Four downs with Dayton

The 2024 season will leave Dayton with something to play for as it’s expected to be the Greendevils’ final run at their historic O.W. Davis Field.

Currently standing as one of the last remaining grass fields in the region, the Dayton school district has announced their plan to build a brand new athletic field next to Gil Lynn Park.

“We want to protect the legacy that has been created on this field and make sure it can be retired in the best way possible,” said senior lineman Peyton Young.

FIRST DOWN — RECAP

Despite claiming the paddle last year with a dominating 38-14 win over Bellevue last season, the Greendevils struggled with winning games consistently as they came away with just one road win on the season. 

That win came against Bishop Brossart in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs before they were defeated by Newport Central Catholic, 43-19. The program finished 5-7 on the season, but defended their home field winning four out of their five home matchups.

“Last year’s team kept our program growing,” coach Jesse Herbst said. “There’s progress in winning our third consecutive playoff game over the past three years.”

Offensively and defensively, Dayton relied on a heavy workload from various seniors in the year prior. Losing three of the team’s top tacklers in Dangelo Jimenez, Eric Simpson, and Caleb Crutchfield, the trio combined for 126 tackles which totaled over 40% of the team’s tackles on the season.

Jimenez and graduate Mason Johnson led the offense in rushing, combining for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns from the ground. 

“We’re going to be a very young team,” Herbst said. “Talented, but inexperienced. We graduated 15 seniors last year and 12 the year prior.”

SECOND DOWN — OFFENSE

One area of experience the Greendevils will have is at the quarterback position with incoming senior Chad Nickel. Throwing for 521 yards on five touchdowns, Nickel relied heavily on his running abilities as he rushed for 450 yards and nine touchdowns.

“We have an expectation on the field to be a top five 1A team in the state in terms of running the ball,” Young said.

Last season, 23 of the team’s 28 touchdowns came from the run game. 

This season, they’ll have to rely on more than just their QB to get the job done on the ground. 

Including Nickel, just three returning players found the endzone last season.

Tight end Blake Puchta and wide receiver Matte Hinkle-Bonham will look to increase their effectiveness on the ball as the pair each came away with one touchdown last season. 

Other than the team’s returning seniors, this year’s team awaits a breakout season from entering underclassmen.

Dayton will also return depth along the offensive line. Although their efforts don’t always appear on the stat sheet, Herbst will look to his guys up front to create key blocks that open up the team’s run game.

“I think our biggest strength this year will be our offensive and defensive line,” Young said. “Across both sides there are seniors across the board that allow us to use our experience to our advantage.”

Including Young, Dayton will return at least 10 linemen from the year prior with experience.

THIRD DOWN — DEFENSE

Even though the Greendevils will be without last year’s defensive trio, the team as a whole forced their fair share of turnovers.

Dayton forced 15 fumble recoveries and eight interceptions in 2023. Herbst’s defense saw 15 different players get on the end of those turnovers as the team showed their ability to come up with big plays.

“Several players from last year had significant playing experience defensively,” Herbst said. “That experience will carry over to help our young squad.”

One of the biggest problems the Greendevils ran into was getting consistent stops against top teams in their district. 

Dayton came up short twice against NewCath, getting outscored 92-27 through both matchups and ultimately losing to Newport 38-7 in their lone home loss.

“Last year we underperformed,” Young siad. “With that being said, we have the sense this year and even in the following years to come that we have to buy in and believe in our style of play.”

Getting pressure on the quarterback and forcing more three and outs is something the team will look to buy into. Coming up with just seven team sacks on the season last year, Young and fellow lineman Jordan Kennedy will look to do just that.

FOURTH DOWN — GOALS/EXPECTATIONS

As expected, Dayton wants to make this final season at O.W. Davis Field a season to remember.

“One of the biggest goals we have this year is to be undefeated at home,” Young said. 

Although the Dayton faithful will bring the energy needed, the Greendevils will have their fair share of matchups to defend on their home field this season.

Dayton will face off against Sayre, NCC, and Marion County at home this year, which coincidentally were all teams the Greendevils came up short against in the year prior.

The 151st “Battle for the Paddle” game will take place at Bellevue this year as the Greendevils will look to extend their win streak to five against the Tigers in October.

Although this season’s historic “Battle for the Paddle” will be played on the road, the highly anticipated matchup has more meaning than ever. In Dayton’s opening game at O.W. Davis Field in 1934, the Greendevils defeated the Tigers 26-0 in a rivalry that has spanned over 98 years.

“Our goal is to produce a competitive team that can proudly represent our community,” Herbst said.

Dayton will kick off their season at home against Gallatin County on Aug. 23.

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