GlenOak Golden Eagles preview

Monday, August 24, 2009

Todd Porter, Canton Repository

SHOES TO FILL GlenOak soon will understand just how good All-Ohio lineman Aaron Williams was,

particularly on defense. Losing depth at tailback and receiver won’t hurt as much, but Drew Ayers and

DeWuan Spencer were playmakers, and Bruce Maldonado was a consistent set of hands. One of the best

football names in the county graduated in Zach Hatchett.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS QB Brandon Martin is the key to GlenOak’s offense. His size won’t overwhelm defenses, but underestimating his experience and ability will hurt them. He threw for 832 yards and ran for 482 in 2008, combining for 12 TDs. Andrew Garman may be the best linebacker in the county. Thomas Ross is bigger than a year ago and seems to have become more of a student of the game. He and Spyro Spondyl return at linebacker. Collin Daniels-Mitchell ran for 310 yards and four TDs.

TOP NEWCOMERS Transfer Brionte Dunn is on just about every college program’s radar, and he’s just a sophomore. At 6-2, 215, he doesn’t play like one. GlenOak needs Evan Mayle to step in at safety and Steve Gambone on the line. Look for Luke Gavin, Matt Clark and Trai Hearn to be threats to catch the ball.

FINAL ANALYSIS GlenOak didn’t lose much from last year’s team that turned the corner and got the program over the hump of mediocrity. Whether or not this year’s team can take a step further remains to be seen with obstacles Massillon and McKinley on the schedule. If GlenOak gets off to a fast start in its early schedule, the Eagles could get on a roll and open eyes around the county. They’re good enough to win the league, but history isn’t on their side

2009 Canton GlenOak

August 4, 2009

JJ Huddle

Scott Garcia returns for his third year as the coach at GlenOak, which welcomes back four starters

on offense and five on defense. GlenOak advanced to the regional final before losing to Federal League

rival North Canton Hoover 14-0. This season, the Golden Eagles are looking to build on last year's long

playoff run.

Players to Watch – ILB/FB Andrew Garman (6-0, 210, Sr.), QB Brandon Martin (5-10, 170, Sr.), ILB/FB Spyro Spondyl (5-8, 190, Sr.), TB/SS Colin Mitchell (5-11, 185, Sr.), OLB Thomas Ross (5-11, 205, Sr.).

“We have a lot of experience at the skill positions,” Garcia said. “We only have one starter back on the offense and defensive lines. We need some inexperienced guys up front to step up if we’re going to be able to get back to where we want to be.”

Garcia hopes the playoff run will provide his team some momentum for 2009.

“We made it to the third round, so we got those three extra weeks of practice,” he said.

Martin passed for over 1,000 yards and rushed for close to 800.

“We are a multiple offense,” Garcia said. “We will run out of the I-formation, but we will also run some out of the shotgun with Brandon running the ball.”

Ross will be a three-year starter at OLB. Garman led the team in tackles (107) as a sophomore in 2007 and had a team-high 125 stops last year. He also scored three defensive touchdowns for the Golden Eagles.

“Andrew has been a pretty good player for us,” Garman said. “He needs four tackles to become the all-time leading tackler at the school.”

As always, the Federal League schedule will be a challenge. GlenOak also plays Massillon Washington and Green outside the league.

“North Canton Hoover has a lot of guys back, including (Mr. Football winner) Erick Howard,” Garcia said. “Canton McKinley is going to be loaded. Austintown Lake will be a good football team. There will be a lot of good teams in our league again.”

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2009 Canton GlenOak Golden Eagles