WINTERSVILLE – The Indian Creek football program is on a major roll.

The Redskins enter the 2020 campaign on the heels of back-to-back 5A OVAC championships and their first OHSAA playoff win, gaining a revenge post-season nod over Hubbard.

Coach Andrew Connor’s squad ended 2019 with an overall 10-2 mark.

The affable 50-year-old enters year 18 at the helm of the Wintersville-based squad. He has elevated the program to grand heights, including 11 successive winning campaigns and seven OHSAA playoff berths in the last nine years. Creek has also pocketed seven straight Buckeye 8 North Division crowns, going 25-0 during that span.

The playoff win last fall was landmark for the Indian Creek School District. Wintersville and Mingo, both football powers at one point and who consolidated to form the Creek, never captured an OHSAA playoff nod.

“It was a fantastic season. Winning another OVAC title and giving this school district its first playoff win in its 48 years of existence was a great experience,” Connor said. “The community support was tremendous and the senior class has set the bar high. It was a tremendous senior class and it truly reached its potential. It leaves with the second most wins in program history.”

That was last year.

The new coronavirus pandemic-plagued season presents a challenge for Connor’s coaching magic.

Creek returns just four starters from a year ago, two on each side of the ball. The Redskins do have 18 lettermen back in the fold on the 55-member squad.

The OHSAA on Aug. 7 opted to reduce the regular season to just six games with the playoffs commencing in week 7 with all teams eligible. That move triggered a revamping of schedules across the Eastern Ohio landscape. Creek is still scheduled to open the campaign Friday, hosting new Buckeye 8 member Cambridge.

The pandemic created some issues with how teams navigated through pre-season conditioning programs. Connor, however, feels good about how his team handled the unique situation.

“The rich histories of Mingo, Wintersville and here at Creek and never winning a playoff game obviously held its toll over the program,” added the classy mentor. “Getting a home playoff game finally, coming from behind like we did in the fourth quarter and the way we won dramatically at the end of the game really gave us a jump start going into the offseason. Getting that playoff win was really important to get that monkey off our back.

“Despite the pandemic, we had a good off-season. We did a lot of Zoom meetings and the players did everything we asked. We started back May 25 and we hit the ground running,” he added. “People get on kids today about where their dedication level is. But I look at these kids and they went all summer dealing with the pessimism of the world saying they would never get to football season. They came to practice, followed every guideline, we meet in the back of cars, we don’t use our locker room, do temperature checks and walk six feet away from each other. They have done everything. So I pray every day, especially for my seniors, this does not all go to waste.”

When it comes to the Creek offense this year, Connor really likes his troops on the line. So much so, the Creek offense is stepping back in time.

“I like us up front. Our offensive line has had a really good summer. I think we will be a throwback to my early years here and be a ground-and -pound team. We are going to run the football,” Connor offered. “We feel we have some experience in the backfield who can run the football and the offensive line has worked hard to make that happen. There is no better part to your defense than being able to hold onto the ball.”

Senior David Ferroni (5-7, 155) will get the first call at quarterback. He is a two-year letterman.

Versatile Eli Powell (6-0, 165) will be Ferroni’s backup. The junior letterman will also see plenty of time in certain wide-receiver packages.

Senior Matt Schaefer (6-0, 220) leads a solid group of running backs. He is a three-year letter-winner who Connor calls, “a big bruising running back.”

Schaefer will be complemented by a trio of other capable rushers in senior two-year letterman Jeremy Brown (5-8, 165), two-year junior veteran Cameron Franke (5-9, 170) and two-year senior letterman Jonathan Giusto (5-10, 175).

Creek will utilize a variety of receiver packages. When the Redskins employ their wing look, senior letterman Pierce Pietro (5-5, 145), junior letterman Jadyn Irizarry (5-8, 180) and Giusto will likely get the call.

The wideout grouping features junior lettermen Sam Coleman (6-0, 140), Roan Kovach (5-11, 145), Shane Lucey (5-9, 140), along with Powell.

The tight end spot is up for grabs. In the mix for playing time are senior Michael Belisle (6-0, 175), sophomore Bryson Bodo (6-0, 170) and classmate Luca Morelli (5-10, 175).

The Redskins feature two returning starters on the O-line.

Junior JJ Orlando (6-1, 240) will return at one tackle slot while senior Jess Bolek (6-1, 240) once again is a mainstay at guard.

Senior two-year letterman Corey Cottis (6-2, 210) will start at tackle opposite Orlando while two-year letter-winning senior Gage Simmons (6-0, 245) will be Bolek’s running mate at guard.

Junior letterman Gavin Dondzilla (5-9, 205) will be the center.

Creek has some nice depth upfront in the likes of senior Jacob Edwards (5-9, 190) and junior Garrett Rawson (6-1, 300).

Creek will align in a 4-3 look defensively.

The two returning starters were both quality ends last fall – Schaefer and Brown. Schaefer will remain a terminal while Brown has transitioned into the starting middle linebacker. Cottis will move into Brown’s spot at end.

Connor is also expecting sophomores Nathan Allen (5-10, 180) and letterman Chance Camp (5-11, 210) to provide quality depth at defensive end.

Connor will use a revolving door look at down tackle, rotating the likes of Simmons, Dondzilla, Bolek, Rawson and Orlando.

Franke and Giusto will get the first call as starters at outside linebacker with Irizarry also ticketed for quality time as is sophomore letterman Bryssan Flaherty (5-9, 170).

Sophomore Dominic Paterra (5-9, 165) will back up Brown in the middle.

Pietro, Kovach, Coleman C.J. Spencer (5-8) are all in the mix at cornerback.

Powell and Ferroni will patrol the deep zones at safety, supported by sophomore Isaac Robinson (5-9, 155).

Sophomore Austin Herald (6-1, 200) will do the placements while Irizarry is the Redskins’ punter. Bolek is the long snapper for both. Ferroni or Powell will do the holding for Herald.

“We are just going to go week-by-week. I told the kids that the most important part of this is the three-plus hours we spend together as it gives us sanity. It is the one part of their lives that hasn’t changed,” Connor said. “I know we do all the extra things like washing hands, but when you put a helmet on and you are on the field, there is something special about being with your teammates and coaches, representing your school.

“We have been blessed with a great tradition here and I think these kids want to carry on that tradition,” he continued. “I tell the kids I don’t know who we may play or where, but when we put the ball down on the turf we will be ready to play and represent the school district as best we can.”

Connor is supported by a quality, veteran and loyal staff. The varsity assistants are Joe Hammack, Doug Karas, Todd Mazzaferro, Mike Wilson Sr., Mike Wilson Jr., Joe Strohmeyer, David Kemp, Matt Cowser and Justin Wilson.