An Early Look at the SEOAL: The 2008 Marietta Tigers

[loganlocos]

Marietta Tigers

Head Coach: Andy Schob (1st Year)
2007 Record: 3-7 (2-5)
Division: II, Reg. 7
Returning Starters: 12 (6 OFF, 6 DEF)
Key Losses: Mike Shields (RB), Cole Biehl (SE/DB), Johnny Groom (SB/LB), Ash Bloomingdale (LB), Murphy Mitchem (OG), Thomas Beringer (OL/DL), Paul Mireles (C), Dan Nicholson (OL/DL), Lance Thompson (OL), Charlie Becker (OT/DE)
Key Returnees: Anthony Tabler (RB/DB), Sean Munfield (SE/DB), Cody Westbrook (QB), Zane Eschbaugh (SE/DB), Perry Wheeler (RB/DB), Jarrod Ross (LB), Ryan Offenberger (OL/LB), Nick Place (OL/DL), Stratton Johnson (OL/DL), Lance Weppler (OL/DL/LB)

2008 Schedule:
Aug. 22 - AT Hilliard Darby
Aug. 29 - AT Cambridge
Sept. 5 - VS New Philadelphia
Sept. 12 - VS Warren *
Sept. 19 - VS Parkerburg South
Sept. 26 - VS Jackson *
Oct. 3 - VS Logan *
Oct. 10 - VS Zanesville *
Oct. 17 - AT Portsmouth *
Oct. 24 - AT Gallia Academy *

Projected Line-Up:
Offense
QB - Cody Westbrook - 6'3 - 170lbs - SR
RB - Perry Wheeler - 5'9 - 170lbs - JR
RB - Anthony Tabler - 5'11 - 175lbs - SR
WR - Sean Munfield - 5'11 - 165lbs - SR
WR - Zane Eschbaugh - 6'0 - 185lbs - SR
WR - Morgan Wynn - 5'9 - 150lbs - Soph
OT - Stratton Johnson - 6'0 - 245lbs - SR
OG - Connor Hess - 6'1 - 250lbs - Soph
C - Ryan Sawyer - 5'8 - 180lbs - SR
OG - Ryan Offenberger - 5'10 - 205lbs - JR
OT - Nick Place - 6'0 - 245lbs - SR
Other Offensive Players:
WR - Billy Grizer - 5'10 - 160lbs - JR
WR - Jacob George - 6'0 - 160lbs - SR
RB - Justin Green - 5'10 - 160lbs - SR
OT - Lance Weppler - 6'2 - 215lbs - JR

Defense
DE - Lance Weppler - 6'2 - 215lbs - JR
DT - Nick Place - 6'0 - 245lbs - SR
NG - Connor Hess - 6'1 - 250lbs - Soph
DT - Stratton Johnson - 6'0 - 245lbs - SR
OLB - Tyler Barnhart - 5'11 - 160lbs - SR
ILB - Jared Ross - 5'10 - 185lbs - SR
ILB - Ryan Offenberger - 5'10 - 205lbs - JR
CB - Perry Wheeler - 5'9 - 170lbs - JR
FS - Morgan Wynn - 5'9 - 155lbs - Soph
SS - Sean Munfield - 5'11 - 165lbs - SR
CB - Anthony Tabler - 5'11 - 175lbs - SR
Other Defensive Players:
DL - Eric McCauley - 5'11 - 235lbs - SR
LB - Justin Green - 5'10 - 150lbs - SR
DL - Cole Happ - 5'10 - 225lbs - Soph
LB/DB - Zane Eschbaugh - 6'0 - 185lbs - SR
DB - Jacob George - 5'11 - 160lbs - SR
DB - Billy Grizer - 5'11 - 165lbs - JR

2008 Outlook:
It's the beginning of a new era in Marietta where Andy Schob looks to take over a football program that under achieved a year ago but can look forward to a talented senior class that should allow the orange and black to compete for the SEOAL championship in 2008.

Offensively, expect the Tigers to again rely on their aerial passing game, but with a duo of talented running backs Marietta should be able to show more balance - and thus better results, in 2008.

The Tiger offense will start and stop based on the production of senior quarterback Cody Westbrook (6-3, 170). Westbrook was an All-SEOAL selection last season who threw for nearly 2200 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 144-294 passes. He will need to cut down on interceptions (16) in 2008.

