BETHEL WILDCATS

Coach: JOEY GINN

2-8

OFFENSE

Bethel returns to the field with a determined and experienced offense. Under the leadership of head coach Joey Ginn, the Wildcats aim to rebound from an injury-plagued 2023 season. ” We are very excited for the 2024 Season. We have had a phenomenal offseason and return several athletes who will be in their third or fourth year starting for us. Our QB position will be decided between sophomore Maddox Davis and junior Cale Duncan who both started games in 2023,” said Ginn. Running back Luke Quinter (6-2, 200, Jr.), who rushed for 537 yards and four TDs last season returns to carry the load as the go-to guy in the run game. The offensive line is strengthened by returning starters Alex Barnett (6-2, 250, Sr.), Talon Barlow (6-2, 255, Sr.), and Dally Trussell (6-2, 250, Sr.), all seniors. “We return all five of our offensive linemen in Talon Barlow, Alex Barnett, Dally Trussell, Kaden Pierce, and Ian Cooper. We also return another offensive lineman with significant playing time in 2023 in Ryan Bittner. We will depend on these guys and the bulldozing running style of junior Luke Quinter, who ran for 537 yards in 2023, and 219 yards in 2022 as a freshman,” said Ginn. Most of the OL will see time on the defensive line.

DEFENSE

The Wildcats’ defense will feature a 3-4 base formation with an increased emphasis on pressure. “We will pressure more on defense than we have in the past,” Ginn said. “Defensively, we expect to be anchored by our linebacker corp in our 3-4 defense featuring Melson with 354 career tackles, and Quinter with 185 career tackles.” The defense features VYPE Top 100 selectee, senior Austin Melson (6-0, 215, Sr.), a three-year starter at inside linebacker. Alongside Melson, the defensive line will be bolstered by seniors Alex Barnett and Dally Trussell, and linebacker/defensive lineman Kord Johnson (5-10, 225, Sr.). Another critical defensive player is Luke Quinter, who recorded 101 tackles and 14 for a loss last season. Shoring up the secondary is the top priority entering practice before the season starts. With returning starters and experience under their belts, the Bethel Wildcats will be a team to watch this season. The coaching staff includes Brandon Blizzard, Daltyn Zimmerman, Kyle Colvin, and Aaron Larney.