Capsule look at H.S. football teams in Holmes, Wayne
Zach Gardner, left, guided West Holmes to a 14-1 record a year ago. The Knights, led by returning All-Ohio running back Sam Williams-Dixon, are favored to repeat as Ohio Cardinal Conference champions.
A capsule look at area high school football teams entering week one:
West Holmes
Head coach: Zach Gardner, sixth season
2021 record: 14-1 (6-0 OCC)
Scouting report: Optimism is sky high for West Holmes, which returns a big group of contributors from the best season in school history.
The Knights went 14-1 and reached the Final Four last year for the first time in school history. West Holmes had a perfect regular season and then won Div. III playoff games over Sylvania Southview (60-14), Tiffin Columbian (28-25), Rocky River (51-28) and Holy Name (31-21) before falling to eventual repeat champion Chardon (41-7).
The Knights have dropped to Div. IV and are sporting “TBHOFS” on the back of their T-shirts. It’s a nod to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where they hope to play for a state title in December.
West Holmes has a 6-2 record in the playoffs over the last two years, and all that extra experience should continue to pay dividends this fall.
With standouts like first-team All-Ohioans Sam Williams-Dixon (junior RB-CB, 5-11, 200) and Elisha Baldridge (senior LB-H-Back, 6-3, 230) back to lead the way, anything is possible.
Williams-Dixon, who can line up anywhere on the field, is the No. 2 ranked RB recruit in Ohio’s Class of 2024. He already has offers from the likes of Cincinnati, Penn State, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Iowa State and Kentucky.
The reigning Ohio Cardinal Conference POTY rushed for 1,526 yards and 25 TDs while adding 997 yards receiving and 10 more scores last year. His 36 total TDs were a school record.
Baldridge, the AP Eastern District Defensive POTY, was credited with a school-record 255 tackle points including 8.5 sacks.
West Holmes has plenty of other returning standouts, though, with seniors Landyn Dye (G-DE, 6-3, 215), Korben Felton (C-NG, 78 tackles, 20 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 6-0, 205), Collin Gardner (G-DE, 6-0, 240) and Owen Jeffries (WR-DB, 5-11, 170, 117 tackles, 3 INTs), along with juniors Kyle Maltarich (WR-S, 6-3, 180) and Mason Wolfe (QB-DE, 6-3, 190).
Senior Nick Ginsburg returns after booting a school-record 10 field goals, as well as 63 PAT kicks and averaging 33.2 yards a punt.
Some other skilled players who could make an impact are senior Zevin Proper, junior Nate Fair and sophomore Logan Zollars
Wolfe has plenty of arm strength, and combined with the Knights’ other athletic "skill" players, he will force teams to defend the entire field, Gardner said.
When since-graduated standout Noah Clark was sidelined by an injury for the regional semifinal against Rocky River, Wolfe calmly stepped into the lineup and passed for 455 yards and five TDs.
Maltarich was on his way to becoming the team’s top wideout before being injured early last season but is hoping for a breakout junior year.
Coaches quote: “We're really proud of what we've done here,” Gardner said. “Two out of the last four years, we've lost to the eventual state champions in the playoffs.
“In 2018 we were tied with Kenston with five minutes left in the game, and we let that one get away. Obviously, last year we lost to Chardon. We feel like we're right there. We're really trying to establish and preach to these kids about getting over the hump and doing the things we need done to continue to raise the bar around here.
“I told our kids we have a ton of talent coming back, but we have to have new leaders step up. Some of the guys who filled roles for the first time last year, it's their time now to be leaders. It’s their time to be dudes!”
Triway
Head coach: Eric Brenner, fifth year
2021 record: 7-2, PAC co-champion
Scouting report: Triway will have the rare luxury of having a fourth-year starting QB to lead the way. Zack Miller (5-7, 175) is coming off an All-Ohio junior year in which he passed for 1,853 yards and 18 TDs while rushing for another 443 stripes and eight scores. Defensively, the Titans will be led by junior MLB Luke Belcher, who led the team with 91 tackles while also starting every game at center.
Also returning are seniors Cooper Barton (WR), Riley Gumber (WR-OLB) and Kaleb Deusenberry (G-DT), along with junior CB Cale Drown.
Triway graduated 13 seniors, though, and lost three starting offensive linemen and 7-of-11 defensive players. Three newcomers on the O-line will bring big-time size: juniors Cylis Fleming (6-3, 310), Ryan Colon (6-1, 315) and senior Tristan Williamson (6-4, 265). Senior Jaxon Hackett (6-5 WR-DB) also should make an impact after missing most of last season with an injury.
