By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

BARNESVILLE — Usually it takes a season or two for a new head coach to transition his systems into a new program. That is not the case for Blake Allen who was elevated from offensive coordinator to head coach at Barnesville following the resignation of Matt Johnson after last season to take the boys’ basketball position. Johnson led the Shamrocks for the past five seasons.

Allen, a 2007 Barnesville graduate, has been the offensive coordinator at his alma mater for the past two seasons, so everything will stay the same on that side of the ball.

“The transition has been very smooth. Matt is on the staff helping out,” Allen said. “I’m very happy and lucky that I got to step into a situation where I’m not having to teach everything from scratch in my first year. The kids know the system and they know the coaches, so it’s been very nice.

“Hopefully, we can pick up where we left off.”

That will be a huge task for a youthful Shamrocks squad as a dozen standouts picked up their diplomas last spring.

Those departing players helped pave the way for much success for the Shamrocks, including a berth in the Division VI playoffs and the OVAC Class 3A title. The Shamrocks knocked off Chesapeake in the opening round of the tournament before falling to Fort Frye, which it edged out for the conference title, in the second round at Marietta College.

New coach, similar approach, but new season are all parts of the equation for the western Belmont Countians this fall.

There are 38 players out for the squad for this season, but 18 of those are freshmen. There are eight seniors, six juniors and six sophomores.

“I’m very excited,” Allen admitted. “We’ve got a lot of young guys that haven’t played a lot, but they are anxious to get their chance. They played behind some pretty good players. This is a good group to build around. We’re excited about our freshmen class. Even though our numbers are down, I like from what I’ve seen in what we’ve got coming up.

“We lost a great senior group. I can’t say enough about them,” he praised. “They were great leaders and hard workers, but these guys are excited to get their chance.”

The senior group that paved the way included Nathan Clark, Caide Bunfill, Tannor Burkhart, Kaelan Hannahs, Kohl Campbell, Matthew Burkhart, Seth Gordon, Butch Holskey, Bailey Burkhart, Brady Treherne and Brice Mercer.

Bunfill had an all-Ohio senior season as he ran for just under 1,800 yards and scored a school-record 31 touchdowns. He also amassed a school-record 379 yards on the ground against Buckeye Trail. Defensively, he charted 66 tackles, with 13 for lost yardage. he also sacked the quarterback nine times. Matthew Burkhart passed for more than 1,000 yards and ran for 487. He totalled 19 touchdowns. Hannahs was the leading tackler with 102 stops and also had 313 yards receiving. Treherne and Holskey were also mainstays on both sides of the ball.

Barnesville did have 12 returning letterwinners, however, two of them — both quarterbacks — went down with potential season-ending injuries before camp even started.

“Our No. 1 and No. 2 quarterbacks actually went down for what is looking like the entire year,” Allen said of senior two-year letterwinner Zane Huntsman (5-10, 205) and junior letterman Tate Dowler (5-11, 150). “That was a tough, tough blow.It’s unfortunate that it happened.”

Junior two-year letterman Cade Hannahs (5-8, 140) and sophomore Alex Meade (6-0, 160) will most likely split the action under center. Allen said both bring something different to the table.

“Cade is a very athletic kid, who converted from wide receiver. He gives us that running option. He’s smart, has a high football IQ and really knows the game,” Allen noted. “Alex throws the ball really well. He has a very good arm, but he is still learning the offense. We’ll probably end up using both of them.”

The backfield will be by committee as junior Harley Raines (6-0, 175) will start at fullback. His backup will be sophomore Owen Oliver (5-8, 155).

“He played some last year and runs the ball really hard,” Allen said of Raines, a returning letterman.

Lining up at tailback will be seniors Braydn Strous (5-11, 150) and Logan Crumbaker (5-7, 140).

Others in the mix are freshmen Gage Hannahs (5-10, 160), Cameron Woods (5-10, 140), Lucas Clark (5-7, 150) and Jacob Starr (5-9, 130).

“Hannahs runs the ball hard and Woods runs well,” Allen said. “We’re excited about Clark and Starr, as well.”

Giving the quarterbacks time to throw or opening a running lane for the backs should be a strength. The Shamrocks’ offensive line returns three-fifths of its starting unit from a year ago. They are senior right tackle Cade Stephen (5-11, 180), junior right guard Zack Meade (5-9, 235) and senior left tackle Jacob Clift (6-1, 175).

“Cade had put a ton of time in the weight room and it shows as he is our strongest player on the team,” Allen said of the returning letterman.

“Zack is a two-year letterwinner and I’m excited about him coming back.”

Clift is part of a three-player rotation on the left side, along with sophomore Trey Warner (5-9, 175) and freshman Justin Jackson (5-11, 190).

