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2021 Snapshot: West Carrollton

West Carrollton LB Leon Nevels (photo from Twitter: lee_man330)

Could this be the first year that West Carrollton finishes above .500 since the 2009 campaign? That was also the last season that the Pirates won more than three games. This is an experienced and veteran team with one of the Dayton area’s best running back. You have to like this squad’s chances to make a breakthrough.

If the West Carrollton wants to finish with a winning record. They must do a better job on defense. They have allowed more than 30 points per contest in each of head coach Dion Black’s first two seasons. With eight veterans returning on this side of the ball, this should be a vastly improved group.

Offensively, the Pirates will be just fine as long as they feed star runner, Tyron Darby the rock. He is a game changer and should be able to put this team on his back and carry them to some victories, this fall.

The schedule is not easy with six games versus teams that finished above .500 a year ago and a matchup against a vastly improved Division I Miamisburg squad to kick off the season. If West Carrollton is to turn around its fortunes, they will have earned it with good old-fashioned grit and determination.

Division II, Region 8
2020 RECORD: 2-6, 1-3 MVL Valley
COACH: Dion Black (5-13 at West Carrollton, two years; 5-13 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Tyron Darby, Sr, RB – A gifted running back. Darby has only played in 10 games but when he does, it is special to watch. He has averaged 199.3 all-purpose yards, 131.4 yards rushing with 23 total touchdowns (21 rush, one rec, one KR) in those 10 varsity contests. He was named OPSWA Division II Third Team All-Ohio as a junior. He has offers from Iowa State, Cincinnati, Marshall, Toledo, Akron, Buffalo and Kent State.

West Carrollton RB Tyron Darby (photo from Twitter: Coach_Black7)

Jorden Berry, Sr, WR – The Miami Valley League’s top returning receiver in receptions (54), receiving yards (777) and touchdown catches (seven). Berry was named OPSWA Division II Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a junior.

Musa Abuhaidar, Sr, C- The anchor of up front that helped pave the way for a West Carrollton offense that averaged 380.6 yards per game in 2020. Abuhaidar was named Honorable Mention All-MVL for his efforts.

Cole McCandless, Sr, TE/DE – A two-time Honorable Mention All-MVL selection, McCandless is a disruptive force as a pass rusher. He has 85 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks and three fumble recoveries, at the varsity level.

Cedric Anthony, Sr, WR/DB – Was named Honorable Mention All-MVL for a second straight season in 2020. Anthony, a productive two-way player has 39 receptions, 631 receiving yards, four touchdown catches, 1,077 all-purpose yards 72 total tackles and two interceptions, in his career.

Tony Buckner, Sr, LB – Back for his third year as a starter on defense. Buckner was an Honorable Mention All-MVL selection, as a junior. He has 105 total tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, in a Pirates uniform.

Kanden Gibbs, Jr, LB – Showed tremendous upside as a sophomore. Gibbs was in on 29 total tackles with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on his way to Honorable Mention All-MVL accolades.

Aret Kadiri, Jr, WR/DB – The speedy Kadiri fared well in his varsity debut. He recorded 16 total tackles on his way to being named Honorable Mention All-MVL, in 2020.

OTHER RETURNEES
Dujuan Howard, Jr, RB – A versatile player who had a breakout 2020 campaign. Howard racked up 740 all-purpose yards (338 rush, 176 rec, 226 ret), had 18 receptions, found the end zone five times (two rush, two rec, one PR), with 24 total tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

West Carrollton RB Dujuan Howard (photo from Twitter: dujuann2)

Leon Nevels, Sr, LB – One of the underrated leaders of the West Carrollton defense. Nevels has 118 total tackles and two sacks, in his career.

Jaden Berry, Sr, OT – Protected the quarterback for a passing game that averaged 170.6 yards per game with 13 touchdown tosses.

Logan Hinch, Sr, OG – A returning starter who created holes for a Pirates rushing attack that averaged 210.0 yards per game in 2020.

NEWCOMERS
Junior QB Logan Cloyd will be the Pirates signal caller in 2021. Sophomores WR/DB Antonio Robinson and SS Dexter Pitts should slide into the starting lineup. Cloyd threw for 266 yards in mop-up duties as a freshman.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(three appearances, 1-3) – 2020, 2009, 2005

2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/20/21 – at Miamisburg (2-7 in 2020) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – PIQUA (7-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – at Stebbins (5-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – at Tippecanoe (7-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – BUTLER (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – at Greenville (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/01/21 – SIDNEY (5-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – at Troy (5-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/15/21 – XENIA (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – FAIRBORN (6-1) – 7:00 PM

 

 

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