2017 Team Preview – Montgomery Red Raiders (4)

Written by: David Mika on Sunday, August 20th, 2017. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Paul Bozella

Assistant Coaches: Dale Shaffer, Ty Drick, Nate Hakes, Matt Buck, Tim Thomas, Bob Kibbe, Tony Wright

Team Name: Montgomery Red Raiders

2016 Record: 2-8

2017 Schedule:

Key Starters lost: (3) Keith Habersham OLB/WR, Jackson Stryker OL/DL, Travis Bennett OL/DL

Offensive Starters Returning: (9) SR. Jensen Drick RB/DB 5-9, 170; SR. Noah Eshenaur OL/DL 5-9, 240; SR. Eithan Marino FB/DT 5-8, 220; SR. Nick Pryor OL/MLB 5-8, 185; JR. Brennan Bailey OL/DL 5-10, 240; JR. Hunter Budman RB/DB 5-9, 160; JR. Coty Steele TE/DE 6-1, 235; JR. Brayden Strouse QB/OLB 6-0, 180; SO. Alex Hans C/MLB 5-10, 205

Defensive Starters Returning: (10) SR. Jensen Drick RB/DB 5-9, 170; SR. Trevor Kennedy WR/DB 5-8, 155; SR. Eithan Marino FB/DT 5-8, 220; SR. Nick Pryor OL/MLB 5-8, 185; JR. Dan Beckley OL/DE 6-0, 185; JR. Tyler Shadle WR/S 5-9 170; JR. Coty Steele TE/DE 6-1, 235; JR. Rhyle Strausbaugh TE/MLB 5-10, 175; JR. Brayden Strouse QB/OLB 6-0, 180; JR. Gage Yohn FB/OLB 5-8, 175

Special Team Starters Returning: (10) SR. Jensen Drick RB/DB 5-9, 170; SR. Trevor Kennedy WR/DB 5-8, 155; SR. Eithan Marino FB/DT 5-8, 220; SR. Nick Pryor OL/MLB 5-8, 185; JR. Dan Beckley OL/DE 6-0, 185; JR. Hunter Budman RB/DB 5-9, 160; JR. Rhyle Strausbaugh TE/MLB 5-10, 175; JR. Brayden Strouse QB/OLB 6-0, 180; JR. Nick Winters FB/LB 5-9, 175; JR. Gage Yohn FB/OLB 5-8, 175

Key Newcomers:  SR. Jermaine Bolden TE/OLB 6-2, 210; SR. Damien Doan OL/DL 6-0, 205; SO. Steven Prince WR/S 6-1, 175;

2017 Outlook:

Offense: Our players worked hard in the weight room this off-season, so we expect our offensive line play, led by Noah Eshenaur, to be greatly improved. Our skill players, QB Brayden Strouse, FB Eithan Marino, RB Hunter Budman, and RB/WR Jensen Drick are all returning starters and will be instrumental in our success. Our goal is to run a balanced offense and find ways to get the ball to our weapons in space. We were pleased with the way this group progressed throughout the season last year and are excited to see what they can do in 2017.

Defense: Our defense became our identity last year, led by linebackers Nick Pryor, Rhyle Strausbaugh, and Gage Yohn. With 10 returning starters, including senior cornerbacks Jensen Drick and Trevor Kennedy, the expectations are high for this group. By mid-season last year we were getting 11 hats to the ball on every play. If we can stay healthy and continue the swarm mentality we will be able to make the strides we need to reach the next level defensively.

Special Teams: Punter Eithan Marino, who always performed in the clutch last year, will be back for his senior year. Trevor Kennedy will also return to kick extra points.

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