Licking County ties help fuel Denison playoff run

GRANVILLE - Denison's coaching staff has brought a Licking County mentality to a diverse Big Red football roster, and the team has bought in during a historic season.

"They've brought a different atmosphere to players who came in from different backgrounds," said Johnstown product and Big Red senior running back Cody Farley. "Toughness, grit and hard-nosed football. That's why we've been able to run the football. The past few weeks have been some of the best practices I've ever seen." The team features players from 26 states.

NCAA Division III Playoff

"As (Johnstown coach) Mike Carter always says, 'be tough, try hard and have fun,'" said Denison offensive coordinator and former Johnnies' quarterback Austin Holter. "Keep it simple. This group has been resilient, and they have fun."

The Big Red (8-2) gets to play "bonus ball," as Holter calls it, this Saturday. After winning their last six games and earning a share of their first North Coast Athletic Conference title since 1986, they'll make their first NCAA Division III playoff appearance since 1985 when they challenge top-ranked juggernaut Mount Union (10-0) on the road. Denison tied with Wittenberg, which it lost to in four overtimes, and Wabash, which it whipped 34-10, but won the automatic bid on the fourth tiebreaker.

Ironically, Denison junior receiver Mitch Marston's dad, Mark, was a starting wingback for both the 1985 and 1986 Big Red teams. The 1985 club lost 35-3 to Mount Union in the playoffs, the Purple Raiders' first postseason win in what has become a legendary history under Larry Kehres and his son, Vince. Larry's first-ever head coaching job came in 1973 at Johnstown.

"My dad was on that 10-0 team in 1985 and he still has that ring," said Mitch Marston, a Utica product who has played in all 10 games this season and caught a 54-yard TD pass last year. "My mom wears it to every football game." His younger brother Mack, a senior star at Utica, is also considering the Big Red.

Everyone has a part

"When I looked into it, I knew they were close to putting together a team like this," said Mitch, an economics major. "We have 116 players, and every one of us have a part. I never really liked Cody Farley that much when I played against him, but he's really a great guy." Farley has racked up over 2,000 multi-purpose yards in his career.

Everyone knows by now that Denison's explosive offense is led by record-smashing quarterback Canaan Gebele from Maryland and all-conference tailback Alex Minton from Pennsylvania, who transferred in from Division I Drake. Holter has masterminded an attack that set school records for total yards (4,884), all-purpose yards (5,800), points (437) and touchdowns (60). But he also loves coaching the local guys.

"Cody has good ball skills, and we can line him up as a running back, wide receiver or returner," Holter said. "Mitchell has a big frame and good hands, and he has a chance to have a big impact at wide receiver, where we're very deep. He's been in the weightroom and is developing an ability to block on the perimeter."

Holter noted that Farley has also been working night shift at a hospital in New Albany, then returning to lift weights at Denison in the morning. But a story about the blowout win at Kenyon speaks volumes.

"Cody was in there gaining yards with the second team, and we had it inside the 5-yardline," Holter said. "Well, he comes over to the sideline and says, 'put (senior backup) Matt O'Neal in. He deserves to score a touchdown.' That tells you what kind of kid he is."

Outside of football

Head coach Jack Hatem has led Denison to six consecutive winning seasons, including a pair of 8-2 campaigns and two more 7-3 teams. He has made a habit out of hiring quality people on his staff. That includes Utica's Londot brothers, Todd and Ted, along with former longtime Newark assistant Mark Butler. Todd coaches tackles and tight ends, while Ted and Butler both coach the offensive line.

"These guys are someone the kids can go to outside of football," Holter said. "They're great football guys with toughness and years of experience, but the main thing is, they're good people."

"I can still remember that first (Denison) playoff team," said Butler, a 1979 Newark grad who also played at Toledo and served as everything from a middle school coach to varsity defensive coordinator at Newark. "They had kids from Newark like Chris Spriggs and also kids from surrounding schools."

This is Ted's first season with the Big Red after two seasons as Utica head coach and a stellar career as an offensive lineman at Wittenberg. He says he's fortunate to come into a great situation.

"I remember when we played Denison in the early 2000's, and it's amazing from then to where they are now," he said. "The attitude is different. Just the competitive spirit. If you don't perform, someone is breathing down your neck. I just try to fine tune skill and technique. They already had everything in place."

"I'm 58 years old and have been coaching a long time, and I'm still learning technique and other things from him," Butler said.

Holter was also a standout quarterback at Wooster, but never got to taste the playoffs. The Scots were 8-2 his junior season and finished second in the NCAC, but fell short. So this is special for him.

"I'm not ready to be done. They're not ready to be done," he said. "I would coach them every Saturday the year around if I could."

"This is way more than football," Farley said. "Counting our fall camp, this is our 15th week together. I've made so many more friendships than I ever had, and that's something that I'll always have."

dweidig@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @noz75