By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
HILLTOP CADETS
Head coach: Nathan Massie, ninth season (20-66 coaching record).
2025 Record: 3-7 overall, 3-4 Toledo Area Athletic Conference.
Lettermen lost: Scott Bowers (RB), Brycen Grubbs (WR/DB), Jon Stephens (OL/DL), Zakk Cammack (OL/DL), Jesus Guillen (OL).
Returning starters: Cameron Shimp (QB/DE, junior); Anthony Jiannuzzi (LB/WR, junior); Zane Burdine (OL/LB, senior), Riley Carter (WR/DB, junior); Evan Siegel (OL, senior); Terry Rebeck (LB/K, junior); Aryan Shaffer (DB/TE, junior); Nate Johnson (DL, junior).
Newcomers to watch: Chandler Hartman (RB/LB, freshman), Fred Reinbolt (OL/DL, senior).
Coach’s outlook: “Made improvements on both sides of the ball last year, but injuries derailed us late in the season, had some younger players get a lot of experience.
“Establishing a running game and limiting turnovers will be the key to our season. We have plenty of offensive line depth but need to find a punter.
“Our biggest strengths are skill positions, linebackers, and defensive backs.”
Great Lakes Conference outlook: “Should be a competitive conference. I believe if we limit our turnovers and continue making improvements from last year, we can be near the top.”
Season Opener: vs. Hicksville (Friday, August 21).
Great Lakes Conference Opener: vs. Whiteford, Michigan (Friday, September 11).
CADETS PREVIEW … Hilltop’s Anthony Jiannuzzi wraps up an Antwerp ball carrier in a non-league game last season.
MONTPELIER LOCOMOTIVES
Head coach: Andy Robinson, fifth season (19-23 coaching record).
2025 record: 6-5 overall, 5-2 Toledo Area Athletic Conference. Lost to Sycamore Mohawk, 41-6, in first round of Division VII state playoffs.
Lettermen lost: Hayden Sharps (QB/DB, first team TAAC, All-Ohio honorable mention); Griffin Cooley (RB/LB, first team TAAC, All-Ohio honorable mention); Logan Pontious (OL/DL, first team TAAC, All-Ohio honorable mention); Jaxon Stahler (WR/DB); Johnny Fritsch (OL/DL).
Returning starters: Wes Hartsock (WR/DB, 6-3, 205, senior, first team TAAC, second team all-district, All-Ohio honorable mention); Malachi Smith (TE/LB, 6-0, 195, senior); Ryan Riggenbach (OL/DE, 6-3, 210, junior); Zaine Stull (OL/DE, 6-3, 230, junior); Travis Clifford (OL/DL, 6-1, 275, junior); Jacob Lyons (WR, 5-10, 165, junior); Xavier Eidenier (WR/DB, 5-9, 160, junior); Dom Guilford (DB, 5-6, 145, sophomore); Carter Meek (RB/LB, 6-0, 190, junior).
Newcomers to watch: Kaden Clark (LB, 6-2, 185, junior); Braxton Henry (QB, 6-0, 160, sophomore); Hazen Smith (TE/LB, 6-0, 170, sophomore); Kian Foster (WR, 6-0, 170, sophomore); Josh Hawkins (CB, 5-9, 155, sophomore); Kam Smith (C, 5-9, 190, sophomore); Anthony Fletcher (OL, 5-10, 195, sophomore); Mason Brown (C, 5-10, 205, junior).
Coach’s outlook: “Last year was a continued step in the right direction for this program. We found our way into the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons.
“Although we felt we let a couple of games slip away, we battled through some late season key injuries, and some of our youth got valuable time late in the season.
“Our strengths are size up front and returning experience at running back. Our biggest concern is replacing a four-year starter (Hayden Sharps) at quarterback along with three other crucial pieces between running back, wide receiver and offensive line.
“Finding our next quarterback and getting them up to speed quickly and controlling the line of scrimmage will be a key.”
Great Lakes Conference outlook: “Whiteford should be the favorite this season after a dominating first year.
“The rest of the conference should be balanced and competitive week in and week out.
“Most of the conference teams lost key players and those whose youth catch on quickly will find themselves fighting towards the top.”
Season Opener: vs. Antwerp (Thursday, August 20).
Great Lakes Conference opener: vs. Erie Mason, Michigan (Friday, September 11).
LOCOMOTIVES PREVIEW … Montpelier’s Carter Meek slips through an Ottawa Hills tackler in a game last season.
