Bogle, Apel embrace captains roles as Watkins readies for playoff run
PATASKALA ― Watkins Memorial's Jimmy Bogle and John Apel were chosen as junior captains for a reason.
Teaming up with seniors Victor Oliver, Colton Rhoades and Sean Sheehan, they've helped the Warriors (7-3) put together another successful season and in line to make another postseason run. Tenth-seeded Watkins will open Division II, Region 7 play against seventh-seeded Independence (5-5) at Africentric on Friday.
"Jimmy did a great job in the off-season leading things," coach Darren Waters said of the 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman. "Apel has a great work ethic and sets an example for everyone around him."
Bogle is being recruited collegiately, and has game visits planned to Robert Morris and St. Francis, Pa.
"He's a very vocal leader," Apel said. "He's always making sure everyone is paying attention, no matter what player it is. And he's always working real hard."
In addition to his track speed, Bogle said Apel brings a lot of energy.
"He picks everyone up when they're down, and is always positive," Bogle said.
Apel has 40 pass receptions for 531 yards and four touchdowns, including a 36-yarder against Granville on Friday, where he dove and made a sliding catch from Drew Samsal in the back of the end zone. Sophomore Jaeden Ricketts leads the Warriors with 45 catches for 563 yards and eight scores, while Samsal has hit on 155 of 232 passes for 1,711 yards and 18 touchdowns in his first year as starter.
Bogle and Apel have taken their captains roles seriously.
"The seniors have played a huge part. They took me right in, and I even played with some of them on jayvee as sophomores," Bogle said. "They're a huge part of a lot of the leadership.
He and Apel try to do their part as well.
"It's a lot more leadership for us, and we try to help the seniors with the younger guys, so they're ready for next year, too," Apel said.
Their leadership will be needed as Watkins tries to bounce back from the disappointing 31-6 loss to Granville on senior night, which cost the Warriors a share of the Licking County League-Buckeye Division title, as well as a home playoff game.
"We're just treating it like it's a brand new season," Bogle said. "It's another Week 1, except it's win or go home. It's a big opportunity, and we want to go a lot deeper than last year."
Added Apel: "It's a new game, and it's actually a new season," he said. "We can't worry about what's behind us. Only what's in front of us. There's been a lot of buildup for this. There's a lot of competition in practice, and it gets us ready."
Waters called the playoffs the "fourth quarter" of the season, and told the Warriors they are in "rarefied air." It's up to them what they want to do with their opportunity.
"Independence is fast out to the huddle, and they're very aggressive defensively," Waters said. "We want to play our best football, so we have to be disciplined, and execute at a high level."
740-704-7973
Instagram: @dfweidig
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Bogle, Apel embrace captains roles as Watkins readies for playoff run
