ASHLAND – After three straight trips to the postseason, the Ashland Arrows are hopeful they can continue that streak for another year.
“I think like every year it’s about being ready to play every game. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, they can beat you that week. It doesn’t matter what their record is,” Ashland coach Scott Valentine. “Can we get ready each week? Can we play at a high level every week?
“I think that’s the whole key to being there at the end of the year,.”
A year ago, Grant Denbow was expected to lead the Arrows before a hand injury in Week 3 sidelined the senior. That scenario gave junior backup quarterback Keagan Armitage the opportunity to take over the offense. The Arrows, who started 0-2, won seven of their last eight games, winning a share of the Ohio Cardinal Conference and earning a playoff berth with a thrilling Week 10 win over Lexington.
“It was one of those years where we got some guys to step in and do the job for us, and we got some momentum and some confidence,” said Valentine.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Armitage threw for over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in the nine games, leading the Arrows to the playoffs. This year, Armitage will be back under center with a year’s worth of savvy under his belt.
“We’ve got a guy who’s got some experience now and that’s always a plus,” Valentine said.
The coach said he and his staff were pleased with what Armitage showed them last year when he had the opportunity.
Seniors Manny Langston and Kamrin Knowlton-Goings, both taller than 6-foot-4, are likely to be Armitage’s top targets in 2017. A season ago, the pair combined for 63 receptions and 17 touchdowns. Also returning on offense are halfback junior Owen Reef and Valentine’s son, Scott, a senior who will anchor the Arrows’ solid offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, the Arrows return only four starters on defense, including Josh Bever, Landon Plank and Jacob Robertson. But Valentine is optimistic his team can make stops when needed.
“I think it comes down to us playing good team defense and being good tacklers,” coach Valentine said. “Defensive football is about getting off blocks and tackling and that’s something we’re trying to emphasize, and all 11 playing their assignment and not doing too much and I think we’re getting to where we want to be.”
Valentine said he was pleased with the preseason and is optimistic what this squad can do.
“Our kids always come out and work hard. I think we’re growing as a team together and so I think those are things that are key to being a good team,” Valentine said.
The Arrows play Green from the Federal League at home Friday night. Valentine said the Bulldogs use a lot of different looks on offense, which will be challenging for his team.
“For us defensively it’s going to be about how we adjust to those things. And with first games, you just never know. So you have to prepare and adapt to things that are going on,” Valentine said.
