2021 Snapshot: Talawanda
- Updated: July 1, 2021
Talawanda RB Deondre Bothast-Revalee (photo from Twitter: @BothastRevalee)
For the third time in four years Talawanda will have a new head coach. Former Elder High School and Thomas More University graduate, Jay Volker takes over the reins. What the Brave may lack for continuity they will make up for in confidence as the school won its first ever playoff game in 2020. That’s a great momentum booster for Volker and his team to rally around.
Talawanda isn’t at rock bottom by any means but there is work to be done in order to take the next step forward. Volker wants this team to adhere to the acronym, E.A.T. – Effort, Attitude, Toughness. If the Brave upperclassmen “buy in” and “believe,” in that, it will set the tone for those who come after them. These players have a golden opportunity to map a new course for the program and make their mark on the beginning of the Volker years in Oxford.
Division II, Region 8
2020 RECORD: 3-5, 1-4 SWOC
COACH: Jay Volker (0-0 at Talawanda, first year; 0-0 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Deondre Bothast-Revalee, Sr, RB – Will be a serious candidate for the Division II Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year in 2021. He was an OPSWA Division II Honorable Mention All-Southwest District selection as a junior and a OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District honoree as a sophomore. Bothast-Revalee has 1,950 yards rushing, 2,481 all-purpose yards (1,950 rush, 181 rec, 350 ret), 21 receptions, 26 touchdowns (25 rush, one rec), 33 total tackles and four takeaways (three INT, one FR), in his career. He has an offer from Dartmouth.
DJ Morris-Williams, Jr, DL – Fared very well in his first season as a starter. Morris-Williams has the ability to disrupt a game. He forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles on his way to Second Team All-SWOC acclaim, as a sophomore.
Zach Flannery, Sr, LB – Back for his third year as a starter. Flannery was named Second Team All-SWOC in 2020. He has 57 total tackles and a pair of sacks at the varsity level.
OTHER RETURNEES
Jesse Campbell, Sr, C – The anchor of the Talawanda offensive line that helped the Brave average 193.2 yards per game on the ground in 2020.
John Nelson, Sr, TE – A leader on the team and in the school.
Blake Orona, Sr, TE/DL – The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Orona has the ability to take over a game.
NEWCOMERS
Juniors WR Hayden Marcum, P Joe Claire along with sophomores OL Gavin Schlichter, LB Heath Powell and OL Owen King will get their chance to break into the starting lineup. Talawanda is looking for Claire to be a bigger factor on special teams. He averaged 29.1 yards on 17 punts in 2020.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(four appearances, 1-4) – 2020, 2014, 2001, 1991
2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/20/21 – at Monroe (4-5 in 2020) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – at Little Miami (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – EATON (5-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – NEW RICHMOND (5-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – at Carroll (3-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – HARRISON (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/01/21 – at Ross (8-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – at Edgewood (6-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/15/21 – MOUNT HEALTHY (3-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – NORTHWEST (5-4) – 7:00 PM
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