Portsmouth Trojans 2012

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

I like playing the local teams although I also hate the 4 away games to start the season. Hopefully we will get them all home to start the 2013 campaign. I also enjoy the SEOAL and look for us to become more competitive in it in the following years.
After running some numbers I will admit I was wrong there are plenty of opportunities for points still with this schedule. I’m by no means a points genius and this was my first attempt at doing computer points but I believe what I have below is right. Anyone else can feel free to check it and correct me if I’m wrong but it looks like opportunities will be there for points still.
For example in my opinion the 3 best team from last year that will be on the schedule this year are Jackson, Ironton, and Valley. I’ll use last year since we don’t know who will be the best this season.
If we went 7-3 and lost to the teams I specified using last years results
2nd level points
West at 8-2 ( they were 9-1 last year but saying we win) would yield 39
Burg at 6-4 ( they were 7-3 last year but saying we win) would yield 26
Minford 4-6 (substituted PHS in the place of Meigs from last year) would yield 20.5
Logan at 1-9 would yield 5
Gallia Academy at 5-5 (they were 6-4 last year but assuming we win) would yield 26.5
Warren at 4-6(were 5-5 last year but assuming we win) would yield 21
Chillicothe 2-8 ( were 3-7 last season but assuming we win) would yield 10.5
level 2 average would result in 14.85 and level one would be 4.3 resulting in 19.15 which would have landed us in 5th place in the region last year 4th in 2010, 3rd in 2009, and 5th in 2008
Even if we were to drop our next toughest opponent, which by record would be West and have a 6-4 season it would result in 3.9 first level points and 10.95 2nd level resulting in 14.85 which would just barley miss the top 8 and fall in at 9th, the 8th spot in 2010 9th in 2009, and 8th in 2008.
Looks like whoever put this schedule together actually did a pretty bang up job. If 6 wins gives you a chance to sneak in 7 a shot at a home game you have a pretty solid schedule in my opinion.
Of course we have to first WIN before any of that matters.


Anyone know who we will scrimmage this season, Valley has been our long time preview game, and Minford has been a scrimmage the last few seasons. I would like to see us step up our scrimmages with some bigger teams, doesn’t hurt to take an lose in those games. Logan Elm was a good one for years I would like to see them again, or Piketon I believe was in the late 90s, they are close and the same size wouldn’t be bad for one of the 3 games. I want to stay away from the Northwest and any of the smaller teams.

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

OK, guess everyone is concentrated on basketball right now.
We all know we got contributions last season from some freshmen, with Darion Robbinson, Alex Dickerson, and Austin Rideout all seeing time. I expect big things from all of them in the coming years. Who else should we keep an eye out for in this class? I know I have been very impressed with the athletic abilities of Sky Oliver watching him play JV basketball this season. I believe he is also a QB, but would assume Cody Stapleton to fill that spot, anyone think about moving sky out to a WR spot?
Can anyone give us the results of last years freshmen and JV games?
What about this year’s opponents. Valley had a huge year last season, but graduates a great senior class including the likes of both Keller and Yates. Will they be able to reload, or will this be a rebuilding year for the Indians?
West had a solid season and I believe returns a pretty good nucleolus should be solid again.
Burg was a very young team last season but was still able to muster 7 wins, they should be very formidable this year probably my early favorite to win the SOC
Minford 4-6 last season, I believe they had higher expectations to start the season last year but it didn’t come to fruition. What can we expect from the falcons this season?
Logan 1-9 last year, with several injuries but still took us to the wire. Cant imagine they stay down for long, just too many boys to choose from.
Gallia Academy beat us last year in the house fire game kicking a field goal into the smoke. Don’t know what they have back from last season. Someone give us some discussion point for the Blue Devils
Warren 5-5 last year, put it to us last season in a game that saw us have a ridiculous amount of turnovers. I believe they graduate a large amount of their top skill guys. What will they have this season?
Chillicothe 3-7 last year, was a winnable game for us but we couldn’t get it done. I would think Ron Hinton will start to turn the Cavs around at some point. Could this be a break out year for them or do we expect another down season.
And of course Ironton, without Bob Lutz. Mark Vass looks to take over the fighting tigers this year. Will we see a traditional Ironton offence or do you expect him to open it up a little bit more. Sure they aren’t going 5 wide or anything, but I believe Vass was a pretty successful college QB, anyone think we will see the ball in the air more for the tigers? Will there be growing pains, its awful hard to follow a legend, just ask Triplet, and that wasn’t due to lack of ability we all saw how successful he was at West. Or will Vass be more excepted since he was already on the staff? How will all this effect our rivalry?
What about our boys? How is the weight room going? Good participation? Any big numbers?
Who all will be playing a spring sport? Who can we expect to see running track or playing baseball? Would hope to see a big turnout for both, I believe more boys running track would really help the program.

