DAYTON (Class A)

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SCHEDULE Aug. 27 at Bellevue Sept. 3 NEWPORT Sept. 10 at Holmes Sept. 17 PARIS Sept. 24 at Raceland Oct. 1 at Beechwood Oct. 8 at Ludlow Oct. 15 NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC Oct. 22 vs. Holy Cross at Holmes Oct. 29 BELLEVUE (All games at 7:30 unless noted) Coach: Dan Ridder (56-74) Outlook: Playoff berths in this Class A district are often a matter of inches. Last year, Dayton beat Bellevue in the season finale to earn the district's No. 2 spot and two home playoff games. But a loss would have dropped them to last in the district and meant no postseason. ''That lets you know how close of a race that was,'' Ridder said. ''It could be that close again this year.'' Dayton has reached the postseason four consecutive years, and will be there again if its reconstructed backfield blossoms. It graduated the trio of Charlie Young, John Campoamor and Chris Brummett, who combined for 2,000 rushing yards last year. Last year's QB, Jimmy Hill, has been moved to running back to accentuate his speed, and junior Scott Reckers takes over under center. ''Reckers was a back, then last year we needed him at tight end,'' Ridder said. ''We made him a QB in the offseason. He's a good athlete. He's making the switch well.'' The offense could sputter awhile as Ridder installs a new system (Hint: Expect more passing). The defense could carry Dayton awhile; seven starters return there, including the entire secondary.

ROSTER Name Pos Ht Wt Yr Jim Abbatiello T-DE 6-2 200 11 Nick Baldwin TE-DE 5-9 170 11 Darrell Brummett C-DT 6-0 230 12 Dustin Brummett RB-LB 5-10 170 12 Nick Carnes T-T 5-11 180 12 Jim Feltner HB-DB 5-7 140 10 Jim Gilbert R-S 6-0 165 11 Matt Gross QB-DB 5-6 130 10 Daniel Hill G-DT 5-8 155 12 Jimmy Hill HB-DB 5-9 160 12 Lyle Honaker T-DT 5-9 175 11 Erich Huff R-DB 5-5 125 10 Brad Leger G-DT 5-9 210 11 Chris Loerich K-DB 5-6 130 11 Bobby Lovell R-DB 5-6 125 10 Nic Lovell FB-DE 5-9 150 11 Mark Marimon SE-DB 5-8 140 11 Josh Meiggs G-DT 5-7 170 10 Chris Neimeister G-DT 5-6 160 12 Eric Nicholas G-LB 5-10 170 10 Jeff Nickell G-DE 5-9 185 11 Scott Reckers QB-LB 5-11 170 11 Chris Roberts G-DT 5-10 170 11 Mark Singleton FB-LB 5-8 165 10 Kevin Skirvin TE-S 6-3 180 12 Matt Smith C-DT 5-9 180 10 Mark Suer G-DE 6-1 210 11 Curtis Turner RB-DB 5-8 150 12 Jason Tursany RB-DB 5-6 135 11 Chris Wiseman RB-DB 5-8 150 12 Jason Wiseman HB-LB 5-9 145 11 Jeremy Wiseman T-DT 6-0 230 12