By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Bob Mihalik, 24th year, 200-70 career record.
  

  BOB MIHALIK

• Coaching Staff: Brian Wervey, defensive coordinator, outside linebackers, defensive ends; Brendan Gallagher, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks; Victor Ricketts, offensive line, run-game coordinator; Jay Price, defensive backs; Jim Slagle, defensive line; Jeff Decker, linebackers; Drew McVay, receivers.
• League: Suburban League American Division.
• Playoffs: Division III, Region 9.
• 2023 Record: 11-2 overall; 7-0 Suburban League American Division (champions).
• Returning Lettermen (24): Alex Brooker, sr.; Peyton Duguay, sr.; Ryan Dwyer, sr.; Ben Lukasik, sr.; Lucas Manderbach, sr.; Brody Markle, sr.; Tommy Tartabini, sr.; Cole Walton, sr.; Reid Acomb, sr.; Matthew Copley, sr.; Ewan Dacres, sr.; Tyler Hanus, sr.; Joe Janzig, sr.; Zach Pannetti, sr.; Mason Romancak, sr.; Athan Salgado, sr.; Dan Shanholtzer, sr.; Rob Thrash, sr.; Evan Yasenosky, sr.; Ben Kinkopf, sr.; Michael Wise, sr.; Quincy John, jr.; Luke Bonnette, jr.; Nathan Grummit, jr.
• Lettermen Lost (16): Justin Burick, Enzo Catania, Rocco Courtad, Brandon Liepins, Domonic Trivisonno, Jayce Unverferth, James Blaser, Cooper Carnahan, Dylan Crasi, Alex Hanff, Logan Herrera, Joey Onk, Michael Phillips, Caden Pittinger, Dmitry Volf, Kaden Oborn.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

With six returning starters and five other players who were part-time players a year ago, coach Bob Mihalik said he is confident that his offense can “hit the ground running.”

The Greenmen will line up in a variety of formations that will shift from Spread to Stack-I.

QUARTERBACKS

Ryan Dwyer has been named the starter after a strong finish to the 2023 season when he was filling in for an injured Brandon Liepins.

Dwyer found a way to make clutch plays late in the season, throwing a winning touchdown pass in the 2-minute drill for a Week 10 victory over Highland that clinched the league championship. He also led the team to a first-round playoff win against Alliance.

Junior Luke Geyer and sophomore Ryan Ziegler are the team’s backups.

RUNNING BACKS

Four different players will share a committee approach this season, with Lucas Manderbach, Tommy Tartabini, Cole Walton and Xavier Board all in the mix. All four will also play defense.

Manderbach rushed for 300 yards in 55 attempts last season and is the team’s leading returning rusher.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Three seniors are returning starters: Reid Acomb, Ewan Dacres and Matt Copley.

The trio will be joined by Brody Markle, Rob Thrash and Tyler Haus to form a group that Mihalik said he feels is a team strength.

Also expected to see time across the line are Bein Kinkopf, Michael Wise, Grant Courtnage and AJ Bruno.

RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Ben Lukasik had a breakout season in 2023, pulling in 23 receptions for 348 yards as the team’s leader in both categories. He will be a primary target for Dwyer again this year.

Zach Pannetti, Quincy John, Dan Shanholzer, Josh Harrell and Athan Salgado are all expected to provide contributions at receiver.

At tight end, Alex Brooker is a player poised to have a standout season.

Peyton Duguay and Luke Bonnette provide depth at tight end.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Six starters return to form the nucleus of Aurora’s defense.

The team will play a 4-2-5 base, with the focus on attacking to the ball.

LINEBACKERS

Tartabini was the team’s tackles leader last year with 79, and he returns to be the anchor of the backers this season.

Walton will start inside next to Tartabini, with Harrell on the outside.

Backups will be Alex Killian, Dom Antonini, Evan Yasenosky, Michael Iwan and Benjy Nemet.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Manderbach set the single-season record for sacks last year with nine and right behind him was Brooker with seven.

Both return to form an aggressive duo at each end position.

Duguay, Bonnette, Copley, Markle, Hanus, Dacres, Thrash and Courtnage all will rotate at tackle to keep the position fresh.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Shanholzer is a returning starter, and he will be flanked on the other side by Quincy John.

Ryan Slisz will also see time at corner.

Pannetti, who was a defensive starter last year at corner, will move to safety. He will be paired with Lukasik, who was a starter last season and was third on the team with two interceptions.

Grummit and Board will be backups in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Replacing school record-holder Dom Trivisonno will be a hole to fill for Aurora. Dwyer will be the team’s punter and Colin Dockman will step in as the place-kicker.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Luke McGovern (WR/DB), Luke Hilditch (WR/DB), Ryan Ziegler (QB/LB), Drew Scott (TE/DT), Xander Carr (OL/DL).

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We need to develop depth, so we can limit full-time two-way players as much as possible,” Mihalik said.

TEAM CAPTAINS

Matthew Copley, Ben Lukasik, Lucas Manderbach, Tommy Tartabini.