Twinsburg Football: 2012 Tigers Season Preview

After finishing 7-3 and jilted from the playoffs, the 2012 Tigers football team is looking to tear up the competition this season.

will return for his second season at the Tigers' leader. He broke down the team this season and made some predictions on how the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division will play out.

Starters Lost/Returning

Twinsburg lost 15 starters from last season, eight on offense and seven on defense. This year three starters will return on offense and four will be back on defense.

Key Offensive Returners

At 5-feet, 10-inches this senior looks to tear into opposing defenses again. Last season he amassed some amazing stats:

• Grabbed 1,307 rushing yards on 204 attempts, scoring 27 touchdowns
• He had 32 receptiosn for 486 yards and four touchdowns
• Seven punt returns for 124 yards
• Six kickoff returns for 213 yards and one touchdown
• Named 2nd Team All Ohio Running Back

The senior leader looks to keep the Tigers firing on all cylinders this season. Last season Washington threw for 1,850 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ran 67 times for 259 yards and one touchdown. He was named 2nd Team All-Ohio Quarterback and NOC Valley Co-Offensive Player of the Year with Mentor's Mitch Trubisky.

Bob Liu (offensive tackle): The 6-foot, 250-pound senior is the only returning offensive lineman from 2011.

Frank Candau (place kicker): Candau's golden foot kicked 41 of 44 extra points and was four of six in field goals with a long of 30 yards. He is also the starting goalkeeper for the soccer program.

Key Defensive Returners

Scott Tegowski (linebacker): The 6-foot, 2-inch senior was all over the field with 63 tackles in 2011.

Ben Bisesi (safety): Another senior leader, Bisesi had 46 tackles last season, with 11 tackles for losses and two interceptions.

Rob Williams (defensive end): At 6-foot, 2-inches, 175 pounds, this senior hopes to top his 28 tackles from last year and continue to press the quarterback.

Cameron Dial (defensive line): One of the few returning junior starters, Dial had 18 tackles and one sack in 2011. 

Rising Stars

Offense

Michael Peelman, Jr.,WR- JV player of the year, hardnosed kid, will fill in one of the WR slots.
Brandon Faun, Sr., OL – was our 6th man last year, should help anchor a new line, 1,000lb club member in the off
season.
Anthony Ellis, Sr., WR – productive off season, will vie for one of the WR slots.

Defense

Cooper Rea, Sr., DB- last year and will be our starting FS this year. 3 sport athlete (Basketball, Baseball).
Kon Grewal, Jr., C – Will be trying to fill in at one of the corner positions, solid off season and JV season.
Jacob Turray, Jr., ILB – Will be filling in at LB this year, was back up last year, productive off season as a member of
1,000lb club.

Season Outlook

The 2012 Schedule is tougher than ever, but we are looking forward to it! We stay in the top tier in our division(NOC Valley) with Solon, Strongsville, Medina, Brunswick, and Mentor. We need to stay healthy to make a Region II playoff appearance.

Team Strengths

We had a very productive off season. Our speed and athleticism are our cornerstones of success. Offense will be leaned on heavily with the return of Washington and Barton on offense. Offensive and defensive systems are in place and our players are comfortable with each.

Team Concerns

Replacing 28 Seniors to graduation will be major concern. How fast this team can gel will determine how well we do early on. We need to find the right people to replace eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Depth is always a concern, especially among the offensive and defensive lines.

Projected Division Standings

NOC Valley Division
1. Mentor
1. Solon
1. Twinsburg
4. Brunswick
5. Stongsville
6. Medina