2016 Snapshot: Loveland

A 1-4 start last season that included loses by one, three and seven points Loveland had all but sealed its doomed playoff fate before October had even began. The Tigers won their final five games but fell short of the post season. That is a momentum builder for head coach Fred Cranford and it leaves him feeling pretty good about his squads prospects in 2016.

Loveland allowed just 8.2 points with an average margin of victories in those final five wins of ’15. Getting back to that tough defense is just the identity the Tigers need. It will push Loveland out of the pack and into the playoffs this fall.

Loveland DE Calvin Whitaker (photo by Mike Noyes/ TriStateFootball.com)

“We have strength in numbers and that equals competition. We have very strong young talent. Very big, athletic players with good range,” Cranford says. “The best players will play best both sides of the ball.”

The talent and depth are in place for the Tigers to have good run. A great run will come about if Loveland finds the killer instinct to close its contests versus the upper tier teams on the schedule.

Division II, Region 8
2015 RECORD: 6-4, 5-2 ECC
COACH: Fred Cranford (27-8 @ Loveland, three years, 64-42 overall, 10 years)

HONOR ROLL
Luke Waddell, Jr, RB – Waddell is one of the most complete and accomplished offensive players in Ohio. He was named Division II Special Mention All-Ohio and First Team All-Southwest District for a second straight season on his way to rewriting the school record book. Waddell ran for 1,784 yards, averaged 9.0 per carry, had 33 receptions for 760 yards receiving, averaged 23.0 per catch and found the end zone 32 times (23 rushing, nine receiving).

He broke the record he set as a sophomore for rushing yards in a season by 320 yards. Waddell set the Loveland career mark rushing yards with 4,841 and touchdowns at 73 (57 rushing, 16 receiving). Perhaps the most amazing stat on Waddell is that he heads into his senior season having scored at least one touchdown in 33 consecutive games. Ironically, Waddell has committed to Georgia Tech to play baseball.

Cameron Beck, Sr, DB – A strong finish to his junior year which saw Beck pick off four Turpin passes including a pick six as Loveland handed the Spartans their only loss of the regular season in Week 9. In the Tigers finale Beck took another interception 80 yards for a score against Milford. He earned First Team All-ECC accolades for his efforts.

Calvin Whitaker, Sr, DE – The rangy Whitaker was a Second Team All-ECC selection after getting in on 47 tackles and coming up with three takeaways (two fumble recoveries, one interception) as a junior. This should be a campaign where Whitaker causes some real havoc.

Loveland RB Ryan Bagnoli (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

OTHER RETURNEES
Ryan Bagnoli, Sr, RB – Bagnoli came on late last fall. He averaged 11.75 carries and 68.5 yards in his last four games. Expect him to continue that trend as he is poised for a big senior season.

Jacob Clements, Sr, WR – Clements will move into the role of the Tigers top receiver. He had at least one reception in eight games and caught 13 passes for 116 yards with a touchdown as a junior.

Drew Grafflin, Sr, DB – Rock solid in the secondary Grafflin has all-conference potential.

Andrew Hesse, Sr, LB – The leader of the linebackers Hesse registered 47 total tackles as a junior.

Braden Watts, Sr, OL – Watts leadership will be needed up front as a young Tigers group will need his guidance early on.

NEWCOMERS
There are some big shoes to fill at quarterback with the graduation of Drew Plitt the school’s all-time leader in career touchdown passes. Coach Cranford has complete confidence in Cole Ayers being the man under center for the next two seasons. Senior Zion Wynn and junior Grant Rudy give the Tigers great depth in the backfield. Wynn’s classmates James Meckey and Braxton Smith will be counted on to pave the way up front for the ground game.

Linemen Colin Flanagan and Gunner Tuttle along with linebacker Ricky Deutsch have all waited their chances behind some outstanding players who came before them. Now it is this trio’s time to be special. Defensive back Ryan Batsch only played five games as a sophomore he still managed to have a career night versus Oak Hills with three interceptions. He teams with Beck and Grafflin to give Loveland one of the ECC’s most opportunistic secondaries.

Loveland RB Luke Waddell (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(four appearances, 6-3) – 2013 (State Champions), 2002, 2000, 1986

2016 SCHEDULE
Loveland starts the season off with the same three Division I schools that they did a year ago. They fell to Lakota East by one, had no answers for Lebanon’s passing attack and then drilled an undermanned Oak Hills club. The most intense part of the Tigers league schedule is the season’s last three tilts. It is where toughness begins versus Glen Este, at Kings and hosting Turpin. All three of those teams made the playoffs and combined to go 29-7.

TOUCHDOWN TIGERS
In three years and 35 games under Cranford the Loveland offense has averaged 37.0 points per contest. Waddell has accounted for 33.9% of those points (440 of 1,297).

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
During Cranford’s tenure Loveland and its opponents have combined to score 50 or more points 17 times. The Tigers are 13-4 in those affairs.

STRONG FINISHERS
Over the last three seasons Loveland is a combined 19-1 in games starting October, 1st or later.

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