Wooster Colts Season Preview
The high school football season begins this coming Friday, with that being said we are continuing our previews within our local area. Today's team: Wooster.
Wooster Colts
2022 record: 5-5 overall, 3-2 league
Head coach: Bo Sellers, Eighth season (19-43 overall, 13-29 league in seven seasons at Wooster)
Overview:
For the fourth time in the last eight seasons the Colts find themselves in yet another new league competing to get back to the "tradition of the old days," per head coach Bo Sellers. Luckily for the Colts they have buy-in from multiple stars of the past, which Sellers said '[creates] great examples, they lead the charge."
During my conversation with Sellers he told me that changes is a good thing and that "[we] believe we have an edge bouncing between [leagues]." He continued on saying that he believes its the right time to move up coming off a 5-5 season that saw the Colts make the playoffs. His team is "excited" for the year, "everyone was lifting to keep the momentum going." Sellers described his team as a group of kids from "modern America," indicating that they are hard workers who play the game the right way.
Sellers and the Colts are most excited to have a freshman team for the first time in four years as football numbers were down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sellers stated "[we are] happy the pandemic is in the rear view mirror." He was quick to point out that the youth football programs that feed into Wooster are at their highest levels of participation in almost 25 years.
Offensively, the Colts will roll out their version of the "Spread, two-back 'Pistol.'" Wooster will return five offensive starters from last season and will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator this season. The Colts want to "run the football between the tackles, get ahead, and control the clock."
Defensively, Sellers will still be running the show as defensive coordinator. The Colts will be running mainly out of the "4-4" and "5-2" looks. Sellers indicated that the key to success for the Colts is "consistency, [we] introduced 90% of it last year, [we] have a few newer concepts, but we must build depth quickly if we are going to be successful."
The Fantastic Four:
WR/DB/PR Dominick Espinoza, Senior: Espinoza is a dominant two-way starter for the Colts. He has been on varsity since his sophomore year and is accountable for 32 receptions, 640 yards (averaging 20 yards per catch) and 8 TDs offensively. Not a one-trick pony he gets it done defensively as well where he has racked up 55 tackles, and three interceptions the last two seasons. He's an All-League candidate on both sides of the ball and the Colts will be looking for big things from him this season.
QB/LB/K (Athlete) Carlos Lopez, Senior: Lopez is another one of the Colts 'Fantastic Four' seniors this season. He is a sneaky good athlete that always knows where the ball is regardless of what position he is playing. Offensively Lopez completed 40 passes last season for 707 yards and eight touchdowns while showing his dual-threat capabilities rushing for 176 yards and three more touchdowns. Defensively he has accounted for 110 tackles (including 68 solo), two sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery over the last two seasons for the Colts.
OL/DL Julio Olivarez, Senior: Olivarez is a road grader in the run game and has been dominant for the Colts. Defensively he has accounted for 47 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. He is a key in the Colts success this season but his contributions won't always show up in the stat sheet. He's an All-League caliber player as well.
TE/DL Cesar Benavides, Senior: Benavides is a battering ram as a blocker offensively but he can also make his mark in the passing game having caught 10 passes for 102 yards last season. He also scored a rushing touchdown last season. He's great at get in opposing offenses backfield, as he has recorded 81 tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He has been on Varsity since he was a Freshman making him a rare four-year Varsity player.
Season schedule:
Aug. 18 vs. Pershing County (Lovelock, Nev.)
Aug. 25 at Sparks
Sep. 1 vs. Fernley
Sep. 8 at Spanish Springs
Sep. 15 vs. Reno
Sep. 22 vs. North Valleys
Sep. 29 at Carson
Oct. 6 vs. Hug
Oct. 13 at Douglas
Oct. 20 vs. Galena
J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling let him know via Twitter @J_RayDoc.
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