Football Preview 2025

Berkshire High School

Badgers Reloading Amid Slight Roster Changes

By Rich Kelly spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

Coming on the heels of a fine 8-4 season with the school's first playoff win in school history, the Berkshire Badgers do have some holes to fill due to graduation, especially along the trenches of both the offensive and defensive lines.

The loss of a player the caliber of Justin Phillips also leaves a void.

That said, Head Coach Josh DeWeese has a solid core of athletes back for the 2025 season that he feels very confident about, and a spirit of optimism runs freely through the team as it prepares for the

Buoyed by 15 seniors on a roster of nearly 40, the feeling among everybody is that this will be a season of reloading — not rebuilding.

The enthusiasm begins with Coach DeWeese and filters quickly throughout the roster. Preparations are underway at full speed.

Speed may well be the key factor, too.

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 Harvey

Aug. 29 @Hawken

Sept. 5 Cardinal

Sept. 13 @Trinity

Sept. 19 Fairview

Sept. 26 Rootstown*

Oct. 3 @Kirtland

Oct. 10 @Crestwood

Oct. 17 Wickliffe

Oct. 24 @Chagrin Falls

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

outside better to set blocks and create spots for the runners,” DeWeese said. “Jus tin was a tough guy to replace, but having kids back like we have sets us up to have high expectations — and I do."

Tiller will set up the lines on both sides of the ball.

“The biggest thing we need to do comes in our lines on both sides of the ball this year," Coach DeWeese said. "We only have one returning starter back in Danny Tiller. He's a good place to start, but without as much size in the trenches, we will be making some adjustments.”

DeWeese said the team returns some great skill players in the likes of Oliver Miller, Sam Barcikoski, Ayden Wiser and Sam Bable, guys who played last year with success and ability.

“We should be faster, so guys can get

A senior, he is excited for the team and himself. At 6-1 and 205 pounds, getting into position to block and shed blocks de fensively, he is in a good spot for his last year in Burton.

“I want to be a first-team all league play er, and to get some honors in other areas along the way,” he said. “I'm the only guy back in the lines from last year, so I need to be a leader for the younger guys and for our team all the time. Keeping a positive attitude will be huge for us this year, and I want to be in the front of it all as much as I can.”

Sam Barcikoski will be doing much of the work at quarterback, and looks forward

Players to Watch

the lines this year,” Barcikoski said. “The coaches have made some system changes to take advantage of our team speed, and it's really been a lot of fun so far for me. We've got some great runners back this along.” relying on speed to get things done. A pair of senior linebackers will key that effort.

Sam Bable has taken new things well, and sees good results coming.

we are much faster now. It's just a matter of using our team speed instead of relying on strength and size to get things done. For my senior year, I think we are in great

While depending a bunch on the senior leadership, others will also play huge roles. Oliver Miller, a junior, will make use of the newer blocking schemes, as will Ayden Wiser.

“I'm really looking forward to this season,” he said. “The coaches have changed up our defenses with some special ideas, and having the speed, as we do, to make them work is going to be fun for me.”

Senior Brady Wadsworth also will be filling a role at linebacker, and the confidence of his teammates and coaches has rubbed off on everybody.

“We lost some good players from last year's team,” he said. "At the same time,

Team Profile

Nickname: Badgers

Colors: Purple & Gold

Home: Great Lakes

Cheese Stadium

Conference: Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division

OHSAA: Div. V, Region 17

Changing up the defense this season from past 4-2-5 sets to a 4-3-3 configuration will allow the faster linebackers and defensive backs to make more plays. And in rare moments when the offense could bog down, if they are in range, senior Roman Percic has proven himself to be a pretty fair kicker of the pigskin, meaning points are still possible in those moments.

For Coach DeWeese, this should be another fun season.

“I've been blessed to have some great kids here,” he said. “This is another season like that, and there is good reason for having high expectations.”

Playoff History: 1975, 1981, 1983, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 (1-9)

OHSAA Football Tournament Enrollment: 179

2024 Season: 8-4

Coaches: Gordon Cossick (Off. Coordinator), Ron Brown (Def. Coordinator), Jason Heiden, Jack Arnold, Aaron Rataj, Matt Tiller, Joe Shumar, Chris Soltis

Trainer: Emily Sonnie

Roster: 51 total (17 seniors, 12 juniors, 8 sophomores, 14 freshmen)

Pay to Play Fee: None

Follow the Team: @BHSBadgerDen

Cheerleaders: Captain Laila Spangenberg, Captain Kaylee Neill, Captain Emma Blough, Delaney Gumm, Lexie Homer, Stella Hoskin, Chloe Blough, Bella Bryndal, Mia Czuprun, Julianna Leagan, Hunter Neill, Becca Kimpton, Kenzie Hart, Taylor Conkey, Gabbie Guarnera, Payton Sisco, Hayley Matzek

Cardinal High School

Huskies Ready to Prove Heart Beats Numbers

By haley adams spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

There will be lots of “firsts” for the Cardinal Huskies once again as they step foot onto the football field this season.

The Huskies say good-bye to competing in the Chagrin Valley Conference after spending 29 years in the conference, and now turn the page in the Northeastern Athletic Conference.

