NEW MIAMI — The New Miami High School football team watched some of last season’s film about two weeks ago. Vikings coach Andy Stuckert put together a 45-minute tape of big plays for his current players to look over.
“I asked one of our guys why we showed them it,” Stuckert said. “Emryk Moffitt our quarterback said, ‘Because everyone who made a play is still on the team.’ And I told him he was exactly right. We’re building confidence with this team.”
Stuckert said while New Miami went 2-7 in 2021, the third-year coach doesn’t see that as a negative.
“We’ve been very transparent with the kids as a coaching staff. We’ve got a lot of good young talent coming back,” Stuckert said. “So these guys have seen the field more than enough to understand what type of players they can be.”
Stuckert said having Dominick Goodman back at offensive coordinator is huge. He worked with Moffitt, a senior, who is coming back to man the duties at quarterback.
“Everything starts with those guys,” Stuckert said.
Playing on both sides of the ball is part of the New Miami football resume. And Stuckert said 2022 will be no different.
“We’re going to try and stay healthy and be smart about games this year,” Stuckert said. “Some of our guys are going to be going hard on offense and defense. And they understand that.”
Returning on the line will be senior Dontez O’Neal and junior Preston O’Neal, who are brothers. Joining them on the line is senior Daymeon Pennington.
“Daymeon is super strong and has put in a lot of work in the offseason,” Stuckert said. “He will be the anchor and a returning captain.”
Senior Jackson Caldwell will also play a big role as a lineman.
“He’s received some looks from colleges,” Stuckert said of the 250-pound Caldwell, who was injured for half the season last year. “He is a monster. He’s made a great return. I know he will be playing football on Saturdays in the future.
“He’s coming back stronger than ever,” Stuckert added. “He’s a vocal leader. When we got (Caldwell) we’ve given him a chance to build himself from the ground up. I’m excited to see what everyone does, but I’m really excited to see what he will do.”
Other prospects to keep an eye on, according to The Report, are all-conference senior Josh Woods, junior Mason Stephens, junior Luke McGraw, sophomore Cirilo Lakes, sophomore Jason Wyatt, and sophomore Dalson Hayes.
“We’re trying to change the culture,” Stuckert said. “We want them to wear the football jersey because they’re part of something bigger than the school. It’s supposed to be a brotherhood, and we’re supposed to act a certain way because of that.”
2022 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 Gamble Montessori
Aug. 26 Landmark (at Ross)
Sept. 2 Deer Park
Sept. 9 Dayton Christian
Sept. 16 at Milan
Sept. 23 at Clark Montessori
Sept. 30 CCD
Oct. 7 at MVCA
Oct. 14 St. Bernard
Oct. 21 at Lockland
