Numbers going up for Schriner, O-G

OTTAWA — Ottawa-Glandorf's numbers – in the win column and in uniform – are up a bit.And Ken Schriner wants them to stay there."The numbers are good," Schriner said of a program that has 55 players on the varsity/JV roster and another 18 freshmen in the program."We had a really good off-season. We're a little bigger. The kids have matured, packed on some weight, and hopefully that equates to a little more physicality."After two down years – 2-8 in 2022, 1-9 in 2023 – O-G rebounded to go 6-6 last season. That was more in line with the career numbers for Schriner, who has compiled a 204-122 record while guiding O-G to six Western Buckeye League championships and 19 playoff appearances, including state semifinal trips in 2009 and 2021, in his 29 years as Titans' head coach.People thinking Schriner is in the business for milestone wins and post-season honors don't know the man, though."Every year when we had a really good record, you'd hear people say, 'Well he's going to go to this school now, or he's going to go to that school,'' Schriner said."My wife and I talk about it frequently. I think it's funny."Anybody that says that's why I do it is wrong. Honestly, I did it because I love the game, I love being around the kids, I love the challenge of the game …. Every year I come back and I like (coaching). It has created so many great memories for me."While Schriner likes O-G's numbers, he realizes the Titans graduated nine offensive and six defensive starters. And that many of his 21 returning lettermen might be learning new roles."We have so many kids playing new positions, positions where they might not have been starters," he said."It's going to be important early on that we find out what they can do and who our play makers are going to be."Carson Yeager, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior, will replace Peyton Kuhlman (1,362 yards passing, 11 TDs) at quarterback. Yeager has one varsity start, a 26-14 second-round playoff loss to Shelby after Kuhlman was injured."He's got that one start under his belt," Schriner said. "He came in did a really nice job that game, and he's had a good off season. He's throwing the ball well and doing the things we want him to do."Trevor Rump (5-8, 155, jr.) and H-backs Will Kuhlman (5-10, 195, sr.) and Oscar Salsbury (6-0, 170, soph.) will also line up in O-G's spread offense. Owen Verhoff, a 6-7, 225-pound junior, will be a big target at tight end. Deegan Miller, a 6-4, 175-pound junior, will be the wide out, along with Aiden Okuley (6-0, 186, jr.), Nolan Horstman (5-8, 155, sr.) Jordan Schumaker, (6-1, 170, soph) and Parker Heckman (6-1, 170, sr.)."Deegan Miller is the guy you will notice most," Schriner said. "He's our big play threat, a track guy who's super fast."Owen Verhoff played as a freshman, didn't play last year because of an injury, but came out this year. He's learning what we're doing, showing a lot of promise."It's a group Schriner feels can improve on last year's 21-points-per-game average."We're going to be a little different this year, hopefully a little more explosive in what we do offensively," he said.Up front, O-G returns two starters in 6-4, 265-pound senior Derek Brown, who will move from center to left tackle, and 6-2, 235-pound junior left guard Hudson Graysmire. Jack Schroeder (6-1, 205, sr.) will man the right guard spot, with Evan Brady (6-2, 218, jr.), Jayden Guerra (6-0, 235, sr.) and Ajay Brinkman 6-1, 265, jr.) the tackles and Aiden Torres (6-0, 215, jr.), Colton Gulker (6-0, 215, soph.) and Zeke Mendez (5-11, 183, sr.) in a battle for the center's position.Schriner plans some defensive alterations as well, with O-G going with more of a 3-3-5 look."It's catching on more because of the spread (offense). It gives the offense some issues," Schriner said of the alignment."We see a lot of stuff in the WBL (Western Buckeye League). St. Marys (Memorial) is going to run the wing-T, Wapakoneta is a good spread team and is going to be probably one of the most diverse teams in the league, Lima Bath runs the zone scheme better than anybody else, Celina has a nice spread attack, Defiance has a new coach so we're not sure yet what they're going to do …."I give Coach (Brian) Heebsh, our defensive coordinator who's been with me here since Day 1, credit for the things we do. Every week there's something different to prepare for and Brian does a phenomenal job. He's a really smart guy, he puts the time in … it's like a video game for him and he just loves playing with this stuff. He does a great job scheming for what's coming."What's coming for O-G, right out of the gates, is a season opener against a Liberty-Benton team that put a 34-6 beat-down on the Titans a year ago."They took us to the wood shed," Schriner said. "And this year's team is probably one of the best teams they've had. They have some really, really good athletes."With numbers up, but several holes to fill, Schriner recounted some advice he'd soaked up during his career."I heard Mark Dantonio (former Michigan State coach) speak at an Ohio State clinic and he talked about whatever your role is on the team, then be the best in that role. That's why our motto is BTB – Be The Best."If you're going to be a starter, be the best starter you can be."If you're going to be the water boy, be the best water boy you can be."I told my coaches, 'Be the best daggone coach you can be.'"We told our kids, it's not just about football. Be the best son, the best boyfriend, the best student in the classroom … We understand that every day is an opportunity to get better, so we try to make sure we're addressing everything. This is not just football, it's life lessons, too."