Port Clinton knows that if it wins its last three games, it is likely to win at least a share of the Sandusky Bay Conference’s Bay Division crown.
Quarterback Cam Gillum is a three-year starter and tackles Ethan Ranzenberger and Samari Smith are back from a team that advanced to state last season. Junior linebacker/running back Dagan Meyers gained valuable experience while graduate Garrett Cornell was injured, then proved invaluable alongside Cornell in the postseason.
However, after a 13-7 loss to Edison, Port Clinton finds itself at a disadvantage. Oak Harbor and the Chargers are undefeated in the Bay Division, although they are even this week.
“We know that as a mall school, we can be in the big shoes,” Meyers said. “We have the same high level now. We have played difficult matches and lost by one score. [last week]. We haven’t played Huron and Oak Harbor. You don’t think a team should be named the best in the SBC until we get to play them.”
Port Clinton lost to Bellevue and Perkins in crossover SBC matchups. Willard (4-3, 0-2) visits Port Clinton this week in the Bay Division.
“We have to go week to week,” Meyers said. “We can’t look past any team. Willard has been putting up a lot of points. We can’t look past any team. The secondary has to be disciplined. They’ve got a good quarterback and two good wide receivers.”
Owen Auxter broke his foot, a demoralizing loss on a backhand to Perkins. Sophomore Ryan Caris stepped in from the corner.
“He was a star squad player,” Meyers said. “He has shown that he can do a lot for this team.”
Jacob Weldon and Cam Gillum are safeties, and Gabe Koskela is a corner. Meech Skoufos and Dylan Koester join Meyers at linebacker.
“We haven’t changed a thing, so we all have a good idea of how to play defense,” Meyers said. “Freshmen have taken on important roles and we didn’t back down like people thought we would.”
Adam Thorbahn and Smith are linemen, while Ranzenberger and Smith share a spot. Travis Yarnell is fourth.
“It wasn’t even seen on the staring team,” Meyers said of Yarnell. “I knew he had to step up to fill the open spots. He put in a lot of work in the offseason.”
Meyers is delighted to have Gillum on both sides of the ball this season.
“Cam is my best friend,” he said. “He’s stepped up defense. Us on defense is a powerful combination. He plays over me. If I go up against shooters, Cam will get to the tackle over me.”
Meyers suffered a concussion and missed the next game against Perkins. He wants to make up for lost time.
He has 606 yards to lead the SBC Bay Division. He has 10 touchdowns on 67 carries.
Gillum has 11 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns. He has gotten better recognizing coverage and reading defense.
“If we pass Adam, 99% of the time he’s going to make a play,” Meyers said. “It opens up and he and Cam, after playing all these years together, have a bond.”
Center Bryce Copeland is already a leader as a newcomer, keeping everyone in the proper lineup.
“We’re a run-dominated team with a really good offensive line,” Meyers said. “We lost size, but our linemen show that we don’t need size to run the ball.”
Newcomers Aidan Haynes and Carter Crum split their time at guard with Reilly Laird out with injury. Yarnell rounds out the unit on his strength in the running game.
Meyers felt no pressure because he replaces Cornell. It seems like a fitting transition after Cornell took Meyers under his wing.
“I knew coming in, I had to be a leader. Not only because I was taking Garrett’s place, but because the team needed him. I had experience playing Garrett. That made me a smaller version of him. Garrett taught me how. played.
“This is only my fourth year. He helped me become the player that I am. He was like my big brother.”
Meyers’ insight belies his level of experience.
“I’ve gotten smarter with football, knowing the formations and reading the offense as a linebacker,” he said. “My run key has improved. On the offensive end, I started looking at positioning and reading the line. We’re a gap offense and I’m better at reading a hole.”
Port Clinton went from a reading offense to a gap scheme. Gillum still has a deft touch pulling the ball into fakes when needed.
Meyers immediately found a home as a middle linebacker in the eighth grade, arriving from Jacksonville, Florida. He first tried out as a catcher on offense.
“Everyone in Port Clinton grew up playing soccer,” he said. “I didn’t like sports. When I moved to Port Clinton, everyone was playing soccer. Everyone was talking about soccer and I wanted to give it a try. I figured it out quickly. It makes me happy.”
“It allows me to take out frustrations. I know I can do things on the field that will change the game.”
Meyers’ mother, Kelsey, died of liver failure when Meyers was a sophomore. She has a tattoo that says: Follow the light that God gave you, with her mom’s birthday, the date she died and a cross.
He also wears a cross on a chain around his neck as a representation.
“When I score a touchdown, I aim the ball in the air,” he said. “Give it to her. She gets me through every day. She’s with me every day. My dad [Nick Meyers] It reminds me that she is always looking out and doing the right thing.
“Do the best you can.”
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH