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2018 Snapshot: Edgewood

Edgewood was just one of two teams in 2017 that won eight games and didn’t make the playoffs in all of Division II. Now the Cougars are back and looking for validation and a third straight season of at least eight victories.

Division II Region 8
2017 RECORD: 8-2, 6-0 SWOC
COACH: Scott Clemmons (34-228 at Edgewood, six years; 34-28 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Wade Phillips, Sr, RB – It was a breakout year for Phillips who ran for 1,358 yards and 17 touchdowns in ’17. Five time he ran for 150 yards or more including career bests of 276 yards and five touchdowns against Northwest. Those efforts earned Phillips to Second Team All-Southwest District accolades.

Andy Weaver, Sr, OG – The anchor of the Cougars o-line. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Weaver was named Second Team All-Southwest District as a junior.

Elijah Williams, Sr, FB – Like classmate Phillips, Williams found great success in his first year as a starter out of the backfield. He ran for 916 yards and found the end zone on 15 occasions in eight games. That work led to a First Team All-SWOC selection for Phillips.

Justin Hiltbrand, Sr, OLB – A Second Team All-SWOC performer as a junior. Hiltbrand and Brown will be disruptive forces for the Cougars defense at the outside linebacker position. They are a huge asset for Edgewood on the edges.

Evan Brown, Sr, OLB – An instinctive player who is blessed with the physical tools at 6-4 and 220 pounds. The two-time Second Team All-SWOC honoree has nine career sacks. Brown has offers from Siena Heights and Urbana with more to follow.

OTHER RETURNEES
The captain of the ship on offense is senior QB Corbin Craft. He threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns in his first year as a starter last fall. His classmates TE/OLB Seth Longworth, OL/LB Koby Schmidt, OL/LB Tanner Polisini, TE/LB Kory McCall, DL Caden Nance, DL Trent Persinger, and DB Logan Loftus are all vital cogs for the Cougars. Back for another season as a starter is junior OG/DL Issac Hamilton. Even though the backfield is crowded RB/DB Lincoln Howell will still get some valuable carries. He averaged 7.4 on 28 totes with two touchdowns as a sophomore.

NEWCOMERS
Coach Clemmons will be looking for several seniors to step up for the first time at the varsity level especially up front with OL Andy McDonell, OL Jacob Souse, OL Jordan Pitts. Their classmates DB Noah Warren and DB Brady Richmond will get a chance to shine in the secondary. Juniors LB/DB Alex Gavern, OL/DL Gavin Childers, RB/DB Aaron Williams and DB Conner Beckman will get opportunities to earn snaps on the defensive side of the ball. Keep an eye on sophomore RB/DB Landon Howell. He might be a year away from being special, but Howell will make his presence felt on this team.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(12 appearances, 12-12 overall) – 2016, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003 (State runner-up), 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 (Regional Champions), 1998, 1997

2018 SCHEDULE
Fri – 8/24/18 at Monroe  7:00 PM
Fri – 8/31/18 FRANKLIN  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/7/18 BADIN 7:00 PM
Fri – 9/14/18 NORTHWEST 7:00 PM
Fri – 9/21/18 at Harrison  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/28/18 at Ross  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/5/18 at Winton Woods  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/12/18 at Talawanda  ROSS  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/19/18 LITTLE MIAMI  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/26/18 MOUNT HEALTHY  7:00 PM

NEW KINGS OF THE SWOC
This will be the seventh of the Southwest Ohio Conference. Mount Healthy dominated the SWOC initially, winning the league’s first four titles in football while going 25-1 versus conference foes. Since then Edgewood has taken control with the last two SWOC crowns, including 12 consecutive victories and 16 wins in its last 18 games versus league rivals dating back to 2015.

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