Wickliffe >> Blue Devils

Just the facts

Conference: CVC Valley

OHSAA: Division VI, Region 21

Coach: Marce Porcello, 11th year (54-49) 2020: 8-2

Twitter: @wickliffefb

Home field: Memorial Stadium

Outlook

After a five-year run in which Wickliffe went 38-15 and made four playoff appearances, the Blue Devils will basically be starting over in 2021. Just one starter returns, senior G/LB Thomas Wenz. But along with all the new faces in the starting lineup, Wickliffe will have a brand new field turf playing surface for the first time in program history, which will be ready to go when East Tech visits on Aug. 27. Coach Marce Porcello, in his 11th season leading his alma mater, is excited both about the new field and the potential of his backfield, which is talented and deep, although inexperienced. Due to the youth of the sophomore-heavy team, the Wickliffe coaching staff is stressing patience and keeping the playbook simple. The Blue Devils are hoping to rely on speed in the Wing-T offense (and a quicker home playing surface), and may look to open up the passing game a little more with a newcomer at QB in 6’1, 175-lb. junior Shawn Derganc, a standout pitcher on the baseball team.

Player to watch

Junior Vince Gargiulo, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back and linebacker, is a key returnee for Wickliffe who missed most of his sophomore season with a back injury. Porcello said Gargiulo would have gotten plenty of playing time last season if not for the injury, even among a talented senior class that led the way to an 8-1 season and made a run to a Division VI regional semifinal. Gargiulo is expected to be a leader for the Blue Devils this season on both sides of the ball. Underclassman to watch: Sophomore Bobby Plumb (5-foot-9, 155) is a hardnosed player that caught the attention of Wickliffe coaches last season, enough that he was a regular on special teams as a freshman on a senior-laden playoff squad. Described by Porcello as a “very competitive young man who plays very hard,” Plumb will be part of a talented Wickliffe offensive backfield, as well as a key member of the secondary on defense.

Bottom line

IF: The Blue Devils gain confidence with a few early season wins; THEN: They will grow into a team that can continue the success of its playoff-bound predecessors.

— Jay Kron