By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Simply put, the Kent Roosevelt offense has been prolific through the air this season.

Senior quarterback Gavin Peeps leads the way, and he has become so comfortable inside the offense that he has as many as seven different receivers who are among the receiving leaders in Portage County.

The leaders are Jaiden Portis (13 receptions, 224 yards) and Tyler Ellington (12-253), with five others all in the mix all the time: Sevyn Jones (12-158), Teddy Maccarone (11-144), Justin Green (8-132), Chace Dennison (10-123) and Brock Catalucci (6-79).

“We really have a great group of guys,” Kent Roosevelt head coach Kardell Jackson said. “They understand the passing concepts and are recognizing how to move to get open. They know Gavin is going to give them a chance on any play, so they are running routes hard and correctly.

“When Gavin starts scrambling around, they do a great job moving with him and getting to his vision and open space,” Jackson added. “Everyone recognizes this is the strength of our team and they’ve embraced it. They celebrate for each other and have even switched positions in formations to help each other get better match ups. They’ve also been willing blockers which is helping our run and screen game.”

Ultimately, it does start with Peeps and his ability to oversee the offense, but also to inject his positive leadership for the Rough Riders (3-2).

“His leadership takes our offense to another level,” Jackson said. “He trusts that his guys are going to be in the right spot and when he starts scrambling, he’s always looking to pass first. He wants to push the ball down the field and get his guys the ball. Gavin spreads the ball around to all of his receivers and takes what the defense gives him.

“He’s really a special player and fun to coach,” Jackson added. “His football IQ continues to grow each week and he’s communicating well with coaches on what he is seeing and is able to explain why he likes a certain play throughout the week — that is something rare he has. He elevates the play of his teammates and that’s a huge bonus for our team.”

For the season, Peeps has completed 82-of-132 passes for 1,193 yards. He also has thrown 14 touchdowns against only two interceptions.

G-MEN OFFENSE RIDES RYDER

Nothing has changed for the Garfield G-Men offense this season.

Translation?

Multiple runners have been featured inside the team’s Single Wing offense, with all fully capable of producing at any point and any situation.

Ryder Cain, though, has emerged as the leader of the group, which has solidified itself as another year of strong runners — a longtime G-Men calling card.

Through the first five weeks of the season, Cain has rushed for 889 yards on only 83 carries (10.7 yards per carry) and has reached the end zone 12 times.

Other key figures in the backfield are Brandyn Bogucki (35 carries, 432 yards), Devin Bates (28-239) and Bruce Nelson (10-160).

Of course, the offensive line work has been superior once again.

A sign of the continued hard work by the players, but also the development of the position by the coaching staff.

This year’s line includes Gavin Mason, Lucas Neiheisel, Mason Kurtzman, Jared Cardinal, Mike Huebner, Colton Miller, Jack Timmons and Charlie Ursitti. Additionally, blocking backs Logan Sell and Sam Strahan have been equally important.

“They have done a nice job of opening up holes for Ryder and the other running backs,” Garfield (4-1) head coach Mike Moser said. “They all have been excellent.”

MIDSEASON CLASH

Streetsboro hosts Norton tonight in a game that should have huge implications on the Metro Athletic Conference championship push this season.

The Rockets and Panthers are largely considered the two front-runners for the MAC title.

It was the same thought last year, then the Rockets slammed the door shut on that idea with a 55-0 victory at Norton.

Tonight’s game could carry the same weight, with the winner taking the front-runner spot toward the league crown.

TONIGHT’S WEEK 6 SCHEDULE

Copley at Aurora

Chagrin Falls at Crestwood

Field at Springfield

Southeast at Garfield

Kent Roosevelt at Barberton

Cloverleaf at Ravenna

Rootstown at Berkshire

Norton at Streetsboro

McDonald at Waterloo

Windham at Mathews

FRIDAY NIGHT FORECAST

We are going to be delivered a beautiful fall night for Week 6 football.

At kickoff, the skies will be clear and the temperature will be in the high 60’s.

No rain is on the radar for the entire night and it will remain in the mid to low 60’s throughout the second half.

Enjoy the night!

PLAYOFFS UPDATE

• Note: The top 12 from each region qualify for the postseason.

DIVISION III, REGION 9

16. Kent Roosevelt

19. Aurora

DIVISION IV, REGION 13

T2. Streetsboro

7. Norton

14. Woodridge

19. Ravenna

20. Coventry

21. Springfield

T22. Field

DIVISION V, REGION 17

8. Garfield

18. Southeast

21. Crestwood

DIVISION VI, REGION 21

10. Rootstown

DIVISION VII, REGION 25

4. Mogadore

T18. Windham

T20. Waterloo

WEEK 7 LOOKAHEAD SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 2025

Aurora at Cuyahoga Falls

Crestwood at Rootstown

Coventry at Field

Garfield at Liberty

Kent Roosevelt at Copley

Mogadore at Pymatuning Valley

Ravenna at Springfield

Champion at Southeast

Streetsboro at Woodridge

Waterloo at Jackson-Milton

Windham at St. John and Paul