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(Statistical Information Courtesy of Professor Briggs' archives)

GREENVILLE TROJANS 2021 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: Brian Herrick, 15th year (92-65)
Last Year: 0-8 overall, advanced to District 10 semifinals

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GREENVILLE -- It's safe to say that no local football head coach enjoyed discarding his 2020 calendar more than Greenville head coach Brian Herrick. The Trojans entered the 2020 season with plenty of expectations but injuries throughout the roster quickly decimated the squad. The injury outbreak and a rugged schedule that featured two games each with Wilmington and Farrell, along with three games against Sharpsville, helped contribute to an 0-8 campaign.

The Trojans consider the 2020 season to be ancient history and are excited for the prospects of the 2021 season.

"We're real pleased with the progress we've made so far," Herrick said. "Everything's gone well."

The Trojans welcome back five starters on offense, highlighted by senior quarterback Jalen Ritzert. Ritzert threw for 519 yards and four touchdowns in eight games last season, his first year as the starter.

"He's a lot more experienced," Herrick said of Ritzert. "He knows what we're trying to do and hopefully, he doesn't try to do too much. We're trying to surround him with a better supporting cast, which always helps."

A quartet of experienced running backs will join Ritzert in the backfield. Shifty junior Mason Dickens ran for a team-leading 285 yards last season while piledriving sophomore Malachi Hyde added 255 yards as a rookie. Senior Levi Swartz, described by Herrick as the "speed guy," missed much of 2020 due to injury. Junior Aden Sasala will also see time in the backfield.

"We have a number of good backs," Herrick said. "It is a nice mix. They complement each other well. It's also a very unselfish group. They don't mind the rotation and taking their turn."

Junior Jase Herrick returns at wide receiver after catching nine passes last year. Senior Brady Kincaid, sophomore Jack Strausser and junior Brayden Porter are also expected to see time when Greenville uses three- and four-receiver sets. Senior Damian Betz, who moved to Greenville from Ohio, will also compete for time on the outside.

Senior Anthony Gentile moves from tackle to tight end. "We really need a good tight end in our offense," Brian Herrick said. "If we're going to run our flip, our power play, that's where it starts."

Gentile's move to tight end created another vacancy in the Trojans' already inexperienced offensive line. Senior Nick Eynon saw time at guard last year and has an inside track to start again this year. Senior Truston Jobes, junior Cayden Nellis, and sophomores Gage Hammond, Logan Leskovac and Tucker Musser are among the leading candidates to start on the offensive line.

"We'll be young and inexperienced up front. I think eventually, it's going to be a pretty good group," Herrick said. "As they come along, that's going to determine our success on offense."

Gentile returns at defensive end but the other three starting spots in Greenville's four-man line remain open. Jobes, Leskovac and Nellis are competing at tackle while Betz and Eynon are among the contenders at defensive end.

"We need to find a good rotation up front, opposite Gentile," Herrick said. "We need to find a couple of big bodies up front that are going to take up some space."

Greenville has more certainty in its linebacking corps and secondary. Hyde, junior Ethan Moore and senior Caleb Springer are battling at inside linebacker. "I really like that group," Herrick said. "They're doing a nice job for us."

Dickens and Sasala return at outside linebacker. Sophomore Bennett Hayne has also worked into the linebacker mix.

Ritzert and Swartz are penciled in to start at cornerback. Jase Herrick has moved to free safety in Greenville's 4-4 scheme.

"Defensively, I'm really pleased with our back seven. I think we'll be strong in the back," Brian Herrick said. "I think we'll tackle well and we can run pretty well."

Greenville will compete in Region 1 this season, with 2A brethren Farrell, Lakeview, Sharpsville and Wilmington. Rival Reynolds returns to the schedule, along with county foes Kennedy Catholic and Mercer.

"I think it's going to be extremely competitive," Herrick said. "Farrell is elite this year. They have so many kids back and so much speed and size. I think they're definitely the favorite with Wilmington having graduated so much. Wilmington's always going to be tough and Reynolds had a great year last year.

"We're looking forward to the challenges that are posted each week."