By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Matt Adorni, 21st year, 202-48 career record
  

  MATT ADORNI

• Coaching Staff: Billy Rosato, defensive coordinator, running backs; Thom Rosato, offensive line, defensive backs; Robert Christy, defensive line, tight ends; Chad Westfall, wide receivers, defensive backs; Anthony Ricci, special teams coordinator, quarterbacks; Bobby Shew, running backs, linebackers; Keith Arnold, offensive line and defensive line.
• League: Portage Trail Conference.
• Playoffs: Division VI, Region 21.
• 2023 Record: 11-3 overall, 4-0 PTC, league champions.
• Returning Lettermen (16): Nick Stephenson, sr.; Kolton Thomas, sr.; Will Baskey, sr.; Karson Jaber, sr.; Cole Reese, sr.; Aaron Rumschlag, sr.; Kasey Pruitt, sr.; Daniel Colebank, sr.; Trevor Hinkle, sr.; James Pollock, sr.; Troy Myers, sr.; Tyler Youngblood, sr.; Shayne Thomas, sr.; Keegan Leslie, sr.; Dylan Benedum, jr.; Conner Lehner, jr.
• Lettermen Lost (10): Tanner Buso, Layne Miller, Jason Spicer, Zeke Cameron, Devin Graham, Austin Constantine, Corey Lehner, Chad Westfall, Travis Hummel, Bo Lanham.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The Wildcats’ Pro Style offense will incorporate a variety of formation designs.

The strength this season will be the team’s offensive line, which has experience and has shown the ability to not only create quality running lanes for the backfield standouts, but also pass protect for the team’s passing game to hit for some opportunities.

QUARTERBACKS

Karson Jaber steps in for his first season as a starter.

The senior stepped in to start the Cats’ second playoff game a year ago following an injury to Zeke Cameron, who graduated last spring.

Jaber’s skill-set is as a pocket passer.

RUNNING BACKS

The Wildcats have the benefit of welcoming back two runners with major experience.

Both Aaron Rumschlag and Cole Reese were very productive out of the backfield last season.

Rumschalg rushed for 249 yards and Reese ran for 307 yards in a Mogadore offense that is designed for multiple ball-carriers to share the workload.

Adding depth in the backfield will be Maddox Smith and Conner Lehner.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Four returning starters anchor the talented line: Daniel Colebank, Trevor Hinkle, Tyler Youngblood and James Pollock.

Two more, Keegan Leslie and Shayne Thomas, have started games, as well, providing the Cats with depth and talent in the trenches.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Nick Stephenson enters his fourth year as a starter. He pulled in nine receptions for 138 yards last year.

Dylan Benedum gained some experience last year, with coach Matt Adorni estimating that he played in about 50 percent of the snaps in 2023.

The truth of the matter is that there will be opportunities for new faces to step up in the passing game for the Wildcats.

The team’s top-three receivers last year have all graduated: Corey Lehner (27 receptions, 337 yards), Layne Miller (19-247) and Devin Graham (13-225).

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Mogadore will mix in a base 4-4, along with a stack 30-5.

The ability to move in and out of sets, with cohesion, will be handled well because the team boasts the return of the majority of their front eight from a year ago.

LINEBACKERS

Baskey, Reese and Rumschlag return and will spotlight the linebackers. All three have the ability to play sideline to sideline and be aggressive.

The trio will be defensive tone-setters for their teammates.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Returning standouts include Stephenson, Benedum and Kasey Pruitt, while Hinkle and Pollock will provide depth throughout the season.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

While Mogadore’s front features a long list of returning contributors with experience, the team’s secondary is all brand new.

There are still spots to be earned, with Maddox Smith, Shayne Thomas, Adrian Merk, Conner Lehner and Ben Holler all battling to earn minutes.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Maddox Smith, Jake Hopkins.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our lack of depth everywhere is a concern because of our small roster,” Adorni said.

Mogadore’s roster includes only 30 players, with practically half of those being seniors, leaving the rosters for future seasons possibly being even smaller.