Wolverines eager to build on 2022's success

WARRENSBURG | The Warrensburg-Lake George Wolverines football team made history last year as they fought their way into the Class C state Final Four behind a hard-charging offense and steely defense that set school, Section II, and state records. Through the 2022 season, the Wolverines overwhelmed other teams by such scores as 76-0, 65-0, 72-0 and 50-0 although they routinely sidelined their first-string players for the final quarter to avoid running up the scores. They set a new all-time state tournament scoring record by defeating Gouverneur 85-34 in a state championship quarterfinal battle. Seven members of the team were named regional All-Stars, and coach Mike Perrone was awarded the Small-School Coach of the Year of the greater Capital District. Although six of those seven All-Stars graduated in June, the Wolverines have dozens of athletes who racked up solid statistics and were vital to their team's success, which included rushing for 5,052 yards. Such a record, however, will inspire the Wolverines' 2023 opponents to compete at their highest potential, Perrone said Aug. 24. "They'll be gunning for us," he said. "We've got a big target on our backs." This year, the Wolverines welcome Bolton Central to their merger while losing North Warren. Although they gain four Bolton athletes, the Wolverines will be dropping down from Class C to Class D. This doesn't mean that the competition will decrease, however. Perrone noted that Class D includes reigning state semifinalist Cambridge-Salem, as well as Stillwater and Greenwich, all very accomplished teams. He said that although this year poses its challenges, his 2023 squad is focused on repeating their 2022 success, despite the graduation of Athletes of the Year Tristen Hitchcock and Brody McCabe, and fellow All-Stars Landon Olden, Cooper Morehouse, Luke Sheldon and Dan Barber. "We've got an extremely hardworking team with players that are really talented and coachable," he said. "These kids are so hungry to follow in the footsteps of last year's team." Four-year player Caden Allen returns as quarterback, a post he's held through high school. Although in recent years Warrensburg has been focusing on their potent running attack, for 2023 the Wolverines are ramping up their passing assault. "If other teams get close to the line of scrimmage, we can get to the edge and throw the ball, utilizing a lot of guys," Perrone said. "Last year, we were bigger and stronger than most teams and it was hard for them to compete with us, but this year, speed is our team's strength," he said. "We've got 21 very good athletes on the field and 16-17 guys we can rotate into the game. Our versatility is another aspect that is going to be tough for our opponents to handle." Allen is likely to run more often, and senior Gavin McCabe, who last year ran for about 400 yards and scored a half-dozen touchdowns, will be a principal ball carrier this year, Perrone continued. "Gavin had an unbelievable offseason, and he's gained 20 pounds of muscle," Perrone said. "He's fast and has great moves. We expect him to have a huge season." Like last year, the Wolverines have a deep lineup of running backs, including veteran senior Zach Olden, junior Ben Sheldon, sophomores Owen Jones and Avery Osborne, as well as freshman Alyas Kennedy. On defense, Nick Jeckel returns. In 2022, he gained a reputation for aggressively hunting down ball-carriers all over the field, and then taking them to the turf. The Wolverines' season starts Friday Sept. 1 with a non-league game on the Lake George High School field beginning at 6 p.m. against Herkimer. Then on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., the Wolverines host Voorheesville in their opening league game at Warrensburg High. Perrone said that one key element of the Wolverines' strength this year is the team's collective talent. "This team may be even deeper than last year's," he said. "For 2022, we have supreme confidence in every single player on the field."

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Wolverines eager to build on 2022's success

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