Coaches quote: “As always the PAC will be full of talent and solid football programs,” Brenner said. “I expect us to be able to compete for a championship again, and we want to make a run in the playoffs. Fairless should once again be formidable as they return a vast majority of their starters from last season. Canton South is joining the PAC this season, and I believe they will be immediately in contention for the title.”
Wooster
Head coach: Austin Holter, second year
2021 record: 7-6
Scouting report: Wooster saved its best for last in 2021, beating Ashland in week 10 and then pulling off a pair of upset playoff wins to match the 1986 Generals for the most postseason victories at the school. Wooster, just a 14th seed, defeated Olentangy Berlin 23-20 and Dublin Scioto 20-10 before falling to Green 21-14.
The Generals graduated most of their skilled players from that team but have several key returnees led by seniors Michael Howman-Williams (RB-LB, 6-0, 210), Tyler Boreman (DT, 6-1, 300) and Seth Chamberlin (RB-LB, 5-9, 170). Howman-Williams racked up 171 tackles including 24 for losses and “is as good of a LB as I’ve been around,” according to Holter. Holter said Boreman is a “force inside” and Chamberlin “plays a lot bigger than his size.”
Also returning after seeing at least some time in the starting lineup are Bronson Morgan (WR-LB), Anthony Sines (WR-DB) and Jaymin Walker (DE). Junior Luke Snowbarger (6-4, 195) and sophomore AJ Likowski (5-9, 150) bring much different skill sets to their competition for the starting QB spot.
Coaches quote: “Each year our goal is to put our players in the best situation possible schematically by creating schemes that fit our players’ skill sets,” Holter said. “Our focus will remain on toughness and being in the best shape we can be. We need to use the momentum we gained as a program winning two playoff games. The OCC is a dog fight every year, with no easy victories week to week. All we can do is focus on one week/opponent at a time, work our tails off and see where we end up after week 10.”
Northwestern
Head coach: Joe Cardinal, first year
2021 record: 3-7 (2-4 WCAL)
Scouting report: After Mike Thut stepped down as the dean of WCAL football coaches after compiling a 119-108 record over 22 years, Northwestern found a veteran to take over the reins in Joe Cardinal.
An Alliance native, Cardinal was the co-defensive coordinator for a Ravenwood (Tennessee) team that won a big school title in 2015 and was state runner-up in 2014. He was the head coach at Triad from 2016-18.
The Huskies might have trouble cracking into the top half of the WCAL standings but have some standouts in seniors Nolan Hartsel (LB-WR), Anthony Huber (LB) and Ethan Siders (QB). Siders is a difference-maker as a third-year starting QB, and if he gets time to throw, he could make the Huskies a surprise team.
Orrville
Head coach: Matt Zuercher, second year
2021 record: 2-8
Scouting report: Orrville has won just five games over the last two years including a 2-8 mark in Matt Zuercher’s first year at the helm. The Red Riders are young once again, but Zuercher feels like they’re ahead of the game compared to a year ago.
Top players to watch are seniors Brant Besancon (WR-DB) and Asiah Smith (RB), junior Sawyer Hamsher (QB-DB), and sophomore Kaleb Wayt (K).
Hamsher is stepping up as a leader and is one of the best all-around athletes on the team, according to Zuercher. Besancon started both ways the majority of the season last year and is the top returning receiver.
Coaches quote: “Our players have taken a big jump mentally from last year,” Zuercher said. “We are a lot further along than we were at this time last year. The players understand the expectations daily and have shown a lot more maturity. We return a lot of players who have experience on Friday nights, and that experience is showing through already.”
Norwayne
Head coach: Adam Indorf, ninth year
2021 record: 8-4 (6-1 WCAL)
Scouting report: Any way you look at it, this has all the makings for a special fall in Creston. And the Bobcats won’t be satisfied with anything other than a WCAL title and long playoff run.
Playmakers are all over the field in seniors Jake Gill (1,319 yards rushing, 27 total TDs in 2021), junior Dillon Morlock, senior Eli Stanley (1,923 yards passing, 13 TDs, 752 rushing, TDs), and returning senior WR/DBs Jay Hanzie, Brady Lendon and Roman Portis.
All totaled, there are 10 starters back on offense and nine on defense. Also back as two-way starters are seniors Caleb Erhard (WR-CB) and Aidan Hackworth (OL-LB).
