GA HOSTS SEASON OPENER

    With 15 seniors gone via graduation from last year’s 6-3 football squad Groton Area will be looking to fill a number of positions, but Coach Shaun Wanner, beginning his 25th year at the Tigers’ helm (39th as a head coach), thinks his team will be competitive.
    This marks the second season that Langford Area has participated in a co-op agreement with Groton Area.  A total of 40 players reported for fall practice, including eight Langford Area gridders.
    The Tigers kick off their season by hosting Webster Area on Friday and have three of their first four games at home.  With both his team and Webster Area losing a number of players to graduation, Wanner isn’t quite sure what to expect in the opener.
    “We know they are going to be doing a lot of stuff differently with a lot of skill kids to replace and four or five linemen,” said the GA boss.  “And we will be starting a freshman quarterback and sophomore runningback and have some young linebackers.  But we have had battles with them the last couple of years.  Coach Wagner and they preach physicality over there and hang their hat on that, so that’s kind of what we prepare for.”
    A year ago Groton came out on top 14-7 with all the touchdowns coming in the second quarter, and Wanner is expecting another low-scoring contest.
    “Defensive battles are just how our games have been with Webster over the years, so that puts a lot of pressure on the defenses.  I think it’s going to be another one or two touchdown game.  We’re going to have to keep them out of the end zone because I’m not sure how many times were going to get in with our young players.”
    The Tigers are not strictly rebuilding this season.  Wanner has 23 letterwinners back and six returning starters, including four senior veterans in the offensive and defensive line.
    Those linemen include Tucker Hardy (5-11, 190) from Langford Area at a guard spot along with Gavin Englund (6-0, 260).  Back at tackles are Karter Moody (6-3, 270) and Logan Warrington (6-3, 220).  Warrington, Englund, and Moody also return on the defensive line with freshman Jordan Schwan (6-2, 180), while Hardy is at a linebacker slot.
    Rounding out the starters offensively are center Layne Jonson (6-0, 220, So.), a couple of veteran senior wide receivers in Ryder Johnson (6-4, 175), and Keegen Tracy (6-0, 170), Schwan and Ben Hoeft (6-0, 175, So.) are at the tight end spots, Ryder Schelle (6-0, 175, So) at runningback, and Asher Johnson (5-11, 165, Fr.) at quarterback.
    Other defensive starters include Hoeft, Schelle, and Asher Johnson at linebackers, Ryder Johnson and Tracy at defensive backs, and Lincoln Krause (5-9, 155, Sr.) at safety.
    Special teams players will be Anthony Tracy as kicker and kick returner, Krause as holder, Ryder Johnson as punter, and Keegan Tracy as snapper and kick and punt returner.
    The Tigers will be missing the services of Conner Glines for at least the opener with a shoulder injury.  The Langford Area senior had been tabbed as a starter at the tight end spot and linebacker position.
    “This group of kids is very skilled and athletic and we have a little size,” said Wanner.  “But athleticism doesn’t get it done when it comes to blocking and tackling.  You can have all the speed in the world and if you can’t bring people down you will struggle in the game of football.  The thing I preach from day one is you have to execute and tackle and block people.  There are going to be mistakes and turnovers, especially early in the year, and you don’t have to be great the first couple of games, just good.  Execution is the biggest thing for our kids.”
    Wanner thinks his team has a big upside and looks for improvement throughout the season, and he has been most pleased with his players’ work ethic during preseason practices.
    “I have been pleased with the kids’ attitude and work ethic,” concluded the Tigers’ boss.  “They have been a really good group that get after it and work hard and want to have some fun on Friday nights.”