This year's NAC opponents, with their records from last season, are Ashtabula-St. John (3-6), Windham (10-2), Grand Valley (1-9), Pymatuning Valley (10-2), Vienna-Mathews (1-9) and Fairport (5-5).

The Huskies are also — again — under a new coaching staff.

Keith Fife will step into the role as head coach after three years on staff as an assistant.

With just 19 players on the preseason roster, the Huskies will need to rely on each other throughout the season and avoid injury if they want to have success.

Cardinal finished last season 1-9 overall.

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 LaBrae

Aug. 29 @Champion

Sept. 5 @Berkshire

Sept. 12 Fairport

Sept. 19 @Windham

Sept. 26 John Adams

Oct. 3 @Mathews

Oct. 10 @Grand Valley

Oct. 17 Py Valley*

Oct. 24 St. John

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

receiver and defensive backs’ coach.

Cardinal will look to lean on Matt Can field, one of just three seniors on the team.

He will mainly take the role of tight end, but also provide experience and knowledge as a linebacker on the defensive end.

Under his third head coach in four years, Canfield talked about how he and his teammates can overcome.

Now, with just four returning starters, Coach Fife and his crew are ready to display grit and fight against challenging times.

“Grit — the team has the desire to not give up, and has a never-quit attitude,” Coach Fife said.

Joining him on staff is first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Slone.

Jack Wallace will take the defensive responsibilities; he most recently coached at Nordonia High School. And assistant coach Gage Fife will remain on staff as the wide

“It’s been a lot of change, but we always work through it and learn,” Canfield said.

Joining him for the first time are Sam Pannetti and Joshua Phillips. The latter hasn't played since his freshman season.

The three will play big roles on the of fensive line for Joshua Miller, who steps into the quarterback position for the first time in his career.

Phillips, who stands at 6 feet 4 inches, will work alongside junior Xzavier Apathy, who is also 6-4, and will have lineman responsibilities.

Players to Watch Team Profile

“Being a returning player really helps this year because we have a lot of new kids. When we have the knowledge, we give it to the younger players,” Canfield said.

As Coach Keith Fife looked at his in coming freshmen and newcomers, he was excited to see the play from Miller, who showed poise and maturity during the off season workouts as he stepped into his new role.

“Despite not being able to have a lot of players come off the field, it’s going to be tiring,” Miller said. “But that’s why, during this offseason, we will overcome that with conditioning and strength-building involved with team-building to push one another.”

Jaiden Fix, a junior, could also see time as a wide reciver.

“Joshua and I are really looking to throw quick passes in the short game, and look to get first downs on each possession," Fix said.

After a breakout freshman season, Mason Thistlethwaite makes a return as running back.

A top returner for the Huskies who will see a lot of their offense run through him, Thistlethwaite hopes to put up big numbers in the NAC, like he did against his

Freshman Brayden Page will look to make his mark in his first season with the Huskies. He will also play some minutes as

Senior Sam Pannetti has also pleased the coaching staff with his attention to de tail. He isn’t afraid to ask questions.

“With low numbers, a lot of our play ers will be playing both sides of the ball,”

Coach Keith Fife said. “With time in the classroom and one-on-one training during practice, we are slowly coming together.”

Added Fix: “I think our team’s biggest strength is going to be our defense. With the addition of Coach Wallace, we are going to have a strong defense.”

Coach Keith Fife hopes that if younger players see what he and his staff are building and envisioning, it will also encourage them to come out in the future, the coach hopes.

“We want to get the kids to believe in themselves first, and then believe in their teammates,” he said. “Once that happens, the sky is the limit for this team. We want to be competitive, show improvements from last season, and watch our younger players grow this season.”

Nickname: Huskies

Colors: Red, White & Black

Home: Richard A. Moss Field Conference: Northeastern Athletic Conference

OHSAA: Div. VII, Region 25

Playoff History: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (1-4)

OHSAA Football Tournament

Enrollment: 85

2024 Season: 1-9

Coaches: Ryan Slone (Off. Coordinator), Jackie Wallace (Def. Coordinator), Gage Fife

Trainer: UH Trainer

Roster: 19 total (3 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 sophomores, 7 freshmen)

Pay to Play Fee: None

Follow the Team: @cardinalhuskies, Cardinal Athletic Boosters on FB

Cheerleaders: Captain Riley Gates, Captain Elli Dubasik, Avryonna Barbee, Kara Everett, Cloe Kudera, Nikya Barbee, Lizzy Fay, Katie Popik, Khloe Wojtasik

Chagrin Falls High School

Tigers Home Playoff Game Goal Within Grasp

John Scott

5th season (18-23): A social studies teacher at the high school and middle school, Scott is a Solon graduate and was a 22-year assistant before taking the helm. Scott hopes to build off of a 2024 playoff appearance.

By JacK Gillespie spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

The Chagrin Falls Tigers roll into 2025 with their eyes set on a return to the play-

Coming off their first postseason appearance in 13 years, they're looking to build upon last year's success by bringing a home playoff game to Harris Stadium.

“We love playing in this beautiful stadium,” Head Coach John Scott said. “It’d be nice to get to play as many home games as

Coach Scott is not alone in his desire to host a playoff game at home. When asked about the team’s main goal for the season, multiple players echoed a similar sentiment.

“We want to win a playoff game,” senior quarterback Jacob Kay said. “If we could have it at home, that’d be nice.”

“The main goal is definitely a home playoff game,” senior middle linebacker and running back Cole Kramer said. ”And, as always, we want to finish with a winning record.”

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 Jefferson

Aug. 29 @Orange

Sept. 5 @West Geauga

Sept. 12 @Independence

Sept. 19 Cuyahoga Hts.*

Sept. 26 @Crestwood

Oct. 3 Wickliffe

Oct. 10 Kirtland

Oct. 17 @Rootstown

Oct. 24 Berkshire

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Kay will be accompanied by senior running back Jack Gellin and junior running back Jake McClintock.

The group looks to carry the leader ship torch from the senior class a year ago. Kay feels they are ready to build upon that foundation.

A home playoff game would allow the Tigers to feed on the support of their fans. The Chagrin Falls community has rallied behind the program – a passion amplified by the Tigers’ 2024 run.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm in the community,” Coach Scott said. “We want to take advantage of that momentum, and having success on Friday nights is how you do that.”

Chagrin Falls returns three offensive starters in their backfield from last year.

“We had some really good senior lead ership last year that really helped,” Kay said.” They showed us how to be good lead ers. We know what it takes to get there; now we just have to go do it.”

Coach Scott explained that the team's offensive line will be completely revamped, with five new faces in the trenches. The Tigers will also have a fresh batch of pass catchers. However, he feels confident that his experienced backfield will help make the transition a smooth one.

“We have a lot of inexperience, but Jacob Kay and Jack Gellin are both going to be three-year starters, and Jake McClintock started last year as a sophomore at

Players to Watch

fullback,” Coach Scott said.

Gellin is ready to help the newcomers get up to speed. He trusts they'll be up for the challenge and attributes the group's off-the-field relationship for his confidence in leading the unit.

experience in the front seven for a group that's young on the back end.

Team Profile

Nickname: Tigers

Orange & Black

C.S. Harris Stadium

Conference: Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division

OHSAA: Div. V, Region 17

“I personally just want to do everything I can to get us wins and get us to the playoffs,” Gellin said. “We’ve been working hard to get everybody acclimated with the new offensive schemes. Obviously, this is my first year playing with a lot of those guys, but we’ve got a really good relationship and I trust them.”

Coach Scott didn’t tip his hat when it came to those new offensive schemes. However, he did give some insight into what could be expected from the Tigers.

“We’ve got a talented group, but we’re going to be undersized,” Coach Scott said. “I think we have five kids on the roster above 210 pounds. So we are going to rely on our speed and athleticism to have success.”

On the defensive side, Chagrin Falls returns senior defensive linemen Enzo Fransko and Alex Hardy, as well as McClintock and senior Cole Kramer in the linebacking corp. These four look to provide

Kramer believes last season’s playoff birth provided the experience needed to deliver this season. Now, knowing what postseason football is like, he feels confident these Tigers will remain composed under the bright lights of November.

“We will be ready to play under more pressure, because you definitely feel more pressure in the playoffs,” Kramer said. “That experience will help us stay calm as a group during those tough, high-pressure situations.”

McClintock agreed: the defense has to be ready for a heightened atmosphere. He said the younger guys must also be ready for the jump in game speed on Friday nights – especially in the postseason.

“It’s a lot different, and the game is a lot faster,” McClintock said. “We need to be able to react quicker and remain positive throughout the game.”

Of course the playoffs are a long ways away, and the Tigers understand that, so they are focused on stacking one win at a time. They also believe they will get a good yardmarker to begin their schedule.

Playoff History: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2024 (19-13)

OHSAA Football Tournament Enrollment: 186

2024 Season: 6-5

Coaches: Ken McClintock (Assistant Head Coach), Adam Lesko, Wally Sonnie, Zack Lesko (Def. Coordinator), T. J. Florkiewicz (Sp. Teams Coordinator), Kevin Owen, Tommy Murtaugh, James Sferra, Zach Farmer

Trainer: Evan Schlanser

Roster: 52 total (13 seniors, 15 juniors, 13 sophomores, 11 freshmen)

Pay to Play Fee: None

Follow the Team: @FootballChagrin

Cheerleaders: Layla Hauserman, Anthony Lauer, Bethany Vehar, Zadie Stepnowsky, KellyAnne Mooney, Paige Morrison, Julia Miekle, Morgan Graves, Samantha Benzel

Chardon High School

New Hilltoppers Era Allgood So Far Under Landies

Brian Landies

By Jamie WaRd Jamie@KaRlovecmedia com

Brian Landies is a 2002 Chardon graduate. He’s a Chardon worker, a Chardon shopper, a Chardon coach, and, maybe above all, a Chardon family man — he has seven Chardon kids.

And now, like his predecessor and former boss, the revered Mitch Hewitt, Landies is also Chardon head varsity football coach. It’s not a job he thought he wanted or dreamed of having. But eventually it made the most sense for this Hilltoppers football program.

Chardon fans know and love the Wing-T offense full of predictable formations and motions and unpredictable ballcarriers and pass plays. The team’s offensive approach will stay the same, but some minor changes, like blocking schemes, will be implemented by a familiar face in Offensive Coordinator Mark Percassi. Percassi is a 1986 Chardon grad who once coached with legendary former coach Bob Doyle.

