Published: August 15, 2008 12:00 pm         

New coach, new year for Jimmies football

A new era in Jimtown High School football begins on Friday, Aug. 22 when the Jimmies host the NorthWood Panthers.

Mike Campbell, 1995 JHS graduate, takes over as coach after Bill Sharpe retired following 28 seasons. Sharpe guided the Jimmies to a 288-59 record, including 17 sectional, 10 regional, six semistate and four state championships.

“We are going to be doing many of the same things” Campbell said. “We may run a few different formations, but our goal is still going to be to run the football. We must in order to be successful.”

Campbell has first-hand knowledge of Jimtown success since he played on the 1991 team which captured the Class 1A state title.

Jimtown posted an 11-1 record in 2007, advancing to the sectional championship before dropping a 24-17 decision to Fort Wayne Luers.

Josh Ruben, 6-2 (185) senior, is the quarterback.

“He has a good understanding of what needs to be done and is a good leader,” Campbell said. “He is also the starting free safety on defense, so he is going to be on the field a lot.”

Among losses to graduation was running back Ryan Konrath who scored 229 points last season.

Still, the Jimmies have depth at running back with 5-10 (185) senior Nick Magyar, 5-11 (195) senior Zach Spurgeon, 5-8 (145) junior Jeremy Hill and 5-7 (160) junior Herman Pollard.

Austin Pirtle, 6-3 (200) senior, is the leader at tight end. Top candidates at wide receiver are 5-7 (150) senior Brandon Kozelka, 5-9 (155) junior Richard Geraghty and 5-11 (195) junior Jordan Smith.

The offensive line is anchored by two returning starters — 5-7 (175) senior Seth Kindig and 6-0 (235) senior Cody Rummer. They will be the guards.

“We are going to have a new center and tackles,” Campbell said. “We need to fill the void of the veterans we lost.”

Zach Whittaker, 5-6 (205) junior, is the expected center. Competing at tackle are 6-0 (250) senior Brandon Birdwell, 5-11 (205) senior Zach Grove and 5-8 (270) senior Zach Stone.

Tyler Zufan, 5-8 (140) sophomore, returns as the kicker. He booted 42 PATs and one field goal last season. Hill is slated to be the punter.

The strength on defense appears to be the secondary where Hill and Pollard return at cornerbacks, Magyar and Ruben at safeties.

Grove and Spurgeon are leaders at tackle. Three players — Kindig, 5-11 (190) senior Matt Peters and 6-0 (180) senior Ron Shekell — are battling at nose guard.

“Peters has had a good off-season. He is the kid who broke his leg in the Concord game last season,” Campbell said.

Pirtle and Geraghty are top contenders at end.

A number of players are slated to play on both sides of the ball.

“Two-way players is a tradition here,” Campbell said. “We like to have our best 11 players on the field at all times.”