Opposing football teams didn't like running the football too much against the Warren Warriors this fall.
That's because the Warriors had a pair of hard hitting linebackers just waiting on opposing running backs in seniors Kaleb Wolfe and Kyle Pritt.
During the season the Warriors held nearly everybody's running game in check with only the playoff bound Ironton Fighting Tigers able to pick up substantial gains on the ground.
Wolfe and Pritt were among the biggest reasons for the Warriors' defensive success and the pair were among six Warriors honored with All-Southeastern Ohio Athletic League honors and were two of just seven repeat members of the all-league team.
"They're great players, both of them. They're good coachable kids, fundamentally sound, have all the physical tools. I think both of them have the ability to go on to play at the next level," said Warren football coach Jim Pifer.
On the gridiron this season Wolfe led the Warriors with 131 tackles and four interceptions. Offensively he was also the Warriors' leader with 1,034 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing.
Pritt made 62 tackles this year and had three forced fumbles, two fumble recovers and two interceptions but was more of a factor for opposing offenses than they liked as teams would actually audible at the line of scrimmage specifically to run away from the senior outside linebacker.
Wolfe and Pritt were joined on the All-SEOAL first team by senior offensive guard Jon Arbuckle and junior split end and defensive back Grant Venham.
Arbuckle was the primary force in the Warriors blocking scheme as the pulling guard while Venham had 25 receptions for 470 yards and six TDs as a receiver while making five interceptions at defensive back.
In addition to the four first team selections the Warriors also had two receive honorable mention from the SEOAL with senior quarterback Clay Ellenwood and senior defensive back Erik Mason.
Ellenwood was one of the biggest reasons in the Warriors offensive success as he provided a passing threat to balance the running game.
This season Ellenwood threw for 851 yards and 13 TDs, completing 60-of-119 pass attempts.
Mason recorded three interceptions this fall and forced a fumble and is regarded as the Warriors best cover corner and hardest pound-for-pound hitter at just 160 pounds.
"It (All-SEOAL) is a good tribute to them. They've all earned it. I know it's exciting for them and when you get recognition like that it means a lot, too. I know it makes them happy and it makes me happy as a coach to have our guys recognized as the best in the SEOAL," Pifer said.
While six Warriors were honored by the league, including four first teamers, the Marietta Tigers had three players honored by the league with senior running back Perry Wheeler the lone first-team selection.
Sophomores Keifer Johnson and Matt McKitrick were accorded honorable mention selections from the league.
Wheeler became the first tailback in MHS history to rush for 1,000 yards in back to back seasons when he eclipsed the plateau in the last week of the season against Gallia Academy.
For the year Wheeler finished with 1,013 yards rushing and 13 TDs and had over 200 yards receiving as well.
Wheeler was also one of the seven repeat members of the All-SEOAL team.
"It's obviously an honor for him to repeat and he's definitely deserving. He's one of our leaders on both sides of the ball," said Marietta football coach Andy Schob.
Marietta struggled with injuries this season and by the end of the year Wheeler was among those who were banged up but the senior back kept taking the ball and hitting holes.
Johnson was the center in the Tigers spread offense and responsible for getting the football in the hands of quarterback McKitrick, who was playing the position for the first time.
Logan led all teams in the SEOAL with eight first team selections and two honorable mentions, including quarterback Patrick Angle who was named the SEOAL Player of the Year while Logan coach Dale Amyx was SEOAL Coach of the Year.
Amyx has been SEOAL coach of the Year six straight times and nine of the last 11 years as the Chieftains have won 34 straight SEOAL games and five straight league titles.
Story from The Marietta Times 11-12-2009.