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 @Massillon Jackson

Aug. 29 @Cleveland Hts.

Sept. 5 McDowell (PA)

Sept. 12 @Perry

Sept. 20 @Cardinal Mooney

Sept. 26 Riverside*

Oct. 3 North

Oct. 10 @Mayfield

Oct. 17 @South

Oct. 24 Kenston

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

games as a freshman. Senior Carson Hope has had a great camp, his coach said. Junior Brennan Poole will round out the starting five. Junior Ivan Chuha is a strong blocking tight end.

The Hilltoppers biggest offensive weap on will be senior Drayton Allgood, who started at QB a year ago and will also be used as a primary runner this season.

A strength will be the team’s offensive line. All have started at some point in their career. “They are big, physical, violent,” Coach Landies said. “A good offensive line makes us better on defense, makes us better in the passing game.”

Senior Andrew Baggott (6-5, 270) and junior Aiden Hardesty are the leaders and most experienced linemen.

“I think we have a lot of guys returning who are very confident,” Baggott said. “That experience really helps. We really mesh together.”

Sophomore Stephen Andrews started

“As electric and good as he was last year, his offseason was elite,” Landies said. “He’s grown, he’s matured...he doesn’t let anything linger.”

Allgood agreed he’s more comfortable now, and also excited about a new role on offense — a slash. “We’re out here working as hard as possible,” he said. “We are more of a brotherhood this year.”

The Hilltoppers will use multiple ballcarriers this season. Inside that stable will be junior fullback Drew Platz, who started most of last season and has good size at 205 pounds.

Players to Watch Team Profile

Senior Max Hannen, junior Rocco Tarantino, senior Jayden Buth and senior Cal Smith will all share carriers. Coach Landies likes the quality and depth.

If and when Charon decides to throw the ball — something the team has worked on in the offseason with Percassi — senior Dylan Conroy has looked good in camp at wide receiver. There are several other players in that mix, possession receivers.Chuha and Matthew McIlroy are big targets. “Chuha is going to have a big year,” Landies said. Landies was defensive coordinator under Hewitt for 14 seasons and will continue to call the Chardon defense.

Many Hilltoppers will play one and a half ways, meaning primarily-defensive players will play some offense and vice versa.

There are only three returning starters. Linebackers are the strength of the defense, led by the “heat-seeking missile” Jayden Buth. “Like, you can hear him play football,” Landies said.

“We have a lot of younger guys,” said Buth, who thinks the defense has a lot of speed. “I like to stay on them, I like to make sure my young guys are in check. This senior class is a bunch of leaders. We are loud and physical and violent. We have a lot of

dudes who stick their nose on the ball.”

Platz will also play inside linebacker. The outside backers will be Chuha, Cal Smith and Ryan Kolcum.

Chardon’s defensive line will be quick and physical, although most faces will be new.

McIlroy is a defensive end who wants to use his cross chop to have the most sacks in the state. He’s the team leader.

“These guys come here to work and to be aggressive,” McIlroy said. “Last year, we didn’t have a leader on defense. This year, I’m trying to be the voice of the damn team. We need someone to understand and show them that games are close, it happens. Last year’s seniors had a mentality that everything is given. With these guys, they don’t take anything for granted. I know they’re going to show up.”

Even Allgood will play defense at cornerback. Senior Dominic Frisco will start at corner, as will senior Dylan Conroy.

Tarantino and Andrew Cole are the team’s starting safeties. Nathan Zombory and Braedan Shultz will also play big defensive roles.

Chardon has added some former players to its coaching staff in Joe Cyvas, Keaton Ziegenfuss, T.J. Altman and R.J. Pikus.

Nickname: Hilltoppers

Colors: Red & Black

Home: Chardon Memorial Field Conference: Western Reserve Conference

OHSAA: Div. III, Region 9

Playoff History: 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 (47-21)

OHSAA Football Tournament Enrollment: 351

2024 Season: 8-3

Coaches: Mark Percassi (Off. Coordinator), T.J. Altman, Luke Chuha, Joe Cyvas, Bob Francis, Dylan Hemly, Marty Mackar, Mark McNellie, Rick Mysyk, Scott Platz, Corey Sarosy, Dave Toaddy, Rob Vujaklija, Brett Weidig, Keaton Ziegenfuss

Trainer: John Brutvan

Roster: 61 total (17 seniors, 16 juniors, 28 sophomores)

Pay to Play Fee: None

Follow the Team: @topperfb, @toppernation

Cheerleaders: Giada Fioritto, Shelby Spence, Delaney Guillian, Gracie Smith, Audrey Andler, Angelina Colombi, Elizabeth Mach, Phoebe Auth, Izzy Burke, Ailena Stockton, Haylee Fay, Addison Borden, Faith Francis, Adriana Tritto, Leah Keyser

Hawken High School

Hawks Look to Jet Past Opponents Toward CVC Title

By alan KoRnspan spoRts@KaRlovecmedia.com

The Hawken Hawks, led by Head Coach Mark Iammarino, will look to use speed, strength and skill to fly by opponents throughout the 2025 football season.

Iammarino, now entering his fourth year (22-11) at the helm for the Hawks and 31st season overall (207-112), plans to lead his team to another strong season following last year's 8-3 campaign and second-place finish in the Chagrin Valley Conference (CVC) Chagrin Division.

