TRAC football preview: Expectations high again for Central Catholic

Aug. 15—High expectations are the norm at Central Catholic, where the Irish have built a football dynasty in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference under coach Greg Dempsey.

The Irish, who are gunning for a fourth straight conference championship and eighth in the past nine seasons, are again predicted to win it in 2021.

Central Catholic received six of the eight first-place votes in a preseason coaches poll. Fremont Ross and Findlay got the other first-place nods.

"I don't worry too much about preseason predictions, because they are usually based on how you have done in the past. I am glad that people think that much of our tradition of success over the years that they put us at the top," Dempsey said. "I think there is always pressure when you are in a position of high expectations. That is one of the best teaching tools."

The Little Giants are picked to finish second, followed closely by Findlay. Whitmer is picked to finish fourth, followed by St. John's Jesuit, St. Francis de Sales, Lima Senior, and Clay.

Dempsey must replace his two leading rushers (Prentiss Reasonover and Josh Watson combined for more than 1,000 rushing yards), as well as QB Bishop Vargas (1,048 passing yards) and top wideout Tae'Shaun Johnson (473 receiving yards).

"I know that we lost many starters and key contributors to graduation, just as we have most of the years. I would say still being chosen the favorite is definitely a sign of respect," Dempsey said.

Fremont Ross returns the league's leading passer (Kaden Holmes), leading receiver (Bryson Hammer), and the area's top lineman (Ethan Green).

"I believe this year we will not be the surprise team in the TRAC. I think our players have a ton of potential and experience, and everyone in the area knows it," Fremont Ross coach Chad Long said.

Findlay's 18 seniors are being led by a third coach in as many seasons. First-year Trojans coach Stefan Adams, a former assistant, takes over for Matt Pees, who resigned after one season to return to the NFL. Findlay won the first TRAC title in 2011.

Findlay will be led by junior lineman Luke Montgomery, who is considered one of the top D-I college prospects to come out of the area recently. Montgomery has 32 scholarship offers, including from Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Penn State. He is rated as the 53rd overall recruit in the high school class of 2023.

Whitmer most recently won the TRAC in 2017.

Here's a look at the eight teams in the TRAC listed in order of predicted finish based on a preseason coaches poll:

CENTRAL CATHOLIC

—Coach: Greg Dempsey, 22nd season

—Last season: 6-1 overall, 4-0 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Brent Rombach, 6-2, 275, OL; Khaleb Carter 6-2, 190, WR; Sam Lee, 6-6, 220, WR; Marteion Adams, 6-2, 215 OL/DL; Dylan Fisher, 6-1, 250 OLB; Christopher Jackson, 6-2, 220 ILB; Dayvehon Greer, 5-10, 190, S; Cole Tishler, 6-1, 165, K.

—Outlook: The Irish have large numbers (84 total varsity players) with 18 seniors and 20 returning letterwinners. But only three starters return on each side of the ball. Dempsey has the smallest senior class he has had in recent history. Central will be breaking in a new QB, and the majority of the offensive line must also be replaced.

"We have some good talent and athleticism on our team, but there is very little starting experience compared to years past," Dempsey said.

The defense has good size, ability, and athleticism on the front line, but Dempsey also must replace the majority of the starting defensive backfield. Kicker Tishler was among the scoring leaders in the TRAC after connecting on 37 extra points.

"Considering how strong our first-half schedule is, we will have to grow up fast or end up starting off in a hole," Dempsey said. "The senior class is one of the smallest we have had in recent years, but overall is a good group of kids and talent."

FREMONT ROSS

—Coach: Chad Long, sixth season

—Last season: 5-6 overall, 3-3 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Ethan Green, 6-7, 295, OL/DE; Kalijah Alejandro, 5-9, 160, DB; Labronze Barnett, 6-1, 185, RB/LB. Juniors Kaden Holmes 5-11, 175, QB; Bryson Hammer, 5-10, 170, WR/DB; Anthony Vann, 6-2, 185; London Johnson, 6-3, 352, OL/DL.