Westbrook's leading receiver from last fall, Johnny Groom, was lost to graduation but senior Sean Munfield (5-11, 165) returns after catching 36 passes for 488 yards and team-high tying 5 touchdowns. Classmate Zane Eschbaugh (6-0, 185) was Marietta's 4th leading receiver last fall with 20 catches for 351 yards and 3 touchdowns. Senior running back Anthony Tabler (5-11, 175) also returns after making 19 grabs for 247 yards and 1 touchdown. Rounding out the receiving corps. will be junior running back Perry Wheeler (5-9, 170), sophomore Morgan Wynn (5-9, 150), and junior Billy Grizer (5-10, 160).

Tabler and Wheeler were the Tigers second and third leading rushers a year ago and will be looked to to replace the production of the departed Mike Shields who ran for 663 yards and 15 touchdowns in '07. Tabler ran for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns while Wheeler averaged over 6.8 yards per carry and 2 touchdowns.

Up front, the Tigers must replace 3 multi-year starters and that will be the biggest challenge for Coach Schob to find a solution to. Gone are Murphy Mitchem, Thomas Beringer, and Paul Mireles, but senior tackle Stratton Johnson (6-0, 240) and junior guard Ryan Offenberger (5-10, 205) are both returning starters. Joining those two are sophomore Connor Hess (6-1, 250) at guard, senior Ryan Sawyer (5-8, 180) at center, and 2006 starter senior Nick Place (6-0, 245) at the other tackle. Junior Lance Weppler (6-2, 215) adds depth up front.

Defensively, the Tigers return 6 starters, but only 3 of their front 7 and must rebuild in 2008. Johnson and Weppler are returning starter at tackle and end respectively and Place, a 2006 starter, is also an early favorite at the other tackle. Hess is the likely starter at noseguard. Senior Eric McCauley (5-11, 235) and sophomore Cole Happ (5-10, 225) provide depth on the defensive line.

Jared Ross (5-10, 185) and Ryan Offenberger (5-10, 205) return after seeing plenty of playing time at linebacker last fall and both return, while senior Tyler Barnhart (5-11, 160) is a question mark after missing 2007. Seniors Justin Green (5-10, 150) and Eschbaugh provide depth at linebacker.

In the defensive backfield, Munfield and Tabler return at safety while Wheeler is a returing starter at cornerback. Wynn, Grizer, and senior Jacob George (5-11, 160) will battle for the final starting spot in the defensive backfield.

Marietta will once again play one of the league's toughest schedules, including perennial playoff teams Cambridge, New Philadelphia, and Parkersburg South along with up and coming Division One program Hilliard Darby to open the season.

In league play, the Tigers host Waen, Jackson, Logan, and Zanesville and travel to Portsmouth and Gallia Academy. The Tigers will miss Chillicothe and Ironton which should help them line up among the league's contenders.

[DevilDog]

Tough schedule. Head coach still not hired as of today. I heard that Schob and Cieslewski(Marietta College LB coach) are the only two to interview for the job so far.
Formal weight training program is in place, just waiting on a coach. Most positions look about right, Ross might see time on both sides of the ball and Barnhart moved to St. Mary's WV earlier this year, unsure if he'll be back. Not positive but I think Zanesville is away,not home. The biggest thing for the Tigers right now is getting a coach. June will be here before we know it.
Good Luck Tigers

[loganlocos]

GAHS -

I'm far from an expert on what happens in Marietta, but my understanding is that Coach Spicer's teaching/administrative (Not sure which) position was not renewed.

Perhaps someone else (schenk?) can correct or confirm that?

[OZZIEOHIO]

Im waiting on the Portsmouth review.

[BigMcCauley55]

GAHS -

I'm far from an expert on what happens in Marietta, but my understanding is that Coach Spicer's teaching/administrative (Not sure which) position was not renewed.

Perhaps someone else (schenk?) can correct or confirm that?

yea thats what pretty much happened

from my understadning of the whole thing his admin job was cut but his football wasnt but he just cant coach football that dosent pay nearly enought to support a family. good luck to him where ever he goes.

