Coach: Hawkins
32-14, 4 years
2002 Record: 9-2
BAY VILLAGE WON 35-15
at ONTARIO WON 28-0
at HURON WON 42-6
BELLEVUE WON 28-7
at NORWALK WON 39-12
UPPER SANDUSKY WON 26-20
TIFFIN LOST 19-21
at GALION WON 56-0
SHELBY WON 43-14
NORTH BEND TAYLOR WON 42-7
PLAYOFFS
MEDINA BUCKEYE WON 42-21
AKRON BUCHTEL LOST 21-47


Headcoach Chris Hawkins
2003 Outlook

   The Flashes were an all-around fantastic football team in 2002, but new success met an old foe with an all-too familiar result. Widely selected as the preseason NOL favorite, the Flashes bolted to a 6-0 start with wins over Ontario, Huron and Bellevue. On a rainy night at Tornado Alley, special teams did in the Flashes in a frustrating 21-19 setback to Columbian. Refocused, the men in crimson rallied to win the season's final three games by a combined score of 140-21. The Flashes trounced Medina Buckeye in the first ever playoff game at WHS, before succumbing to the track team in football pads from Akron Buchtel. The Flashes closed the campaign with a 10-2 mark, in the process creating waves of excitement for a new generation of adoring football fans. The Flashes lose ace quarterback Nick Strance to that demon called graduation, as well as some of his and head coach Chris Hawkins' favorite weapons JJ Ditz, Nick Dials and Nate Williams. With such a senior-laden team, it is that double-edged sword. A fine '02 campaign by the seniors, but not much experience for the rest. Willard finds itself in a situation much like it did in 2000. That season, Hawkins sent out a bunch of sophomores and juniors and not surprisingly, they all took their licks. '03 could be a repeat of the millennium's first football season at Willard. Even though the Flashes lost as many all-stars and playmakers as the World Champion Florida Marlins did in 1997, there is still hope in the City of Blossoms. The Flashes still contain a lot of talent and some fairly decent size. I am not quickly convinced that the change of offensive philosophy will bring a third-straight playoff berth. Hawkins is going with defense as his key to victory, and if the dogs on D keep it close, the offense could get good and gain confidence very quickly. A playoff berth is doubtful in a loaded Region 10, but in the NOL, anything can happen, and folks shouldn't be surprised to see the Flashes contending in every game.

Media's 2003 Predicted League Finish:  5th
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Jeff Willoughby,
1 att. 1 comp., 5 yds, 0 tds 0 ints

Rushing: Dan Gospodarek,
16 att., 61 yds., 1 tds

Receiving: No One Returning

Scoring: Dan Gospodarek,
1 td, 6 pts. and Jared Wiles, 1 td, 6 pts.

Punting: Mike Homan,
13 for 462 yds, 35.5 avg.

Kicking: NA

Tackles: Hiram Smith, 118 tackles - Dave Hammond, 59 tackles

Sacks: Dan Hammond,
12 sacks

Interceptions: No One Returning

Kickoff returns: Dan Gospodarek,
6 ret., 20.5 avg.

Punt returns: No One Returning

 
Willard Flashes
OFFENSE - 4
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 4
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Nick Dials-WR, JJ Ditz-WR, Nick Strance-QB, Gabe Sanders-TE, Nate Williams-RB, Brian Montoney-RB, Rob Danhoff-OL, Keith Kipp-OL, Ben Fries-OL
DEFENSE: Gabe Sanders-DE, JJ Ditz-LB, Harley King-LB, Brian Montoney-DB, Nick Dials-DB
2003 OFFENSE

Written by Sportscaster17

Quarterback:
 Nick Strance graduated, and took all of his honors, yards and touchdowns with him. However, the Flashes have dealt with this problem before, most notably in 2000 when fans were panicking about the loss of one Charlie Frye. Frye left, and Strance started as a tenth grader. No youngster will assume the role in '03. Insert Jeff Willoughby, a 6'1" 185-lb senior whose main objective is to hand the ball off. Gone from the Flashes' battle plan is the Kenton-like passing plan. While Hawkins is adamant that we "won't be afraid to air it out and go deep", it appears that the Flashes are trying to ease the transition of quarterbacks by adjusting their offensive approach. The goal for Willard's offense will be ball control, and if Willoughby can complete around half of his projected 15-20 tosses a game, the defense could do the rest.

