21 teams in 21 days: Bellevue football preview

Cheers echoed from the weight room at the Ben Flora Gymnasium signifying the end of another good session.

That’s the type of energy new head coach Chad Montgomery is trying to instill for the Bellevue Tigers as they embark into a new era, trying to erase the bad taste of one win in the last three seasons. Montgomery knew the Tigers needed to win in the weight room and other places the public does not see to turn around the recent fortunes, including an 0-9 campaign last year in which the Tigers had to cut their season short as the result of low numbers.

“We’ve been preaching to the kids, ‘Stay positive, stay calm and be coachable every day, work hard every day,” Montgomery said. “That’s what they’re doing right now. There is a lot of excitement. Guys are talking each other up. They’re getting there.”

Montgomery has convinced some more players to come out increasing the number to 25 players on the roster. The Tigers started with 19 last year and injuries reduced them to 15 when the administration decided to forfeit the rest of the season. Players who have come out that did not play last year are senior wide receiver/cornerback Curtis Rust, senior wide receiver/linebacker Evan Kappes and senior linebacker/fullback/tight end Aidan Dickerson. Junior Peyton Hopper transferred over from rival Dayton and will play running back, wide receiver, cornerback or outside linebacker.

“All the coaches are great,” Rust said. “They all have had high school or college success in football. Seeing that made me want to play.”

Montgomery’s name brings back fond memories of the past. The 2001 Bellevue graduate helped the Tigers to a 23-3 mark and two appearances in the Class A region championship games his junior and senior seasons. Since then, the Tigers have been to the third round of the playoffs once in 2009 and posted their last winning season and playoff win in 2014.

The Tigers graduated eight seniors from last year’s team, but they do return a number of players who saw significant time last year including sophomore quarterback/cornerback Tristan Woodyard. The Tigers plan to implement a shotgun power spread offense to give him some more time to make decisions.

“We’ve gotten way better. We’re increasing our strength, speed and everything,” Woodyard said. “We’re trying to get better every single way. Everyone is hyped and we’re excited.”

The leading rusher and receiver in sophomore running back/cornerback Jordan Pendleton is back. The Tigers hope to make opponents defend a number of options with junior wide receiver/defensive back Brayden Sizemore and senior running back/linebacker Landon Corley.

“We’re coming together working with (Woodyard) and getting better every day,” Sizemore said. “We have fast guys, strong guys, different people like that. We have a mix of guys. Everyone has the work ethic. I feel like we’re going to get far with it.”

But the key to improving on last year’s averages of nearly 47 yards rushing per game and just more than 51 yards passing per game is line play. Montgomery said the lines will be young, led by senior offensive tackle/linebacker Jackson Day. Sophomores Arion Stuckey at offensive tackle/defensive tackle and Patrick Vogt at offensive tackle and defensive end return with experience from last year.

“They’re picking up the offense,” Montgomery said. “They understand what’s going on, so the mental part of it we’re feeling pretty good with where they’re at. They’ve caught onto our offense and what we’re going to do.”

The same players hope to help improve Bellevue’s defense, which will be the 3-3 stack this year. Opponents averaged just more than 248 yards rushing and 80 yards passing against the Tigers last year. Bellevue graduated its top four tacklers from last season. Pendleton is the leading returning tackler with 23 total, including 13 solo and one quarterback sack. The Tigers hope to be more opportunistic, forcing five turnovers in 2022.

Montgomery said a lot of the 50/50 balls went their way in the 7-on-7’s. While 7-on-7’s may not be the same as having linemen, Montgomery said the staff liked what they saw from the players.

“The kids are coaching themselves a lot, which was great,” Montgomery said. “The first day, we kind of held their hand and walked them through a lot of stuff. They’ve been beat up so much with the wins and losses to their confidence.”

Prior to district play with Dayton, Newport and Newport Central Catholic, Bellevue plays two schools from Ohio, (Riverview East and Gamble Montessori) four 1A schools and Jackson County to close out the regular season.

Montgomery said he set up this schedule against teams that are in similar situations to them, hoping to get on a roll and build confidence going into district action. Montgomery said the goal is to host a playoff game.

“People are walking around and making comments about how easy our schedule is and I keep having to correct them,” Montgomery said. “Our schedule is much more compatible with people in the same boat, our numbers and the type of schools that we’re playing.”

Bellevue hits the road to open up their season at Eminence on Aug. 19 for an 8 p.m. game.

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