“Since the beginning of August until now, I think we’ve grown up a great deal,” second-year Middletown coach Lance Engleka said. “The kids have put themselves in position to take that next step. Now they actually have to take the next step.
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“Somebody can get ready to go to the dance, but you’ve still got to dance. That’s where we’re at right now. We’ve got to go out there and perform.”
Engleka said the Middies performed well in scrimmages against Centerville and East.
“We felt we were the much more physical team against Centerville and East, which if you’ve watched Middletown football the last couple years, that hasn’t necessarily been the case,” Engleka said. “We think that’s a positive, and we feel good about where the (spread) offense is right now. We think we cause problems for people with the packages we put together.
“Our kids have improved their strength, their fitness and their knowledge from last year to this year. It’s showing on the field right now.”
Senior Zach Maloney is Middletown’s starting quarterback, with classmate Blake Marshall playing slotback and available to play QB if needed.
SEASON PREVIEWS
Senior Diondre Cooper is the primary running back. Senior Keshaun Powers, junior Shandon Morris and freshman Josh Bryant are the wideouts.
Engleka said Lima is also a spread team with multiple offensive weapons. Senior tight end Keaton Upshaw (6-7, 228) has committed to the University of Kentucky.
“We’re a tall, athletic team that can spread the ball out a little bit,” said second-year Spartans coach Andre Griffin, son of former Ohio State great Archie Griffin. “We’re very similar to Middletown. We don’t have great big linemen, but we’ve got athletes that can play.”
Senior cornerback Kevontae Tyson (5-11, 146) and senior middle linebacker Daneille Lowe (6-1, 205) are the top returnees in the 4-2-5 defense for Lima, which was 6-4 overall and a 24-17 winner over the Middies last season.
Griffin said he’s still deciding about his starting quarterback. It’s between seniors Adrine Mitchell (6-4, 195), the 2016 starter, and Malik Hobson (6-1, 228).
“We’re a spread team that’s really balanced,” Griffin said. “We can run the ball and pass the ball. I think we should be able to pass better than we did last year.”
The Middies’ defense has stepped forward in the preseason. Senior tackle Ayron Thompson (6-1, 265) is back and one of the key figures up front.
“It’s a little bit more advanced than last year,” Thompson said of Middletown’s defense. “We have a lot more stunts for the D-line.”
He said the Middies have a different attitude across the board this year.
“Our senior leadership is way better,” Thompson said. “Everybody’s just on it. Everybody’s more focused. We’re going big this year. That’s what our plan is. No 5-5, none of that.”
Middletown-Lima is a former Greater Miami Conference rivalry that goes way back. Griffin said it’s still a big deal to his program, even with the distance between the schools.
“I just keep reminding our kids that they’re Middletown,” Griffin said. “We had a winning record last year and they didn’t win a game, but we only beat them by seven points. You know it’s going to come down to the wire.
“It’s their second year with their head coach just like us, and you can see them buying into their system and getting used to their system.”
Lima has 22 seniors this year. The Middies have 10.
Friday’s game
What: Lima Senior at Middletown, 7 p.m.
Where: Barnitz Stadium, 1211 S. Main St., Middletown
Last year: Lima won 24-17
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