By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Tom Hannan, 30th year, 142-134 career record.
• Coaching Staff: Alan Vanderink, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks; Jeff Bruno, defensive coordinator, defensive backs; Don Jones, linebackers, receivers; Braden Wright, offensive line, defensive line, strength and conditioning; Alan Hodakievic, offensive line, defensive line.
• 2025 Record: 6-4.
• Returning Lettermen (17): Peyton Simms, sr.; Kiel Reuting, sr.; Blake Mullaly, sr.; Ayden Moyer, sr.; Max McEwuen, sr.; Christian Atkins, sr.; Jackson DeAngelis, sr.; Luke Rogan, sr.; Devin Wright, sr.; Chase Moyer, jr.; Sheldon Nicely, jr.; Carson Saltsman, jr.; Ryland Campbell, jr.; Braxton DeAngelis, jr.; Grayson Rantilla, soph.; Matt Galen, soph.; Aiden Long, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (9): Braden Wright, Damien Reuting, Ethan White, Chase DuVall, Mason Lisi, Alex Ely, George Luli, Noah Cross.

THE OFFENSE

“We will try to play to our strengths,” veteran head coach Tom Hannan said.

For the Rovers this season, that will include a big, strong and physical running game, with a balanced passing attack as support.

“We need to minimize our weaknesses, which are turnovers.

“My expectations are to be the most physical team every week and be fundamentally sound.”

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Blake Mullaly returns for his third year as the starter.

Last season, he completed 52-of-91 passes for 872 yards. He had five touchdowns in the air and just one interception.

Mullaly is also the team’s kicker, and he hit 5-of-8 field goals last year, along with 37-of-40 extra points.

Mullaly’s backup is freshman Tyler West.

RUNNING BACKS

Damien Reuting was the workhorse last year (177 carries for 1,242 yards), but he has graduated.

Ready to step in to fill the production void is his younger brother Kiel, who is now a senior, and was featured out of the backfield at times last season.

Also in the mix are seniors Ayden Moyer and Jackson DeAngelis, as well as juniors Carson Saltsman, Colt Brantner and freshmen Tripp Bregant and Lane Arbogast.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The two anchors on the line are senior Peyton Simms and junior Chase Moyer.

Simms missed the majority of the 2025 season because of an injury, but is described by Hannan as a “big, strong kid” at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds.

Moyer has started 20-of-21 games the last two years and is 6-foot-4, 290 pounds.

The rest of the line has plenty of size and agility.

Luke Rogan (6-1, 190) will be the center, Rylan Campbell (6-2, 275) at tackle and Devin Wright (6-1,210) at guard.

Also in the mix are Sheldon Nicely, Matt Galen, Ace Fisher, Ely Dye, Aiden Long and Riggs Heckert.

RECEIVERS

McEwuen is the team’s top returning receiver in regards to yardage. He had eight receptions last year for 130 yards.

The starting tight end is Christian Atkins.

Additional receivers expected to get time are Braxton DeAngelis, Andrew Lingo, Dylan Brown, Peyton Featheringham, Doug Nichols, Grayson Rantilla, Tripp Bregant, Gavin Hunt and Tyler West.

Aiden Long and Jeff Sanicky will also be at tight end with Atkins.

THE DEFENSE

The Rovers will employ a variety of defenses depending on situations.

“We want to be fast and physical. We want to get 11 hats to the ball to create havoc and turnovers.”

LINEBACKERS

The core will be Reuting, Ayden Moyer, Atkins and Jackson DeAngelis (5 tackles for a loss).

Of the returning players this season, Moyer had the most tackles last year with 65.

Sanicky, Saltsman, Nichols, Rantilla and West will all also see time.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The size that should help the offensive line have the advantage in the trenches is the same size that will do the same defensively.

In only a couple of weeks of action last year, Simms had 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

McEwuen is a ballhawk in the secondary. He had five interceptions last year, utilizing his quickness and elite anticipation. He also had two fumble recoveries to account for seven turnovers.

Mullaly will also be an athletic option in the secondary.

Others include Brown, Lingo, Brantner, Braxton DeAngelis, Featheringham, Bregant and Hunt.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Aiden Long, soph.; Matt Galen, soph.; Grayson Rantilla, soph.; Doug Nichols, soph.; Tyler West, fresh.; Tripp Bregant, fresh.; Riggs Heckert, fresh.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Depth, injuries and a tough schedule,” Hannan said. “If we can come together as a team, with a ‘we over me’ and ‘team first’ mentality, we will be OK. We also must find a way to win the close games.”