This is a season the Caston football program has been looking forward to for awhile now.
The Comets now have an upperclassmen heavy group that is looking to take a big step forward from last year’s 3-7 campaign.
Caston coach Chris Ulerick said that judging by the offseason he’s looking for exactly that to happen.
“It’s always nice when you see kids that make it important to be here at football. And we had a good group of kids that did that. So hopefully for them see dividends on the scoreboard. That’s the ultimate goal is to put wins up on the scoreboard,” he said.
The Comets will have a new quarterback this year with the same last name. Junior Logan Mollenkopf (6-2, 175) is moving from wide receiver to take the spot inherited from his brother Gavin, a four-year starter at QB who is now playing baseball at Bethel University.
The backup QB is freshman Bronson Howard (5-9, 160), who transferred over from Pioneer and can also play some of the other skill positions for the Comets.
Leading rusher Ashton Bowyer (5-7, 150) is moving from fullback to diveback in the Comets’ offense. He rushed for over 850 yards and five touchdowns last year as a junior.
The fullbacks this year are juniors Tucker Woolever (6-0, 205) and London Herd (6-0, 210), both big, bruising runners and blockers.
Landen Rigney (5-11, 165) is looking to return from significant leg injuries as a senior wingback. He showed breakaway speed during his career before he was hit hard by the injury bug. Ulerick said he might not be cleared for full contact by the start of the season but should be at some point soon.
Juniors Braxton Enyart (5-7, 150), Cayman Brown (5-9, 160) and Carson Hamman (5-10, 175) and freshman Abel Lovelady (5-8, 130) are also options to run the football.
Senior Gage Minniear (5-8, 150) is the starting wide receiver and senior Brayden Unger (6-0, 180) is the starting tight end.
The Comets hope to be improved on the offensive line as well and they do not lack size up front.
“Our trenches should be our strength,” Ulerick said. “We’re bigger and more physical.”
The Comets plan to start multiple seniors. Jayden Cox (6-3, 275) returns as a starting tackle. Cameron McFatridge (6-0, 240) returns as a starting guard and has lost some weight and has improved. Brody Brewer (6-0, 190) has moved from tight end after a torn ACL and looks to be a starting tackle. Luke Hipsher (5-8, 175) is in the mix for the starting center spot.
Junior Drew Williams (6-4, 270) can rotate in at center. Junior Parker Zimpleman (6-2, 230) returns as one of the best guards in the area. Junior Braxton Mills-Taylor (5-8, 220) is also in the mix.
Ulerick said the Comets are returning to an odd-front defense.
“Defensively, the biggest thing is we’ve got to be able to align. We’ve got to be gap sound, make sure we know what gap we’re defending,” he said. “Defend that gap and if we can do that, we will do OK.”
Zimpleman, McFatridge and Cox will start along the frontline. Brewer and junior Jake Farrer (6-5, 280) are also in the mix.
Woolever and Herd are the starting inside linebackers. Bowyer and Unger are the outside linebackers. Brown, Hamman and junior Ethan Reasor (5-7, 165) are also in the mix.
Enyart and Mollenkopf are cornerbacks. Minniear, Howard and Rigney are safeties.
The Comets have changed up their Week 1 opponent and will travel to Whitko on Friday to open the season.
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