Quick run down of what I can think of that we will be replacing off last years team
QB/LB Mason Jordan 2 year starter
RB/DE Duke Edwards 1 year starter ( may have started some as a sophomore as well I cant remember)
WR/DB LJ Adams 2 year starter
OT Kyle Ratcliff 2 year starter
TE/DE Dion McKinley 1 year starter (may have started some as a sophomore as well I cant remember)
WR Wayne Evans 2 year starter
Austin Porter 3 year starter played everything from S to OLB to MLB to DE over the last 3 years
Sure I’m missing guys but that’s a good start and some jumping off point to get the conversation started. Lets hear what everyone else thinks.

[wipala]

the big 4 from the SOC, but yet they will not accept us to their little party...pity SOC..
Just saying...
wipala

[jgordon0315]

Ok, let’s discuss who we have coming back.
OL Alex Grashel will be a junior started every game in 2011, our best returning linemen in my opinion
OL Kyle Williams will be a junior started some last season good size
OL Nate Basham will be a junior started some last season pretty good feet
QB Cody Stapleton will be a junior saw action last season when Mason was injured, I think Cody has a huge upside and can be very successful
RB Darien Robinson will be a sophomore started some games towards the end of last season. I was very impressed with him as a freshman, true speed
RB Johnnie Charles will be a junior was a strong runner who saw time last season before injury forced him out. A healthy Charles will be a big lift to this team
WR Brandon Wederbrook will be a junior much like Charles Wederbrooks sophomore campaign was cut short due to injury. I look for be contributions from him this season as well if he can stay healthy.
WR Jacob Albrecht will be a junior, saw time last season at WR as well as in the back field as we were devastated by injury.

That’s a start give us more details about the ones I have listed and please add to the list so we can get an idea of what the 2012 edition of the Trojans will look like.

I look for contributions from Alex Dickerson(sophomore) at wideout as well......along with the likes of Austin Rideout(sophomore)...wherever they want to put him.....ideally as a linebacker but I believe he'll probably be a down lineman due to a lack of gearth up front<------Rideout will (no doubt!) be a stud wherever he'll be, mainly because he is the protypical "FOOTBALL PLAYER". Also, I look for Josh Clark (Senior) to factor in as well at the WR position. Then you'll have other young guys who could/ should see playing time in OL Hunter Gibson(sophomore)...and OL Gage Phipps(sophomore).....that freshman class is loaded. Combining them with a sophmore class(who'll be juniors next season) we can feild a good core group of players. We won't have a lot of varsity experience so hopefully we can eek out a few unexpected wins this season!

[Ironmen44]

Trojan FB Alum - I enjoyed your post but was there any reason that you left the Jackson Ironmen out of your analysis?

[dreamweaver]

Would love to see Portsmouth get back to power football.

[buckcraze]

Trojan FB Alum - I enjoyed your post but was there any reason that you left the Jackson Ironmen out of your analysis?

You also quoted P-town not getting it done against Chilli, P-town won in overtime in 2011.

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

Trojan FB Alum - I enjoyed your post but was there any reason that you left the Jackson Ironmen out of your analysis?

Just a mistake Jackson loses a strong class but to my knowledge is strong from the juniors down through the 7th grade and maybe even farther. I look for them to be the SEOAL favorite again this year.

Trojan FB Alum - I enjoyed your post but was there any reason that you left the Jackson Ironmen out of your analysis?

You also quoted P-town not getting it done against Chilli, P-town won in overtime in 2011.

Sorry just trying to get something out fast to try and spark the conversation. I meant to say was a winnable game but we couldn't get it done in regulation.
Guess I should have proof read

[CharlieHustle]

Would love to see Portsmouth get back to power football.

Could not agree more. That is the way to win, not the spread.

[buckcraze]

Trojan FB Alum - I enjoyed your post but was there any reason that you left the Jackson Ironmen out of your analysis?

Just a mistake Jackson loses a strong class but to my knowledge is strong from the juniors down through the 7th grade and maybe even farther. I look for them to be the SEOAL favorite again this year.

Trojan FB Alum - I enjoyed your post but was there any reason that you left the Jackson Ironmen out of your analysis?

You also quoted P-town not getting it done against Chilli, P-town won in overtime in 2011.

Sorry just trying to get something out fast to try and spark the conversation. I meant to say was a winnable game but we couldn't get it done in regulation.
Guess I should have proof read

You usually are spot on, I was just goofin' with ya.

[jgordon0315]

I could care less if they lined up in spread or power I......Just win baby!!! If they lined up 5 wide or lined up with one receiver route.....however they get the job done is all right in my book.

[urban buck]

The spread offense Portsmouth has run the past few years is finesse only, no running game at all. Never gonna win that way. They have had tons of speed and not used it enough.

[mark]

The Trojans must improve on the defensive side of the ball.The Trojans must limit turn-overs and penalty's.They seem to have potential talent at some of the skilled positions...how-ever, still young. I think; if they get on the weight's, I mean really get after it,That could help them defensively...and of-course offensively too. And Yes! The Trojans have some speed at the freshman, sophomore,level. A-Lot of these players are still developing. I'm sure; Portsmouth fan's will see steady improvement as the season go's.It's a joy to watch young talent evolve;because they'll be seniors before you realize.I think;good days are ahead for the Trojans. Five month's till camp.

