Alex DeMatteis begins his third season as head coach and he welcomes back most of the starters from a year ago, when the Owls finished 2-8.
Last year Windsor had 24 players, sophomores through seniors. That number has grown to 38.
“We’re looking for a receiver and a couple of defensive backs. Our front eight are back,” DeMatteis said. “Our whole offensive line has a ton of starts under their belts for the last two years.”
Returning for a second year at quarterback is junior Derek Williams, who rushed for 793 yards and passed for 592 in 2018. Williams accounted for 13 touchdowns, a field goal, six extra points and a pair of two-point conversions for 91 points. The biggest problem DeMatteis has is finding time for Williams to take a breather; he’s also the starting free safety.
Windsor runs the triple option.
DeMatteis said the hardest thing for a quarterback to do in that offense is to learn to trust his eyes.
“I think he did a good job last year,” DeMatteis said. “The first third of the season was a little rough, learning the reads and handling the football. But he really cleaned that up as the year went on. We’ve seen a lot of growth from him as far as being a veteran quarterback in this offense. I feel like he’s more of a senior than junior. He’s in a really good place.”
The Owls have four or five running backs with slightly different skill sets. DeMatteis said there’s some good competition going on for playing time. Senior John Fasanello and junior Chris Butts are the two starters in the backfield. Fasanello gained 254 yards on 51 carries, while Butts was less productive per carry at 50 carries for 163 yards.
Seniors Justin Stenger and Kaelen Gmerek and sophomore Eyan Carter will all get carries out of the backfield this fall.
Junior Mike Wolcott caught 14 passes for 298 yards last season, but Windsor will need to find a running buddy for Wolcott out wide with the graduation of Nate Browning (16-231). Sophomore Conner Begeman has the size (6-5) to become a good target for Williams. Senior Gabe Larkin (6-1) also plays receiver.
“When (Wolcott) gets the ball in space, he does a good job of holding his own out there,” DeMatteis said.
Center Noah Schaefer, a senior, returns for a third year on the varsity. DeMatteis said Schaefer’s work in the weight room is obvious.
“He’s grown up mighty fine, but he’s athletic as he’s ever been.” DeMatteis said.
Senior Ethan West (third year varsity, second year starter) and junior Tyler Hunter will man the guard spots.
“We like Ethan a lot. He’ll probably lead the charge on the offensive line,” DeMatteis said.
The tackles are both returning starters, senior Austin Henry and junior Owen Exler.
“They’re smaller but they’re scrappy guys and are good with what we do,” the coach said.
The defense includes many of the offensive starters, with the linemen shuffling in and out of an eight-man rotation. Windsor plays a 3-3 stack defense and its five linebackers are drawn mainly from the ranks of running backs.
Joining Williams in the defensive backfield is senior cornerback Julian Elmer. DeMatteis said he used last Friday’s jamboree to determine the other starters on defense.
The Owls were opportunistic on defense last season with a combined 18 turnovers (fumble recoveries and interceptions). Williams became more of a run stopper.
“Derek figured out he can hit and he started coming up to the box last year,” DeMatteis said.
For the last two years, Windsor has played Ladue in the first round of the Class 4 District 2 tournament. That’s a tough draw considering the Rams won the state championship last year and placed second in 2017.
This fall, the Owls are part of District 1, which has the rest of the Mississippi Area Football Conference Red Division teams (De Soto, Festus,
Hillsboro and North County), along with Cape Girardeau Central, Farmington and Sikeston.
West Plains was shifted to the more regionally drawn District 6 after beating Festus for the District 1 crown last year.
“Our district assignment is significantly different,” DeMatteis said. “It’s very southeast Missouri and Jefferson County. We’re going to be playing these teams for district seedings. I feel good about that.”
The Owls open their schedule Friday in Crystal City against St. Pius X.