Defiance Football Preview

Sam Erman July 24, 2021 @ 04:08 AM

Defiance has been on the struggle bus for the past few years but it never used to be like that. They've had 3 straight losing seasons but they are still a competitive program. We are looking at the coming schedule, coaching staff, and a few key players that may be able to right the ship. Defiance has a very typical schedule. They start their season off at home on August 7th with a scrimmage against Liberty Center. This gives them a good chance to see what they are working with in 2021. They start the regular season against rival Napoleon on the 19th at home. Defiance is no longer led by Head Coach Kevin Kline. Defiance is now led by new Head Coach Travis Cooper. Cooper has a tough job to try fixing year 1. There are some really good pieces to work with. The offense only averaged 12 ppg over the course of the season. Even worse, the defense gave up 31 ppg. They struggled, bad, and it was hard to watch at times. In 2020 they were young. 2021 gives them another season to develop some of their key players. Most of the starters are now Sophomores and Juniors. I believe the number is 17 starters are in these 2 classes if that gives you an understanding of how young of a team they were in 2020. Defiance is going to be led by Senior QB Drew Davis. Davis is a nice size at 6'3" and weighing 190 lbs. He could spend some time in the weight room. He had an up and down 2020 season but some say that could be strictly from having so many injuries last year. He's had the entire season to work and to prep as the starter. 2021 he's ready to go and set to have a big year. If they rebound he will be a huge reason why. Defiance's next key contributor is Mr. Do-It-All Simeon Sweeney. Sweeney is the team's RB and DB/LB. He starts on offense and defense. He's key to their success while running the ball and stopping the ball. He's actually a 2-star recruit but currently does not have offers. The Senior is looking to play college ball according to his social media profiles. Having a big 2021 season and helping them have the bounce-back year some are expecting and he could find himself playing college football. Defiance is an interesting program to watch in 2021. They've struggled over the past 3 years but this year there is a ton of optimism in the building. If they can string together a hot start they might be a team to watch out for. If that happens I will be putting them on my list of teams to go see in 2021.