Point Pleasant Looking to Get Over the .500 Hump: ; Point Pleasant Class Aa
Summary
Point Pleasant would like to break out of its rut. The Big Blacks have gone 5-5 each of the past three seasons, perhaps just one victory from securing a spot in the playoffs. In fact, Point hasnt had a winning record since 2000 and hasnt been in the postseason since 1998. Veteran coach Steve Safford would like to see that change this year and hes got 11 starters and 17 lettermen returning who can help achieve that goal. We do return quite a few skill people, Safford said. Were hoping some of the other kids weve got back will step in and work with the lettermen. Perhaps the key returnee will be junior quarterback James Casto (5-foot-10, 157 pounds), who started the final five games in 2004. Casto alternated last year with Justin Sheline, who chose not to play this season. Casto completed 17-of-48 attempts for 212 yards and one touchdown out of Points wing-T attack. We have not been a great throwing team in the past, Safford said, but I think well be able to throw the ball a little more effectively because weve got kids who can catch. Safford hopes swift senior Travis Riffle (5-10, 145) provides some big plays in the passing game. Riffle led the team in receiving a year ago with eight catches for 132 yards. His three touchdowns came on a 50-yard catch and kickoff returns of 92 and 90 yards. Hes got pretty good speed, Safford said. We clocked him at 4.3 [seconds] in the 40 [when practice started]. Hes worked on his speed all summer. We may try to get him more involved in carrying the ball, too. Senior Seth Beckner (5-8, 135) is also an experienced receiver. The Big Blacks must start over with their running game, as their top two rushers from last were seniors. Junior Jarod Stouffer (6-1, 180) figures to get carries, as will senior Brandon Warner (6-0, 170) and sophomore Mark Fooce (5-10, 203). Warner will also serve as the backup QB. If we can utilize Beckner and Riffle some in the backfield, along with the Fooce kid, we think we can have a pretty solid ballclub, Safford said. Were going to use the quarterback position to run the ball, too, because Casto and Warner are also pretty decent runners. Senior tackle Heath Shirley (6-3, 251) returns to the offensive line, as does senior center Mark Wroten (5- 11, 200). Another senior, Chris Casey (5-8, 186) figures to plug into one guard position. Safford likes his two senior tight ends, Dewey Wroten (5-10, 228) and Bobby Errett (5-11, 212). Dewey Wroten was ticketed to start last year, but battled a staph infection. Along the defensive front, Casey returns to one tackle position and sophomore John Hipes (5-11, 255) to the other. Other D-line candidates are Fooce, Shirley, Errett and Dewey Wroten. Stouffer is set at one linebacker spot. Experienced candidates in the secondary include Riffle, Beckner and Warner, who started at one corner a year ago. Were changing our look a little bit defensively, Safford said. Basically, were still a 50 defense, but weve got a little different personnel than were used to having.
WAHAMA CLASS ASee the full content of this document
Extract
Point Pleasant Looking to Get Over the .500 Hump: ; Point Pleasant Class Aa
By Doug Smock
The bad news: Wahama coach E...See the full content of this document