Meadow Bridge has made steady progress under head coach Dwayne Reichard, now in his sixth season.
After going 1-9 in his first season, Reichard guided the Wildcats to a 6-4 campaign in 2019.
Needless to say, Meadow Bridge had high hopes for the 2020 season. Unfortunately, the hopes of the Wildcats were dashed thanks in large part to the madness of COVID.
“We felt like last year we had a playoff caliber team, but with COVID, we were always shuffling schedules and trying to pick up games. We played two Tuesday games and it came down to us having to win some crucial ball games,” Reichard said.
A frustrating 4-4 mark was not quite good enough to get Meadow Bridge in the playoffs.
“The Nicholas County game kinda put us out of the playoffs and we knew we were taking a chance. It was either sit and at home and watch everyone else play, or go play a game. We felt like it was best to get in as many games as possible because nothing was a guarantee.”
Heading into 2021, Reichard is again looking to take his alma mater to the postseason. However, graduation did not do the Wildcats any favors.
“First and foremost you lose a kid that played linebacker for you for four years in Hunter Claypool. That is a big hole in your defense and he was an on the field leader on both sides of the ball. He did a lot of things for us on the field,” Reichard said.
Along with Claypool, Meadow Bridge lost two key playmakers on the outside.
“Our two outside receivers had 39 or 40 catches apiece and combined for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. You lose guys that you have built a certain relationship with that when you need a certain down and distance, you know what you can run. Knowing that over the last couple years has been extremely valuable to me as a play caller.”
The good news for the Wildcat faithful is the cupboard is not completely bare.
“Skill-wise a lot of these guys have played a lot of downs. I have two receivers back and a running back that got quite a few reps last year. I have a quarterback that is a third-year starter. I am very excited about that group,” Reichard said “The two younger kids that have filled in at the other two receiver spots have learned the system well and are catching balls everyday.”
However, there is one crucial area of concern for the coaching staff.
“We are still behind the eight-ball on the offensive line. It is a younger offensive line than we would like and w are still piecing it together,” Reichard said.
Dustin Adkins will guide the Wildcats again this year. Adkins is coming off a season where he passed for just under 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Used more as a pocket passer last season, Reichard says Adkins will go back to more of a dual-threat weapon this year to keep defenses off balance.
“Our offense will definitely go through Dustin, whether it is his arm or his legs, he will be the guy that makes us go,” Reichard said.
Ryan Cooper and James McClure are the two returning targets for Adkins. They will be joined by Seaton Mullins at tight end and Seaton’s cousin, Connor Mullins. Seaton will be a big target checking in at 6-2 and 230 pounds.
The backfield will be comprised of Devon Brown and Landon James, which is Seaton Mullins’ brother.
“They are both seniors and both are pretty equal. It is nice to have two running backs with equal skill sets,” Reichard said. “Devon is more of an outside, speed guy, where Landon is an inside guy. “Our goal is to make teams defend all of the field whether we are running it or passing. We want them to defend it from sideline to sideline.”
Levi Lester will be a crucial team leader and will be starting his third year at center. Lester will also flip over and play linebacker on defense.
Caiden Connor started on and off the last three years and will play either guard or tackle. Ty Roles will most likely play one of the guard positions according to Reichard.
“Ty is a big kid and started a couple games for us last year, but hasn’t had a lot of offensive line experience,” Reichard said. “It will, however, be his third year starting on the defensive line. He will have to go both ways this year. He is a big strong quick kid for his size. The other positions are still a work in progress.”
With less than 25 players on the roster, Meadow Bridge will see several two-way players.
“We go 12, maybe 13 deep on offense and realistically those are the same kids that will flip over and play defense,” Reichard said. “There will be a handful of others that play here and there, but for the most part, the same kids will have to go both ways.”
Connor Mullins will be one of the two-way players that Reichard is expecting to shine on defense also.
“He hasn’t played a lot on Friday nights, but that kid has been the defensive demon for us in practice. He is an undersized kid that just has a nose for the football. He will bring everything he has and deliver it when he gets there,” Reichard said. “He will be a guy that you see on a lot of piles. Connor is a quiet guy, but on the field, he will give you all he has.”
The Wildcats open the season Aug. 27 at home against Van. Then it’s three straight weeks on the road against Richwood, Midland Trail and James Monroe.
“I enjoy opening at home in front of your home crowd. Going on the road the following three weeks will be tough. There are no easy ones in the first four weeks for a small town football team like us,” Reichard said.
Schedule
1 08/27/21 7:30PM H – VAN SENIOR/MIDDLE SCHOOL –
2 09/03/21 7:30PM A – RICHWOOD –
3 09/10/21 7:30PM A – MIDLAND TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL –
4 09/17/21 7:30PM A – JAMES MONROE –
5 09/24/21 OPEN –
6 10/01/21 7:30PM H – GREENBRIER WEST –
7 10/08/21 7:30PM H – WEBSTER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL –
8 10/15/21 7:30PM A – SUMMERS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL –
9 10/22/21 7:00PM A – MONTCALM –
10 10/29/21 7:30PM H – SHERMAN –
11 11/05/21 7:30PM H – GILMER COUNTY –
Roster
No. Player Height Weight Grade Pos.
10 Jaden Gladwell 5’9 129 10 QB/DB
12 Rian Cooper 6’1 182 12 WR/DB
15 James McClure 5’9 152 12 WR/LB
17 Seaton Mullins 6’ 227 11 TE/LB
18 Dustin Adkins 5’9 178 12 QB/DB
22 Conner Mullins 5’9 127 11 WR/LB
23 Devon Brown 5’10 154 12 RB/DB
26 Brayden Thomas 5’5 124 9 RB/DB
33 Landon James 5’8 158 12 RB/LB
38 Colby Crookshanks 6’ 166 11 WR/LB
41 Brycen Sawyers 6’ 178 10 WR/LB
43 Jacob Hanshew 5’10 115 9 WR/DB
48 Eric Bragg 5’6 108 10 WR/DB
51 Jadon Butcher 5’10 255 9 OL/DL
53 Trevor Twohig 5’6 196 9 OL/DL
58 Blake Bennett 6’ 229 10 OL/DL
61 Levi Lester 5’7 156 12 OL/LB
63 Caidan Conner 6’2 192 12 OL/DL
68 Conner Chester 5’10 165 11 OL/DL
70 Silas Adkins 5’4 184 9 OL/DL
73 Ty Roles 5’9 237 12 OL/DL
75 Charles Bragg 6’2 321 9 OL/DL
77 David Clendenin 5’7 217 11 OL/DL
78 Gary Gibson 5’8 321 12 OL/DL
79 Dustin Walker 6’2 288 11 OL/DL
81 James Salas 5’10 145 12 WR/DB