The Adrian Blackhawks enter the 2019 football season with more questions than answers yet are poised to have a very successful season. Adrian lost 10 seniors from last year’s 11-2 team that made it to the quarterfinal round in Class 1 championship bracket.
Lost to graduation was the starting quarterback, three running backs, a tight end and kicker. All these losses mean the Blackhawks main weakness is inexperience at some key positions. As dismal as this may sound on the surface there are 12 returning lettermen. The team’s strengths include the passing and receiving game that will be protected by a very large line that will average 250+ pounds with a several linemen coming off the bench in the 230 pound range.
Adrian will be led by Matt Cochran who is in his 6th season as head coach and his 28th year of coaching. The last 23 years he’s been at Adrian. He will be assisted by Matt Davis, Caleb Noland and Josh VanSlyke.
The team, as a whole, has great enthusiasm for the game per Matt Cochran. “Our schedule is much tougher than it has ever been. With the loss of four WEMO teams to 8-man football, we’ve had to schedule some larger schools. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. That should prepare us for district play. Once we gain a little experience we have the talent to be a very good team.”
Players lost to graduation: Hunter Steen, James Keating, Anson Johnson, Evan Tolle, Cameron Tallman, Collin Lybarger, Gavin Reed, Dakota Harris, Noah Koehler, Dylon Piveral
Returning lettermen: Colton Bass, Bryant Burkes, Cooper Mead, Noel Martinez, Owen Tallman, Korbin Kisner, Jack Tenholder, Keaton Cook, Aaron Cochran, Kyler Six, Jayke Welcher, Brody Ford
Probable Starters (class, post-season honors):Offense:QB: SR – Bryant Burkes RB: SO – Korbin KisnerRB: SR – Ryen GlaserSB: SR – Cooper MeadWR: SO – Colton BassC: JR – Jayke WelcherG: SR – Kyler Six – 1st Team All-Conference, All DistrictG: SR – Brody FordT: JR – Keaton Cook – 3rd Team All-Conference, All DistrictT: JR – Aaron CochranTE: JR – Jack Tenholder
K: JR – Case Doody
Defense:DT: SR – Kyler Six – 3rd Team All ConferenceDT: JR – Aaron CochranDE: SR – Brody Ford – 1st Team All Conference, All DistrictDE: JR – Jack TenholderLB: SR – Noel MartinezLB: JR – Keaton CookLB: SO – Korbin KisnerLB: JR – Gage HarrisDB: SR – Cooper Mead – 2nd Team All ConferenceDB: JR – Owen TallmanDB: SO – Colton Bass
P: SR – Noel Martinez
Managers: Trevor Newport
shared from the Adrian News Leader
