Wayne County Athletic League predictions

Here is a preseason look at Wayne County Athletic League football for the 2007 season. In this post, you will find players (and any all-star recognition they received in the league last season) to watch from each team and my predictions for the upcoming season.

NORTHWESTERN (10-1 overall, 7-0 in the WCAL last season; WCAL champs)

Top players: Senior RB-LB Travis Morris (second-team WCAL), senior RB-LB Matt Redick (second-team), senior OL-DL Jake Ewing (second-team).

SMITHVILLE (9-2, 6-1)

Top player: Senior RB-LB Bryce Indermuhle (second-team WCAL).

NORWAYNE (8-2, 5-2)

Top players: Senior OL Jeremy Oller (first-team WCAL, second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division V), junior OL Zach Murray (second-team), junior LB-RB Tyler Robinson (second-team).

WAYNEDALE (7-3, 4-3)

Top players: Senior LB-RB Jared Neff (first-team), senior WR-DB Ross Shoup (second-team), junior RB-DL Sean Rutt (second-team).

DALTON (4-6, 3-4)

Top players: Senior RB-LB Derek Troyer, senior WR-RB Josh Neuenschwander, junior RB-LB Travis Moyer.

HILLSDALE (4-6, 2-5)

Top players: Senior DB-RB Clay Nelson (first-team), senior LB-RB Trent Kimball (second-team).

CHIPPEWA (2-8, 1-6)

Top player: Senior WR-DB Jed Busson (second-team).

RITTMAN (1-9, 1-7)

Top player:Nick Jones LB-RB.

Here is my predicted finish for the WCAL:

1. Norwayne

2. Northwestern

3. Smithville

4. Waynedale

5. Dalton

6. Hillsdale

7. Chippewa

8. Rittman

Here is an explanation for my predicitons: I think tradition will take a back seat to a rising team this season in the WCAL. Northwestern is the defending champion, and Smithville is the perennial powerhouse. But Norwayne has the momentum. The Bobcats tied a school record for wins last season by going 8-2 and finishing third in the WCAL. The Bobcats return nine starters on offense and nine starters on defense. They also have five-of-six starters, inlcuding standout tackle Jeremy Oller, returning to the offensive line. Those same lineman paved the way for an offense that rushed for more than 3,000 yards last season. It won't be easy, but I think this is Norwayne's year. Norwayne played Smithville close last year (the Smithies won 35-24 after trailing in the third quarter). But Northwestern destroyed Norwayne 35-0 last year. However, Northwestern lost an amazing senior class to graduation, and I think it will show this season. No matter what happens, the WCAL should be interesting and highly competitve.

What do you think of these predictions?