Richwood last made the state football playoffs seven years ago.
Since that time wins have been hard to find for the Lumberjacks who have not won more than three games since 2017.
Assistant Jon Malcomb, temporarily filling for head Todd Russell, believes the 2024 season could be the best in his three years at the school.
“This group has the best attitude in my tenure here. We have guys that know they have to earn their positions and enough seniors to show them the way,” Malcomb said. “They are willing to learn and willing to be coached. As a team, our attitude is the best it has been. We have the ability, but it will take some work from all of us.”
Familiar faces dotted the Richwood program for quite some time before graduation changed the landscape for 2024.
“We were senior-heavy last year. They were our leaders and four-year seniors. A lot of them knew what we did offensively and defensively,” Malcomb said. “We have had to start over with a younger team and build it to their skill set.”
The Lumberjacks will be much younger and a little smaller, but they will have seven seniors to guide the way.
“We do have some returning seniors, so there is enough leadership, especially in the locker room. We are trying to keep our seniors in charge,” Malcomb said. “We have enough young players, however, that if the seniors don’t step up, they could lose that spot. Competition breeds success. Even with the numbers we have, there is competition at every position.”
Richwood will have experience back across the front line led by seniors Kenny Hellwege and Hayden Dietz. Senior Marcus Beaver played on the defensive line last year and will now play offense as well.
“Their experience and their age will probably give them that position. It will be their position to lose anyway,” Malcomb said about the senior trio. “A couple of the tackle spots are seeing some competitive battles as well. We have about eight guys that can go from guard to tackle.”
The wide receiver position also has good depth for the Lumberjacks where up to seven players can contribute. Malcomb also talked about the depth in the backfield.
“The depth at wide receiver allows us a chance to run plays in and keep them fresh. We also feel like we have three or four that can play any of the receiver spots,” Malcomb said. “We also have a problem that we haven’t had in the backfield for awhile now. We have two or three guys that can handle the halfback spot. Hopefully that gives a chance to keep one rested and keep a fresh body on the field at that position as well.”
Junior Corey Minter and freshman Fawkes O’Dell have impressed in the preseason, while senior Ryan Sayre returns to play fullback or the slot position.
“Junior Christian Griffith has played basketball the last two seasons, but this is his first year of football. Very athletic kid that can really run, but very raw,” Malcomb said. “Alden Hughes is another senior running the slot as well as the Y and S positions in our offense. We do have quality and some versatile kids and we have depth.”
Sophomore Christian Neal will step under center this year bringing with him a 6-foot-5, 220 pound frame and a big arm.
“He doesn’t have a lot of experience playing the position,” Malcomb said. “Snaps, footwork and controlling the huddle is what we need to focus on with Christian. He is coming along every day.”
The defensive side of the ball will see several familiar faces from the offense with athletes playing both ways.
“There will be some of the guys that have to play Iron Man football,” Malcomb said. “We have depth at some spots, but some of those guys on offense will have to play.”
Sayre, Hughes and Minter will be the linebackers and the leaders on the defense. Neal will play defensive end.
“Hughes is in the middle and kind of the quarterback of the defense. He will make the calls. The defense will also have a little bit of freedom,” Malcomb said. “They can see the formations easier than I can from the sidelines and I am comfortable with them making those calls. We hope to have some of the younger guys repped up to give them some breaks, but those are our primary guys.”
Richwood opens the season at home against Webster County in the annual Battle for the Wagon Wheel on Aug. 30.