—Outlook: The Little Giants have solid overall numbers (64) with nine starters back on offense and seven back on defense led by Cincinnnati recruit Green, an All-Ohio first-team selection and district lineman of the year. Holmes, who earned honorable mention All-Ohio honors, led the TRAC in passing yards (176 of 293 for 2,281 yards and 30 TDs). Hammer, an All-Ohio second-team selection, led the conference in receiving with 696 yards on 59 catches and 11 TDs. Vann ranked second in the TRAC in receiving yards (40 for 572, 10 TDs), earning first-team all-district honors. Alejandro was named to the All-TRAC first team and all-district second team. Johnson and Barnett earned second-team All-TRAC honors. Long said the skill positions and the offensive line will be strengths. He also said the defensive secondary and kicking game will be solid.

"The goal is to finish games and compete hard," Long said. "We lost too many games by a close margin last year, and this year we expect to win those close games."

FINDLAY

—Coach: Stefan Adams, first season

—Last season: 3-2 overall, 3-1 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Ben Ireland, 6-0, 180, WR/Returner; Max Roth, 6-0, 160, QB; Sam Weihrauch, 6-0, 202, RB/LB; Justin Roth, 6-0, 165, WR/DB; Rahzik Crutcher, 6-9, 303. Junior Luke Montgomery, 6-5, 257, OL/DL.

—Outlook: Two players who earned first-team spots on the Division I all-district team are back in Ireland and Montgomery. Adams has 70 players on the varsity, including 15 letterwinners with five starters back on each side of the ball. The Trojans will run a spread offense where Roth will get the bulk of the snaps. Luke Montgomery's freshman brother Ryan is a highly-touted signal-caller. Ryan Montgomery has already received offers from Toledo, Michigan, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech.

"Our strength will be our experience at the skill positions," Adams said. "We have a lot of guys that have played ball for some time out on the perimeter on both offense and defense."

He said the team has some holes to fill on both sides of the line.

"We are very capable, but there a decent amount of guys playing valuable minutes for the first time," he said.

Adams said the group is working on cohesiveness.

"We just want to put our core values on display every practice and every game," he said. "If we do that and continue with everyone being all in, I'll be excited to see what we can become."

WHITMER

—Coach: Ken Winters, sixth season

—Last season: 1-5 overall, 1-3 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Kevin Hornbeak, 6-2, 260, QB; Bryce Keller, 6-5, 295, OL; Steven McCoy, 5-8, 190, RB; Grant Craig, 6-1, 215, C; Jayden Gibson, 6-1, 210, LB; Khamrin Boeker, 6-2, 165, S. Junior Donte Moore, 6-0, 185, WR.

—Outlook: Winters has 65 players, including 12 returning letterwinners. Six starters are back on offense and four on defense. The running game got a huge boost with the transfer of McCoy from St. Francis. McCoy led the TRAC in rushing (182 carries for 1,115 yards and 10 TDs) to earn All-TRAC first-team honors. Hornbeak, who was injured in the second game last season and did not return, is a dual-threat (328 passing yards, 311 rushing yards in 2019). Moore is the top returning wideout (15 catches for 152 yards). Keller earned All-TRAC first-team honors, while Craig was named to the second team. Gibson (69 tackles, five sacks) anchors the defense after earning All-Ohio honorable mention, while Boeker had 39 tackles at safety. The Panthers stumbled out of the gate in 2020 with losses to Findlay and St. Francis and never recovered. Whitmer's only win came against Clay.

"It is very important that we get off to a good start," Winters said. "We need to get rid of that losing feeling and begin to build confidence. If we can do that, this team has the potential to do some really special things."

ST. JOHN'S

—Coach: Larry McDaniel, fifth season

—Last season: 4-2 overall, 4-1 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Julius Jackson, 6-0, 165, DT/OL; Jabari McKinstry, 6-3, 240, DT/OL; Braden DeGroff, 5-9, 195, WR/KR; Nathan Friesner, 6-1, 205, LB/RB; T'Shaun Johnson, 5-8, 185, NG; Luke Koszycki, 5-11, 240, OL/DL. Junior Blake Lichtenberg, 6-1, 185, QB.

—Outlook: McDaniel has 23 seniors among 72 total varsity players. Thirty letterwinners are back, but just one starter returns on offense and five on defense. McDaniel must replace QB Brady Lichtenberg and his top target Thomas Zsiros, who is now at the University of Toledo.