EDON BOMBERS
Head coach: Jamison Wisel (first season)
2025 record: 9-3 overall, 6-1 Toledo Area Athletic Conference. Lost to Lima Central Catholic, 49-7, in quarterfinal of Division VII state playoffs.
Lettermen lost: Briggs Gallehue (QB/FS), Kendol Brigle (WR/DB), Eli Dickmann (WR/LB), Grant Reed (OT/DE), Gauge Nester (RB/DE), Devin Hoffman (OT/DT), Danny Avila-Garcia (C/DT).
Returning starters: Kadin Stantz (WR/CB, 5-8, 145, senior), Lincoln Kiess (WR/FS, 5-9, 145, junior), Trent Buck (OG/DE, 6-0, 175, senior), Aricin Rodriguez (OG/DT, 6-0, 240, senior), Corbin Christman (QB/WR/S, 5-10, 150, senior), Braedyn Wehrle (MLB, 5-9, 160, senior), Korbin Olds (OLB, 5-6, 140, junior, All-Ohio third team), Landen Reitzel (WR/OLB, 5-11, 165, senior), Parker Moyer (RB/CB, 5-8, 160, junior), Logan Reitzel (WR/DE, 5-11, 163, senior), Brady Trent (RG/DT, 6-0, 260, junior), Micah Kessler (RG/DT, 6-0, 240, junior), Wyatt Wheeler (WR/OLB, 5-10, 165, junior), Gage Cisneros (WR/S, 5-8, 140, junior), Cayden Thiel (RB/S, 5-5, 125, junior), Jaron Grove (QB/DE, 6-1, 205, sophomore), Gavin Johnson (RT/DT, 5-11, 210, sophomore), T.J. Wehrle (C/DT, 5-8, 160, sophomore).
Newcomers to watch: Gabe Trausch (6-0, 215, junior), Carson Stamper (5-4, 135, sophomore).
Coach’s outlook: “Our receiving corps is sure-handed and intelligent. We could potentially rotate seven to eight kids at wide receiver.
“We only have four returning starters on offense, however many projected starters have experience and got significant game reps in key moments last year.
“Linebackers and secondary both have experience. The biggest concern is replacing 3 of 5 offensive linemen and all four defensive linemen.
“We will be junior and senior heavy this year with a lot of experience coming back. We have to replace valuable leaders who were lost to graduation.”
Great Lakes Conference outlook: “Inaugural year that should be a competitive conference race.”
Season opener: vs. Edgerton (Friday, August 21).
Great Lakes Conference opener: at Summerfield, Michigan (Friday, September 11).
BOMBERS PREVIEW … Edon’s Kadin Stantz puts a stiff arm to the Montpelier tackler in a Bomber win that clinched a playoff berth last season.
NORTH CENTRAL EAGLES
Head coach: Tyler Iwinski, third season (6-14 coaching record).
2025 record: 3-7 overall, 3-4 (Toledo Area Athletic Conference).
Lettermen lost: Tyler Meyers (QB), Jackson Poynter (WR/DB), Brendon Solano (WR/FS), Logan Clark (RT/DE), Drake Massey (LG/DT), Brody Taylor (WR/NG), Cash Martin (WR/DE), Carson Nixon (RG/DT).
Returning starters: Alex St. John (RB/MLB, senior), Thane Martin (OL/SS, junior), Briggs Fiser (OL/ILB, junior), Matthew Hausch (C/DT, sophomore), Ashaun Dickey (WR/OLB, sophomore), Jesse Taylor (OL/DB, junior), Leeam McElroy (WR/CB, sophomore), Garrett Shockley (WR/FS, senior).
Newcomers to watch: Devin Andrews (WR/DE), David Kline-Parker (DE/WR), Jacob Poynter (WR/DB, sophomore), Charlie Schrom (DE/WR, junior).
Coach’s outlook: “We have experience playing on Friday nights with a solid junior class and commitment to each other.
“The biggest concern is depth at every position. Looking to be very strong to be competitive in the league and have some playmakers ready to fill holes vacated by graduation.
“We should be at the top of the league and potentially push for a state football playoff berth.”
Great Lakes Conference outlook: “We’re excited and ready to get into the league and play some real football.
“We should compete for the league title. Whiteford is the team to look at as we prepare to battle for the top spot.”
Regular season opener: vs. Swanton (Friday, August 21).
Great Lakes Conference opener: vs. Sand Creek, Michigan (Friday, September 11).
EAGLES PREVIEW … North Central’s Alex St. John wraps up an Ottawa Hills ball carrier in the Eagles’ TAAC debut last September.