Davidson pipeline to capital still alive and well
Even with Nick Wright graduating this year the pipeline to from Hilliard Davidson to Capital University is still strong. Expected back for the Capital football team next season is Nick Waters (Jr., wide receiver) and Nick Iske (Jr., quarterback).
Waters had one of the best seasons by any Davidson grad, catching 29 balls for 383 yards and 1 touchdown. He also rushed 27 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. However, Waters really excelled on special teams, returning 26 kickoffs for 589 yards and 3 punts for 24 yards. This marked the second straight season in which Waters surpassed 1,000 all purpose yards. For his career, he currently has 2,407 all-purpose yards.
Nick Iske started about half of the games this season for Capital in their two-quarterback system. Iske completed 16 of 43 passes for 161 yards, but was most effective on the ground carrying the ball 72 times for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns. On Wednesday Iske was named to the OAC All-Academic team, awarded to sophomores and up that maintain varsity status and a grade point average of 3.5 grade point average or higher throughout the year.
Capital was not the only OAC team with multiple Davidson graduates this season. Otterbein (5-5 overall) welcomed 3 Wildcats this pre-season. Jack Klein (Fr., quarterback), Colton Miles (Fr., defensive back) and Ryan Tuchow (Fr., linebacker) each played in at least 2 games in 2016.
Tuchow saw the most action for the Cardinals, playing in all 10 Otterbein games as a second string inside linebacker. He tallied 19 tackles, and 3 tackles for loss as a true freshman. He also returned one kickoff for 11 yards on special teams.
Klein saw action in the first two games of the season against Buffalo State and Wilmington, completing 1 of 2 passes for 8 yards, and also holding some kicks. Unfortunately, Jack's season was cut short by injury. Colton took a slightly different route, earning his playing time at the end of the season, getting into games against Baldwin Wallace and Mount Union.
At D2 Walsh DD Clark (So., running back) saw action in 7 games for the Cavaliers (1-11 overall), carrying the ball 10 times for 37 yards, and catching 2 passes for 24 yards. He also registered a tackle on special teams.
Also on college football rosters this season, but not playing due to redshirt reasons are Alex Backenstoe (Ohio State, R. So., running back), Robert Lefevre (Marshall, Fr., kicker) and Jack Ryan (Ohio Dominican, Fr., defensive end).
Waters had one of the best seasons by any Davidson grad, catching 29 balls for 383 yards and 1 touchdown. He also rushed 27 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. However, Waters really excelled on special teams, returning 26 kickoffs for 589 yards and 3 punts for 24 yards. This marked the second straight season in which Waters surpassed 1,000 all purpose yards. For his career, he currently has 2,407 all-purpose yards.
Nick Iske started about half of the games this season for Capital in their two-quarterback system. Iske completed 16 of 43 passes for 161 yards, but was most effective on the ground carrying the ball 72 times for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns. On Wednesday Iske was named to the OAC All-Academic team, awarded to sophomores and up that maintain varsity status and a grade point average of 3.5 grade point average or higher throughout the year.
Capital was not the only OAC team with multiple Davidson graduates this season. Otterbein (5-5 overall) welcomed 3 Wildcats this pre-season. Jack Klein (Fr., quarterback), Colton Miles (Fr., defensive back) and Ryan Tuchow (Fr., linebacker) each played in at least 2 games in 2016.
Tuchow saw the most action for the Cardinals, playing in all 10 Otterbein games as a second string inside linebacker. He tallied 19 tackles, and 3 tackles for loss as a true freshman. He also returned one kickoff for 11 yards on special teams.
Klein saw action in the first two games of the season against Buffalo State and Wilmington, completing 1 of 2 passes for 8 yards, and also holding some kicks. Unfortunately, Jack's season was cut short by injury. Colton took a slightly different route, earning his playing time at the end of the season, getting into games against Baldwin Wallace and Mount Union.
At D2 Walsh DD Clark (So., running back) saw action in 7 games for the Cavaliers (1-11 overall), carrying the ball 10 times for 37 yards, and catching 2 passes for 24 yards. He also registered a tackle on special teams.
Also on college football rosters this season, but not playing due to redshirt reasons are Alex Backenstoe (Ohio State, R. So., running back), Robert Lefevre (Marshall, Fr., kicker) and Jack Ryan (Ohio Dominican, Fr., defensive end).
COACH FURREY LEADS LIMESTONE IN FIRST SEASON AS THEIR HEAD COACH
This season Mike Furrey returned to the sidelines as a head football coach for the first time since 2012. He took over 3rd year program, Limestone College in May of this year. He had previously served under Doc Holliday as the Marshall wide receivers coach. Prior to that Furrey was the head coach at Kentucky Christian where he helped guide a 0-11 in 2010, to a 7-4 record in 2011 and a Top-25 national ranking in 2012.
Still in their infant stages, Limestone improved to 5-6 this season, more than doubling their win total from the previous two seasons. Furrey, who has 9 years of NFL experience under his belt, seems to be leading the Saints into the right direction.
Some other familiar faces on the Saints coaching staff is former Hilliard High School Head Coach, Barry Blackstone, his twin brother Larry Blackstone, and former Hilliard assistant coach Steve Coate. Barry Blackstone, Furrey's father-in-law, coaches the running backs, while his brother serves as the defensive coordinator and Coach Coate as an offensive assistant.
Still in their infant stages, Limestone improved to 5-6 this season, more than doubling their win total from the previous two seasons. Furrey, who has 9 years of NFL experience under his belt, seems to be leading the Saints into the right direction.
Some other familiar faces on the Saints coaching staff is former Hilliard High School Head Coach, Barry Blackstone, his twin brother Larry Blackstone, and former Hilliard assistant coach Steve Coate. Barry Blackstone, Furrey's father-in-law, coaches the running backs, while his brother serves as the defensive coordinator and Coach Coate as an offensive assistant.