburg (This should be another tight one, Burg graduated a lot of the running game from last year)
W Sept. 18 - VS Jackson * (This was a close game last year, but I think the Trojans handle the Ironmen as they get adjusted to a new coach and system)
W Sept. 25 - AT Chillicothe * (Chilli lost a lot for last year, but should still be strong. I think it will be close but the Trojans come out on top)
W Oct. 2 - VS Gallia Academy * (Another close loss for the Trojans last year, look for the Trojans to get a close win at home this season.
W Oct. 9 - VS Warren * ( This was yet another winnable game the Trojans let slip away last year, I think the Trojans will roll against the Warriors this year
? Oct. 16 - AT Ironton * (The Tigers are loaded but anything can happen in this one. may decide the SEOAL Championship if the Tigers get the win against Logan.)
W Oct. 23 - AT Marietta * (Look for the Trojans to get this one, the Tigers will be looking to replace a very talented QB from 08)
W Oct. 30 - AT Western Brown (Western Brown graduated a large senior class and will be looking to rebuild)

[trojandave]

Haven't heard anything about Justin Smith transferring out.......if he did, it is a big loss in the kicking game because he was the incumbent and kicking well late last season. He also was the starting noseguard and I have no idea who would replace him there.

I agree about how critical the line play will be........I'll make it as simple as I can......good line play, good season.......bad line play, bad season...........the skill positions are not the issue at Portsmouth.

I predicted 7-3, and I'm sticking with that........there's not a game on the schedule that Portsmouth can't win........we have 15 starters coming back, so that bodes well for a good season.......I'm thinking we are good enough to be in the top 8 of Region 15, but it will be really tough to be in the top 4 for a home game at Trojan Coliseum.

GO TROJANS!!!

[trojandave]

Justin Smith did transfer back to Columbus. Josh Meade could take over the kicking game, while Casey Sanders may be the replacement at NG.

That gives Portsmouth 14 returning starters......still an experienced squad that is very hungry to bury what happened last year.

[BigTime]

I agree trojandave.

What everyone needs to realize is we were less than 2 touchdowns combined from winning 3 more games. That with 12-14 underclassmen starting last year. This team will suprise some people on the outside with how big of a turnaround this team will make this year. But, to the ones like you and me trojandave, that watched these kids last year it will not be a surprise. GO TROJANS!

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

Here is a story that was on wowk tv13 today.
http://www.boomboxradio.net/boombox/PlayerSetup/Players/WOWKTVPlayer.aspx?FileId=200822_wowk

[BigTime]

The line play on the offensive side of the ball will make or break this team. They will be the difference between 4 wins or 7-8 wins.

[Portsmouth98]

Can't wait for the season to start. Looking forward to the preview at Valley Friday.

[TrojanXplosion]

Call me crazy but, I see Portsmouth winning 9 games. Im only really concerned about Ironton @ Ironton. Other than that, I feel good about the scheduling and the Trojans have the "swagger" back. Can you say PLAYOFFS ?

[PTrojan59]

I think D-Line is the big thing i think it will make us or break us DE should be a bright spot with a 3 man rotation

JAMES
MEAD
CLINE