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Indian Creek High School

Creek Rising Heading Into 2023

WINTERSVILLE — Andrew Connor has scripted a quite impressive resume at the Indian Creek grid helm. Connor begins his 21st year as the Creek boss brimming with optimism.

Connor has led the Redskins to seven OHSAA playoff berths to go with OVAC 5A championships in 2018 and 2019. The last two seasons haven’t been up to previous Connor-led standards, but winning ways appear to be in the offing for the Creek this fall.

“I am really excited about the coming season,” the affable mentor said. “Our numbers are at an all-time high. We have 57 players on our roster.

“We grew up a great deal last season. We played a lot of young kids,” he added. “That experience gained last season will play big dividends this year. We can already see the difference in practice.”

For a major part of last season, Connor had four freshmen and six sophomores in the starting lineup. Such youth doesn’t translate into many wins at the big-school level. But those growing pains in 2022 will yield much more success in 2023.

All told, Creek has 25 returning lettermen.

Coach Andrew Connor on the upcoming season

“We had a great offseason. The weight room was packed,” Connor said. “Even the kids playing other sports came in and got their work in.

“We really made it a tough summer for these kids. They are excited for the new season,” he continued. “They realized the youth from last year can build something really good this year. They are really working hard.”

Connor is extremely excited about the potential his offense brings to the table. The ground-and-pound attack from year ago is well in the rear view mirror.

“We are going to be much more wide open this year,” Connor said. “We will be able to spread the field with our athletes and feature a diversified attack.”

Creek’s new dynamic offense is due, in part, to Zach Byard. The 180-pound senior settles in at quarterback after doing yeoman duty at wideout for three seasons. He is a dual-threat weapon.

“Zach has embraced being our quarterback. He is a special athlete,” Connor said. “He can run a 4.45 40 and possesses a strong and accurate arm.”

The three-year lettermen is backed by sophomore letterman Ian Starkey (5-8, 150). He will also see time at wideout.

Creek features one of the premier running backs in the Ohio Valley in two-year veteran Zion McGee (5-9, 190). The junior workhorse picked up over 1,200 rushing yards despite being the focus of opposing defenses.

“Zion had a very productive year for us,” Connor said. “Zion is always going forward. He is always going to get us an extra yard or two.”

Byard and McGee are two of the team’s captains.

A quartet of ball-toters are in the hunt for backup duty.

They include sophomore letterman Gavin Pownall (5-11, 170), letter-winning classmate George Zadanski (6-1, 210), junior Kaden Madden-Little (5-8, 195) and two-year junior letterman Justin Vergona (5-8, 190).

At times, Connor will utilize two tight ends or H-backs as he can call on three talented gridders to handle the task.

Junior Caleb Bodo (6-2, 215) and Jomar Johnson (6-2, 230) are a pair of studs. Bodo is one of the team’s four captains, already lettering twice. Johnson lettered as a sophomore.

If those two weren’t quality enough, Connor has rising sophomore Wyatt Down (5-10, 180) in the mix. He lettered as a frosh.

“It is definitely a position of strength for us. We like all three,” Connor said. “Caleb is also one of our leaders, as reflected by him being voted a captain as a junior.”

Talent also resides at wideout, headed by three-year letter-winner Paul Mazar (5-10,170). The dynamic senior is also a team captain.

Mazar will be joined in the receiving corp by junior letterman Kyle Shultz (6-0, 165), letter-winning classmate Mason Lester (6-0, 160), senior letterman Timmy Christian (6-0, 180) and sophomore Logan Wedlake (5-11, 160).

Creek’s offensive line has a chance to be simply dominating. The group boasts great size and tremendous experience as four starters are back in the fold with the fifth seeing quality time last year.

Anchoring the unit at center is returning regular Lorenzo Alloggia (5-11, 215). He is a two-year letterman.

Both starting tackles are back. They are rising sophomores Nishon White (6-7, 385) and Luke McMillion (6-3, 220). They bring an imposing bookend look to the O-line.

Junior Brennan Monroe (6-0, 200) returns as a starting guard. He will be joined by Semaj White (6-3, 360). The sophomore letterman saw extensive varsity action last fall.

A handful of linemen offer excellent depth. They are sophomore letterman Peyton Delguzzi (6-2, 205), two-year letter-winning senior Josh Grimshaw (6-0, 215), sophomore Adam Ray (5-8, 240), classmate Noah Fowler (5-10, 180) and junior Joey Hewitt (6-1, 250).

Defensively, the Redskins will return to a 4-3 look.

Bodo will be a force at one end while Christian and Zadanski will both see time opposite him.

The down tackles will feature Johnson, Alloggia and Monroe.

Linebacking will be a major area of strength as all three starters return.

Vergona is a force in the middle as are outside backers Madden-Little and Pownall. When that trio needs a breather, they will be spelled by McGee, sophomore Corey Garlitz (6-0, 170) and classmate Gage Harris (5-5, 148).

Mazar and Lester will be the starters at cornerback, supported by Starkey and Shultz. Byard will handle the deep zones at safety and will receive help from sophomore letterman Xavier Vines (5-10, 170) and Wedlake.

Byard is a quality punter while sophomore Daniel Aguilera will handle the placements. He is also a member of the Creek soccer team.

Creek held preseason scrimmages against Columbiana and Carrollton. The Redskins open the regular season Thursday night at Cambridge.

Connor has a veteran and superb coaching staff. Joe Hammack is the offensive coordinator while Tyler Ossman and David Kemp will oversee the defense. The remainder of the varsity staff includes Doug Karas, Andy Waggoner, Mike Wilson Jr., Sam Robinson, Zach Crawford and Kenny Davis Jr.