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(Statistical Information Courtesy of Professor Briggs' archives)

GROVE CITY EAGLES 2021 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: Sam Mowrey, 8th year (48-28)
Last Year: 4-4 overall, advanced to District 10 title game

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GROVE CITY -- To say that the Grove City High School football team has experience would be comparable to saying that The Beatles had some hit songs.

This fall, the Eagles welcome back nine defensive starters, eight offensive starters and an all-region kicker/punter as Grove City looks to return to the top of the charts in Region 3 and District 10.

"We have a good veteran group back and they're providing good leadership," eighth-year head coach Sam Mowrey said.

Four of Grove City's eight returning offensive starters are on the offensive line, including All-Region honorees Gage Dlugonski and Nate Wadworth. Those two seniors are expected to man the tackle positions.

Seniors Jacob Blair and Cole Hammerman are back at the guard spots. Senior Dillon Winger returns with ample offensive line experience and senior letterwinner Madison Warner also returns up front. Junior Thomas Rodgers has the inside track to start at center, although Dlugonski started at center during the 2020 playoffs. Junior Dylan Ahern will also challenge for time on the offensive line.

"Much of our strength lies in the offensive and defensive lines," Mowrey said. "We have a lot of experience."

Grove City returns its top two rushers and its top two pass receivers from 2020. At running back, senior Curtis Hovis returns after rushing for 861 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior Anthony Nemec complemented Hovis by rushing for 308 yards and six scores.

Six-foot-four senior wide receiver Anthony Pereira emerged as one of the county's top targets in 2020 by catching 36 passes for 567 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore Gavin Lutz debuted by hauling in 23 passes in an injury-shortened rookie season.

The Eagles also welcome back juniors Hayden McCreadie and Trey Reznor at wide receiver. Sophomore newcomer Joey Hathaway will compete for time at receiver.

Grove City must replace the graduated Logan Breese at quarterback. Senior Zach Rodgers went 27 of 47 for 339 yards and three touchdowns as Breese missed time due to injury.

However, Zach Rodgers's versatility and the emergence of sophomore Hunter Hohmann means that Rodgers could again see time at several positions on offense. Mowrey noted that Rodgers could play running back, slot receiver, outside receiver or H-back this year. He caught nine passes for 73 yards and a touchdown last year while also rushing for 75 yards. Rodgers averaged 5.4 yards per carry.

Hohmann has thrown one pass at the varsity level. "Hunter's a tough kid. He's a wrestler," Mowrey said of Hohmann, who went 24-4 at 138 pounds last winter. "He throws a nice ball and makes good decisions. He's more of a pocket guy but he can run."

Grove City must also find a new starter at H-back after productive Zack Martin graduated. Mowrey cited Zach Rodgers, Nemec, junior Jacob Arnold, junior Nathan Boyd and senior Luciano Trezona as candidates for H-back.

"We have multiple guys who can help fill that role," Mowrey said. "Overall, we have multiple guys who can help us in multiple areas."

Defensive coordinator Brad Trezona will again employ the 4-4. All-Region picks Hammerman and Wadsworth are the leading candidates at end while Dlugonski, Blair and Thomas Rodgers are competing at defensive tackle. Ahern, sophomore Marcello Trezona and Winger are also battling for time on the defensive line.

"We do have a lot returning, but the next few guys after them, we need to develop them to be able to come in and play a series," Mowrey said of Grove City's defensive line depth.

Hovis and All-Region selection Nemec return at inside linebacker while Pereira is back at outside linebacker. Boyd and Winger are contenders at inside linebacker while Arnold, Hohmann and Luciano Trezona are battling for the other starting outside spot.

Lutz, McCreadie and Reznor all played extensively at cornerback last year and are expected to do so in 2021. Lutz and McCreadie both earned Second Team All-Region honors last year. Zach Rodgers and Hathaway are battling at free safety.

Senior John Hake returns for his fourth year as Grove City's kicker and punter. Hake has accounted for 123 career points over his first three seasons. He earned All-Region at punter in 2020.

Grove City will compete with local rivals Hickory, Sharon and Slippery Rock in Region 3 play. The Eagles also host Conneaut, Ohio, and visit Titusville in the league schedule.

"It's an exciting region, that's for sure," Mowrey said. "Hickory's obviously going to be good. Sharon came such a long way last year and progressively got better as the season went on. Slippery Rock has a lot returning and no matter what, that's always going to be a tough game. I don't know a whole lot about Conneaut or Titusville right now.

A 2000 Titusville High School graduate, Mowrey and the Eagles will visit Titusville in Week Seven. Titusville installed artificial turf at historic Carter Field this summer. "It'll be fun," Mowrey said. "It will be nice to see the turf at Carter Field. I'm looking forward to going back home and coaching."