By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Coaching Staff: Randy Ward, offensive line; Mike Paes, quarterbacks/defensive backs; Jarrod Lewis, defensive coordinator; Howie Moore, offensive line/linebackers; Eric Cardinal, defensive line; Joe Simon, wide receivers/defensive backs; Jeff Brown, running backs; Mike Finney, offensive line/defensive line; Trey Shirkey, linebackers; Ethan Roman, offensive line/defensive line; Rich Stark, defensive line.
• League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division.
• Playoffs: Division V, Region 17.
• 2024 Record: 10-2 overall; 7-0 league.
• Returning Lettermen (19): Evan Martin, sr.; Jack Neikirk, sr.; William Simon, sr.; Brandyn Bogucki, sr.; Colton Miller, sr.; Michael Huebner, sr.; Lucas Neihiesel, sr.; Gavin Mason, sr.; Charles Ursitti, sr.; Logan Sell, jr.; Hannah Timmons, jr.; Collin McGranahan, jr.; Nate Baczkowski, jr.; Henry Veccia, jr.; Mason Kurtzman, jr.; Sam Strahan, jr.; Devin Bates, jr.; Ryder Cain, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (6): Ivan Trent, Harper Troyer, Cade Rock, Aiden Hill, Caleb Lewicki, Alex Greenberg.

THE OFFENSE

The well-oiled machine returns for another year, with the G-Men rolling with multiple variations of the Single Wing. Few run it cleaner or with more discipline.

The troubling thing for opposing teams this season is the fact that the G-Men went 10-2 overall and an undefeated 7-0 in a league-championship season and lose only six lettermen — and return 19.

QUARTERBACKS

Neikirk returns as the starter. He threw for 670 yards in the team’s run-heavy offense. He completed more than half of his passes (31-of-51 for 61 percent). He also threw for six touchdowns against just one interception in a very efficient season.

McGranahan and Vanek will serve as the team’s backups.

RUNNING BACKS

There is plenty of talent to go through here, but Bogucki and Bates lead the way.

Bogucki is a gamebreaker with a lot of versatility. He rushed for 714 yards (10.4 yards per carry), as well as 290 yards in the air as the team’s top receiver. And he scored 82 points on the season.

Bates was right behind Bogucki and was the team’s second-leading rusher last season with 700 yards.

Ryder Cain emerged as a freshman contributor last year. He totaled 320 yards and returns for his sophomore season in what will likely be an expanded role.

Also in the backfield, expected to get opportunities, are Bruce Nelson, Sam Strahan, Nate Baczkowski and Logan Sell.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The heart of the team’s offense returns strength and speed again.

The group will feature Charlie Ursitti, Lucas Neihiesel, Gavin Mason, Mike Huebner, Jesse Campbell, Chris Winningham, Gavin Barnard, Mason Kurtzman, Jared Cardinal and Jack Timmons.

WIDE RECEIVERS

& TIGHT ENDS

Will Simon was second on the team in receiving last year and did it with only two receptions. Those two catches, though, resulted in 122 yards, showing that Simon has gamebreaking ability.

Also at receiver will be Oliver Walker, Griffin Kline and Baczkowski.

At tight end, Colton Miller, Henry Veccia and Evan Martin will all see time and will be responsible for blocking and mixing in some opportunistic aerial chances.

THE DEFENSE

The G-Men will return to a 3-4 base defense again this season, with aggressive blitz packages built in.

LINEBACKERS

Bates and Sell return and led the team in tackles last year.

Bates had 107 and Sell, who was second on the team with 12 tackles for a loss, finished with 69 for the G-Men.

Not far behind was Cain, who totaled 57 tackles as a freshman.

Also in the mix is Miller, Martin, Nelson, Strahan and Hoover.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Veccia, Huebner, Timmons, Neihiesel and Cardinal will fill out the line up front.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Bogucki was the top tackler out of the secondary last year with 37. He also had a team-high three interceptions.

Neikirk and McGranahan were also key players in the defensive backfield a year ago, while Simon, Walker, Baczkowski, Kline and Vanek all being in the mix.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Jace Vanek, soph.; Jack Timmons, soph.; Jared Cardinal, soph.; Ryder Cain, soph.; Logan Shirkey, soph.; Jordan Portman, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERNS

“As always, overall health and depth in key positions,” coach Mike Moser said.