Leading the team will be two senior Division I commits: 6-6, 215-pound quarterback Donovan Moorhead (Jacksonville State) and 6-1, 215-pound senior running back/middle linebacker Kene Obi (Harvard), as well as junior third-year starting wide receiver Charlie Mallett at 6-3 and 178 pounds.

In recent years, Coach Iammarino said the Hawks have focused their offense on running between the tackles with Dominic and Jordan Johnson. However, this year the offense will focus more on stretching out the defense.

Thus, the Hawks will use a jet offense, their speed and quickness providing opponents with the challenge of stopping them over the whole field, sideline to sideline, Coach Iammarino explained.

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 @Cleve. Centr. Cath.

Aug. 29 Berkshire

Sept. 5 @Gilmour

Sept. 12 Geneva

Sept. 19 @Madison

Sept. 26 West Geauga*

Oct. 3 @Lutheran West

Oct. 10 Orange

Oct. 17 @Harvey

Oct. 24 Perry

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

lent sophomore year which saw him haul in 61 passes for 957 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In his first two years, Mallett has al ready accumulated 25 career touchdown catches and 1,543 receiving yards.

Finishing second in the Chagrin Divi sion last season, he hopes to compete for the 2025 CVC Chagrin Valley Division Title.

“In my two years here, we haven't won the CVC,” Mallett said, “so something I'm looking forward to is competing with Perry in that last game and really trying to fight for that CVC Title that we haven't gotten yet.”

Leading this jet-style offense will be senior quarterback Donovan Moorhead.

Entering his third year as QB1, Moorhead has had a great run for the Hawks, having broken almost every career and single-season passing record. In fact, throughout his career, Moorhead has thrown for 51 touchdowns and 3,720 yards and completed 62.4 percent of his passes.

In achieving success, Moorhead has accumulated a career quarterback rating of 111.1.

Moorhead looks forward to playing in a more wide open offense this season.

“Looking forward to throwing it around a bit more,” he said. “I like to hand the ball off, however, I prefer to throw it.”

Moorhead will have a trio of key returning receivers to get the ball to, including junior Charlie Mallett and seniors Kene Obi and Tommy Wright.

Mallett, a junior All-Ohioan, already has set many Hawks records in his first two seasons. He'll look to improve upon an excel-

Also catching the ball out of the back field and anchoring the ground game for the Hawks Obi, a Harvard commit, who will be a dual threat on offense for the Hawks. Last year he caught 34 passes for 298 yards (8.8 average) and three touchdowns. In addition, he carried the ball 65 times for 334 yards (5.3 average) and two touchdowns.

Like Mallett, Obi is motivated, focused on team goals and excelling in November to win the Chagrin Valley Division Title.

“(Goals are) to win as many games as possible,” Obi said. “Right now we have our eyes on just winning the CVC and being as successful as possible in November, and getting that playoff seed.”

Senior three-year starter Tommy Wright is also expected to make an impact at the wide receiver position. In 2024, Wright had 30 catches for 286 yards and three touchdowns. Also look for senior wide receiver Colby Bautista to have an impact on the Hawks offense.

Providing protection on the offensive line — in order for Moorhead to effectively

Players to Watch

run the jet offense — will be Brendan Healey, JP Ours, Miles Hamilton, Zack Mangini and Rocco Vitantonio.

Defensively, Coach Iammarino said that Obi (78 tackles, 13 tackles for losses, three sacks and one interception in 2024) will be integral to Hawken's defense.

“(Obi's) tape just wowed college coaches,” Coach Iammarino said. “He's explosive, he's fast, he runs sideline to sideline, he's aggressive. He's a force, and teams have to find out where he is and so everything (on defense) leads off him.”

Coach Iammarino said one player to watch on the Hawks' defense is lineman and rising sophomore Leroy Scales.

“Leroy has had a great summer,” said his coach. “He's awful tough to block, 5-11, 285. He's quick, he moves, he uses his hands really well.”

Additional Hawken athletes expected to make important defensive contributions are junior linebacker Mitch Greenberg (56 tackles, eight TFL and two sacks), junior linebacker Miles Hamilton (49 tackles, seven TFL and two sacks), free safety Charlie Mallet (44 tackles and two interceptions), and senior defensive tackle Brendan Healey (28 tackles, seven TFL and one sack).

On special teams, junior Joey Skoczen will be the kicker.

Team

Profile

Nickname: Hawks

Colors: Red & Gray

Home: Walton Stadium

Conference: Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division

OHSAA: Div. III, Region 9

Playoff History: 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2009, 2012, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 (10-14)

OHSAA Football Tournament Enrollment: 291

2024 Season: 8-3

Coaches: Dominic Petrella (Off. Coordinator), Will Appling, Tommy Iammarino, John Kraner, Ed Suggs, Jeff Thomas, Dan Walton, Sarah Royan

Roster: 28 total (6 Seniors, 12 Juniors, 7 Sophomores, 3 Freshmen)

Pay to Play Fee: None

Follow the Team: @HawkenAthletics

Kenston High School Bombers Filling Roles with Youth in Final WRC Season

By cameRon palmeR spoRts@KaRlovecmedia.com

The Kenston Bombers are coming off back-to-back seven-plus win seasons with two-straight Western Reserve Conference championships as the league enters its fi-

But this season’s Bombers squad will look a little different from the last few, with some major roles, like starting quarterback, looking to be filled by the team's

“For us, it’s been just getting back to the basics — teaching the fundamentals and being disciplined with our technique,” Head Coach Jeff Grubich said. “That is building the foundation for success. Our June and July camps have been all about those little things, and stacking them to build a foundation so that we can get into the bigger picture of things and game plan down the road.”

