2016 Snapshot: Anderson

Anderson will be turning the page and starting a new chapter in 2016. It was a fantastic start to former head coach Jeff Giesting’s career with a Division II state title in his first season (the first in school history) followed by a Division II state runner-up finish and a Division I Regional runner-up year. The Redskins were peaking. That success for Giesting and Anderson could not be sustained. Over the next six campaigns a downward spiral was in motion culminating in the team bottoming out at 1-9 last year.

Anderson Head Coach Evan Dreyer (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

The program decided to head in a different direction and brought in east side native, Evan Dreyer. The coach is known for his wide open, spread the wealth offense. The Redskins fans will see an exciting brand of football, eventually. More than 75% of the roster for Anderson in ’15 was comprised of underclassmen of which more than 50% were sophomores. Getting that group up to speed may take a little bit of time for Dreyer and his staff.

Those who did see action last fall, that Dreyer inherits, did not have pleasant experiences for the most part. The coach has been pleased with what he seen so far from his inaugural group of Redskins. “Our effort and enthusiasm continues to improve,” Dreyer states emphatically.

The battle will be teaching youth how to win for Anderson. “We need to have an aggressive mentality all the time,” Dreyer states. The offense could adhere to that mantra right out of the gate. If the defense follow suit the Redskins will be back on the right track. That is a tall order but definitely not unattainable for this Anderson squad.

Division II, Region 6
2015 RECORD: 1-9, 1-6 ECC
COACH: Evan Dreyer (0-0 @ Anderson, first year; 44-28 overall, seven years)

HONOR ROLL
Senior defensive lineman Cole Cain was an Honorable Mention All-ECC selection as a junior. He will be the leader of the Anderson defense.

OTHER RETURNEES
Coach Dreyer is incredibly high on 6-foot-3, 270 pound senior offensive lineman Sean McCafferty who has all-league potential and perhaps more. The Redskins will rely on his leadership. Having returnee Dylan Browning in the trenches with McCafferty a calming influence over a group of inexperienced juniors that could potentially be pretty solid.

Anderson LBs Harrison Hill (2) & Kyle Herms (53 (photo from Facebook)

Senior linebackers Harrison Hill and Kyle Herms will be needed to step up and have big seasons. Keeping the ball in front of them is a must if Anderson is going to have success on defense.

Junior tight end Amadaz Jones could be an intriguing figure in Dreyer’s offensive plans. He could be a loaded to bring down after gaining some steam on receptions. Classmate Kyle Blaha carried the ball 12 times for 121 yards including a 57-yard touchdown scamper as the Redskins fell to Kings in last year’s regular season finale. Those were the first 12 carries of Blaha’s career.

NEWCOMERS
A bright spot in The Redskins was the play of quarterback Jay Volpehein. The junior was tabbed as one of TriState Football’s 2016 Breakout Performers. As a sophomore he started the last four games for Anderson a year ago. He threw for 586 yards and three touchdowns in that span. Volpenhein should shine in Dreyer’s offense.

So, RB/LB – All signs point to this being a breakout season for sophomore linebacker Zeke Correll. If that happens and Dreyer gets the kind of output he expects seniors Hill and Herms the Redskins will have some identity on defense.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(10 appearances, 12-9) – 2009, 2008 (runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992

2016 SCHEDULE
The same three non-conference foes await Anderson as did in 2015 – Bishop Fenwick, McNicholas and Harrison who were a combined 25-9 a season ago. That is a full game better than that trio was the year before as Anderson fell to all of them. Following that stretch Anderson will play three of four at Kings, Loveland and Glen Este followed by a home tilt with Turpin. It is a very physical stretch of affairs. More than egos could be battered and bruised by the end of that run.

NON-CONFERENCE WOES
Since ECC play began four years ago Anderson is a combined 1-13 in non-conference affairs including losing its last six by an average margin of 17.5 points. The Redskins are six games below .500 (10-16) in league play during that same time frame.

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