Conant ready to erase any doubts
Conant is out to prove last year’s playoff trip was no fluke.
And the Cougars are expecting to make consecutive postseason trips for the first time since 2001-04.
“Last year we had to kind of convince the kids they were good but there isn’t that doubt this year,” said Conant coach Bill Modelski. “We know going in we have to prove some people wrong again and that’s OK.”
Senior Tim Manczko hopes to prove he is a high-level player after an all-area season where he ran, caught and threw the ball, returned kicks, punted and played in the secondary.
Modelski isn’t sure why interest is limited in Manczko, who caught 59 passes for 752 yards and 7 TDs and ran for 363 and 5 TDs while seeing some time as a Wildcat quarterback.
“He’s a great centerpiece and he does some things that are frightening at times,” Modelski said. “Don’t blink because he’ll be in a different place. He’ll be utilized in a lot of different ways.”
Modelski’s junior son Danny will take over at quarterback and senior Jacobi Sims (67 carries, 334 yards) will be the focal point of the running game after sharing time last year.
“He was a 5-6-7 carry a game guy and now it will be up to 15,” Bill Modelski said. “How he stands up to it and holds that will be a questoin mark.”
Senior Michael Smith (6-feet-5, 280 pounds) and junior Mitch Tednes (6-5, 250) help fill the size lost up front with the all-area lineman Paul Perschon at Toledo.
Junior Tyler LaBarbera will be a key piece on the offensive line and at inside linebacker alongside all-conference pick Joe Faso.
“The kid is relentless,” Modelski said. “He only knows one way to play.”
Which should help Conant continue to improve defensively after it allowed only 267 yards a game and had a plus-14 turnover ratio in its first year under coordinator Tony Wolanski.
Josh Hoppe has been a pleasant surprise up front and DeAngelo McBride is a big part of the secondary.
“I expect us to be better defensively than last year,” Modelski said. “We’ll be a little more able to stand up to teams that want to get physical with us.”
Probable starters
Cougars at a glance
Coach: Bill Modelski (eighth year, 25-40)
Last year: 6-4, 2-3 (T3rd West, 7A qualifier)
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Danny Modelski 5-11/177 Jr.
TB Jacobi Sims 5-6/165 Sr.
LT Mitch Tednes 6-5/250 Jr.
LG Tyler LaBarbera 6-1/220 Jr.
C Vikrum Papa 5-9/203 Sr.
RG Cody Foss 6-0/200 Jr.
RT Alec Field 6-2/235 Sr.
WR Chris Shintaku 5-11/166 Jr.
WR Tim Manczko 6-3/200 Sr.
WR Mike Kos 6-0/175 Jr.
WR Zach Smith 6-1/150 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DT Mitch Tednes 6-5/250 Jr.
NG Garry Hickerson 6-5/300 Jr.
DT Josh Hoppe 6-0/180 Sr.
OLB Mike Kos 6-0/175 Jr.
ILB Joe Faso 5-11/190 Sr.
ILB Tyler LaBarbera 6-1/220 Jr.
OLB Troy Piccinini 5-11/185 Sr.
CB DeAngelo McBride 6-3/180 Jr.
CB Kramer Brandt 5-8/172 Sr.
S Tim Manczko 6-3/200 Sr.
S Fred Wortham 5-11/185 Sr.