“Trey was converted to the line and Justin has showed some promise,” the head coach added.

The center will be senior Brayden Reynolds (5-5, 130).

“I just can’t say enough about this kid. He’s been a fullback and he’ll be an undersized center, but he does everything asked of him.”

Also slated to see action are senior Austin Taylor (5-8, 165) and sophomore Justis Weiss (6-0, 185).

Others in the mix are freshmen R.J. Detling (5-2, 140), Kyi Toohey (5-9, 200), Luke Schultz (5-9, 170), Ethan Pack (6-6, 310) and Michael Heatherington (5-7, 180).

“I really like that group of kids,” Allen said. “We’ve got some guys back but we don’t have much size. They are a little undersized, but they are fighters.”

When the Shamrocks take to the air, wide receiver targets will be senior letterman Jacob Galloway (6-2, 170).

“He has been waiting his turn and now it is here,” Allen said. “He really stepped up his game this offseason.”

Also in the mix are junior letterman Neil Gibbons (5-10, 150), sophomore Uryan Meade (5-9, 160) and freshman Ayden Hannahs (5-8, 150).

“We think all three of these guys can do some good things for us,” he said.

Others at wideout are freshmen Brady Wildes (5-8, 135), Matthew Heatherington (5-7, 130), Isaac Thompson (5-8, 140) and A.J. Detling (5-3, 100).

The tight end is sophomore Caden Lake (5-10, 190).

“He’s a big, strong kid,” Allen said of Lake.

Also at tight end are junior Brandon Bunfill (6-0, 140) and freshmen Jacob Boulet (5-8, 140), Logan Eddy (5-10, 130) and Connor Johnson (5-7, 145).

“Jacob has done some good things so far and Brandon is like our utility guy,” the coach noted. “He is very flexible and can play multiple positions.”

Defensively, the Shamrocks will utilize a 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator D.J. Butler, who also serves as the baseball coach.

“It’s a little different from last year, but the kids are picking it up rather quickly,” Allen relayed. “They are pretty smart kids.”

The front four will be Zack Meade, Stephen, Clift and Jackson. Lake and Warner will round out the top six.

“I’m really excited about this group. They are the most experienced group we have.”

Other linemen are Taylor, Weiss, Toohey, R.J. Detling, Schultz, Pack, Michael Heatherington, Eddy and Johnson.

The ‘Mike’ linebacker will be Reynolds, who Allen called a “really hard-nosed kid.”

Gibbons will man the ‘Will’ linebacker slot, with Alex Meade and Strous battling for the third ‘backer position.

Others listed are Gage Hannahs, Bunfill, Oliver, Clark, Starr and Boulet.

Cade Hannahs and Galloway are the cornerbacks and will be backed up by Uryan Meade.

Raines will be the strong safety and Crumbaker the free safety.

Other defensive backs are Ayden Hannahs, Woods, Wildes, Matthew Heatherington, Wildes and A.J. Detling.

As for special teams, Allen said Raines will do the punting, while Gage Hannahs and Stephen are vying for the placekicking and kickoff duties.

“We’re trying to get a consistent kicking game,” he allowed.

The Shamrocks will field a full 10-game schedule after playing just nine regular-season contests a year ago. New to the schedule are River View, Caldwell, Fort Frye and Steubenville Central Catholic. Gone are Bridgeport, Magnolia and Rosecrans.

“It’s nice to have a full schedule,” Allen noted.

Barnesville opens up with three straight road contests at Newcomerstown, Meadowbrook and Buckeye Trail. The home opener is against Shenandoah. Other home contests are with River View, Fort Frye, Monroe Central and Caldwell. The remaining away games are at Steubenville Central Catholic and Union Local.

Helping the smooth transition is the return of the coaching staff. Assisting Allen will be his brother, Bryce, along with D.J. Butler, Matt Johnson, Dylan Rogers, Devin Nicholes and Tony Starr, who was elevated from the junior high staff. Chris Hannahs returns as head junior high coach, with David Carpenter, Sean McCrate and Brady Treherne assisting. Ed Eberhart returns as equipment manager. Greyson Willis is the assistant equipment manager, while Eric Keylor serves as manager.

(all games begin at 7 p.m.)

Aug. 25 — at Newcomerstown

Sept. 1 — at Meadowbrook

Sept. 8 — at Buckeye Trail

Sept. 15 — Shenandoah

Sept. 22 — River View

Sept. 30 — at Steubenville CC

Oct. 6 — Fort Frye

Oct. 13 — Monroe Central

Oct. 20 — Caldwell

Oct. 27 — at Union Local