DAYTON GREENDEVILS
2008 record: 2-9, lost in first round of Class 1A playoffs.
Coach: Zach Deaton (3rd season, 10-12).
Dayton finished 8-3 in 2007 before a disastrous 2008.
The Greendevils barely averaged 100 rushing yards per game last season, an area the team must improve on this year.
Quarterback Justin Sherlock was an integral part of Dayton’s offense, passing for over 1,300 yards and rushing for 307, but he was a senior last season. Senior Patrick Schwierjohann, who was a linebacker in 2008, will take over under center.
Running backs sophomore Chris Pompilio and senior Derrick Buchanan – who had 55 carries for 321 yards and three TDs – will split carries this year, and the offense should be helped by having four starters returning on the offensive line.
The Dayton defense surrendered 29.4 points per game in 2008, but eight starters are back on that side of the ball.
Depth will be a key on both sides of the ball, as the Greendevils have little room for error with injuries.
Dayton had back-to-back winning seasons in 1995-96 and 2006-07, but those are the only four years the Greendevils have been above .500 since 1989.
This year will either prove 2008 was an aberration, or the previous back-to-back winning seasons were.
