The names may change but the work ethic remains the same in Oswego, where the football team has made the playoffs in 27 of the past 30 seasons.
The Panthers, who enter the season ranked No. 4 by The Beacon-News, should do it again despite heavy graduation losses after going 9-3 last year and reaching the Class 8A quarterfinals before falling to Marist.
Look for Dayne Millard to help lead a defense that Oswego coach Brian Cooney may have to rely on early to carry the team. His offense may need time to gain traction, having to replace four-year varsity quarterback Steven Frank, who’s now at Florida Atlantic University.
Millard is another no-nonsense, hard-nosed linebacker the program seems to churn out like from an assembly line. It’s yes sir, no sir. Predecessors include his coach.
A junior who started at strong-side linebacker last year, Millard will move to the weak side this season and also could see time in the middle, too.
“Sam is more focused on the pass,” Millard said of playing on the strong side. “You really don’t have as much gap or run responsibility, whereas Mike (middle) and Will (weak side) are more focused on brute strength and run stop.”
Millard’s firm handshake indicates he has been preparing for the new role.
“It was a very productive offseason,” he said. “We make our money in the weight room, so we were in there every day, working hard. Squat, bench, you name it. And outside of that, we were also doing agility drills in the field house, always working to get better.”
The team’s defensive headliner, however, should be lineman Noah Shannon. The 6-3, 290-pound junior has a year’s experience as a starter.
“He’s such a presence and very athletic,” Cooney said of Shannon. “We’ll be moving him around to take advantage of that. He can play anywhere on the line and appears to be a step above all the others playing from tackle to tackle”
The defense also returns Stephen Holpuch and Kyle Keeton and Joe Bostic, who’s one of three returning starters on the offensive line. The others are Tyler Harmon and Daniel Bertok.
Senior wide receiver Elliott Pipkin (30 receptions, 395 yards) is the top returning skill player. The biggest graduation loss is Frank, who passed for 1,783 yards, ran for 609 and accounted for 36 touchdown. Erick Vargas Jr. (908 yards rushing) and Brice Robinson (560 yards receiving) also have graduated.
Six candidates for quarterback started summer camp, but have been narrowed down to junior Levi Olson and seniors Tyler Gordon and Joe Hess.
“It’s definitely different not having a four-year player back there,” Cooney said. “But it’s been fun to watch that competition.”
Millard hopes to be there for this year’s new starters like his mentor, Chad Marsh, was for him.
“The first game was definitely nerve-wracking,” Millard said. “I was so worried about messing up. Chad took me under his wing and I could always ask him questions.
“Game 2 I got dialed in and it came on the first play. There was an open window and I had the tackle and made it. That’s when I knew why I was here.
“We have to keep going and build on our energy. It’s our time now.”
Twitter @RickArmstrong28
Countdown to Football
Between now and opening night, The Beacon-News will unveil its preseason Top 5 teams.
Monday: No. 5 Oswego East
Tuesday: No. 4 Oswego
Wednesday: No. 3
Thursday: No. 2
Friday: No. 1
