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2016 Snapshot: Bellefontaine

Bellefontaine started last season with four straight losses. The last two were killers, 6-0 in overtime to Urbana then they allowed two late fourth quarter scores to Indian Lake in a game in which they went into the final stanza having never trailed. Instead of folding the young Chieftains bounced back and finished strong for head coach Toby Smith. Now it appears as if Bellefontaine is set up for long-term prosperity. It looks like a very bright future and then some in Logan County.

Bellefontaine WR Tweh Coleman (photo from Facebook)

Bellefontaine WR Tweh Coleman (photo from Facebook)

“We won four of our last six games as the eight sophomores and one freshman we had playing, learned how to play Friday night football,” Smith says. “We will be experienced.” The Chieftains lost only four starters from last year’s team.

The skill players are capable of matching points with anyone on the schedule. This team must show that they can grit it out in contests that come down to defensive battles. Staying healthy will be key up front. Bellefontaine isn’t particularly big on either side of the line. If the Chieftains can prove that they can hold their own in the trenches they will be playing November.

Division 3, Region 12
2015 RECORD: 4-6, 3-2 CBC Kenton Trail
HEAD COACH: Toby Smith (17-13 at Bellefontaine, three years; 128-44 overall, 17 years)

HONOR ROLL:
Anthony Carothers, Sr, LB – Carothers has a real nose for the ball of his 58 tackles as a junior 22 were for losses. He was named Honorable Mention All-Southwest District for the effort.

Hayden Nease, Sr, RB/WR – The “go-to” guy for the Chieftains Nease ran for 656 yards, caught 36 passes for 418 yards and found the end zone 12 times (eight rushing, four receiving). He was named First Team All-CBC Kenton Trail in ’15. Nease has already earned three letters and has 80 receptions for 843 yards and 10 touchdowns during his career.

Caleb Stevens, Jr, WR/DB/RS – One of the CBC’s rising stars Stephens excels in all three phases of the game. He amassed 1,251 all-purpose yards including 551 rushing, 112 receiving with eight touchdowns on the ground. On special teams, he tallied 481 total return yards (25.3/kickoff return, 13.8/punt return). Defensively, Stevens was in on 25 total tackles with two interceptions for 107 return yards and a pick six. That effort earned him Second Team All-CBC Kenton Trail acclaim as a sophomore.

OTHER RETURNEES
Melech Hutchison, Sr, OL/DL – The senior will be a key player along the defensive line for the Chieftains.

Cole Braun, Sr, OL/DL – Braun can flat out get after it. He was in on 52 total tackles, forced three fumbles with a sack and an interception in ’15.

Ramon Garcia, Sr, LB – Another piece of that outstanding linebacking core for coach Smith. Garcia had 40 tackles, two-and-a-half sacks with a fumble recovery as a junior. He has seven career sacks.

Tweh Coleman, Sr, WR/DB – A full season from a healthy Coleman will be a huge plus in the depth department for Bellefontaine.

Treston Howell, Sr, WR/DB – Howell will be an even bigger contributor on offense after catching 11 passes for 91 yards a year ago.

Blaze Warren, Sr, RB/DB – A valuable asset on both sides of the ball Warren will see his share of big moments as a senior.

Spencer Whetsel, Sr, OL – The 6-foot-1, 260 pound Whetsel is back for another year as a starter on the offensive line.

Jacob Miller, Sr, LB – In seven games as a junior Miller registered 26 tackles and three-and-a-half sacks.

Dezmin Lyburtus, Jr, QB – What pleasant surprise Lyburtus was a sophomore. He accounted for 1,359 yards of total offense (758 passing, 601 rushing) and 11 touchdowns (five passing, six rushing) in his varsity debut.

Evan Smith, Jr, LB – Smith recorded 43 tackles with a fumble recovery and an interception as a sophomore.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(nine appearances, 3-9) – 2014, 2009, 2007, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995

2016 SCHEDULE
Wapakoneta, Sidney and Troy are the foes that the Chieftains will face in the first two weeks. Wapakoneta and Sidney beat Bellefontaine by a combined 68-13 in last fall. Those squads will be even better this season and Week 3 opponent Troy is a spitting image of the Chieftains. If ever there was a year to steal a CBC Kenton Trail title away from Kenton Ridge, Tecumseh or Shawnee this would be it. Bellefontaine is every bit as talented as those rivals.

BRINGING IT ALL BACK ON OFFENSE
Bellefontaine returns players who accounted for 98.97% of its rushing yards (1,842 of 1,861) in ’15. Nease (656), Lyburtus (601) and Stevens (551) were responsible for 96.88% of those yards.

The Chieftains had only four players that scored all 27 of the team’s touchdowns a year ago. They are all back – Nease (12), Steven (9), Lyburtus (6) and Carothers (1).

Nine of the 10 receivers who combined for 86.9% of the Bellefontaine’s receptions (73 of 84) and 93.7% of its receiving yards (852 of 909) also return. The Chieftains only had five touchdown catches in ’15 – Nease (4) and Carothers (1).

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