Cyclones embrace expectations

The kind of success Ottawa High’s football team has had the past two seasons has bred even greater expectations.

OHS coach Pat Boeh not only accepts that concept, but embraces the challenge from excited Cyclones fans.

“Because we’ve been twice in two years, we feel like getting back to the state playoffs has to be a goal of ours,” said Boeh, whose 7-3 squad a year ago ended its run for the second straight season with a loss to Paola in the first round of the state playoffs. “Our kids also have those kind of expectations.”

But they also have the burden of trying to repeat the feat this season without the help of four highly skilled offensive players who graduated.

Or perhaps an even greater task in adjusting to the tougher competition from the Huron League — where OHS has won at least a part in back-to-back championships — to the Frontier League.

“Those two challenges are kind of independent from each other, but when combined could affect how we end up this season,” Boeh said.

So too will Cyclones standout Caleb Blakesley.

The 6-5, 280-pounder, who rivals.com lists as the state’s top college prospect, will anchor both Ottawa’s offensive and defensive lines.

Blakesley — a guard/defensive end, who already has orally committed to attend Kansas University next year — downplays his own role, while saying he thinks the Cyclones have the crucial pieces to put together their offensive puzzle.

“I know I’m not the one who got us to the state playoffs the last two years, and everyone on this team knows it wasn’t just one person who got us there,” Blakesley said. “Every year someone has stepped up to fill someone else’s shoes. I think this year will be the same thing.”

Considering the Cyclones lost nearly 4,000 yards of offense from last year with the graduation of running backs Jason Houston and Dom Nation, quarterback Gabe Sheffield, and wide receiver Lee Baldwin — Ottawa has some pretty big shoes to fill indeed.

Front row, from left: Manager Margo James, Matthew Ferguson, Billy Harris, Matthew Neff, Will Baldwin, Josh Ingold, Caleb Blakesley, Vashon Perryman, Brady Keim, C.J. Denniston, Eric Hammes, Jeffrey Davidson. Second row: Lonnie Clark, Derrick Marsell, Tyler Pence, Derick Whalen, Sam Smith, Andrew Ferguson, Aaron Douglas, Sean Hull, Chris Michaelsen, manager Erica Ybarra, manager Heather Lacer, manager Sara Humm. Third row: Matt Leecy, Chris Garrett, Michael Espinosa, Levi Bowen, Shawn Flanner, Jonny Brewer, Mark Wray, Matthew Jarboe, Ferris Fuller, ball boys Dillon Boeh and Kaden Shaffer. Fourth row: Josh Dodd, Ryan McPheron, Tyler Sharp, Tanner Hendrickson, David McNabb, Benji Bulmer, Jake Bove, Ryan Skiles, Dallas Ambler. Fifth row: Wendell Lewis, Blake Lasley, coach Pat Boeh, Evan Shaffer, Corey Katzer, Cliff McCullough.

Leading the charge of the changes is one of the smaller Cyclones, senior running back Vashon Perryman — who while only listed at 5-6, 160 pounds, has a ringing endorsement from Blakesley.

“Vashon’s a very strong guy” Blakesley said. “His size might make him one of the smaller players on the field, but you won’t find one much stronger.”

Perryman started sparingly in each of the past two seasons, and with the addition of returning junior linemen Levi Bowen (6-0, 245) and Michael Espinosa (5-9, 215), Perryman has a strong start up front.

Juniors Brad Spencer (6-1, 205) and Aaron Douglas (6-1, 185) will also get some work in the backfield, while senior Matt Ferguson (6-1, 165) will take over at quarterback.

Sept. 3 — at Spring HillSept. 10 — KC TurnerSept. 17 — LouisburgSept. 24 — Prairie ViewOct. 1 — at BaldwinOct. 8 — ChanuteOct. 15 — at Gardner-EdgertonOct. 22 — at PittsburgOct. 29 — Paola

Considering all the challenges that stand in the way of the Cyclones’ quest of getting back to the state playoffs, an even more crucial blockade could be if Boeh’s team can’t build a better defense.

After surrendering 22 points per game last year, Ottawa has focused on the physical aspects of its defense.

“We have a lot of the same guys coming back,” Blakesley said. “But we’ve adopted the persona of going out there and being more physical.”

If Boeh can figure a way to correct his team’s deficiencies, while at the same time clogging his squad’s missing talent holes and staying competitive in a tougher league, then perhaps the Cyclones won’t just make it back to the state playoffs this season — but instead make it past the opening round.

“The challenges are out there and are going to be difficult,” Boeh said, “but I think the guys believe they are all attainable once again.”

Ottawa opens the season Friday at Spring Hill.