2017 Snapshot: Bethel-Tate

Respectability has come to the Bethel-Tate football program. No longer can foes mark their schedules with a “W” next to the Tigers name before the season even starts. Now a veteran Bethel-Tate squad looks to make the playoffs for the second time in school history and its second trip in three years.

Bethel-Tate has only lost seven players to graduation the over last two years. “Our Experience will be our strength. Being a smaller school our players have been called upon earlier than most programs to perform on Friday nights,” head coach Jeff Essig states. Our staff has now been together for a full year. Our players are understanding the systems, both the offensive and defensive schemes.”

Over the past three years Bethel-Tate has combined for 16 wins. The four campaigns prior to that the Tigers won a grand total of four games (4-36). Winning is contagious. Everyone wants to be a part of the “IN“ thing and right now that is Bethel-Tate football. The vibe has led to more players and that depth spurs on better competition. This program is now in the stage where each graduating class sets the bar higher than the one before them did.

“Our numbers have increased over the past two years. In ‘15 we had 24 players. In ‘16 it was up to 45 players. This year we have had well over 40 players every day in the weight room not counting the in-season athletes. We have a much larger incoming freshman class. They are more interested in playing football than in years past,” a pleased Essig laments.

The biggest concerns for this team are the losses on the offensive and defensive lines. Opportunity knocks in the trenches. Finding big and tenacious bodies is the key to getting back to the playoffs. The skill position players are in place. They are just looking for push and protection from the men up front. If the lines come through the Tigers will be in the postseason picture.

Division V, Region 20
2016 RECORD: 5-5, 3-1 SBAAC National
COACH: Jeff Essig (6-6 at Bethel-Tate, one year+; 6-6 overall, one year+)

HONOR ROLL
Austin Carter, Sr, WR/DB – This ’17 team captain had a breakout junior campaign with 45 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. Defensively, Carter recorded 51 total tackles and two interceptions. That effort earned him First Team All-SBAAC National honors. Carter has been very productive with 1,274 all-purpose yards (757 receiving, 399 rushing), 11 touchdowns (seven receiving, four rushing), 118 total tackles and four takeaways (two interceptions, two fumble recoveries) in his three years as a starter.

Owen Holtke, Sr, RB/LB – Holtke is back for his fourth year as a starter. This season he will play a major role in the running game. He finished last season with 82 total tackles and two sacks in ’16. Holtke was finally named First Team All-SBAAC National after being selected to the second team twice as a sophomore and freshman. He has 149 total tackles, five sacks, 483 yards rushing, 201 yards receiving and has found the end zone 10 times (eight rushing) during his career.

Bethel-Tate LB Owen Holtke (2) & DL Bradley Lewis (52) (photo from Bethel-Tate HS Athletics)

Bradley Lewis, Sr, OL/DL – A team captain in ’17, Lewis is the leader and anchor of the offensive and defensive lines. He garnered First Team All-SBAAC National accolades as a junior after registering 89 total tackles and seven sacks. He has tallied 172 total tackles and nine-and-a-half sacks in his three years as a starter.

Drake Dockery, Sr, DB – A key member of the secondary, Dockery is a two-time Second Team All-SBAAC National selection. He has 111 total tackles and four interceptions at the varsity level.

Gabe Noble, Jr, WR/DB – Hauled in 19 passes for 201 yards with three touchdowns receptions as a sophomore. He also averaged 25.3 yards on 14 kickoff returns. Noble was named Second Team All-SBAAC National for his work.

OTHER RETURNEES
Chris Wheeler, Sr, QB – Wheeler set the school’s single season passing record with 1,652 yards as a junior. He also had 15 touchdown passes, 156 yards rushing and a pair of scores on the ground.

Cooper Dunn, Jr, WR/DB – Dunn made his presence felt on both sides of the ball as a junior catching the first 22 passes of his career. He also has 60 total tackles and four interceptions in a Tigers uniform.

Alex Manz, So, QB – Got valuable snaps as a freshman. Manz threw for 596 yards, ran for 120 yards with two touchdowns on the ground and one though the air in six games.

NEWCOMERS
Seth Becker, Sr, QB –Becker transfers in from Western Brown. All he did last fall for the Broncos was throw for 2,955 yards, run for 609 yards and account for 32 touchdowns (28 passing, four rushing).

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(one appearance, 0-1) – 2015

2017 SCHEDULE
It is very feasible that Bethel-Tate could be 2-0 with wins over Waynesville and St. Bernard heading into a Week 3 matchup hosting Purcell Marian. This game will tell a ton about how far the program has come. The Cavaliers will be playing for one of the precious eight Region 20 playoff berths along with the Tigers. With all that motivation, a letdown would be disappointing. Three weeks later Bethel-Tate travels to Blanchester facing the same scenario as with Purcell Marian. The Wildcats mauled the Tigers, 73-18, a year ago.

THE TIMES ARE CHANGING
The three quarterbacks on the Bethel-Tate roster have combined to throw for 5,812 yards and 48 touchdowns at the varsity level – Becker (3,530 PaYds, 32 PaTDs), Wheeler (1,688 PaYds, 15 PaTDs) & Manz (594 PaYds, one PaTD). That is far cry from how the offense was run before Essig became head coach. The two year prior to last the Tigers (under Bill Jenike) combined to run the ball 654 times while throwing just 63 passes (completing 39 for 486 yards and four touchdowns). Bethel-Tate ran the ball 88% of the time amassing 5,137 yards with 62 touchdowns on the ground in that span.

PLAYING IN NOVEMBER IS DRIVEN BY DEFENSE
The Bethel-Tate defense must play better than they did a year ago if they want to make the playoffs. The Tigers gave up 33.3 points per game. Four times they gave up 42 points or more. Their average margin of loss in those affairs was 32.25 points.

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