Pounding Pavement Podcast 2018
School: Athens High School
Mascot:Warriors
Head Coach: Ryan Knox
Years at School: This will be year 10
Overall Record: 62-37
Assistant Coaches: Joe Reed, Curtis Dion, Brett Ripple, Sean Knox, Bill Reed, Zach Reed, Fletcher Morgan, Willie Thompson, Tanner Maxwell
Last Year’s Conference Record: 7-2
Last Year’s Overall Record: 10-3
Postseason: Lost to Tuscola 21-14 in the Semifinals
2017 Team Scoring Average: 36 points per game
2017 Team Yards per Game Average: 351 yards per game
2017 Team Yards per Game Passing: 58 yards per game
2017 Team Yards per Game Rushing: 293 yards per game
2017 Team Points Allowed Per Game: 18 per game allowed
2017 Team Yards Allowed Per Game: 268 yards per game
2017 Team Yards Allowed per Game Passing: 161 per game
2017 Team Yards Allowed Per Game Rushing: 107 per game
School State Championships: 0
School Conference Championships: 0
Biggest Rival Game Every Year: In all seriousness. If the IHSA goes to Districts some our traditional rivalries may be lost. Williamsville and PORTA
Number of Players out this season: 60
Number of returning letterman:21
Number of returning starters: 11
Offense: 5 offense
Defense: 6 defense
Top Returnees from 2017
Offensive:
Nic Laird (runningback) 5’10” 180 lbs Junior
| Attempts | Yards | TD’s | Per Carry |
| 98 | 908 | 14 | 9.3 |
Noah Tisdale (Tight End) 6’3″ 250 lbs Senior (extra blocker)
| Receptions | Yards | YPC | TD’s |
| 9 | 78 | 8.6 | 3 |
Jesse Peters (3 years starter at Left Guard) 5’11” 215 lbs Senior
Riley Hughes (2 year starter at Right Tackle) 6’0″ 265 lbs Senior
Payton Shaffer (2 year starter at Right Guard) 6’0″ 245 lbs Junior
Defensive:
Noah Tisdale (Defensive End) Senior (3 year starter)
Kyler Dyer (Defensive Tackle) Senior (2 year starter)
Nic Laird (OLB) Junior 2 year starter
Riley Lopian (MLB) Junior 2 year starter
Evan Shuck (Corner) Senior 2 year starter
Dylan Fletcher (Free Safety) Junior 2 year starter
Who are the newcomers we should know about and why?
Dalton DiGiovanna- Fullback Senior- He has waited patiently for his opportunity
Jack Richards- Quarterback Junior- taking over for a great leader
Caleb Orme- Running back- great off season
Logan Bushong- Left Tackle- from the bottom of the depth chart to the top (weight room transformation)
What are the questions marks for this team heading into the 2018 season?
Leadership, Still waiting for some to emerge.
Kicking and punting game
What’s something unique about this team that’s worth noting?
Back to back years of having 60 players out. That is great for a school our size.
Head Coach Ryan Knox says:
“Playing Williamsville week 1 will have a different feel. Great opportunity for us to see where our team stands.”
