I feel like the Lima Hometown Stations football previews came out later than normal this year, but they are linked below (except for Elida and Defiance; they haven't yet posted one for either of those Bulldogs).
O-G & Van Wert Hometown Stations Preview
St Marys & Celina Hometown Stations Preview
Wapak & Kenton Hometown Stations Preview
Bath Hometown Stations Preview
Shawnee Hometown Stations Preview
Here's a quick summary or what I gathered:
OG - graduated 11 seniors (mostly starters), but have 20 seniors on this year’s team. Lose 4-year starter at QB, but have a solid o-line. Sounds like a very physical, strong team whose biggest challenge might just be inexperience.
VW - only graduated 8 seniors and return 8 starters on each side of the ball, but QB Owen Treece and WR Drew Johnson are the big holes to fill. Coach talked about needing leaders to step up and see how strong their fight is this year.
SM - 17 seniors graduated, but biggest change is Coach Doug Frye retiring. SM now led by Coach Bo Frye looks to be more of the same “muscle car offense” as they described it. Sounds like more of the same from the Roughriders based on this preview.
Celina - lost 15 seniors. Have a new QB and RB and youth at both o-line and d-line. Focus this year is on being a TEAM as that has lacked in previous years. Doesn’t sound like a very optimistic outlook based on this preview. Rough season ahead for the Bulldogs.
Wapak - lose 11 seniors, return 8 starters. They feel like they have talent at QB and RB and hoping to rebound after an injury/COVID plagued season. The upside of last years tough season, a lot of players got playing time. Sounds like they have high expectations for this season.
Kenton - lose 11 seniors, only 3 starters return. They have 5 seniors total, youth at a lot of their positions including starting a freshman QB. The Coach Turner era may start off a little rough. The team sounds like they’re feeling the “underdog” role.
Bath - 8 returning offensive starters, 7 returning on defense. Team feels like they have a lot of experience and players talked about getting a taste of the playoffs (for the first time since 2003) and wanting more of that. They have a new starting QB, senior Ian Armentrout, who moved to the QB position this year. Coach looks for pass D to be a big strength. Seems like Bath could have a solid season, based on this preview, but you know somehow they always find a way to underperform.
Shawnee - High expectations in Coach Cooper’s 4th year. Only lost 2 starters on defense, they think that’s their top strength after being #2 in total defense last year and #1 scoring defense (in WBL). Offense returns several offensive starters too. Seems to me like if Shawnee doesn’t finish .500 or better it’ll be a disappointment. Might look for Shawnee to finish right outside the big 4 in the WBL this year.