2023 Video Snapshot: Anderson

By Greg Shoemaker
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: July 11, 2023

Fresh off a trip to the regional finals Anderson is out for more. The Raptors offense is loaded with accomplished skill players. The explosive unit will be a threat to score on every snap no matter what yard line the ball is sitting on. Still the question remains can a defense that allowed 33.0 points per game in 2022 (including six games of more than 40 points and two of 60-plus) step up and play well enough for the program to bring home its first regional crown since 2008.

Division II, Region 8
2022 RECORD: 8-6, 5-4 ECC
COACH: Evan Dreyer (57-25 at Anderson, seven years; 101-53 overall, 14 years)

HONOR ROLL
Brodey Berg, Sr, RB – It was a magical junior campaign for the dual-threat Berg. He amassed 1,895 all-purpose yards (981 rec, 799 rush, 115 ret), threw for a touchdown, had eight touchdown catches and 31 scores on the ground on his way to OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Ohio (RB) honors.

Caden Piening, Jr, TE – This is the year where the game slows down and Piening really starts to awe everyone with the way he plays. He was named OPSWA Division II Second Team All-SW District (WR) after catching five touchdown passes on nine receptions for 52 yards as a sophomore. He also had 15 tackles on defense The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Piening has offers from Akron, Boston College, Cincinnati, UConn, Eastern Kentucky, Indiana, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisville, UMass, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

Bobby Stanyard, Sr, OL – A Second Team All-ECC selection as a junior, Stanyard is the leader of the o-line.

Patterson McHugh, Sr, DB – The general of the secondary. McHugh was named Honorable Mention All-ECC as a junior after getting in on 70 total tackles, (41 solo), with three tackles for losses, 19 passes defended and three interceptions.

OTHER RETURNEES
Michael Smith, Sr, WR – The 2022 TriState Football Rodney Dangerfield “No Respect” Player of the Year – Michael Smith. All he did as junior was catch 94 balls (tied for 34^th most in as season in Ohio history), for 1,114 yards receiving and six touchdown receptions with 1,335 all-purpose yards. Smith caught at least five passes in each of the Raptors final nine games (7.3 rec/game in that span) and yet, no ECC honors, not even Honorable Mention……tough league!

Trace Jallick, Jr, WR/DB, 6-3, 185 – Only eligible for the first five games last season due to transfer rules Jallick left quite an impression. He caught 30 balls for 416 yards, with one touchdown reception and 575 all-purpose yards (115.0 yards/game). Jallick has an offer from Miami (OH).

Seth Wake, Sr, DL – Will reap the benefits with the additions of Sammarco and Nelson to the defense. Wake recorded 48 total tackles, two sacks and 5.5 tackles for losses.

Leo Muehlenkamp, Sr, DB – A returning starter in what should be a very good secondary. Muehlenkamp recorded 78 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 12 passes defended and three interceptions.

Joey Emrick, Sr, LB – Always seems to be around the football. Emrick tallied 68 total tackles, three sacks, four tackles for losses and two interceptions including a pick-six against Little Miami in the playoffs last season.

David Norgren, Sr, LB – Will be a vital cog in the Raptors defense. Norgren was in on 71 total tackles, had a sack, seven tackles for losses and one interception in 2022.

Landon Goethe, Sr, K – A special team’s weapon. Goethe connected on 59/68 extra points and 7/8 field goals, with a long of 32-yards for 80 kicking points as a junior.

NEWCOMERS
Jack Sammarco, Sr, WR/TE/OLB – A transfer from Walnut Hills Sammarco has verbally committed to West Virginia. A huge target at 6-foot-6 and 240-pounds, has 31 receptions for 303 yards, two touchdown catches and 25 total tackles in his career.

TJ Nelson, Sr, ATH – A transfer from Walnut Hills Nelson has verbally committed to BGSU. He has thrown for 2,653 yards, ran for 788 yards and accounted for 26 touchdowns (15 pass, 10 rush).

Juniors QB Justice Burnam, LB Owen Bergman, DL Alex Stanyard and DL Zach Jump should slide into starting roles rather seamlessly. Burnam threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns in five mop-up opportunities as a sophomore. Bergman had 21 total tackles in seven games a year ago.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(16 appearances, 21-15) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at South Oldham (KY) (8-5 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – LOVELAND (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – LEBANON (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – at Milford (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – WALNUT HILLS (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – WINTON WOODS (12-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – LITTLE MIAMI (4-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – at West Clermont (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – TURPIN (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – at Kings (13-2) – 7:00 PM

TOUGH LUCK
Twenty-four of the 25 Anderson losses under Dreyer have come to teams that went on to make the playoffs. Those 24 postseason qualifiers went a combined 191-56 for .773 winning percentage.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
In 82 games under Dreyer, the Raptors have scored 40 points or more 45 times. Anderson is averaging 38.4 points per game with Dreyer as the head coach.