By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Pete Thompson, 16th year, 117-50 career record.
• Coaching Staff: Wezlee Spence, defensive coordinator, defensive line; Pete Smith, quarterbacks; Connor O’Harra, offensive line; DJ Snyder, receivers; Tom Gerchak, linebackers, running backs; Andrew Mekeal, defensive backs.
• 2025 Record: 9-3.
• Returning Lettermen (13): Jerry Benci, sr.; Colton Cox, sr.; Logan Fincham, sr.; Demetrius Fuller, sr.; Kyle Giacomo, sr.; Adrian Monroe, sr.; Logan Sadowski, sr.; Connor Tonwe, sr.; Noah Hodge, jr.; Christian Hunter, jr.; Dallas Morris, jr.; Alan Podboy, jr.; Avery Conroy, soph.; Jaxson Fedor, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (10): Janiere Cook, Kason Gellner, Manny Gibson, Trevor Kamlowsky, Tyler Kertis, Ayden Knuebel, Nolan Kuhne, Victor Links, Arthur Scott, Marcus Council.

THE OFFENSE

The Rockets will operate out of a Multiple Formation Spread Option.

“As always, we want to establish our ground game with multiple players getting carries and take advantage of what defenses give us in the passing game,” veteran coach Pete Thompson said.

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Colton Cox jumped into the starting role last season and produced well. He is back to lead the offense after rushing for 267 yards and throwing for 938 yards a season ago. He also had eight touchdown passes against just four interceptions.

The trio of Adrian Monroe, Nico Picone and Leo Gula are competing for the backup role.

RUNNING BACKS

As a sophomore, Logan Fincham rushed for 609 yards, but then last season, as a junior, his year was cut short during the first half of Week 2 when he broke his collarbone on a long run at Kent Roosevelt.

“Logan will step into a feature role for us,” Thompson said.

Also in the mix for carries are Noah Hodge, Avery Conroy, Isaiah Henderson and Liam Fincham.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Alan Podboy anchors the line, but is flanked by returning starters Demetrius “Meech” Fuller and Jaxson Fedor, giving the Rockets a very strong, athletic and mobile offensive line.

Jerry Benci, Brody Brown, Gavin Links, Ryan Kertis and Maddox Mills are all competing for time as a starter.

RECEIVERS

Kyle Giacomo was the team’s leading receiver last season, and he returns to a starting role this year.

Giacomo was a gamebreaker, with his 284 yards receiving coming on only eight receptions (35.5 yards per catch average).

Adrian Monroe is another returning starter. He had 192 yards receiving and 12 catches a year ago.

Dallas Morris, Conner Tonwe, Noah Hodge, Nico Picone and Christian Hunter will also be in the mix.

THE DEFENSE

The Rockets will be based out of a 3-4, but will not be afraid to mix it up with multiple fronts based on scenarios and circumstances.

LINEBACKERS

Two starters return in Benci and Giacomo, with Benci totaling the third-most tackles in Portage County last year with 92, while also forcing three fumbles. Giacomo had 49 tackles and two interceptions.

Similar to his return to help the offense, a healthy Logan Fincham will help defensively, too.

Also fighting for starting spots are Conroy, Mason Giambrone, Nolyn Dufala and Liam Fincham.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Fuller, Podboy and Fedor are returning starters — and talented ones at that.

Ryan Kertis, Links and Mills will compete for backup time, while Conroy may play some defensive line this season during passing situations.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The secondary is strengthened by three returning starters: Morris, Monroe and Hunter.

Hodge, Tonwe, Henderson and Picone will compete for playing time, as well, according to Thompson.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Logan Sadowski is a two-time All-Metro Athletic Conference selection and was also named to the Northeast Inland All-District team.

He is one of the top kickers in Northeast Ohio and finished last year with 48 points (1-of-3 field goals, 45-of-48 XPs).

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Isaiah Henderson, jr.; Nico Picone, jr.; Avery Conroy, soph.; Jaxson Fedor, soph.; Liam Fincham, fresh.; Ryan Kertis, fresh.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our overall roster size. This will be the smallest roster size in over a decade. This will cause concern for depth at all positions.”