 

Running backs:
 Willard's ground game could resurface in 2003 with a pair of Dannys and perhaps even a Hiram. Danny Gospodarek is listed at 5'8" 160 and has the honor of being one of Hawkins' captains. He lettered a year ago, and brings some valuable experience to the Willard backfield. Joining Gospodarek will be junior Danny Hammond. Hammond checks in at 5'11" 190 and is considerably bigger than his counterpart. A variable to the fray is 5'11" 185-lb senior captain Hiram Smith. Smith's addition to the offensive backfield has been debated frequently, and his appearance in a game depends largely on the success of the first two backs. In a position where the Flashes will be relying on for time advantage and possession, it is a comforting fact that two out of the three projected starters are seniors

 

Receivers:
 All-stars JJ Ditz and Nick Dials were outstanding for gunslinger Nick Strance in 2002, but both went with him to graduation. The new trio of wideouts have 0 years of starting experience and just as many years of letter-winning performances. So it is perhaps fitting that they will be catching a pass or two from a first-year starting quarterback. The junior duo of Brett Kessler and Colby Nuhfer, both 5'10" 165 will join senior Chad Rogers who stands 6'1" and weighs 185. Senior Brock Carr also looks for time at receiver. In an offense that doesn't figure to throw a lot, it appears that the main role for these three is to catch a big third down conversion once or twice a game.

 

Offensive line:
 The hogs up front were Chris Hawkins' main concern heading into 2002. It was the one area that lacked experience. So, in 2003 it will be the one area that doesn't. Returning starters David Hammond, Ryan Stevens, Aaron Martin and wild card Hiram Smith will anchor a line which will be pivotal to the Flashes' running game. Hammond is a two-time letter-winner, and he and Stevens were both all-league in 2002. Newcomers Brian Harwood and Bryan Holden's addition will be aided by the experience of the four returning starters.

 
2003 DEFENSE

Written by Sportscaster17

Defensive line:
 Previously-mentioned David Hammond will bounce over to the other side of the line on defense, and bring his seven tackles for loss with him. Danny Hammond boasts eight sacks and fellow junior Brandon Viock made a total of 48 tackles in 2002. It isn't going to be a small unit, but they won't exactly be impenetrable. A key will be how hard David Hammond has to work on the offensive side of the ball, before he swings over to defense.

 

Linebackers:
 None of the Flashes' linebackers hits as hard as Hiram Smith. He tallied 118 tackles and three sacks and is as aggressive as the come. He likely learned that from a long wrestling career that has also helped his football leverage immensely. The last thing a receiver or quarterback wants to see out of his facemask will be #58. Transfer Chris Fuller is a junior and looks to bring some experience to the position as well.

 

Secondary:
 Teams struggled to pass against the Flashes' secondary last season, but some of the keystone members of that unit have also moved on. Colby Nuhfer, Brock Carr, Chad Rogers, Brett Kessler and Brandon Oney will be the backs. Nuhfer and Carr collected 20 tackles between them in '02 and Carr offers the same athleticism as his older brother Chad. Carr is 6'0" 175 and could be a force in the defensive backfield.

 

Special teams:
 Willard's special teams were fine all of last season with the exception of the rainy evening in Seneca County. Points could be at a premium for the Flashes in 2003, so an adequate field goal kicker could give Willard much-needed physical and mental points in the redzone.

 

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"How They Look"

- An opposing NOL team's head coach sizes up the Flashes

"They lost too many great players to mention... a team losing a playmaker the caliber of Strance would hurt, but they also lose some of his biggest weapons... how they didn't win the league last year is puzzling... the Willoughby kid looked good at a couple summer scrimmages... Hiram Smith should be one of their tailbacks... they are one of the best-coached teams in the league... always have athletes, hard workers, and talent... if they are down, it won't be for long..."

 
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2003 Team Captain's