Elder, Winton Woods prepare for Ohio football showdown

Panthers name quarterback this week, look forward to season opener against Division II state champs Aug. 27 at Nippert Stadium.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Mike Dyer
By
Aug 23, 2010, 3:03pm
Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) football coach Doug Ramsey isn't one to hype up his team going into the season. More often than not, he is cautiously optimistic.

While Elder does have some question marks because of inexperience at some key positions, the Panthers are still officially the team to beat in Cincinnati from the pure fact they were a Division I state semifinalist last season.

Despite last year's success, Ramsey voted La Salle (Cincinnati) as the preseason favorite in the Greater Catholic League South Division this season based on the number of starters the Lancers return. La Salle was 0-3 in the league last season and hasn't won a conference title since 1995, but there are plenty expectations for the Lancers.

Elder lost several talented skill players from 2009, including all-state quarterback Mark Miller, tight end Alex Welch (Notre Dame), wide receiver Tim O'Conner (Indiana) and all-state kicker Tony Miliano (Cincinnati).

But, the Panthers do have plenty of other talented younger players and that bodes well for the upcoming campaign.

While three quarterbacks were taking reps during the preseason, Ramsey said this past week that junior Ben Gramke (6-foot, 185 pounds) won the job.

"He has the ability to run and throw," Ramsey said.

Elder's offensive line should be strong despite losing five starters from a year ago. Senior running back Ben Coffaro is a player to watch after he rushed for 1,124 yards and caught 46 passes for 536 yards.

Elder, which has just two starters returning on offense and four on defense, opens the season against Winton Woods (Cincinnati) at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 27 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

Winton Woods, which won the Division II state title last season, has a new coach in Andre Parker. The interim coach was named after longtime Winton Woods coach Troy Everhart resigned this summer.

"We're definitely looking forward to (the season opener)," Parker told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We expect Elder to be Elder. Their program is one of the most consistent programs in the state of Ohio."

While Winton Woods lost plenty of skilled players, there are significant expectations for the Warriors once again. Senior quarterback Thomas Owens and senior linebacker Antonio Poole are among the leaders.

"It will be a big challenge playing a team coming off a state championship," Ramsey said. "I hear they have another great quarterback. From what I understand, they have a team full of athletes."
Wayne High's Braxton Miller.
Wayne High's Braxton Miller.
Photo by Tom Lemming


2. Moeller prepares for Miller: Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) football coach John Rodenberg said this past week that his team has spent a lot of time this spring and summer preparing for the Aug. 29 game against Wayne (Huber Heights). The Warriors have the nation's top-rated quarterback in senior Braxton Miller, who verbally committed to Ohio State this summer.

"What makes Braxton Miller so difficult to stop is his ability to throw," Rodenberg told Cincinnati.com. "We spent a lot of time in the offseason studying how the Big Ten stopped (Ohio State quarterback) Terrelle Pryor. We think we came up with some good ideas."

3. Woods remembered: The school community remembered Princeton (Cincinnati) football player Jovante Woods, who died Aug. 14 after he suffered an asthma attack on Aug. 11. The school held a press conference on Saturday night as coaches, teammates and classmates remembered Woods, who is the son of former Cincinnati Bengals running back Ickey Woods.

"He was a great kid," Princeton coach Bill Leach told the Community Press. "He did everything right. He never missed a workout, and he'd work out hard, always with a smile on his face. He never complained."

Woods would have been a junior defensive back on the team this season. He was considered a Division I college prospect.

4. Thomas transfers to Withrow: Aiken (Cincinnati) basketball standout Aaron Thomas has transferred to Withrow (Cincinnati), according to the Enquirer. Thomas, who will be a senior forward this upcoming season, is one of the state's top players in the 2011 class.

Thomas has narrowed his choices to schools that include Cincinnati, Clemson, Nebraska, Purdue and Florida State. He plans to schedule his official visits within the next week. Thomas averaged 21.4 points and 7.3 rebounds last season for Aiken.

5. Mason has new record: The Mason girls golf team has won three consecutive tournaments to begin the early season. The Comets set a record at the prestigious Pickerington Invitational on Aug. 13 with a score of 304 – besting their 2008 record by two strokes. Seniors Emily Wright (Wake Forest commit) and Erin Michel (Penn State commit) have been among the leaders for the Comets. Mason is trying to become the first Ohio girls' golf team to win three consecutive Division I state team titles this season.

This week
Loveland vs. Turpin (Cincinnati), 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Mason: This is the official season opener in the Cincinnati area as teams across the state are allowed to begin the regular season. Turpin, which hasn't lost a regular-season game since October 2008, is the favorite in this game. Senior quarterback Eric Martin and senior running back Will Stocker lead the Spartans.

Lakota West (West Chester) vs. La Salle, noon Saturday at the University of Cincinnati: La Salle is receiving plenty of recognition in the preseason and it will be interesting to see how the Lancers respond. La Salle is led by senior quarterback Drew Kummer, who is a Miami University commit and the only returning starting quarterback in the Greater Catholic League South division. Lakota West must replace several talented starters, but the Firebirds return senior offensive lineman Ryan Kelly, who has verbally committed to Alabama.

Colerain (Cincinnati) vs. Northmont (Clayton), 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the University of Cincinnati: This is the weekend finale of the Skyline Chili Showdown at Nippert Stadium. Colerain is rated No. 20 nationally by MaxPreps and should be fired up for this opener under the lights. Northmont is led by players that include senior wide receiver Josh McClain (34 receptions last season) and junior linebacker Kaleb Ringer, who has early offers from Cincinnati and Iowa. Colerain is led by senior quarterback Tyler Williams, senior fullback Trayion Durham and senior linebacker Jarrett Grace (Notre Dame commit) among others.

Recruiting news
Roger Bacon (Cincinnati) senior center Jared Bryant has received recent interest from Virginia Tech, according to the Enquirer. Bryant, who is 6 foot 8, is one of the state's top players in the 2011 class. He has offers from James Madison, Bowling Green and Wright State. He will take an official visit to James Madison next month. … St. Xavier (Cincinnati) senior linebackers Sean Duggan and Steven Daniels are expected to make their college decisions after the football season, according to St. X coach Steve Specht. … Elder senior linebacker Jacob Lindsey has offers from Kent State, Bowling Green, Air Force and Buffalo, according to Elder coach Doug Ramsey. Lindsey also has interest from Ivy League programs.

Random thoughts
Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati) is expected to name a new girls' basketball coach within a week. The school has interviewed candidates all this past week. … Ramsey said this week that Notre Dame junior tight end Kyle Rudolph is the best athlete he’s ever coached. … Withrow, Taft (Cincinnati), Aiken, Lakota East (Liberty Township) and Roger Bacon (Cincinnati) are among the Cincinnati-area teams expected to compete in the annual Flyin’ to the Hoop boys’ basketball event Jan. 15-17 in Dayton . …There are 122 players on the St. Xavier varsity football team this preseason.

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