New-look Bobcats Will Earn Their Wings

It’s a new era in the Whiteford football program. Jack Luettke, who coached the team for 29 years, announced his retirement to the team on the school bus ride home after the playoff loss to Reading last season. Following in his footsteps is Matt Garno, who helped Ron Estes revive the program at Blissfield. Garno’s bringing in a new look, a new offense and a new attitude.

Much of Garno’s off-season and pre-season work has been building the right attitude.

“It’s easy to play with spirit when things are going well.  We look to see who has a great attitude and is ready to step up when things are tough. I talked to the kids about our tough conditioning program in regards to adversity.  We do those things so when times are tough we have something to call on,” Garno said. At camp, the Bobcats “raised the bar,” a challenge where four groups of 10-to-12 guys carried goal post bars over their heads and ran a timed-mile course through the infamous Whiteford woods and around the school. “Imagine how hard it is to have 10 guys run at the same pace in close formation while holding a heavy weight over their head.  It took a lot of work on their part to complete this as one unit.”

The Bobcats did it at the end of each day of camp.

“Each day times improved because the teams learned to work together,” Garno said.

 But camp’s over and it's time to play some football.

 The Bobcats are led by captains Cody Donnelly and Derek Markell.

 “Derek and Cody are both guys that lead by example on the field, in workouts and in the classroom.  They are not just great players but great people,” he said. “They are the type of young adults that I would hope my children would admire.”

But Garno expects leadership to come from many sources, referencing the time senior Corey Roberts picked up a freshman who’d fallen during a run, carrying 100 yards to the finish.

The Bobcats only have seven seniors and one of them is playing football for the first time, so it’s a young squad. 

On offense, 6’3 Forrest Grosteffon moves to quarterback in his senior year. He’s returning to position after playing at tight end last year as he learns the new Wing-T offense.

He’ll hand the ball off to a strong group of running backs. Donnelly is a hard, slippery runner who is capable of game-breaking runs. He’ll be joined by the speedy and hard-nosed senior Corey Roberts. RB Aaron Kellerbauer was a big runner for the JV program. Corey “Frank” Roberts will also see work at running back.

When Grosteffon throws, he’ll be aiming tight ends Grant Track and Duke Clevenger and split end Kevin Daniels, Justin Hughes and Jim Bunge.

 Captain Derek Markel will lead the offensive line.  He’s joined by big Dalton Nagle, center and Ken Waterford and Austin Bischoff. Randy Mominee, a 225-pound sophomore, could also work on the offensive line.

Garno is impressed with the strides made by Waterford.

“Kent is a bigger guy who I challenged from day one to drop weight, get better conditioned, become quicker and more flexible.  Kent has taken large strides in each area which has allowed him to compete for a starting position.  He still has work to do but he never gives in and I never stop riding him.  He has not allowed me to break his will at any point,” Garno said.

Gabe LaRoy will back up for Grosteffon.

On defense, the Bobcats will employ a 4-3. The defensive line is experienced. Marckel and Track are at defensive end. Waterford plays nose tackle. Nagle, Bischoff and Mominee will also play.

At linebacker, Grosteffon is hoping to start, but the staff might want to limit his work to save his energy for offense. Other players at linebacker are Kyle Nowicki, Corey “Frank” Roberts and Ducke Clevenger.

Donnelly, Daniels, Corey Roberts, Kody Baker and Jim Bunge will play in the secondary.

Donnelly and Grosteffon are punting for Whiteford. Bischoff will placekick. Donnelly and Baker share punt and kickoff return duties.