One of the key components of Kenston's offense has been three seasons with three straight 1,000-yard rushers.

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 Solon

Aug. 29 @Perry

Sept. 5 NDCL

Sept. 12 Buchtel

Sept. 19 @Manchester

Sept. 26 @North

Oct. 3 South

Oct. 10 Riverside*

Oct. 17 @Mayfield

Oct. 24 @Chardon

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

ask questions so we can execute come game time,” he said.

Hamm's running mate, Colin Weiland, who enters his senior season as the other element of the rushing game, will also con trol the defense at middle linebacker.

Hamm brings the speed while Weiland brings the power in this running back tan dem.

This season, the focus turns to Will Hamm, who enters his junior year poised to make a major impact on the offense.

“I’ve learned to be patient, and to read the line and run hard,” Hamm said. “As a team, we have to talk, move fast. We have to get the ball moving.”

Hamm, as one of the more experienced players of both sides of the ball, being a safety on the defensive side, is helping guide the younger players along.

“I just want to make sure everyone knows what they’re doing, and that they

“I always look at it as I have to get three yards as the power back, and (Will) is the fi nesse player and we want to get him out in space and do his dirty work, and I like my dirty work up the middle,” Weiland said.

A senior, Weiland is already starting to see the other key pieces of the defense who can make a difference this season.

“Some of the guys in the secondary who haven’t gotten to play a lot yet can make an impact,” he said. “Guys like Brendan Scheuer, Cade White, Dylan Ringness, Ethan Burge and Kahlil Hinton can make a big difference in the secondary, because

Players to Watch Team Profile

that’s the one part we’ve always had a problem with. The biggest part is, we got to get better (in the secondary), and I feel like those kids are the ones that do it for us.”

For those two running backs, their job offensively can’t be done without work upfront from the guys in the trenches, and that's where Ethan Black comes into play.

Black, a senior, looks to help the offensive line unit come together so they can fire on all cylinders come week one.

“I’m just trying to be one of those senior leaders, along with Adrian Guirguis,” he said. “Helping those guys come along, answering their questions whenever they come up, and learning from what the older, more experienced guys in the past have taught us, and going off that to help the young guys as much as we can.”

Black will not only anchor the offensive line but also be on the defensive line, trying to anchor both sides of the line of scrimmage.

“Last year, Zya’r Scott (who committed to play at Baldwin Wallace) was great,” Black said. “He helped me come along in my first year on varsity and taught me a lot of moves.”

This team is in a bit of a different spot

than in the last few years, but a thirdstraight Western Reserve Conference title is on the minds of this team, and Toran Savransky, another senior defensive lineman, is helping the whole team adapt to the changes.

“We definitely have a lot of new stuff going on, new coaches, and a lot of our players are young,” Savransky said. “We don’t have a lot of older guys, so it’s been different the past couple of seasons, for sure. But having this bond at practice and working with each other every day at practice helps.”

The quarterback battle was ongoing in camp between senior Jack Bryner and junior Adam Barr. But with week one closing in, the Kenston Bombers were working on bringing it all together.

“This season all depends on how fast we click,” Coach Grubich said. “Right now, it’s about putting a lot of raw pieces together and trying to figure out how it fits. I don’t think we’ll have the puzzle put together week one or two or three, but we’ve gotta be patient and trust the process. There’s no secret sauce; it’s all hard work, and about showing up every day and taking advantage of every rep.”

Nickname: Bombers

Colors: Blue & White

Home: Bombers Stadium

Conference: Western Reserve Conference

OHSAA: Div. III, Region 9

Playoff History: 1981, 1986, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 (18-15)

OHSAA Football Tournament Enrollment: 294

2024 Season: 7-4

Coaches: Joe Brahler (Off. Coordinator), Steve Teringo (Def. Coordinator), Bransen Stanley, Freddie Lockinour, Jack Porter, Pat Conochan, Bob Ross, Thomas Grenier, Will Bush, Chris Kosorek

Trainer: Viviani Deubel

Roster: 61 total (17 seniors, 12 juniors, 15 sophomores, 17 freshmen)

Pay to Play Fee: None

Follow the Team: @Bomber_Football Cheerleaders: Gianna Agresta, Zoe Calvello, Anna Cieslak, Emily Collins, Eva Domonkos, Abbi Felton, Sedona Gordon, Chloe Hebert, Rory Kaltenbach, Lola Keschl, Libby Kramer, Sofia Macias, Colette McIvor, Maddie Minich, Ryleigh Offutt, Ever Phillips, Evelyn Sanovich, Alison Schmidt, Lyla Taylor, Alayna Taylor, Carley Timmons, Quinn Wilson

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School

Lions Offense Ready to Roar as Season Approaches

By alan KoRnspan spoRts@KaRlovecmedia.com

NDCL Lions Head Coach Andre Griffin, son of the legendary Ohio State twotime Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, returns for his second year at the helm.

