The summer has been on of turmoil for the Willow Springs Bears as new coach Logan Schwalm did not take over until the first week of July.
Fortunately, Schwalm has been on the coaching staff at Willow Springs for three seasons serving as the offensive coordinator for the Bears last season.
That familiarity has made the transition a little easier.
“All the kids know me and I have good relationships and good rapport with all of the kids. I think it has been a pretty smooth transition,” Schwalm said.
Defensively, the Bears return six starters and will be led by the linebackers.
“I think our linebacking crew will be the strongest. We are switching up scheme-wise. I think it will allow those kids to be a little more aggressive and have more freedom to use their athleticism,” Schwalm said.
Senior Stephen Hale and junior Chase Garrison will lead the middle of the defense.
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Dakota McDaniel will be key in the secondary coming off of a first-team all-conference selection as a junior. McDaniel tallied 87 tackles in 2016 and is the team’s leading returning tackler. He also picked off a team-high five passes.
“He is a great athlete with a good personality and a great teammate. He will be one of our leaders,” Schwalm said.
Senior Andy Davies and junior Alex McNew will join McDaniel in the secondary.
Sam Chaney and Zeke Webb provide a powerful senior presence up front on the defensive line. Chaney was an honorable mention all-conference selection a year ago after racking up 39 total tackles to go with seven tackles for a loss. Webb had 38 total tackles with 10 for a loss.
The offense is a bit in flux with a three-player competition at quarterback. Junior Micah Duffield, sophomore Bailey Iott and junior honorable mention all-conference selection Trey Talbert will combine to provide Willow Springs pop in the running game. Talbert is the team’s leading returning rusher after taking 36 carries for 187 yards a year ago.
Chayse Jones, Wyatt Crudgington, Stephen Hale, James Collins, Chayse Jones and Jaron Storey will factor in up front on the offensive line.
Schwalm has a simple goal for his team in his first season as head coach.
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“To improve from Week One to Week Nine and try to put kids in the best possible positions to be successful,” Schwalm said. “We obviously want to win more games than last year like every team, but it is not always wins and losses. I think by just putting kids in positions to succeed will contribute to team success.”
Willow Springs opens the season on Aug. 18 at home against Miller.