"Our kids are excited about gaining a new identity in the post-Brady Lichtenberg years," McDaniel said.

Blake Lichtenberg will take over at QB for his brother Brady, who is at the University of Cincinnati. Blake, who is more of a running QB, has received an offer from Youngstown State. DeGroff, who had 32 catches for 308 yards, is the top returning receiver. Friesner takes over at RB. Jackson earned All-TRAC first-team honors at cornerback.

"We have a lot of experience returning in our defensive backfield that should allow us to do some things with coverage," McDaniel said.

The Titans' will have a young offensive line with only two players with game experience.

"We are going to be a young team full of first-time starters," McDaniel said. "We will be more balanced, and we will probably pressure more on defense."

ST. FRANCIS

—Coach: Bruce Gradkowski, first season

—Last season: 6-3 overall, 4-2 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Denim Truss, 6-3, 220, QB; Trey Talboo, 6-2, 195, WR/S; Dominic Arnold, 6-0, 175, LB; Jovon Taylor, 5-10,265, LB; Juniors Josh Neary, 6-0, 175, WR/S; Brian King, 6-3, 210, DE; Je'Von Coleman, 6-0, 220, RB/LB.

—Outlook: Gradkowski, the former NFL QB and University of Toledo hall of famer, brings instant credibility. He inherits 65 total players, including 16 letterwinners and 12 seniors. Four starters are back on offense and six return on defense. Arnold and Toyer, who earned All-TRAC honorable mention, are three-year starters. Senior kicker Garrett Lopez earned second-team All-TRAC honors as a punter/kicker.

"We have an all-around, solid team," Gradkowski said.

Gradkowski said he likes the potential of Truss.

"Denim has been doing a great job this offseason," he said. "He's really working hard, focusing on what he can control and learning the offense. I've been really impressed. He's a big guy. He's smooth. He has a really good arm."

LIMA SENIOR

—Coach: Alphonso Townsend, second season

—Last season: 1-5 overall, 1-4 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Cecil Benton, 5-9, 170, QB/WR; Kamar Johnson, 5-8, 208, RB; Lamont Layson, 5-10, 265, OL/DL; Diante Griffin, 5-9, 170, DB/WR; Marcus Brown, 6-0, 210, LB; Isaiah Foster, 6-0, 180, DB/WR. Junior Anthony Mosley, 6-4, 215, TE/LB.

—Outlook: The Spartans have eight starters back on offense, and 10 are back on defense. Townsend has 14 seniors on his roster. Benton, Johnson, Brown, and Foster each earned All-TRAC second-team honors. Townsend said the quarterback and receiving corps should be strong. But he said the offensive line lacks experience.

"Our season looks very promising with the most returning starters that we have had in six years, particularly on offense," Townsend said. "We look forward to scoring a lot of points this season."

CLAY

—Coach: John Galyas, fifth season

—Last season: 1-6 overall, 0-5 TRAC

—Top players: Seniors Ty Cobb, 6-2, 230, LB/TE; Jordan Pettaway, 5-8, 175, RB/DB; Donovan Coughlin, 6-2, 200, LB/RB; Phil Baum, 6-4, 285, DL/OL; Dominic Marquette, 5-11, 165; DB/WR; Owen Gibbs, 6-0, 195, LB/RB; Logan Clark, 6-3, 170, DB/WR; Kaden Carroll, 6-0, 240, OL/DL; Eric Row, 6-1, 170, WR/LB.

—Outlook: The Eagles look to bounce back with 22 seniors and 19 letterwinners among 50 total players on the varsity. Seven players return on each side of the ball. Galyas said his team's top attributes should be the running backs, defensive line, linebackers, and the kicking game. However, potential trouble areas are inexperience at QB and depth. Cobb and Pettaway earned All-TRAC first-team honors. Pettaway caught 18 passes for 307 and seven scores. Coughlin, Baum, and Gibbs earned All-TRAC honorable mention. The Eagles earned the first playoff win in school history, a 27-26 win over Parma Heights Valley Forge, last season.

"It is really important for us to get off to a good start to the season and build some momentum," Galyas said. "We need to stay healthy because our numbers are a little down this year, but we proved last year that if we can get into the playoffs we can compete with a lot of teams in our region."

First Published August 14, 2021, 10:25pm