A former Buckeye running back, Coach Griffin said these Lions have had a strong off-season focused on building team chem-

The Lions are led by an experienced offensive line, including seniors Caiden Kovacs, Leo Kaczmarek, Alex Rizzo and Brendan Hernan.

Anchoring it will be three-year senior starter Caiden Kovacs (6-1, 290), who has offers to play college football at Baldwin Wallace, Denison, Hampden-Sydney College, Ohio Northern and Wabash College.

Kovacs, also a senior captain, is excited and grateful to lead the Lions.

“I'm grateful for the moment, I'm grateful to lead my teammates,” Kovacs said. “(This) is something I wanted to do since I started. It's just a full-circle moment.”

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 Struthers

Aug. 29 @West Geauga

Sept. 5 @Kenston

Sept. 12 Benedictine

Sept. 19 @Bedford

Sept. 26 Holy Name

Oct. 3 Padua*

Oct. 10 @CVCA

Oct. 17 @Elyria Catholic

Oct. 25 @Lake Catholic

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Hoenigman, while junior Brady Capel will step in at quarterback.

Hoenigman is excited to be running be hind a strong offensive line.

“We have a strong starting five, and then we have a lot of guys that provide depth.” said Hoenigman, who hopes to average at least 100 yards per game.

“We can keep switching guys out and keeping guys fresh,”

With a strong offensive line and a closeknit team, Kovacs sees the Lions putting a lot of points on the board as they utilize a balanced offense emphasizing both the run and the pass.

“We're going to be a high-powered offense,” Kovacs said. “We scored a lot of points last year, so we're hoping to break last year's point records.

“Watch out for a lot of record-breaking.”

Kovacs said that anchoring the running game will be senior running back Dylan

In addition to experience in the trench es, speed from the Lions' state champion ship track athletes will definitely challenge an opponent's defense.

Senior wide receiver and two-time 400m state champion Rob Bonchak (6-2, 185) will put opposing defenses to the test.

The senior captain is very excited about the upcoming season, too. He said the Lions have an abundance of speed and strength at the skill positions.

“Our guys (are) very skilled this year,” Bonchak said. “We're fast, we're strong,

Players to Watch Team Profile

(and) we have some great coaches right now coaching us up on all our skills.”

Bonchak also looks forward to watching new junior quarterback Brady Capel step in to lead the Lions offense.

“I am excited to see what he can put out there,” he said.

The other wideouts, juniors Casey McInnerney and Blake Dumermuth, are also extremely fast, Bonchak added.

“I think that our speed is going to be key for us,” he said. “We're going to try to beat all these corners as much as we can — we just don't have one kid that can beat them deep.”

On the defensive side of the ball, senior captain and defensive back Vance Marut is happy with how the Lions have looked this summer.

“The defense is looking great,” Marut said. “(We) got a lot of athletes out here, a lot of people that are ready to go make the play.”

On defense, Kovacs said the Lions return many starters. The team lost sack leader Connor Hernan to graduation. However, applying pressure to the quarterback this year as his replacement will be junior Joey Penny, who played a lot of varsity minutes last year.

Many of NDCL's top offensive players will also look to make important defensive contributions.

On special teams, the Lions have one of the top kickers in the state, senior All-Ohioan Ryan Cvitkovic.

Cvitkovic, in 2024, was the third NDCL kicker since 2017 to earn All-Ohio Honors following Gabe Brkic (2016, 2017, University of Oklahoma, Green Bay Packers) and Gianni Spectic (2022, Ohio University, University of Memphis).

He will look to follow up an excellent junior year that saw him convert 42 of 42 extra point attempts and five field goals.

The Lions will also have one of the top long snappers in the state of Ohio, junior Collin O'Brien.

O'Brien competed with the nation's top high school long snappers this summer when he was invited to the Kohl's National Invitational Scholarship Camp in mid-July. At the camp, O'Brien demonstrated strong fundamentals and averaged .78 seconds per snap.

Touting an excellent offensive line, extremely fast wideouts, many returning starters on defense, and elite special teams players, NDCL looks to have another great chance to return to the OHSAA playoffs for the fourth time since 2017.

Nickname: Lions

Colors: Blue & Gold

Home: Lion Stadium-Lozick Field

Conference: Crown Conference

OHSAA: Div. IV, Region 13

Playoff History: 2003, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2024 (5-11)

OHSAA Football Tournament

Enrollment: 267

2024 Season: 5-6

Coaches: Dan Kaczmarek (Def. Coordinator), Sam Vander Ven (Off. Coordinator), Chris Kovacs, Jeff Banker, Deavoni Temnikar, Eddie Daugherty, Rich Velotta, Nick Fitzgerald, Brendan Sweeney, Kevin Sonnie, Spencer Jacobson

Trainer: Mitch Geddis

Roster: 43 total (14 seniors, 17 juniors, 11 sophomores, 1 Freshman)

Pay to Play Fee: None

Follow the Team: @ndclathletics

Cheerleaders: Sophia Artim, Sarah Ringenbach, Piper Damberger, Gianna Nero, Gabby Basco, Addie Howell, Natalie Ziemnik, Ann Marie Morgan, Claire Huster, Presley Engoglia, Samm Nass, Carmen Del Valle, Vivian Bakos

West Geauga High School

Wolverines Look to Change Culture in 2025 Campaign

By cameRon palmeR spoRts@KaRlovecmedia com

Following a 2-8 finish in a trials-and-tribulations-filled 2024 season, the West Geauga Wolverines are gearing up for 2025 with a new head coach, hoping to shift the cul-

Rossi Santo was tapped on January 30 to be the program's new coach after working under Kirtland’s Tiger LaVerde the past six seasons.

