2021 Snapshot: Piqua
- Updated: May 13, 2021
Piqua OL/DL Caleb Lyons (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)
There aren’t many pieces to the puzzle missing for Piqua. The Indians also have plenty of motivation to be even better than they were in 2020 after getting ambushed at home by the Anderson Redskins in the playoffs, their only loss of the season.
The roster is full of players that have made plays and done it consistently on Friday nights over the past two campaigns. Piqua returns six starters from an offense that averaged 35.2 points per contest a year ago. There are three returning offensive linemen who average a robust 286.7 pounds between them. They will lead the way for a quartet of backs that combined for 16 rushing touchdowns. Adding to the Indians firepower are a pair of slot receivers that have 35 receptions, 290 receiving yards and three touchdowns between them at the varsity level.
The Piqua defense which allowed just 7.4 points per game last fall brings back eight starters. There are six linebackers and defensive backs that have combined for 24 takeaways (16 INTs, eight FRs) in an Indians uniform. Four of them have at least four steals.
Region 8 is loaded with quality teams and Piqua is one of them. It will take a herculean effort for the Indians to win their first regional title in 15 years but it is not out of the question with the talent and experience they put on the field. This is a squad that nobody will want to face in Week 11 and beyond.
Division II, Region 8
2020 RECORD: 7-1, 4-0 MVL Miami
COACH: Bill Nees (211-102, 29 years at Piqua, 211-102 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Caleb Lyons, Sr, OG/DT – The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Lyons is one of the state’s top interior linemen (on both sides of the ball) in Division II. He was named OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Ohio (OL) as a junior. On defense, Lyons tallied 26 total tackles and had three sacks. He has offers from Air Force and Army.
Jackson Trombley, Jr, K – A special taeams luxury and weapon. Trombley was perfect last season going 32/32 on extra points and 2/2 on field goal attempts for 38 points. He was named OPSWA Division II Third Team All-Ohio for the effort.
Piqua K Jackson Trombley (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)
Brady Ouhl, Jr, QB – Fared quite well in his first season as the Indians starting quarterback. Ouhl threw for 1,077 yards, ran for 175 yards and accounted for 14 touchdowns (11 pass, three rec) as a sophomore. He was named OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District.
Jasiah Medley, Sr, RB/DB – A stud on both sides of the ball, Medley has seen his stock continue to rise this offseason. He earned OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District (DB) honors in 2020. Medley has offers from Buffalo and Toledo. He has 890 all-purpose yards (674 rush), eight touchdowns (seven rush, one pass), 57 total tackles, one fumble recovery and two interceptions in his career.
Tanner Kemp, Sr, RB/OLB – Like Medley, Kemp does damage on offense and defense. Named OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District (LB) after recording 34 total tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and two interceptions including a pick-six as a junior. Kemp has 504 yards rushing, 75 total tackles, four takeaways (three INT, 1 FR) and 10 touchdowns (nine rush, one IR) at the varsity level.
Landon Hare, Sr, DE – Relentless effort is Hare’s game. He was second in the MVL with nine sacks in 2020. Hare earned First Team All-MVL accolades for the work.
Piqua DE Landon Hare (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)
Sam Schmiesing, Jr, LB – Born with football in his blood, the future is very bright for this rising star. In his first year as a starter, Schmeising had 49 total tackles, and recovered two fumbles. He garnered Second Team All-MVL recognition for the effort.
Braiden Strayer, Sr, DB – A vital cog in a veteran secondary. Strayer was in on 35 total tackles and had two of his four career interceptions as a junior. He was named Second Team All-MVL.
Wyatt Dobbins, Sr, OL – Paved the way for an Indians offense that put up 334.0 yards of total offense per game, a year ago. Dobbins was named Honorable Mention All-MVL.
Damien Lawson, Sr, ILB – A two-time Honorable Mention All-MVL selection, Lawson stuffs the middle for the Piqua defense. He has 67 total tackles and four takeaways (two FRs, two INTs) in his career.
Aidan Meyer, Sr, CB – A three-year starter who is also a two-time Honorable Mention All-MVL selection, Meyer is an opportunist. He has He 56 total tackles and seven takeaways (two FRs, five INTs) in an Indians uniform.
Piqua QB Brady Ouhl (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)
OTHER RETURNEES
Zach McGuire, Sr, C – An anchor up front for an Indians offense that averaged 199.3 yards and 3.7 touchdowns rushing per game last fall.
Anson Cox, Jr, OL – Should be even better with a year under his belt. Cox has all-conference talent.
Corey Miller, Sr, slot – Will rotate in at the slot and be a menace to cover. Miller has 468 all-purpose (217 rush, 171 rec) yards, 21 receptions and a touchdown in his career.
Dre’Sean Roberts, Jr, slot – Finding a way to get the ball into Roberts hands more often is a must. He had 349 all-purpose yards (119 rec, 201 KR), 14 receptions and three touchdowns as a sophomore.
NEWCOMERS
Seniors DE Tate Adams, WR Gio Barron and junior RB/OLB Bryson Roberts should all be major contributors and at times be huge factors in the outcome of some games. Adams had 13 total tackles and a sack in 2020. Roberts ran for 190 yards and a pair of scores in his varsity debut.
Piqua RB/LB Tanner Kemp (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(12 appearances, 20-11) – 2020, 2015, 2007, 2006 (State Champion), 2001, 2000 (State Runner-Up), 1999, 1994 (Regional Champion), 1993 (Regional Champion), 1992 (Regional Champion), 1991, 1990 (Regional Champion)
2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/20/21 – BELMONT (2-3 in 2020) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – at West Carrollton (2-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – at Troy (5-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – XENIA (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – at Sidney (5-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – FAIRBORN (6-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/01/21 – at Greenville (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – TIPPECANOE (7-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/15/21 – BUTLER (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – at Stebbins (5-3) – 7:00 PM
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