Versatile Meyers does what’s asked for Utica football
UTICA - You do not have to look far to find a player that plays both offense and defense for Utica in 2017. In fact, it would be far easier to point out those on Utica’s 48-player roster who do not.
Junior Garrett Meyers plays on special teams as well. The only time Meyers is not on the field is Utica’s kickoff and field goal units.
“Garrett is a tough kid,” Utica coach Ted Londot said. “He’s very athletic. He does a nice job prepping for each game, and he’s a man of many hats for us. So far he’s played linebacker, safety, running back and receiver and then we ask him to play special teams, too. That’s what we do here at Utica, it’s an ‘iron man football’ mind-set.”
Lending to that versatility, Meyers practiced all offseason at outside linebacker and played the first two games against Centerburg and East Knox at that position. He then moved to safety in week 3 against Fredericktown.
Meyers has a team-high 33 tackles, including three for loss, and he had an interception in the season opener.
“I just play where the coaches want me to play,” Meyers said recently. “I moved to safety (against Fredericktown) since Mack (Marston) couldn’t play, and the coaches told me they really like me at that position.”
Meyers also starts at running back on offense, where he scored two short rushing touchdowns against the Freddies, caught eight passes for 57 yards out of the backfield and returned kickoffs on special teams.
Despite the rushing touchdowns against Fredericktown, Meyers’ biggest asset to the Redskins offense which operates mainly out of shotgun spread, is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, or bump out to a slot receiver position.
Though Utica often tries to push the ball down the field with vertical passes and crossing-routes to their taller receivers, senior Mason Bodle and junior Mack Marston, Meyers provides a reliable pass-catching compliment out of the backfield in short-yardage or check-down situations.
“We have a really great group of seniors, so I like to let them be the vocal leaders of the team,” Meyers said. “Being a junior now and starting both ways, I do feel like a leader on the team, but I tend to just go out and do what the coaches ask of me and try to show the younger guys by example, what it means to be part of the close-knit team we have.”
After having a chance to win each of its first three games during the fourth quarter, Utica was unable to keep up with unbeaten Licking Valley this past Friday falling 43-13. Brad Potes’ 44-yard touchdown pass to Marston cut an early deficit to 14-7, but Valley scored 21 points during the final 6:18 of the first half.
Potes and Marston connected 10 times, including a 24-yard touchdown pass during the final minute. Meyers led the defense in tackles, and Josh Dickson intercepted a pass.
“Honestly everyone is still confident, and everyone is still trying really hard,” Meyers said. “We know we have the talent and scheme to compete. We just have to put it all together and make it work. We’re all brothers and it’s a very close team, so nobody is going to let anyone get down.”
Aug. 25: Centerburg 19, Utica 14
Sept. 1: East Knox 34, Utica 19
Sept. 8: Fredericktown 34, Utica 21
Sept. 15: Valley 43, Utica 13
Sept. 22: @Granville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: Newark Catholic, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: Heath, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: @Johnstown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: @Northridge, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: Lakewood, 7 p.m.