The Hornets won a state championship in seven of the last 13 seasons, and have been in the state finals 13 of the last 14 years.

“I’ve learned a lot from (Tiger). Most importantly is, he treats people the right way, he’s nice to the kids, and they love being around him,” Coach Santo said. “That’s a part of why he’s so successful. That’s the best thing I’ve learned from him, and the second part is the schematics of how he runs his offense and defense. It was the best of both worlds, working with him.”

For his coaching staff, Coach Santo has one thing on his mind this season.

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 @Geneva

Aug. 29 NDCL

Sept. 5 Chagrin Falls

Sept. 12 Conneaut*

Sept. 19 @Edgewood

Sept. 26 @Hawken

Oct. 3 Harvey

Oct. 10 @Lutheran West

Oct. 17 Perry

Oct. 24 @Orange

*Homecoming

All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

“I’ve learned to rely on my teammates, and trying to be a leader,” Keenan said. “(Coach Santo) has done a great job; he’s been hard on us, and these new coaches are trying to build the culture up. We want to be tough-nosed, smash-mouth players.”

Keenan has his eyes set on a Week 11 playoff game, but knows each week is as important as the next.

“We’re trying to flip the script here at West G, and try to change the culture,” he said. “We’re trying to instill a big weight room program, and the returning coaches from last year have been awesome. I brought some guys over with me from Kirtland and Riverside. It’s our first year working together, so there’s going to be bumps, but the kids are responding well.”

Finn Keenan enters his fourth year as the Wolverines' starting quarterback. He earned All-CVC Honorable Mention last season.

“The absolute goal is to make a playoff, but we’re going to take each and try to go 1-0 each week,” he said.

Another returning All-CVC Honorable Mention player is Miles Baker, who will be one of many running backs to take carries but will anchor the defensive line off the edge, as well. He’s noticed a positive differ ence from last offseason to this offseason.

“We have a better mentality going into this season than last season,” Baker said. “The coaches are tougher on us, and more critical. They’re giving us constructive criticism.

“It’s beneficial to have these new coaches here. Last year I noticed that if we made one mistake, it would consume our entire practice or game, leading to more errors. This year we’re better about that because even if we make a mistake, we start focusing on the next rep.”

Players to Watch Team Profile

take a handoff and get five yards. All of our receivers have the same abilities, but they can all get it done. The whole offense can move around and get the job done. All of us (running backs) are playmakers, can make moves, run people over and play smashmouth football.”

Nickname: Wolverines

Colors: Blue & White

Home: Howell Stadium

Conference: Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division

OHSAA: Div. IV, Region 13

Playoff History: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2020, 2021 (3-10)

A returning first-team All-Conference offensive and defensive lineman, Maveric Milnar, had glowing statements about his units in the trenches, and his quarterback.

“We’re clicking better this year. All summer long, me and the rest of the lineman have been going out to the grass fields and working together to make sure we step together and move as a unit,” Milnar said. “We want to be in each other’s mind so we can trust each other.

“I trust my guards and my quarterback the most. Finn helps me keep a cool head, and helps us keep our heads up. It’s huge to have a guy like that.”

Rounding out the players is Daegan Katz, who will also command time in the backfield and hopes to see the offense become more consistent with its versatility.

“It feels great to be versatile,” Katz said. “I could name eight guys who could

With still a few weeks until kickoff in Week 1, Coach Santo liked a lot of what he'd seen.

“These guys are committed,” he said. “Finn is in here at 6 a.m. for film sessions, he throws after practice. Maveric is a great leader and never misses a workout. A lot of these kids are committed, and they’re buying into what we’re trying to teach them, and they’re really learning. They’re responding well to us coaches thus far.”

You may also wonder how Coach Santo helped wipe the slate clean to rebuild the culture. Well, for him, the answer was simple.

“We played dodgeball on the first day, and the kids had a blast,” he said. “We play a lot of dodgeball. It’s something we’ve done at Kirtland, and the kids love it. It’s a brand new year, and these kids are just looking forward to every day and showing up.”

OHSAA Football Tournament Enrollment: 250

2024 Season: 2-8

Coaches: Dylan Aquila, Aaron Perusek, Eric Stendalen, Jacob McDonald, Nick Stazzone, John Tropf, Kyle Majewski, Will Lopatta (Def. Coordinator)

Trainer: Samantha Adkins

Roster: 63 total (21 seniors, 9 juniors, 17 sophomores, 16 freshmen)

Pay to Play Fee: $195

Follow the Team: @WestGAthletics

Cheerleaders: Captain Kate Schaubert, Captain Brooke Borcziak, Domenica Pappalardo, Maria Jones, Sabrina Betances, Taylor Kuhn, London Hall, Gabriella Gideon, Alana Rogaski, Josie Snyder, Kennedy Demetro, Marley Bulzan, Lyla Mobasseri, Sophia Gideon