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2020 Snapshot: St. Bernard-Elmwood Place

St. Bernard-Elmwood Place WR/DB Jayden Paige (photo by Zach Stakely)

This will be the ninth full season of football for St. Bernard-Elmwood Place. The Titans have never had a winning campaign. Now the program feels like it may finally what it needs to take the step.

“This will be the first time in the six years that I’ve been here that we will have more than five or six seniors. We have 14 seniors of which six have started for three years,” states head coach Mike Corson states.

He goes on, “this will be the first time we’ve had the same staff in my six years here. For a Division VII team we have three ex-college coaches and two very experienced high school coaches. We have over 109 years of experience.”

Stability is hard to come by in a young program at the small school level. “This is the first year we can say that we have numbers, experience, and senior leadership. The only position we need to replace, is a great quarterback for us, Peyton Pugh. On defense, we have now had these kids for four years. They understand the scheme and needs for success,” and excited Corson goes on to say.

There are obstacles that lie ahead. Corson warns, “we still have to overcome – the you’ve never had success in football, stigma. Depth is always a problem. One or two key injuries can make us have to change up to four or five players positions. This has been a problem for years. Some kids in the school will only join us after we win.”

Winning would cure a lot that has ailed St. Bernard-Elmwood upt to this point. Bank on these Titans to put some of these problems to rest and the program moving forward as the season progresses and beyond.

St. Bernard-Elmwood Place WR/DE Jaden Woods (photo by Zach Stakely)

Division VI, Region 24
2019 RECORD: 4-6, 1-4 MVC Gray
COACH: Mike Corson (10-20 at SB-EP, three years; 30-50 overall, eight years)

TOP RETURNEES
Jaden Woods, Sr, WR/DE – A relentless defensive presence, Woods was the Titans top defensive player last year. He was named First Team All-MVC Gray a year ago after catching 28 passes for 335 yards with two touchdown catches on offense. He also four sacks and two fumble recoveries for the SB-EP defense. Woods has 49 receptions, 535 yards receiving, two touchdown catches, eight sacks and six fumble recoveries in his career.

Isaac Drew, Sr, TE/LB – The Titans top tackler in each of the last three seasons. Drew earned First Team All-MVC Gray honors in 2019. He was a Second Team All-MVC Gray selection as a sophomore.

Zykeem, Hunley, Sr, WR/DB – So vital to this Titans success on both sides of the ball. Hunley has been named Second Team All-MVC Gray the last two seasons. He may have to move to quarterback this fall. “We had to get Zykeem ready. We hate to lose him as a wide receiver, but he can be a very good quarterback.,” Corson says. Hunley has 1,173 all-purpose yards (827 rec., 185 rush, 161 ret), 63 receptions, 16 touchdowns (14 rec, two rush), a sack and seven interceptions at the varsity level.

CJ Currin, Jr, RB/LB – Heads into his junior campaign having already been named Second Team All-MVC Gray twice. Currin has 973 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing in his career.

Elijah Miller, Sr, OL/LB – Was named Second Team All-MVC Gray for a second straight season in 2019. He is a key cog on the offensive line and linebacker.

Jayden Paige, Sr, WR/DB – The Titans top special team’s player. The speedy Paige was an Honorable Mention All-MVC Gray selection after recording three sacks and a fumble recovery a year ago.

Ahmed Kone, Sr, RB/DE – Lead SB-EP with six sacks in 2019. He also ran for 101 yards and a touchdown. Kone will be moving to defensive tackle.

Leni Thorton, Sr, TE/RB/ DL – He is a guy that makes things happen for the Titans.
Thornton had 28 touches on offense and amassed 254 yards (137 rush, 117 rec) with three touchdowns rushing as a junior. He also had two sacks.

St. Bernard-Elmwood Place RB/DE Ahmed Kone (photo by Zach Stakely)            

NEWCOMERS
Senior RB/DE Kevin Benford along with sophomores OL/DL Brayden West and RB/LB Jalwan Parker are three players who Corson thinks could come in and make and immediate impact for the Titans. Benford missed the last two years. West is big and quick. Parker who missed the 2019 campaign has gamebreaker potential.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(0 appearances, 0-0)

2020 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/28/20 – at Shroder – 6:30 PM
Fri – 09/04/20 – at Williamsburg – 7:00 PM
Sat – 09/12/20 – BELLEVUE (KY) – 6:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/20 – at New Miami – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/20 – NORTH COLLEGE HILL – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/20 – at MVCA – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/20 – LOCKLAND – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/20 – CCPA – 7:00 PM
Sat – 10/24/20 – at Clark Montessori – 1:00 PM**
Fri – 10/30/20 – CINCINNATI COUNTRY DAY – 7:00 PM

*All home games played at Bron Bacevich Stadium, Roger Bacon High School
**At Angus King Stadium, Withrow High School

CORSON ON CORONA
We have had a great offseason up till now. The lack of workouts due to the Corona virus will affect all teams. I hope our kids will take it upon themselves to work to keep up with their strength and schoolwork during this extended break. We will stay in touch via e-mail to try to help them focus.

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