St. Xavier's experienced offense should be a strength this year.
Photo by Wayne Litmer
St. Xavier has more pieces returning on offense than it has had in any season since 2007, the year the Bombers went 15-0 and captured the Division I state title.
Under head coach Steve Specht, St. Xavier has been known for its defense, which is almost always very solid.
An experienced offense plus a defense that returns several important pieces is a recipe for a potentially very good season for the Bombers, who are ranked No. 1 in the
MaxPreps Top 10 Ohio Football Dynasties list.
Quarterback
Griffin Dolle brings stability to a position that the Bombers have had trouble at in recent years. His health will be critical to St. Xavier's success.
The team's leader rusher from a year ago,
Conor Hundley, also returns. He tallied 1,386 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2010.
C.J. Hilliard, who saw playing time as a freshman, is a great change of pace back.
Kevin Milligan and
Trey Kilgore are both playmakers at wide receiver.
Alex Breen and
Brandyn Cook return on an offensive line that is usually one of the team's strengths. 6-foot-5 senior
Will Piening is one of several promising linemen who could step up.
The team's defense lacks the superstar like Luke Kuechly or Steven Daniels of years past, but as a unit, it should be difficult to penetrate. Linebackers
Nate Gerbus and
Mark Jacob will be stout against the run.
6-4 defensive end
Bryson Albright is back up front, with
Andrew Arand and
Sean Ahern returning in the secondary, providing the Bombers valuable experience at all three levels of defense.
Cincinnati's Greater Catholic League is unquestionably one of the nation's toughest. Throw in games with Pickerington Central, Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) and St. Edward, and St. Xavier's schedule is a gauntlet.
If this year's team exhibits the type of offensive firepower and defensive dominance that the 2007 squad did, another special season could be in store on North Bend Road.
Local look: "They bring back some great skill guys - including 1,500-yard rusher Conor Hundley and quarterback Griffin Dolle - and considering (coach) Steve Specht is such a defensive guru, they will definitely have a shot at winning their third state title since 2005. I know (Specht) likes the numbers his players put up in the weight room during the spring."
- Mike Dyer, Cincinnati Enquirer prep editor
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