DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
After taking over the team with two days before the start of the season in 2020, Nick Hall is ready to take the freshmen he had on the practice field that day and see them off as seniors with a winning campaign.
Although the squad numbers aren’t what the coaching staff wants, Hall still feels that his team is improved from last year’s version, both mentally and physically.
The team will open its season with what they consider to be two winnable football games against nearby ACAC competition. They will face Heritage at home Friday and then travel to Adams Central to play South Adams in Week Two. Both contests will be broadcast live on WZBD.
The biggest name on this year’s team is Dylan Velez, who has been an all-conference selection as a sophomore and as a junior. He also serves as a vocal leader of the team.
Another senior is Cole Mendez, who often works in tandem with Velez on big plays. He will play center this season.
The Braves will be rolling out a new offense this year, stepping away from the triple option and using the versatility of new quarterback Will Franze. Franze’s mobility was a key factor in the coaching staff’s decision to name him the starter and he will look to throw the ball more this year, hoping to hit big targets like Job Hoffman and Michael Hayduk to keep the chains moving in 2023.
While the NE8 continues to be one of the most competitive conferences in the state, the Braves hope that this year is their time to play a role, setting the team up for a run at a sectional title.
Bellmont Roster
#1 Isaiah Herman RB/DB
#2 Will Kintz RB/DB
#3 Gavin Krull WR/DB
#4 Easton Curtis QB/LB
#5 Mekhi Zeitvogel WR/DB
#6 Aidan Wemhoff TE/LB
#7 Ethan Miller RB/DB
#9 Wes Hamilton TE/DL
#10 Will Franze QB/DB
#11 Job Hoffman TE/DB
#13 Christian Hatch RB/DB
#15 Beau Baker QB/DB
#16 Conner Miller RB/LB
#18 Armonte Smith RB/LB
#21 Ben Mills RB/DB
#23 Aiden Miller RB/LB
#24 Logan Resendez RB/LB
#27 Connor Camp RB/LB
#28 Maddex Amweg RB/DB
#29 Keven Loshe RB/LB
#32 Michael Hayduk TE/LB
#35 Jaron Brickley TE/LB
#38 Tristen Jackson RB/DB
#40 Oliver Werling RB/LB
#50 Devin Gephart OL/DL
#51 Braylon Braun OL/DL
#52 Dylan Velez OL/DL
#53 Luke Heyerly OL/DL
#54 Cole Mendez OL/DL
#56 Peyton Lengerich OL/DL
#60 Noah Birchfield OL/DL
#61 Blake Christner OL/DL
#62 Grady Baker OL/DL
#63 Jayden Zamora OL/DL
#67 Diego Arriaga OL/DL
#69 Cameron Friedt OL/DL
#73 Oliver Goble OL/DL
#74 Ethan Butler OL/DL
#77 Noah Dyer OL/DL
#82 Gaven Pritchard WR/DB
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