Tribe's backup proved worthy

Get to practice on Monday, fresh off a 44-7 shellacking of a conference opponent, only to see that No. 45 isn’t there.
What’s next, panic? With the defending Midwest Athletic Conference and Division V state champion Coldwater looming in four days, it would have been understandable if nerves were high.
It was going to be a dogfight, but without No. 45 — that’s Caleb Martin’s practice jersey; on game days he dons No. 9 — what is the course of action?
Next man up.
That man, No. 28. A senior. Jason Roessner.
For the utility guy — he’s played every skill position for the Fort Recovery High School football team — sliding under center is nothing out of the ordinary.
In fact, he played a number of snaps in the Division VII state championship game in December when Martin had to sit out with leg cramps.
Instead of panicking, the Indians simply got to work Sept. 12, when they learned Martin had to miss two weeks because of an appendectomy.
“The nice thing about Jason is that he knows our offense,” said Dave Blockberger, the Tribe’s offensive coordinator. “We really didn’t have to change any of our terminology or schemes because he gets it all.”
Martin is listed at 6-feet, 4-inches tall. Roessner stands 7 inches shorter. Aside from the height difference, Martin — he’s committed to play for the University of Toledo — has a stronger arm. For that reason, the deep passing plays were obviously out of the question. But Fort Recovery’s coaching staff gave Roessner the same freedom as the starter to read the defense before the snap and check to a different play if necessary.
The Indians lost that Friday on the road to Coldwater, 30-12, so far their only notch in the loss column. Roessner completed 10 of his 19 pass attempts for 95 yards and one touchdown. He also carried the ball 17 more times for 85 yards.

Not a bad day against the best team in the conference and Division V, especially for someone who hadn’t taken any game reps under center in nine months.
“Felt with Coldwater we could play loose because we had nothing to lose,” Roessner said. “We had a lot of freedom going into it and coaches did a good job of preparing us.”
A week later, the fifth-ranked Indians hosted the Minster Wildcats, a team they beat in the regional championship game last season. Junior running back Will Homan was the star of the night, rushing for 125 yards and scoring all five of Fort Recovery’s touchdowns in a 33-21 victory.
But Roessner was just as effective, going 9-of-15 for 113 yards and adding 58 rushing yards on 15 carries. Most of those were designed runs — something Martin doesn’t benefit from too often — with Homan as another lead blocker.
In two games, Roessner was 19-of-34 passing for 208 yards, one touchdown and one interception as well as 143 rushing yards on 32 carries.
“Pretty happy with how I did,” Roessner said. “That’s a credit to our coaches and the guys around me too. They make it easy with that offensive line and Will Homan.”
And his teammates were happy for him too.
“He definitely stepped up on such a short notice and did a really good job taking this team and becoming a leader of it,” Martin said.
“Jason Roessner has been awesome,” said Homan. “I love playing with him. One of the smartest dudes to play football with. He’s fun to play with.”
Roessner had all that offensive production without ever leaving the playing field. He plays every defensive down as a linebacker.
“He’s just one of those kids that … whatever it takes for him to help his team to be successful, he’s willing to do it,” Niekamp said.
“He’s just a gamer,” Blockberger said. “He’s a confident kid … I have all the faith in the world for him and we’ll continue to let him take some snaps for us and be our backup.
“He’s a versatile kid. It’s nice to have a kid like that.”
With Martin cleared to play this week at Versailles, Roessner will step out of the spotlight and back into his role as the offensive utility man, lining up in the back field, as a tight end, as an H-back or split out wide.
Cameras will return their focus to Martin and Homan in the backfield, but that doesn’t mean Roessner’s production will go unnoticed.
Because for two weeks, with all eyes on him, he embraced the role. He did exactly what he had to when his team needed him the most.