By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Jack D’Amato, 5th year, 19-22 career record.
  

  JACK D’AMATO

• Coaching Staff: John Baldwin, defensive coordinator; Nate Peters, offensive coordinator; Tom Sporich, defensive line, special teams coordinator; Dylan Conant, defensive line; Brandon Civitarese, linebackers; Troy Spiker, defensive backs; Dave Lieberth, defensive backs; Mike Macer, offensive line; Jake Lieberth, offensive line, Jack Blasiole, running backs; Josh Jakacki, wide receivers; Bob Lieberth, wide receivers.
• League: Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division.
• Playoffs: Division V, Region 17.
• 2023 Record: 5-5 overall record, 1-4 CVC.
• Returning Lettermen (21): Nate Blasiole, sr.; Charlie Sommer, sr.; Bryce Giel, sr.; Zephaniah Beverly, sr.; Mason Satterlee, sr.; Tommy Georger, sr.; Tristen Addis, sr.; Noah Horne, sr.; Jackson Rattray, sr.; Ayden Long, sr.; Stephen Heritage, sr.; Landon Kuenzer, sr.; Corey Barnauskas, sr.; Bryce Bennett, sr.; Daniel Doering, sr.; Wyatt Januska, jr.; Mike Hager, jr.; Jake Eyerman, jr.; Logan Vojtko, jr.
• Lettermen Lost (4): Gavin McIntyre, Blake Baumgardner, Cody Brugmann, AJ Januska.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The Red Devils’ Single-Wing offense will be run heavy, with multiple runners out of the backfield.

A few passes will be mixed in, as well, to keep the defense honest.

QUARTERBACKS

Charlie Sommer returns as the starter after throwing for 1,044 yards last year, completing 68-of-120 passes (57 percent) and five touchdowns.

Wyatt Januska will provide depth as the backup.

RUNNING BACKS

Portage County’s leading rusher returning this season is senior Nate Blasiole, whose tough-edged running accounted for 1,780 yards rushing last year. He score 25 touchdowns as the standout leader for the Devils’ offense.

Tristen Addis, Zeph Beverly and Jackson Rattray are all expected to provided depth and options for the team’s Single Wing.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The group ready to make space for runners are Bryce Bennett, Corey Barnauskas, Landon Kuenzer, Dan Doering, Jake Eyerman, Logan Vojtko, Mike Hager and Fred Haney.

The group was a big part of helping the Devils rush for more than 2,000 yards last season.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Sommer’s top targets will be Mason Satterlee, Bryce Giel, Tommy George, Wyatt Januska, Noah Horne and Michael Kalista.

Giel led the team in receiving a year ago with 21 catches for 339 yards.

Januska had 16 receptions for 298 yards.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The Devils will play out of a 3-3 defense and will plan to provide a variety of differentiated looks to their opposition, while mixing in a series of blitz packages into the gameplan.

LINEBACKERS

Eyerman, Barnauskas, Addis (2 interceptions in 2023) and Rattray will be the leaders.

Barnuaskas was the team’s leader in tackles last year with 69.

Eyerman had the most sacks in 2023 with four.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Many of the same names that filled out the team’s offensive line will also be playing across the defensive line.

Bennett (3 sacks in 2023), Beverly, Doering, Kuenzer, Vojtko, Haney, along with Brody MacLearie, will fill out the spots.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Januska was tied for the most interceptions on the team in 2023, ripping two away from the opponent.

Satterlee, George, Giel, Blasiole, Long, Heritage and Gio Brock will all see time in the secondary.

Blasiole was around the ball a lot last season, finishing with a second-best 65 tackles.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Wyatt Januska, Jake Eyerman, Logan Vojtko, Mike Hager, Brody MacLearie, Tye Berquist, Jake Devlin, Everett Baynes, Luke Zausniewski, Gio Brock, Michael Kalista, Jack Patton.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Playing four new teams this year, there is an element of the unknown,” head coach Jack D’Amato said. “As well as another team with a new coaching staff.”