Whiteford Bobcats: 2024 Team Preview

By Frank Vajcner

After back-to-back seasons that ended with a trip to the Division 8 State Finals, there will be a somewhat new era for the Whiteford Bobcats, as they have moved up to what may say is a murderous Division 7. 

Head Coach: Todd Thieken is 27-1 going into his third season as Whiteford’s head coach.

Assistants: Ben Avis, Nate Bauman, Phil Bauman, Dale Bernard, Tony Dupree, Alex Lipka, John Nagle, Bob Ondrovick, TJ Thieken, Jason Vida

RETURNING STARTERS 

Offense: Tre Eitneir (QB), Chase Lee (C), Nolan Walker (T), Connor Bott (T), Mason Debarr (TE)

Defense: Shevy Alexander (NG), Mason Debarr (DE)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Tre Eitniear QB, 5-10, 175, SO, Passing–Completions-49 / Attempts 97, 1075 Yards, 16 TDs, 3 Ints, started all 14 games as a freshman in 2023

• Chase Lee -Center, DT—6-1, 265, SR—All League Center on team that had over 5000 yards total offense and 3500 rushing yards in 2023

• Nolan Walker—Offensive Tackle/Defensive End—JR—Returning Starter on team that had over 5000 yards total offense and 3500 rushing yards in 2023

• Mason Debarr—TE/DE-Junior, returning starter at DE and TE, All League and All Region DE, two-year starter at DE, 88 total tackles in 2023, 12 tackles for loss, 4 QB Sacks, 2 fumble recoveries. Named to Division 7 Preseason All-State Team by The Big Madonski.

• Connor Bott—OT/DT—6-2, 275, SR—starting tackle on team that had over 5000 yards total offense and 3500 rushing yards in 2023. Named to Division 7 Preseason All-State Team by The Big Madonski.

• Shevy Alexander—TE/NG—6-0, 205 JR—All League defensive lineman in 2023, started 14 games as NG in 2023. 50 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss

OUTLOOK 

Offense: Our offense will be led by a veteran offensive line with four returning starters, and two others who saw considerable action last year.  In addition to a very good offensive line we have returning QB Tre Eitniear who as a Freshman threw for over 1000 yards.  Tre will need to get better as a runner this year as we continue to want to utilize a four-back offense.  Our skill positions are all newcomers who have to replace tremendous talent from a year ago.  We will have to depend on our veteran offensive line to pave the way for our new skilled players to come into their own as varsity football players.

Defense: Mason Debarr returns as now a three-year starter at Defensive End, where he has had two great seasons, along with Shevy Alexander as the only two returning starters.  I look for both Mason and Shevy to have breakout years and help to create a formidable front four with our new additions of kids who had a great deal of playing time a year ago.  Our back seven is athletic, but we are for sure concerned about their youth as all of them will be first-year starters.  Much like our offense, I look for our defensive line to lead the way as we continue to improve each day in the back end of our defense.

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK

The league, if any, is a weird thing this year as we just have us, Erie Mason, and Summerfield left.  I do look for both of those teams to be much improved this year. Our schedule this year faces four new opponents coupled with long bus rides to those games.  Blissfield and Ida look to be very good early non conference foes for us that we are going to need to grow up fast to be able to compete with those two programs.

FINAL WORD

We have a tradition at Whiteford of being a very good football program.  Although we are young this year, I am very excited about this team, and am looking forward to the growth that they will make each day and each week.  Our kids as always have worked very hard to prepare for this football season and their attitudes have been amazing.  We will need to develop new leaders and new players to depend on to replace the 15 starters we lost last year.  Our depth is a bit of a concern heading into the season, so we need to work on getting better and improving as a football team each day while trying to stay healthy.  

Notable: Former Summerfield coach Alex Lipka has joined the Bobcats as an assistant after a year at Blissfield…The last time one of the three Eitniear brothers lost a regular season game as a starter was Week 9 in 2015 against Clinton

FNV Outlook: Someone who hasn’t followed the Bobcats would probably say that this is where they take a step back. And while that is a possibility, having players return that were a part of a championship culture can only help. An early test against Ida will show if the Bobcats have backslid, or will just keep on trucking. The road slate is brutal, but I have confidence in Thieken and company to keep things rolling. If there is a drop-off this season, it won’t be very significant.