As head coach Rob Keys enters year four of his tenure at Findlay, there is little doubt that he has the program pointed in the right direction.  Each of his first three seasons have produced winning records, and last year’s 8-3 mark was the highest win total for an Oiler club in more than a decade.  Heading into 2014, their upward trending will likely impact their own expectations...as well as their reputation around the league.

And that reputation is well-earned, particularly on offense.  Findlay’s 2013 outfit was one of two clubs in the league (Lake Erie) to average more than 500 yards of total offense per game.  While no one argues that football is the ultimate team game, it seems unlikely that there would be any argument for the notion that Daiquone Ford was a primary catalyst to Findlay’s production.  Ford posted a league-best 1,791 yards rushing last year as a sophomore, and did so in less than ten full games.  Ford’s return bodes well in and of itself, but includes having fellow All-GLIAC first teamers Lloyd Henry (WR) and Damon Howe (OL) back in the mix in addition to QB Verlon Reed.  It’s no stretch to think that this year’s Findlay offense should once again be plenty potent.

There is no shortage of talent returning on defense either.  The most notable returnee might be standout DL Kevin Brewton who led the league in both sacks and tackles-for-loss a year ago.  Another important returnee is one of the league’s top DB’s, Harold Jones-Quartey.  If there was one glaring weakness for the 2013 Oiler squad, it was the fact they ranked last in the GLIAC in defending the pass…and that’s a stat that Jones-Quartey will no doubt be keenly interested in helping to reverse this season.

Findlay has six home games this year, and it would appear that the bulk of their key games will take place as a part of that home slate.  Outside of trips to Ferris and Northern, many of their tougher match-ups will take place at Donnell, including visits from Hillsdale, rival Ashland, and Grand Valley.