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2021 Snapshot: McNicholas

McNicholas LB Jack Suttles (Photo from Facebook: Badin Football Pics by Berger)

There are some good bones to work with at McNicholas for the upcoming 2021 season. The Rockets have an outstanding core of linebackers and a stable of solid skills positions players. Those are some building blocks that should make football a blast on Beechmont Avenue this fall.

“We were eager to get back on the field last season after an uncharacteristic two-year losing stretch. We were able to put some pieces back together and have a tremendous season. We hope to build on the momentum we gained in 2020 and take the next step as a program,” head coach Mike Orlando states.

He goes on to say. “After going through a tough stretch in 2018 and 2019, we were able to break through with a successful season last year. We re-learned how to win and what it takes to be successful. Fortunately, we have a tight-knit senior class that is ready, able and willing to step into the void and bring the others along with them.”

Orlando doesn’t finish there. “We graduated a great group that accounted for a lot of reps over that last several years. Although it was great for our current group to witness this transformation, some of them are untested and not as experience as we would like for them to be. However, all signs indicate that they are accepting of the challenge and will take ownership moving forward.”

Finishing strong will be key for a great 2021 campaign. McNicholas is a combined 1-14 from the last week of September until the end of the season over the last three years. Staying mentally tough down the stretch will fuel the Rockets success.

McNicholas LB Colin Fix (Photo from Facebook: Badin Football Pics by Berger)

Division IV, Region 16
2020 RECORD: 5-3, 3-2 GCL Co-eds
COACH: Mike Orlando (52-51 at McNicholas, 10 years; 52-51 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Jack Suttles, Sr, LB – The heart-and-soul of the Rockets defense. Suttles has 109 total tackles and two interceptions in his career. He was a First Team All-GCL Co-eds selection, as a junior.

Colin Fix, Sr, LB – In his first year as a starter, Fix was named Second Team All-GCL Co-eds in 2020. He finished the year with 21 total tackles and a forced fumble.

Joe Walters, Sr, OL – The anchor and leader in the trenches. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Walters was named Second Team All-GCL Co-eds, as a junior.

Wyatt Gear, Sr, RB – Part of a dynamic backfield, Gear is a threat as a runner and a pass catcher. He ran for 313, had 16 receptions for 76 yards and found the end zone seven times on the ground, as a junior. Gear was named Second Team All-GCL Co-eds for his work.

Ty Snyder, Jr, RB – A tough, Hard-nose runner. Snyder led the Rockets with 441 yards and five touchdowns rushing, as a sophomore. He was named Honorable Mention All-GCL Co-eds.

Pierce Taylor, Sr, QB – An outstanding three-sport athlete who moves to quarterback this fall. Taylor is ready for a breakout senior campaign. He was a Second Team All-GCL Co-eds performer in 2020. Taylor has thrown for 302 yards, ran for 276 yards, reeled in 31 receptions for 278 yards, accounted for 13 touchdowns (five pass, five rec, three rush), with 38 total tackles and an interception, in his career.

McNicholas QB Pierce Taylor (Photo from Facebook: Badin Football Pics by Berger)

OTHER RETURNEES
Bobby Diana, Sr, OL – A returning starter who helped pave the way for a Rockets offense that averaged 233.9 yards of total offense per game in 2020.

Hunter Molnar, Sr, LB – Dependable and solid, Molnar is returning for his third year as a starter. He has 75 total tackles at the varsity level.

Brogan Dolan, Sr, LB – Back for his third year as a starter, Dolan has 81 total tackles, in his career.

NEWCOMERS
Seniors WR/DB Andrew Cox, DB Isaiah Helphinstine and OL Matthew Tucker should all move into the starting lineup. Helphinstine has 24 total tackles in limited varsity time, over the past three years. Cox threw a touchdown pass as a freshman against Badin.

McNicholas OL Joe Walters (Photo from Facebook: Badin Football Pics by Berger)

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(12 appearances, 10-12) – 2020, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010 (Regional Champion), 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1985, 1984 (State Runner-up)

2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/20/21 – at Indian Hill (7-1 in 2020) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – at Batavia (2-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – CHCA (6-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – HIGHLANDS (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – ROGER BACON (10-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – at Alter (8-3)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/01/21 – at Fenwick (1-7)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – CARROLL (3-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/15/21 – CHAMINADE JULIENNE (3-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – BADIN (8-1) – 7:00 PM

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
McNicholas was stingy on defense in 2020, a trend that should continue this fall. The Rockets allowed just 13.2 points per game. They gave up 10 points or less, five times in eight contests, including two shutouts.

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