Wave football looking to improve
By George Starks 

GREENVILLE - Coming off a dismal 1-9 record from a season ago, Greenville has nowhere to go but up. 

Now in his second season as the varsity head coach, Greenville graduate Aaron Schaffer is looking for a marked improvement in his football team’s performance in 2013. 

“When I got here last year, I was late getting here and things didn’t get done during the summer the way it should have,” said Schaffer. “I didn’t get to meet the kids until after school let out and I didn’t have much time to work with them in the off-season. This year, I was able to get my summer program going and had kids in the weight room doing strength and conditioning. Now that the summer is starting to wind down, we are getting our offenses and defenses installed. So we are way ahead of where we were a year ago.” 

With 55-60 kids attending the camp, Schaffer is even more optimistic about things. 

“It was a really good turnout and we had kids come in that didn’t play last year,” said Schaffer. “There are some kids that will play but wasn’t here for the camp because of vacations or they are still playing baseball. So we have a few stragglers out there still. We are looking to have about 70 when we get it going with our practices.” 

According to Schaffer, the Wave will boast 17 returning position players from a year ago. 

“The 17 returning position players are actually 12 players,” Schaffer said. “We will get back our quarterback, Clay Guillozet. He was just a freshman last year and really took his lumps, but he will be there and got a lot of valuable experience as a freshman and has gotten much stronger.” 

Also in the offensive backfield is senior Ryan Drew. 

Drew has been on the list of players to watch in Ohio and will start at running back. The Wave senior has a host of talents as he cannot only run the ball, but can receive not only out of the backfield but at the tight end position as well. 

Drew will also prove to be a big asset for the Wave on defense. 

“Ryan has had a great off season and will be valuable on both sides of the ball for us,” said Schaffer. “Another person that will play a big role for us is Ryan Eldridge at tail back and free safety. He’s gained a little weight and speed. On the offensive line, we will have Keegan Lennon, Kyle Bruner and Brandon Shepard. They will be our three main keys in there. We are stronger up front than we were a year ago.” 

Schaffer also talked about his receivers. 

“We will see Zack Coomer at one of the receiving positions,” said Schaffer. “He is a great athlete. He cuts and runs well for us and he’s been working hard this summer. I look for great things out of him.” 

On defense, Schaffer looks to senior, Quinton Wood. 

“Quinton is one of the baseball guys and he’s in great shape,” said Schaffer. “Ryan Ramsey will play linebacker for us. Brice Jenkenson is the one that’s really stood out though. He’s coming off an ACL injury. His season was cut short last year. He’s running better than ever and he’s stronger than he’s ever been. He picked up an offer from Toledo in June and he’s only a junior and he played in only three games as a sophomore.” 

So what can Wave fans look for in 2013? 

“Last year was not a great year but we had glimpses of what we could do at times last season,” said Schaffer. “We had a great game late in the season with Piqua and I think we saw what this team is all about. I don’t think it’s out of the question to see us above .500 this year.” 

Schaffer said the goal was to be GWOC North champions, finish with no less than a 7-3 mark and make the play-offs at the end of the season. 

Greenville will open with Eaton (8/30) then hit the road for three straight games at Tipp, Lebanon and West Carrolton before returning home in week five, hosting Western Brown for homecoming.