HARRISON WILDCATS
Division II, Region 8
Head Coach: Kent McCullough (7-4 @ Harrison, one year, 7-4, overall)
2011 Record: 7-4, 5-0 FAVC Buckeye

Overview: No one predicted that Harrison would come out of the FAVC Buckeye with a league championship under first-year head coach Kent McCullough last fall. That feat will be hard to repeat in 2012 as the Wildcats lost 16 of their 22 starters off of that squad. Still McCullough and his troops promise to play an exciting brand of football after averaging 31 points per contest last fall.

Three of Harrison’s four losses were by four points or less in 2011. The defense gave up just 11 points per game while posting three shutouts. Seniors Truman Gutapfel and Jon Schneider will be called upon to show the youngsters how to get it done. Both players are coming off First Team All-FAVC Buckeye selections. McCullough needs players stepping up in key positions and the seniors taking ownership of the team and program.

The holes at the skill spots on offense couldn’t be any more glaring as the Wildcats must replace a two-time All-Ohio receiver, a three year starter at quarterback and a whole new backfield. Fortunately the team returns two savvy veterans in receiver AJ Glines and lineman Ben King. Glines was a First Team All-FAVC Buckeye selection after catching 37 passes for 424 yards with four touchdowns as a sophomore last season. Help in the backfield could come from Ryan Long and Luke Bowman. The duo combined to rush for 457 yards in backup roles in 2011. Long could see some action on defense in the secondary as well. Don’t look past Glines working at tailback either as all nine of his carries came during the team’s last five outings a year ago.