Coaches quote: “Our skill will enter the 2022 season with more experience than they did last season, which will hopefully be impactful,” Indorf said. “Our league is a great league that has been unchanged for decades and has been some of the greatest small school football in the state. We are looking to compete weekly as we matriculate through the season.”
Dalton
Head coach: Broc Dial, sixth year
2021 record: 11-3 (6-0 WCAL)
Scouting report: Dalton lost some big-time playmakers to graduation but returns seniors Ethan Stutz (QB), Quentin Lehman (OL-DL) and Grant Johnson (OT-ILB) to lead the way. Look for junior RB-OLB Greyson Siders to play a bigger role this year.
Coaches quote: “Each season is a new season, and we are looking forward to the process of the 2022 team growing throughout the season and becoming the most successful we can become,” Dial said. “We need to work to get a little better each day and focus on improving in all areas of our life: social, academic and athletic.”
Hillsdale
Head coach: Trevor Cline, fifth year
2021 record: 7-5 (5-2 WCAL)
Scouting report: Hillsdale always seems to wind up finishing in the upper half of the WCAL and looks strong again.
Seniors Jake Hoverstock (QB), Max Vesper (RB-DB) and Jax Rogers (TE-ILB-K) are the top performers to watch.
Coaches quote: “We look to keep building off the recent success,” Cline said. “For straight years we’ve been in the playoffs and won at least one playoff game for five straight years. I believe those are both Ashland area records. Our senior class from last year was the second class in school history to make the playoffs and win at least one playoff game each year of their high school career.”
Waynedale
Head coach: Zach Golec, first year
2021 record: 6-6 (4-3 WCAL)
Scouting report: The Bears’ new head coach Zach Golec has lots of experience as an assistant coach and was an excellent hire to take over a Bears program that went 6-6 under Louie Stanley in 2021.
Top returnees include seniors Brant Herman (RB-LB), Jaden Zuercher (WR-S) and Brayden Kidd (OL-DL), along with juniors Tate Venables (WR-CB), Jeremy Reber (WR-CB) and Marquel Troyer (RB-LB). Senior Jaiden Barnes takes over at QB, and the team is excited to have baseball standout Timmy Short join.
Coaches quote: “I've had (head coaching) opportunities in the past, but I've never really pursued them,” said Golec, who also is the Bears’ AD. “I really enjoyed my time as an assistant at Claymont for four years and the past five at West Holmes. When this job came open, I did my research, looked into the kids and the community, and knew it was a great place with a great tradition. And I'm blessed to be here.”
Smithville
Head coach: Phil Olsen, second year
2021 record: 2-8 (1-6 WCAL)
Scouting report: Smithville should be a team on the rise, with a strong group of returnees and some talented newcomers.
After starting for two years at QB, junior Gavin Copenhaver is moving to RB. Also among the top returnees are leading tackler and pass catcher Luke Raines (TE-ILB), Gabe Copley (RB-OLB) and Nate Zuercher (OL).
Two key newcomers are strong-armed QB Bryce Butcher and Mac Butzer, who’s back out for the team as a senior and adds good size and speed.
Coaches quote: “We’ve got some new faces and some returners in new positions,” Olsen said. “We are working on coming together up front. On offense we hope to be multiple enough to keep a defense honest, and on defense we hope to get as many of our athletes on the field as possible.”
Chippewa
Head coach: Mike Bohley, 10th year
2021 record: 4-6 (2-4 WCAL)
Scouting report: The Chipps only graduated five seniors and will bring back 17 letterwinners.
Top returnees for the Chipps include seniors Trent Zollinger (TE-LB), Kyle Hart (OL-DL) and Nate Morris (OL-DL), along with sophomore Isaiah Radebaugh (RB-S).
Sophomore Colton Oyler will take over at quarterback.
Coaches quote: “We will rely heavily on Trent to contribute on both sides of the ball for us this year,” Bohley said. “He will be our primary tight end, as well as one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball.
“Kyle will be a four-year starter for us on the offensive line and see lots of time on defense. Nate will be a three-year starter for us on both sides of the ball at both offensive and defensive tackle. Isaiah will be one of our primary ball carriers as well as being used as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield.”
Rittman
Head coach: Tyler Dennis, first year
2021 record: 2-7 (0-6 WCAL)
Scouting report: Numbers have climbed back into the 30s at Rittman after dipping into the teens last year as new coach Tyler Dennis has created a positive buzz in the community.
Tyler Thompson (OL-DE), an All-Ohio shot put thrower, is one of the toughest linemen in the WCAL.