CRESTLINE — The Crestline Bulldogs are looking to rebound this season after finishing 2-8 last season (0-3 in conference) and 0-10 in 2014.
Third year head coach Kevin Sipes and his staff, Hastings Robinette (offensive coordinator), Robert Yockey (defensive coordinator), Jeff Trent (line coach), Justin Feeman (running backs/linebackers), Kyle Robey (receivers/secondary) and Kyle Parsons (linemen) are looking at a group of seniors to help ignite the team this fall. Crestline did see the loss of linemen Kamin Gearhart and Nate Weyant, as well as wide receiver/running back Connor Kurtzman to graduation. This year’s senior leadership will be provided from quarterback J.R. Wolfe, wide receiver Chandler Gaskill, center Timmy Thompkins, wide receiver Tyler Sipes, outside linebacker Aaron Blubaugh and middle linebacker Diego Gonzales and J.C. Clark.
“The leadership from seniors will be the key to success this year,” Sipes said.
The Bulldogs will only have 25 uniformed players this season, which could lead to a lot of fatigue seeing as mostly everyone will have to play on both sides of the ball. Sipes also hinted that an area that needed improvement for the team was the offensive line so that Wolfe can have a chance to make the plays needed to compete.
The goals for the season are quite clear, “improve on last year’s record, (have a) winning record and get a playoff birth,” Sipes said.
Sipes and his squad open up Friday vs. the Monroeville Eagles.
