By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Tom Hannah, 27th year overall, 1st at Rootstown, 132-123 career record.
  

  TOM HANNAN

• Coaching Staff: Chris Kosiorek, assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive backs; Al Hodakievic, offensive line, defensive line; Don Jones, wide receivers, linebackers; Kyle Fitzpatrick, quarterbacks, defensive backs, JV coach; Gaige McIntyre, offensive line, defensive line.
• League: Portage Trail Conference.
• Payoffs: Division VI, Region 21.
• 2023 Record: 9-2 overall, 3-1 PTC.
• Returning Lettermen (15): Domnic Duvall, sr.; Brian Youngblood, sr.; Nic Malek, sr.; Tristan McKibben, sr.; Mason Fleck, sr.; Braden Wright, jr.; Noah Cross, jr.; Chase Duvalo, jr.; Alex Ely, jr.; Mason Lisi, jr.; Damien Reuting, jr.; Ethan White, jr.; George Luli, jr.; Blake Mulally, soph.; Kiel Reuting, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (13): Will McEwuen, Ryan Piscitani, Tyler Paulus, Cohen Schlauch, Dawson Morgan, Julian Labriola, Colby Scott, Kyle Weese, Michael Lattimer, Kyle Kuharich, Tony Karp, Dominic Siglow, Chris Cooper.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The Rovers will show their opponents multiple offensive looks throughout season, including Spread, Wing-T and Power-I.

Regardless of how they lineup, veteran coach Tom Hannan, who is will be in his first season as head coach of the Rovers, has the same expectations.

“We want to control the ball so that we can control the tempo of the game, limit turnovers and penalties and out-discipline the other team.”

QUARTERBACKS

Sophomore Blake Mulally will take over as the team’s starter after serving as the team’s backup last season behind Ryan Piscitani.

Mulally gained varsity experience last season as the team’s starting kicker.

Ethan White and Max Christian will be on the depth chart as backups.

RUNNING BACKS

The Rovers became just the second school in Portage County history to have back-to-back 2,000-yard rushers.

The first was Field in 2010 and 2011 when Patrick Boggs ran for 2,245 and 2,272 yards, respectively.

For Rootstown, Cody Coontz rushed for 2,322 yards in 2022, which was followed by Dawson Morgan rushing for 2,195 yards last year.

Stepping into more prominent roles this year will be Damien Reuting (191 yards rushing last year) and Dominic Duvall (287 yards), while Mason Fleck, George Luli, Carson Saltson and Rocco Giulitto all also may see time.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Rootstown welcomes back two returning starters: Senior Brian Youngblood and junior Braden Wright.

Both will be anchors on the line and will be two of the most talented linemen in the county.

Joining the duo are juniors Noah Cross and Jackson DeAngelis, sophomores Kiel Reuting, Peyton Simms, Luke Rogan and Devon Wright, as well as freshmen, Ryland Campbell, Chase Moyer and Shelton Nicely.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Tristan McKibben returns as the starter at tight end. He had nine receptions, 168 yards and scored a touchdown last year. Backing him up will be Kiel Reuting, Ayden Moyer, Christian Atkins and White.

At receiver, Nic Malek returns after leading the team in receiving a year ago. He had 15 catches for 250 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Other aerial targets will be Mason Lisi and White, who Hannan said he plans to use all over the field throughout the course of the season.

Others expected to contribute are Max McEwuen, Chase Duvall, Alex Ely, Javier Sullivan, Jake McGowan, Andrew Lingo, Kolt Brantner, Dylan Brown, Braxton DeAngelis and Trevin Lauck.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The Rovers will potentially morph from week to week.

“We will use multiple fronts, and we will be prepared to adjust to various formations and styles of play that we will see throughout the season,” Hannan said. “We want to play physical each week, and we need to be great tacklers and force turnovers.”

LINEBACKERS

Youngblood returns to lead the group after a decorated 2023. He was the team’s leading tackler with 103, while also posting six tackles for a loss and three sacks. He was named First Team All-PTC, First Team All-Northeast Inland District and was Honorable Mention All-Ohio.

Dominic Duvall is another returning starter. He totaled 66 tackles and three TFLs last year in a First Team All-PTC season.

Also expected to make an impact are White, Damien Reuting, Luli, Salesman, Atkins, along with Jackson and Braxton DeAngelis.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

McKibben had 59 tackles, 11 TFLs and eight sacks last year, earning First Team All-PTC honors.

Wright will also be a key player on the line, while Fleck, Simms, Cross, Rogan, Wright, Campbell, Chase Moyer, Nicely, Giulitto, Christian and Nate Marzec, a very quick player, round out the defensive line.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Malek was solid as a free safety last year, totaling 37 tackles and five interceptions. He was named First Team All-PTC and will be the key to the Rovers’ secondary this year.

Lisi, Ely, McEwuen, Chase Duvall, Mulally, Ayden Moyer, Sullivan, McGowan, lingo, Lauck and Brantner will all have a chance to make significant contributions.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Blake Mulally, Kiel Reuting, Mason Lisi, Alex Ely, Ethan White, Max McEwen, Chase Duvall, Damien Reuting, Nate Marzec, Peyton Simms, Ryland Campbell, Chase Moyer, Noah Cross.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We are very young, with only five seniors, and we also have a lack of depth on the offensive line,” Hannan said.