By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

MIKE MOSER

Mike Moser

(11th year, 74-34 career record)

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Jarrod Lewis, defensive coordinator; Mike Paes, passing coordinator and defensive backs; Eric Cardinal, defensive line and running backs; Howie Moore, linebackers and offensive line; Randy Ward, offensive line; Rich Stark, offensive and defensive lines; Mike Finney, offensive and defensive lines; Jeff Brown, running backs; Ethan Roman, offensive and defensive lines; Austin Roman, offensive and defensive lines.

2022 Record: 9-3 overall.

Returning Lettermen (16): Gavin Peska, sr.; Eric Geddes, sr.; Christian Gallagher, sr.; Leo Grandizio, sr.; Ethan Bittence, sr.; Alex Carter, sr.; Deacon Sommer, sr.; Keegan Sell, sr.; Aiden Kissell, sr.; Kaid Turnball, sr.; Jon Wiczen, sr.; Cade Rock, jr.; Ivan Trent, jr.; Brandyn Brogucki, soph.; Richie Shackleford, soph.; Mike Huebner, soph.

Lettermen Lost (9): Vinnie Grandizio, Carter Bates, Jesse Grace, Grayson Hoover, Tyler Bortz, Gary Stefko, Nate Veccia, Cam Clemons, Elijah Voshel.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The G-Men have come as close to perfecting the single-wing as anyone out there.

With multiple starters and experienced players throughout the offense, expect the G-Men to not miss a beat in 2023.

QUARTERBACKS

Eric Geddes returns as the team’s starter. In the team’s run-heavy offense, he still threw for 662 yards (28-of-66 passing), with seven touchdowns against only three interceptions.

Geddes also ran for 201 yards on 30 carries.

“Eric is a strong-armed guy with a ton of athleticism,” Moser said.

Jack Neikirk will serve as the team’s backup.

RUNNING BACKS

Senior Keegan Sell is the team’s top returning rusher, finishing second on the team a year ago with is 811 yards, which came on 98 attempts.

Deacon Sommer, Brandyn Brogucki, Devin Bates and Leo Grandizio will all all play a part in the team’s single-wing approach.

OFFENSIVE LINE

“We return several experienced linemen, including Jon Wiczen, who was an All-Northeast Inland All-District player last year,” Moser said.

Joining Wiczen across the line will be Aiden Kissell, Kaid Turnbull, Ivan Trent, Mike Huebner, Richie Shackleford, Gavin Mason, Mike Markusic, Charles Ursitti, Gavin Peska and Tanner Trivisonno.

TIGHT ENDS

Christian Gallagher and Alex Carter will be relied on to line up at tight end.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Leo Grandizio and Deacon Sommer spotlight the group, returning to a starting spot after totaling 175 and 218 yards receiving last season, respectively.

“Leo is an explosive athlete,” Moser said.

Adding depth will be Rock, Aidan Hill and Brogucki.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The G-Men will work out of a 3-4 base, but will mix a number of variety looks.

A collection of experienced players will allow Garfield to move in and out of defensive formations easily.

LINEBACKERS

Sell returns as one of the most prolific linebackers in Northeast Ohio.

He led Portage County in tackles in 2022 with 121. He also had four sacks, two forced fumbles and 26 tackles for a loss.

Sell was named First Team All-Ohio, as well as the Division V, Region 17 District Player of the Year.

Additional G-Men linebackers include Rock, Gallagher, Harper Troyer, Alex Carter, Kaleb Lewicki and Geddes.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Similar to the offensive line, there is depth and experience on the defensive line, including Wiczen, Peska, Kissell, Shackleford, Huebner, Trent, Trivisonno, Turnbull.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Brogucki, Sommer, Grandizio, Geddes, Neikirk, Bates and Hill will all see time in the secondary.

Sommer was a First Team All-MVAC selection last year and Grandizio was named Second Team.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Devin Bates, Colin McGranahan, Logan Sell, Henry Veccia, Nate Baczkowski.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“As always, injuries, along with a challenging schedule that includes several playoff teams from 2022,” Moser said.