Bedford Kicking Mules 2024 Team Preview

By Frank Vajcner

Bedford will be looking to rebound from a 4-5 campaign in 2023, where they missed the postseason for the first time since 2015. 

Head Coach: John Phillips is 22-15 in his fifth season as a head coach, all with Bedford.

Assistants: Jay Lake, James O’Brien, Bryan Dye, Dave Livingston, Nick Kledzik, Chad Henman, Adam Gilsdorf, Rick Schoch, Matt Phillips, Matt Brown, Stephan Wilkinson, Don Stewart

Offense: There is bad news and good news on the offensive side of the ball. The Mules were dealt a blow in June when senior RB Owen Pryzbylski was lost for the season after an achilles injury. But there is plenty of depth and experience at the RB position, led by a trio of seniors in Lucas Gerber, Cole Johnson, and Blake Rickner. Gerber is entering his third season on varsity. At QB, senior Drew Logsdon is back after having his junior season cut short by injury. The trenches should be strength with Hudson Heams (6-4, 275, JR), Grant Whetstone (SR), and Hunter Faunce (6-2, 250, SR) returning.

Defense: The unit will be looking to rebound after giving up just over 27 points per game, and Phillips mentioned that the unit will be more aggressive this season. A pair of seniors in Chase Norbury and Tyson Bert will anchor the defensive line, while the linebackers will be led by Gerber and Johnson. Gerber was an all-region and all-conference selection last season at linebacker. Rickner was a breakout star in the secondary, and returns stronger and faster, according to his coaches.

FNV Outlook: We expect the Mules to rebound from last season, but can they crack the upper echelon of the conference, where Saline and Dexter reside? A Week 3 visit from Dexter will give us an indication of where the Mules could be in the standings. Back-to-back trips to Saline and Ann Arbor Huron, followed by the battle for the Golden Cleat against Monroe makes for a tough October.