[jgordon0315]

The Trojans must improve on the defensive side of the ball.The Trojans must limit turn-overs and penalty's.They seem to have potential talent at some of the skilled positions...how-ever, still young. I think; if they get on the weight's, I mean really get after it,That could help them defensively...and of-course offensively too. And Yes! The Trojans have some speed at the freshman, sophomore,level. A-Lot of these players are still developing. I'm sure; Portsmouth fan's will see steady improvement as the season go's.It's a joy to watch young talent evolve;because they'll be seniors before you realize.I think;good days are ahead for the Trojans. Five month's till camp.

Great post........on another note, a player I want to bring to light is Kahlil Lattimore.....I feel he has the potential to be the best receiver of the players we have on the potential roster. Look for good things from him along with the other kids we have to look forward to watch develop.

[trojandave]

Had a very good, long talk with Coach Clifford a couple of weeks ago........look for the Trojans to be more run oriented this year, with Johnnie Charles and Darion Robinson sharing the carries with a 2 back set.........Coach feels Cody Stapleton will do a fine job at QB, with one of his strengths being play action passing.

Coach told me that there has been a lot of kids working in the weight room, and he estimates that perhaps as many as 55 kids will be out for football.

We also talked about the kicking game, which over the years has been a sore spot for the Trojans........Jacob Albrecht will do the punting duties, while it is uncertain at this point who will be the placekicker, although Conner Lasswell could fill that role.

I think that freshman Austin Rideout did a very good job at NG last year, and I look for him to become perhaps a real star at that position.

By the way, Creston Norwayne won the D4 state title this past year, beating Kenton and Mr.Football Maty Mauk 48-42.......it was a pass-happy affair, and shows that you can win a state championship that way........Kenton won back to back state titles several years ago with Ben Mauk as QB.

Power football is okay as long as you have the personnel to run it, likewise, the spread........but you have to be able to pass or run the football at some point, whichever system you're running.........I really think the Trojans do have the kids to run the football effectively, with Charles and Robinson..........finally, I think we have a home run hitter in Robinson, who is capable of going the distance on any given carry........Cody Stapleton showed in limited duty last year that he has a good arm and can move in the pocket.......I look for Cody to have a good year.

Coach Clifford is excited about the upcoming season.........GO TROJANS!!!

[trojandave]

Mark is right on with his assessment about the defense..........we must improve on D to win games, because it's always tougher to win just trying to outscore the opposition........last year, the D was improved enough that the Trojans should have been able to win more than 3 games, yet TURNOVERS (32) were the main reason that PHS lost 7 games.

Coach Clifford told me that he believed last year's 32 turnovers were the most since the 1993 team.

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

I like the idea of Robinson, and Charles together in the backfield. Robinson is a true breakaway threat, which in my opinion has the best vision speed and total package since probably Bolden. Not taking anything away from other good backs such as Wes Jordan, Andrew Newman, or Angelo Jackson, but non of them were pure burners like Robinson. Charles is just tough as nails in my opinion, just doesn’t go down and is not afraid to throw his body around, he reminds me of a Wes Jordan, Newman or an Aaron Macdonald although not as big, still a similar running style in my opinion.
However if we are going to be more run oriented and be successful in it, we must have a line that can run block successfully, that means being able to control the line of scrimmage and being intelligent enough to adjust on the fly their blocking schemes for what defense and blitz packages opposing defenses will show. We return at least 3 juniors this year that started or at a minimum saw significant amounts of time, hopefully that will pay off. I still look for Alex Grashel to lead the way for the Oline.
As for the turnovers, they just killed us, and cost us a chance at more than one game last season. A more run dominated offense should help with this, and honestly we have to just simple concentrate on fundamentals and holding onto the ball, and I’m sure that was a point of focus through last season and will again be during this one.
I also agree about Rideout, he did a great job last year for a freshman. I think we could see him at DT/NG or even a LB spot. Strong beyond his age and class, with some pretty good quickness. A little undersized for a Dline spot but we have made a living off quick undersized defensive lines for years.
Hopefully either Connor or Jacob will be able to handle kickoffs and FGs. Love to be able to actually kick FGs but will be happy with successful PATs.
Cody at QB too, I believe will be a real assets I think he is more than capable, and when given a chance will really shine.
Lots of positives out there this year just have to hope everyone works hard, and it all comes together this fall. To see a slogan off a sign in the bball gym team work makes the dream work.

[trojandave]

Tobias: I agree with you to a point about the turnover situation last year........but it cannot be just laid at the feet of the coaching staff only........players have to own their share of responsibility for protecting the football.

[trojanbacker97]

I see another mediocre season coming with maybe 3 or 4 wins and this trend will continue until there are some changes made in the coaching department. I know this will probably get deleted but why can't we talk about what a poor job has been done by the coaches. They are grown men and they should be able to handle a little criticism.

[trojandave]

The problems facing the Portsmouth football program DO NOT solely rest on the coaching staff.........the players have to work harder in the weight room and do more running in the off season to really get in GREAT football shape........it seems like so many people want to blame the coaching staff for everything!! Until the players who play own up to their share of responsibility in terms of getting prepared to play football, blaming the coaches for all the problems will simply make the problems continue!!

A better conditioned football player is a better football player period!!