[DevilDog]

Coach Spicer was Dean of Students at Marietta. In an effort to save money, the board decided to eliminate that position leaving Spicer without a job other than Head Coach. I think everyone will agree that you can't support a family on just coaches pay. He will be missed, and I wish him and his family the best.

BREAKING NEWS from Tiger Town. NEW HEAD COACH (ANDY SCHOB) was officially hired 05/02/2008.
Congratulations and Good Luck this year.

[loganlocos]

Updated.

[westbrook18]

I know that myself and many others will miss Coach Spicer. I hope he enjoys whatever he may end up doing.

Things are finally getting started around here, with that comes a lot of excitement and hopeful attitudes.

[BigMcCauley55]

I agree Westbrook

I will miss coach spicer but excited about the upcoming year

freshman year andy did alot with our class so this could be very interesting

[schenk11]

freshman year andy did alot with our class so this could be very interesting

You mean Coach Schob, right???

[BigMcCauley55]

you know for some stupid reason sometimes i try to act like im not on the team but i make it too obivoius and its dumb but yea i mean COACH SCHOB

sorry abou that shenk11 very rude to call coaches by their first name but its easy with coach schob like i would never call coach spicer Brian or coach Schenk by his first name or call Coach May BJ its kind of wierd and i dont even know coach murphy's first name.

Excited about this upcomming season

[Paladin]

Looking at the schedule., Marietta faces another tough non- league slate with potentially 4 losses right there. Add in the fact that if they can't get a respectable ground game to go with their air attack, they won't fare much better in the league either.

So my outlook is for a losing season, given the tough non-league sked and without a running game, the league sked is too tough to overcome. However, if they get a solid run game, then they have a shot at winning a couple of non-league games and may win most of the league schedule, ending with an overall winning record. And we won't know until scrimmages roll around to gage how far they have come, if any, with the run game.

Will also see if the QB has bulked up and strengthen the arm. There were too many INT last year and he doesn't have the zip on his passes, making them too easy for the average H.S. DBs to exert closing speed on, picking them off.

The new coach has his work cut out for him.

[BigMcCauley55]

nice review paldin

and thats not sarcastic


Its pretty much a winning season or bust


and thats how i kind of feel my last season as a tiger winning season or bust

but i still like mike shields he is a wonderful back and did a great job last so with him the running game was good on his part

[marietta tiger]

Sorry to be pessismistic, but I see a 2 win season (Parkersburg South and Warren) and maybe a 3 win season (maybe Jackson).

I wish coach Shob best of luck, but they need somebody...anybody...that knows something about defense

[BigMcCauley55]

well that was the comment that makes me mad.

Coach Schenk and Coach Murphy know plenty about defense sometimes its not the coaches fault it comes down to the players and their will to win. The winning attidue has to be there to win.

Look some pro sports teams Pat Riley one of the greatest coahes in NBA had a losing season not his fault all the way his players gave up and had a bad attitude.

Eric Mangni that guy is a mastermind on football and will be a great coach someday had a bad season because one his desions were questionable but his players didnt give all they had.

Herm Edwards in Kansas City same story

just look at some of these NHL teams too Philly and Pitt back to back worst teams in the NHL are now two of the best because they changed attitudes


it is never just the coaches! and if you think you know some defense i suggest you step foward and try to coach

[BigMcCauley55]

oh and i dont think this senior class will accept a two to three win season as ok

[marietta tiger]

Time will tell. I hope I am wrong, but I dont think so.

2 or 3 wins at best.

[MttaFan]

Marietta will have to be much improved on defense to compete next year, as they gave up an average of over 50 points a game in the last half of the season.

I hope fans will give Andy time to build his program.

[BigMcCauley55]

Yea i hope fans and parents just stay out and let the coaches work and build a program and instead of putting in their two sense.

Coach Spicer took marietta to their first playoff apperance then Marietta some hard times and it wasnt his fault it was poor outcome from each class.

I hope Coach Schob can get the tigers to the playoffs quick and maybe keep the kids going and not quitting like i said it all has to do with attitude.

Go tigers

[westbrook18]

MttaFan and marietta tiger, the reason for the poor defensive play last year was due to a high number of injuries. For the Logan game we had 7 defensive starters injuried. Also, having people injured during practice hurts the team as well. We obviously had to try to make adjustments to fit the new personnel due to injuries. It's hard to do that in a week or two.