By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Bob Mihalik, 26th year, 217-76 career record.
• Coaching Staff: Brian Wervey, defensive coordinator, outside linebackers, defensive ends; Brendan Gallagher, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks; Victor Ricketts, offensive Eline, run-game coordinator; Jay Price, defensive backs; Jim Slagle, defensive line; Jeff Decker, linebackers; Aaron Bubonics, receivers; Mark Dingman, freshman; Dave Keckan, freshman.
• 2025 Record: 6-4.
• Returning Lettermen (23): Aidan Samelko, sr.; Carter Romancak, sr.; Luke Hilditch, sr.; Ryan Ziegler, sr.; Dominic Grasso, sr.; Carter Fitzgerald, sr.; Gavin Acomb, sr.; Eric Waid, sr.; Luca Fontana, sr.; Xander Carr, sr.; Sujan Bhangu, sr.; Drew Scott, sr.; Michel Bruecklmeier, sr.; Gus DelRosa, sr.; Matthew Huth, jr.; Jack Rachel, jr.; Marc McGovern, jr.; Jayden Orr, jr.; Jacoby Schadle, jr.; Parker Abbuhl, jr.; Charlie Treccia, jr.
• Lettermen Lost (22): Dominic Antonini, Lincoln Bannerman, Ari Bernat, Xavier Board, Luke Bonnette, AJ Bruno, Austin Cook, Grant Courtnage, Matthew Felice, Nathan Grummitt, Josh Harrell, Scotty Hauptner, Michael Iwan, Aiden Jackson, Quincy John, Michael Kennedy, Alex Millikan, Benjy Nemet, Ryan Siddall, Ryan Slisz, Jake Yasenosky.

THE OFFENSE

Mihalik said he feels that the team’s offense can “hit the ground running,” with seven returning starters and five more who received valuable experience as rotation players.

The Greenmen will use multiple formations and styles, shifting from a Spread to Stack-I.

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Ryan Ziegler returns as the starter, but juniors Matthew Huth and Marc McGovern are pushing for the spot, according to Mihalik.

So much so that the veteran coach said that he expects all three to see time under center at some point during the season.

Ziegler finished last season with 893 yards in the air. He completed 63-of-112 passes, with eight touchdowns against four interceptions.

RUNNING BACKS

Aurora plans to use a “running back by committee” approach this season.

Carter Romancak, Aidan Samelko, Carter Fitzgerald, Dominic Grasso and Jayden Orr are all expected to make an impact.

The group will be replacing the production of graduate Xavier Board, who rushed for 812 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Greenmen return a solid set of starters in Jacob Miller, Xander Carr, Luca Fontana and Jacoby Schadle.

The continuity will be a big key to the team’s success.

Additional players who are competing for time, and adding depth, are Gus DelRosa, Charlie Treccia, Michel Bruckelmeir, Luke Iwan, Tyler Smalheer and Sujahn Bhangu.

RECEIVERS

Luke McGovern is a lightning-quick gamebreaker. He was named to the Division III All-Ohio team last season after he rushed for 409 yards and had 406 yards receiving, along with 11 touchdowns.

McGovern already has eight Division-I offers, including Army, Toledo and Kent State.

Luke Hilditch is another returning starter, who is expected to provide reliable production.

Others who will see time include Jack Rachel, Chase Peterson and Graham Walton.

At tight end, Drew Scott is “poised for a big year,” according to Mihalik. He will be backed up by Parker Abbuhl, Gavin Acomb and Riley Redmond.

THE DEFENSE

Aurora will run a 4-2-5 base that will be focused on attacking the ball at all angles.

Four starters return from a year ago, which will provide a strong foundation, but also presents an opportunity for some new faces to make an impact.

However, no returning player had more than 40 tackles for the season last year.

LINEBACKERS

Every starter from last year graduated, leaving opening spots being battled for by Romancak, Ziegler, Samelko, Orr, Grasso and Marc McGovern.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Mihalik said he considers this to be an “area of strength.”

As many as nine players could see time up front, including Miller, Carr, Scott, Fitzgerald, Treccia, Schadle, Iwan, Smalheer and Fontana.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Luke McGovern will start on one side and Huth will be the man on the other.

Depth is provided by Graham Walton and Ethan Reed.

Hilditch and Rachel are returning starters at safety, with Acomb and Peterson also expected to get time.

McGovern led the team with three interceptions last year.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Huth is the team’s punter and will also compete with Eric Waid to be the place-kicker.

Acomb has stepped into the lead position to be the team’s long-snapper.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Tommy Stenger, soph.; Jack Wervey, soph; Tyler Stofcho, soph.; Chase Levick, soph.; Connor McLendon, soph.; Aaron Abramovich, soph.; Kade Bohanon, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

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