For the Vermilion Sailors, the 2016 season was one for learning and growth. With a record of 2-8, the Sailors took the fair share of lumps last year. But if you only look at the first two games from last season, you would have never guessed the Sailors wouldn’t secure another victory. Vermilion won their first two contests against Clearview and Fairview before dropping their next eight games. Now, first-year head coach Matt Kobal looks to help the team push through tough times and continue to improve.
First-year head coach Matt Kobal looks to help the team push through tough times in a strong Sandusky Bay conference.
“The biggest thing last season is it was the first year in the SBC. I think the kids learned what it’s gonna take to play in the SBC schedule. The kids are working hard this offseason. We’re talking about finishing games. Starting quick and finishing games.” Kobal stated.
If you look on paper, some of the losses Vermilion had last year look a lot larger than they were. In reality, the Sailors were in most of the games they played and were even leading during a point in the game.
Sometimes a winning culture is already established at a school, it just needs to be reinforced. Kobal has made sure to remind the team about the strong culture the team’s history holds.
“My biggest thing was to re-establish the culture at Vermilion. It hasn’t been there the last couple of years and kids didn’t really know about it. But a lot of the kids I have now, their dads have played for Vermilion and they kinda speak out. I’ve had older coaches come back and talk about the Vermilion tradition: The fact that we were never the biggest school, but we were always the hardest-hitting school and the school that always fought to the very end.”
Some of the players looking to re-establish the Sailors’ winning culture will be quarterback Seth Hurd, running backs Caine Zannoni and Davis McDaniel, wide receivers Jonah Pfeil and Luke Pena, defensive end Tyler Bath and linebacker Trevor Boyd.
Vermilion starts the season off at home against Oberlin on Friday.
*Vermilion Sailors 2017 Football Schedule*
Home 8/25 Oberlin
Away 9/1 Brookside
Away 9/8 Firelands
Away 9/15 Perkins
Home 9/22 Tiffin City
Away 9/29 Oak Harbor
Home 10/6 Port Clinton
Home 10/13 Huron
Home 10/20 Edison
Away 10/27 Shelby
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