Large senior class has Bombers optimistic
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WINDHAM -- With 15 seniors on the roster, including multiple returning from full-season injuries, practices at Windham are looking a bit bigger than usual.
That experience and depth is going to be crucial this year as the Bombers aim to improve on a disappointing mark last season.
"We've been at this for a while, and we've got 20-plus with every practice," Windham coach Jake Eye said. "When you have 20-plus with every practice, especially this early in the year, it's always a good sign for us. Twenty-plus is not a lot for some other schools, but for us, that's a lot.
"We haven't had a big senior class since 2017-18. It's a senior class that is close. There's a lot of talent there. A lot of veteran guys. A lot of guys have played football their entire lives. Some of them are new, but not new to the game. They're new from other schools. We've got some guys that I think are going to do a lot of damage in that senior class."
It's a tight-knit group of kids on the roster and they've brought everyone closer together. There's a sense of optimism that everyone is hoping translates on the field.
Coming off the difficult 2-8 mark last season, which was marred by injuries, Windham is motivated by the chance at redeeming themselves and prove that last season was an anomaly.
"The camaraderie that the guys are having is fun to see," Eye said. "Everybody's got a positive attitude. There's a lot of energy there. I think they see what's in front of them.
"(The seniors) know that this is it for them. Last year we felt like we underachieved. Going 2-8, which was for us, an underachievement. We felt like we were better than our record indicated. We've got something to prove this year, and they've worked hard early on to kind of get us going in that right direction."
It's what most coaches are saying every season, but Eye is optimistic about this group. If they elude the injury bug, he thinks his team can do some damage.
"If we stay healthy. I think we're going to have a special type of year," Eye said.
OFFENSE
Dylan McCune will handle quarterback duties this season. Likened to a director by his coach, McCune's prime directive will be smartly moving the ball each play and getting positive yardage each snap.
The Bombers' offense runs through senior Jack Eye. Eye will be the engine that drives Windham this season as the team's workhorse tailback.
Fully recovered from an injury that limited him last year, expect the Bombers to utilize their senior back more this season.
"He's a big strong kid, and he's finally fully healthy," coach Eye said. "He got hurt last year during the first half of the season and was never really fully himself the entire year. Jack's going to be one to reckon with this year. There's not too many players around like him. Big, strong, fast, aggressive, and has a lot of heart."
He won't be the only ballcarrier Windham will rely on this year. With the offense the Bombers run, they have a deep stable of talent to pull from.
If Jack is the team's "thunder" in the backfield, Carlos Bruton is going to be the lightning.
"In the open field, (Carlos) is electric," coach Eye said. "He shifts so fast. He's one of our go-to guys. He's a big playmaker. We're excited about him."
Sophomore Dejuan Ramsey and senior Austin Cales are other names to watch out for with Windham's offense this season.
"We have a plethora of running backs," Eye said. "I mean there's no shortage of running backs, and no shortage of talent there."
Matt Kolaczek will split blocking and pass-catching duties as the team's tight end.
"He played there last year," Eye said. "He's a big strong kid who has progressed throughout his career as a junior. He's now an upperclassman for us and we consider him a veteran. Really excited about Matt. He's got really good hands, a big kid, big target. Also, he's going to help us with our blocking and our running game, but we'll flex him out from time to time with our spread game."
Despite being a run-heavy team, Windham has a strong stable of athletic receivers for when they decide to spread the offense out.
Cam Hardrick and Nick Hopper, who moved to the district from Akron Archbishop Hoban, will be the team's primary options at receiver. Both are bringing speed and shiftiness that could pay dividends for the Bombers.
Up front, Windham is young.
At center, however, is Jacob Cody. Cody, a senior, played wide receiver last season for the Bombers, but made the transition to the line this season to fill a need.
"We asked the kids and you know as well as I do, that's a position that is unglorified," Eye said. "(The kids) don't get it, but that's where it all starts. If you can't get a snap, you can't get a play. We pulled all the kids aside and said that we needed a center and asked who's willing to be our center, and he stepped up and said, 'Hey, I'll do it.' Right there. We've never had that in the past. For him to just say 'Hey, I'll do it' and sacrifice because that's a position he can help us."
Otherwise, the line is relatively young with three freshmen in the mix for starting roles. Freshmen Devin Sherman, Jakob Dalner and Jordan Bowerson, junior Azeon Davis, and seniors Omar Duran, Kaishawn Scales and Brandon Petrich will see time. Eye is optimistic about the three freshmen becoming starters as soon as this year.
DEFENSE
As a small school, Windham's starters are expected to be ironmen.
On the defensive line, expect to see a lot of those same names. Shernan, Cales, Dalner, Bowerson, Davis, and Duran will each be in the mix.
Linebacker is the team's strength in the team's base-40 defense. Jack Eye, Smith, Petrich, and Zack Porter will all see significant time at linebacker.
McCune will line up at free safety, with Bruton at the strong safety spot.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jack Eye will be handling kicking and punting duties for the Bombers this season.
As for returning kicks and punts, that's still up in the air, but any one of those skill position players -- Bruton, Cales, Ramsey and Hardrick -- could all be in the mix as the primary returner.
Windham opens its season on the road at Lisbon on Aug. 23.
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