The 2013 Newport Wildcats will feature a new, fresh look. Matt Schmidt will take over the program after Nick Rice moved on to Dixie Heights as an assistant. Schmitz brings a lot of knowledge of the game to the Newport program with 8 years of college experience at Division III Merchant Marine Academy (NY), University of Alabama- Birmingham, and Tennessee Tech University as a running backs coach and passing coordinator. His most recent stop was at Clinton High School just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee for two years. Coach Rice talked a little about what brought him to the Northern Kentucky area.

 

“ My wife and I both wanted to get to Cincinnati,” Coach Schmitz said. “ We were both born in Cincinnati and when the Newport job came open, I pursued it and one thing led to another. We’re excited to be here and settle down and take this program where we envision it being.”

 

With a head coaching change, comes new philosophies and style of play on both sides of the ball. Offensively the Wildcats will use a pro style offense that allows Coach Schmidt to work off the runs and what the defense gives them. The Wildcats will run a no huddle offense that can dictate the tempo of the game.

 

“ We’ve got a senior quarterback who has really taken to the offense and is comfortable with it,” Coach Schmitz told Bluegrasspreps.com.

 

That quarterback is Charlie Mullins.

 

Mullins passed for just 48 yards last year, with senior Jasean Short at quarterback, but had 92 yards receiving.

 

“ He’s a smart kid and leader on the field for us,” Said Coach Schmitz. “He is like a coach on the field. We’re excited to have him.”

 

Up front, blocking for Mullins will be his brother Josh Mullins at center. Josh is of the same mold as Charlie, being the leader of the offensive line that will be counted on to make the proper blocking reads.

 

“ He’s the leader of our offensive line and makes all the calls,” Said Coach Schmitz. “ He gets us in the right checks and the two brothers are my extension on the field.”

 

Looking to help make things easier for Mullins is junior running back Dom Joseph who transferred to Newport last year from Lloyd. Joseph is a big bruising running back that will be more of a power back.

 

“ He’s the kind of tailback I love,” Said Coach Schmitz. “ He’s a big physical back and I joke around with him that the ball isn’t heave, so he better not get tired. We’re excited about our offense.”

 

Defensively, the Wildcats will also show multiple looks but the main idea is to bring a lot of pressure. When looking at the defense, it starts with senior defensive lineman Justice Lewis.

 

“He’s played a lot of football here at Newport,” Said Coach Schmitz. “ He’s a big bodied athletic kid that I’ve really challenged to be a leader and he’s taken to that role, which I’m excited about.”

 

Behind Lewis is outside linebacker David Lynam, who is another kid that is an extension of Coach Schmitz. Lynam is described as a hard nosed, physical kid that simply shows up every day with a smile on his face and ready to work. Lynam finished with 42 tackles last season.

 

The secondary will be led by Alabama transfer Terrance Brown, who transferred to Newport in March.

 

“ I really think he will be good for us on both sides of the ball,” Said Coach Schmitz. “ He’ll be a playmaker for us in the secondary and at the receiver position. “

 

The Wildcats will be tested early as they open up with back to back road games against defending 6A district champion Campbell County and Walton Verona, who has become one of the better 2A schools in the Northern part of the state. Newport will then host 5A Scott and Mason Co, which are both considered 2 of the better teams in their district. The following week, the Wildcats travel to Pendleton County for one last tune up for district play and then close out the season with an old rivalry in Holmes.

 

Despite coaching all of his years out of town, Coach Sschmitz is familiar with the area.

 

“ When I was at Tennessee Tech, the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area was my recruiting area so I’m familiar with the schools and traditions and who are traditionally the teams to beat.”

 

Coach Schmitz continued.

 

“ Our out of (district) schedule is tough. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. It’s tough but our kids are definetly going to see some good football early which I think will help us for the games that matter most.”

 

One thing that Coach Schmitz has stressed to his team since taking the job is that he is going to raise the level of expectations set for his kids and they can’t be afraid of that.

 

“ That comes on our day to day basis, not so much our wins and losses,” Said Coach Schmitz. “ My staff and I have really focused on the little things. Focus on the procress of what it’s going to take. Don’t worry about things down the road. Don’t worry about what our record is going to be. Just worry about what you have to do. The kids are starting to buy in. Our expectations are we are going to come ready to play every Friday night.”

 

The Matt Schmitz era will kick off Friday August 23rd against the Campbell County Camels.

 

Players to watch:

 

Charlie Mullins (6’1 170 SR QB)- Offensive signal called who has quickly gained a good understanding of new offensive system. Good athlete who has played a variety of positions throughout his career. Smart, leader on the field and has taken charge of the Wildcats no huddle offense.

 

Dominick Joseph (6’ 210 Jr RB/LB)- Big, physical running back who will be the main ball carrier. Saw action last part of 2012 season after clearing up a transfer issue. Also, slotted to be in the mix at one of the ILB positions.

 

Josh Mullins (6’0 220 Jr C/NG)- Smart, athletic kid up front who will be the leader of the offensive line. Great work ethic and character, has been one of the hardest working kids this summer. Acts as a “coach on the field” up front in making all the calls and adjustments up front.

 

Justice Lewis (6’2 260 Sr DT/OT)- Big, physical, athletic kid up front on both sides of the ball. Has played a lot of football during the past three seasons. Has had a great summer in matching his effort in workouts to his ability level.

 

David Lynam (6’0 170 Jr OLB/Slot WR)- Hard-nosed, physical football player that is the type of player a coach loves to have on his side. Has really picked up the offensive system well which asks a lot out of his position. Great work ethic and is a fierce competitor.

 

Terrance Brown (6’0 180 Sr Rover/WR)- Transfer from Hueytown (AL) that has had a great summer. Will see a lot of action on both sides of the ball at important positions. Mixture of speed and strength that will make him a dangerous player to account for.

 

Full Interview with Coach Schmitz:

 

 

 

2013 Schedule:

 

Aug 23, 13 Campbell County away 7:00 PM

Aug 30, 13 Walton-Verona away 7:30 PM

Sep 13, 13 Scott home 7:00 PM

Sep 20, 13 Mason County home 7:30 PM

Sep 27, 13 Pendleton County away 7:30 PM

Oct 4, 13 Bishop Brossart home 7:00 PM

Oct 11, 13 Newport Central Catholic home 7:00 PM

Oct 18, 13 Holy Cross (Covington) away 7:00 PM

Oct 25, 13 Lloyd Memorial away 7:00 PM

Nov 1, 13 Holmes home 7:00 PM

Anybody know how they did vs Eminence in scrimmage?

Nice write up.

 

Good luck to the new coach and his staff as well as his team.