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2023 Snapshot: Bethel-Tate

Bethel-Tate QB Cameron Snider

There was a time, in the not so distance past, that Bethel-Tate fans would have been delighted at a 5-5 season like it had last fall. Those days are over. Since head coach Jeff Essig took over, winning and being better than the team that graduated the year before you, has built this program. A hiccup in that progress in 2022 will be plenty of motivation to drive this squad back to the playoffs for the third time in four years.

“We return a very large senior class. Many of our seniors have multiple years starting experience. We have great potential for the upcoming season and will look to the leadership of this experienced group,” Essig states.

Protecting the quarterback is a must for this team to be successful. “We are looking for some of our younger players to step up and win spots on our offensive line. This was a weakness for us last year and with our numbers on the rise from last year, we are looking forward to the competition among this position group,” Essig says.

Bethel-Tate moves down from Division IV to Division V. There are so many opportunities for the Tigers to take advantage of on their schedule. Picking up an early non-conference win or two against Division III New Richmond, Division III Woodward and Division IV Batavia could put them in a great position to nab a playoff berth before SBAAC National Division play starts in the second half of the regular season. That could set Bethel-Tate up for a great finish heading into November.

Division V, Region 20
2022 RECORD: 5-5, 2-2 SBAAC National
COACH: Jeff Essig (48-25 at Bethel-Tate, seven years; 48-25 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Nolan Darnell, Sr, LB – Will go down as one of the greatest defensive players in Bethel-Tate history. Darnell tallied 109 total tackles, 13.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception on his way to OPSWA Division IV Second Team All-Southwest District honors as a junior. He also ran for 480 yards, had nine receptions for 94 yards and found the end zone four times (two rush, two rec). Darnell is seven sacks away from the school’s all-time record (25.0) and has 206 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions in his career.

Bethel-Tate LB Nolan Darnell

Talon Armacost, Jr, DL – One of the premiere pass rushers in Region 20. Armacost was an OPSWA Division IV Second Team All-Southwest District (DL) selection after getting in on 63 total tackles, recording 14.5 sacks and recovering two fumbles as a sophomore. He also had 317 yards rushing and four touchdowns (two rush, two rec).

Jordan Essig, Sr, WR/DB – Had a breakout junior campaign. Essig caught 35 balls for 445 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. He was named Second Team All-SBAAC National for his work.

OTHER RETURNEES
Cameron Snider, Sr, QB – Only need 578 yards passing to set the school record for career passing yards. Snider threw for 1,801 yards, ran for 306 yards, accounted for 27 touchdowns (18 pass, nine rush) and had 22 kicking points (19/28 XPs, 1/1 FGs) as a junior. He has 4,465 yards passing, 526 yards rushing, 50 touchdown passes and 12 rushing scores at the varsity level.

Eli Welch, So, OL – Will be one of the main protectors on the Tigers o-line. The 6-foot-1, 305-pound Welch started all 10 games as a freshman.

Troy Harris, So, WR – Had a standout freshman season. Harris reeled in 25 receptions for 553 yards (including a career high 109 yards versus Dohn in the regular season finale) and three touchdowns.

Landen Schultian, So, WR – The future looks bright Schultian. He had 29 receptions, 308 yards receiving and one touchdown as a freshman.

NEWCOMERS
Juniors OL/DE Joe Kilgore along with twins ATH Caleb Harris and ATH Kai Harris are ready to make their presence felt. Kilgore had 16 total tackles in four games as a sophomore. The twins are going to wreak “Harris Havoc” on the opposition with the array of positions they can line up at.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(four appearances, 3-4) – 2021, 2020, 2017, 2015

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – NEW RICHMOND (8-4 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Bishop Brossart (KY) (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – at Woodward (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – MIAMI TRACE (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – BATAVIA (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – EAST CLINTON (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – CLERMONT NORTHEASTERN (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – at Blanchester (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – WILLIAMSBURG (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – at Fayetteville-Perry (N/A)– 7:00 PM

 

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