Displaying items by tag: Camp Days

One of the teams that is looking to improve upon last year's campaign is the East Dragons under the direction of fifth-year head coach Marques Hayes. 

Hayes spoke with WAKR's Brad Russell about his team heading into 2016 and what he's looking for his team to do.

When asked about the most rewarding part of coaching the Dragons is getting things going on the field.

 "We have some fantastic expectations for this season, and we're looking to do some big things," he said.  "We ask those seniors to leave a legacy behind for the younger guys coming up behind them."

Two of the seniors expected to help the Dragons this year are defensive end De'Andre Brimage and running back Jemarulin Suggs, who are both committed to the University of Akron.

The Dragons will start the season August 26 against the Jackson Polar Bears.

The Buchtel Griffins are ready to defend their City Series Title in 2016 and are working hard to improve upon that mark this season.

Buchtel Head Coach Ricky Powers spoke with Brad Russell during City Series Media Days to talk about the Griffins and how they're going to stack up against the rest of the City Series.

"We want to win it all," Powers said. "That's our plan that's what we set to do and our opponents, we want them to know who they're playing against."

The Griffins are coming off a 9-2 season in 2015, in which they did not make the state playoffs. They will face Columbus Beechcroft in the opening week of the season on August 26.

The Kenmore Cardinals are ready to roll in 2016, and under coach Kemp Boyd, they look to be competitive as ever in the City Series.

Coach Boyd joined Sam Bourquin during City Series Media Day and he likes what he's seen from his group of young men so far leading up to this season.

"I feel like we have a good football team,  I feel like they've bought in and have been working hard, and as a coach, that's all you can ask for."

Coach Boyd is looking for his team to display maximum effort on the practice field, on game days, and to show a good effort in the community and represent the school and the community with class.

The Cardinals start the season against Cleveland East Tech at home.

In Year 2 of the Dan Larlham era, the CVCA Royals are expected to be competitve, hard-nosed, and ready to make some strides in 2016.

Coach Larlham joined us for our Tuesday edition of Camp Days, and he said that 2016 will be a year where he will count on his veterans to lead.

"We're relying on our senior leadership, and finishing the right way, and following their example is something we'll pride ourselves on."

The Royals will have 5-6 returning starters on both sides of the ball, including some two-way players and some guys with a couple years of starting experience.

 He says the season will be dicatated by their effort and making themselves better each day.

The Stow Bulldogs are coming off a strong season in 2015, and are looking to make some additional noise this year in the Suburban League.

Mark Nori, head coach of the Bulldogs joined us during today's edition of Camp Days to talk about the team, the non-league slate, and the competitiveness of the league.

He said the non-league schedule, especially the early matchup with Green, will be a good test for his team early on.

'We're looking for a physical, competitive matchup, and I'm sure we'll get just that," he said.

For coaching with Stow, he says the young men have been buying in and working hard.

"We're getting better each day, the kids are buying what we're selling, and we've been working hard. 

The Revere Minutemen are looking to have a strong season in 2016 and with added expectations and more kids coming out for football, they know they have to bring their A game each and every week.

Mike Murphey, the head coach of the Minutemen, spoke with WAKR at the Suburban League Media Days.

"We're in a good spot," Murphey said. "We've had more kids come out for football then we've ever had."

He says the Suburban League is going to be a tough slate.

"If we are fortunate enough to make it to the playoffs,  hopefully that level of competition (in the Suburban League) will pay off."

First year head football coach at Tallmadge High School Alan Vanderink is excited about the 2016 season, and he says the staff and the players are getting ready to lace up the cleats and get after it in the Suburban League.

Alan spoke with us during Suburban League Media Day and he says the league is a competitive and well-balanced league.

"There's no weeks that you can take off," Vanderink said. "That's good for our coaches and our young people."

He says the community has been behind him 100 percent since he got the job at Tallmadge, coming over from the Copley staff, where he served as an assistant. 

For Wednesday's edition of Camp Days, we're looking at the 2016 edition of the Copley Indians under head coach Scott Chouinard.

Chouinard joined us at Surburban League Media Days in Cuyahoga Falls last week, and he said that his team is excited to put on the pads and get after it on the football field.

 "One of our top goals is making sure we're healthy all the way through the season,  win one game at a time, an our ultimate goal is to win the Suburban League."

 The Indians won 9 games in 2015, and are looking to make a solid run not only in the league, put in the postseason as well.

 Chouinard also pointed to the tough Suburban League slate and how each week is a tough matchup between well-coached teams with talented and hard-working players.

The Wadsworth Grizzlies are determined to get back to the top of the Suburban League standings and first-year head coach Justin Todd will look to get them there.

Todd spoke during the Suburban League Media Day to discuss how his team is gearing up for the 2016 season.

 "When you see 6 of the 15 teams here were in the playoffs last year, it says it all," Todd said.  "You have to be ready to play each and every week or you'll be disappointed."

As a first-year head coach, Tood says he's looking forward to the challenge of leading the Grizzlies and helping the young men get better each and every day on the practice field and on game night.

The high school football season is just weeks away and many teams are looking to improve off of last year's success and one of those teams that is looking to do just that is the Barberton Magics.

Tony Gotto spoke with me during Suburban League Media Day to talk about his squad, the tough Suburban League slate, and some of the key young men who will be playing under the lights for the Magics this year.

 "We've had a great offseason and we're looking forward to the season," he said.

The Magics were 7-3 in 2015 and are continuing to build their program with tough kids who play disciplined football.

Barberton High School FB Preview from Aaron Coleman on Vimeo.

Here's the complete list of high school football teams we are previewing for this week's edition of Camp Days! This week we take a look at the Suburban League! Schools and times are listed below!

Look for complete stories and videos of the coaches and players on WAKR.net.

Monday August 1