By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Kardell Jackson, 2nd year, 4-6 career record.
  

  KARDELL JACKSON

• Coaching Staff: John Schumm, offensive coordinator, offensive line; Rich Graves, quarterbacks, Trei Thomas, wide receivers; Nick Spicer, tight ends, halfbacks; Jim DeLeone, offensive line; Marcus Wright, defensive line; Al Ehlert, linebackers; CJ Dennison, cornerbacks; Luke Larkin, safeties, Shane Robinson, defensive backs; Kevin Hockett, strength and conditioning, Jen Sepi, strength and conditioning.
• League: Suburban League American Division.
• Playoffs: Division III, Region 9.
• 2023 Record: 4-6 overall; 2-5 Suburban League.
• Returning Lettermen (23): Patrick Barkley, sr.; Ethan Braham, sr.; Gavin Corbett, sr.; Parker D’Sidocky, sr.; Jaden Dennison, sr.; Deonne Dickerson, sr.; Noah Dunlap, sr.; Lucas Fankhauser, sr.; Carter Foreman, sr.; Adam Ghumrawi, sr.; Ethan Humbert, sr.; Jerome Norton, sr.; Kyle Salazar, sr.; Michael Shannon, sr.; Yahntae Smith, jr.; Teddy Maccarone, jr.; Gavin Peeps, jr.; Jaiden Portis, jr.; Nicholas Roberts, jr.; Tyler Copen, jr.; Brock Catalucci, soph.; Tyler Ellington, soph.; Maxwell Foreman, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (9): Jack Smith, Lincoln Wade, Tyrel Ellington, Matt McCann, James Lewis, Anthony Helton, Micah Sheller, Josh Thomas, Jermaine Little.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Jackon’s offense is designed to get the Rough Riders’ playmakers into space, while also playing a physical style.

They will explore multiple formations to make that happen, including Spread, 10, 11 and 12 personnels.

QUARTERBACKS

Junior Yahntae Smith is an electric athlete that can be a dual-threat quarterback.

Cyler Foreman, Garrett Polcha and Aiken Benshoff will be the team’s backups and provide depth and practice competition.

RUNNING BACKS

The group of Tyler Ellington, Ke’Shan Talbert, Makhi Jones, Mar’Chaun Lawrence-Gore and Avery Stauffer provide Roosevelt with depth and options coming out of the backfield.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Kent Roosevelt has the luxury of depth across the offensive line, with many names vying for the spot to start and earn heavy minutes, including Patrick Barkley, Ethan Braham, Brian Brown, Tyreee Buchanan, DeVonta Cody, Tyler Copen, Havin Corbett, Noah Dunlap, Maxwell Froman, Adam Ghumrawi, Anderson Haney, Ethan Humbert, Ethan Kurtz, Maximus Lane, Mason McDaniel, Donovan Miller, Jerome Norton, Javier Pritchett, Nicholas Roberts, Kyler Salazar, Caleb Svoboda.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

There are plenty of playmakers that will be waiting to get into that space that Jackson is hoping to create, including Wisam Abukhaled, Aiden Allen, Aiden Barrickman, Marcus Berry, Leelan Boyd, Jeremiah Brumfield, Toby Brunner, Brock Catalucci, Zachary Coleman III, Parker D’Sidocky, Chase Dennison, Jaden Dennsion, Deonne Dickerrson, Brendan Douglas Gavin Edwards, Lucas Fankhauser, Carter Foreman, Justin Green, Luke Haney, Caden Howard, Nicholas Inwood, Sevyn Jones, LeWilliam Jones, Brayven Lucas, Theodore Maccarone, Tristyn Page, Gavin Peeps, Gavin Polcha, Jaiden Portis, Michael Shannon, Jake Sledzik, Keith Stewart, Joseph Straw, Ra’Shan Talbert, Oliver Walter, Bear Webb.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The Rough Riders will set up in a base 3-4 formation.

“We want to play discipline, fast and physical,” Jackson said.

The team will be looking to replace key defense standout, Anthony Helton, who graduated after he posted 48 tackles, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and six sacks.

LINEBACKERS

The team’s leading tackler last year, Carter Foreman, returns to lead the linebackers this season.

Additional players will all help anchor the group, including Aiden Allen, Toby Brunner, Brock Catalucci, Deonne Dickerson, Gavin Edwards, Lucas Fankhauser, Cyler Foreman, Luke Haney, Caden Howard, Nicholas Inwood, Makhi Jones, Brayven Lucas, Tristyn Page, Gavin Peeps, Nicholas Roberts, Michael Shannon, Joseph Straw, Bear Webb.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The line will feature hard working, two-way players that also will put in work on the offensive line.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The team’s deep roster will also help benefit the secondary.

Wisam Abukhaled, Aiden Barrickman, Aiken Benshoff, Marcus Berry, Leelan Boyd, Jeremiah Brumfield, Zachary Coleman III, Parker D’Sidocky, Jaden Dennison, Chase Dennison, Brendan Douglas, Tyler Ellington, Justin Green Sevyn Jones, LeWilliam Jones, Mar’Chaun Lawrence-Gore, Theodore Maccarone, Garret Polcha, Gavin Polcha, Jaiden Portis, Jake Sledzik, Yahntae Smith, Avery Stauffer, Keith Stewart and Ke’Shan Talbert are all in the mix.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Tyler Ellington, Maxwell Foreman, Cyler Foreman, Brock Catalucci.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our lack of size stands out as a concern,” Jackson said.