By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Kardell Jackson, 4th year, 11-19 career record.
• Coaching Staff: John Schumm, run game coordinator, offensive line; Craig Peeps, offensive line; Jimmy DeLeone, offensive line; Rich Graves, pass game coordinator, receivers; Trei Thomas, receivers; Luke Larkin, special teams coordinator, tight ends; Troy Croskey, running backs; Chris Knopick, defensive coordinator; Mark Knopick, inside linebackers; Al Ehlert, outside linebackers; CJ Dennison, defensive backs; Marcus Wright, defensive line; JonMichael Weigel, kickers, punters.
• 2025 Record: 5-5.
• Returning Lettermen (13): Brock Catalucci, sr.; Tyler Ellington, sr.; Cyler Foreman, sr.; Max Froman, sr.; Luke Haney, sr.; Sevyn Jones, sr.; Noah Catanese, jr.; Chace Dennison, jr.; Drew Haney, jr.; Makhi Jones, jr.; Brayven Lucas, jr.; Oliver Walter, jr.; Dylan Benshoff, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (14): Teddy Maccarone, Jaiden Portis, Ke’Shan Talbert, Sam Snellenberger, Ethan Humbert, Gavin Peeps, Bryce Anderson, Chase Bell, Samuel Luthman, Justin Green, Nicholas Inwood, LeWilliam Jones, Ayden Kendrick, Mason Medhurst.

THE OFFENSE

Head coach Kardell Jackson enters the season as excited about his offense as he has in his tenure leading the program.

“This is the strongest we have been as a team, and we have some experience returning on the offensive line,” Jackson said.

The action will continue to come out of the Spread, with multiple designed looks expected.

“We want to utilize our tight ends and get our playmakers the ball in space.”

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Cyler Foreman steps into the role as the team’s starting quarterback. He is a cerebral player, who has the size and ability to replace graduated Gavin Peeps.

Peeps had a breakout season last year, completing 152-of-257 passes for 2,068 yards, and he also rushed for 537 yards. He is now a member of the Kent State University football team. Peeps’ 2,000-yard passing season was just the 25th in the history of Portage County football and ranked as the 20th-best on that list and seventh-best in school history.

Backing up Foreman are Kingston Bryant, Garrett Polcha, Josiah Tyler-Campbell and Cade Knopick.

RUNNING BACKS

The Riders graduated their top-two rushers (Peeps and Ke’Shan Talbert) — so there will be production to fill.

The group to do it is expansive, with opportunities available for Brendan Douglas, Makhi Jones, Avery Stauffer, Hasim White, Xavier Lowe, Jeremiah Taylor, Lucas Ash, Jacory Cross, Alexander Fabricio, Israel Hall and Knopick.

OFFENSIVE LINE

There is plenty of numbers in this category group, with Jackson listing 23 players that are pushing each other to get better.

The starting linemen include Max Froman, Maxwell McDaniel, Drew Haney, Oliver Walter and Henley Wiley.

Others listed on the depth chart include DeVonta Cody, Donovan Miller, Brian Brown, Noah Catanese, Max Lane, Caleb Svoboda, Dylan Benshoff, Trustin Bytheway, Abel Hart, Derrick Jackson, Zalynne Sanders, Noah Wynn, Nduka Awanna, Corbin Christopher, Ean Fertig, Chance Lawrence, Khalil Peeples and King Wise.

RECEIVERS

There is plenty of speed, athleticism and gamebreaking abilities on the outside for the Riders.

Tyler Ellington is the top returner after a breakout season a year ago that featured 26 receptions and 516 yards.

Sevyn Jones also was a prominent piece last year with 20 receptions and 278 yards. Chace Dennison (10 catches, 123 yards) was also in the mix.

Add in transfer Zac Coleman and the Rough Riders will have plenty of options within its Spread offense.

Other starters will include Brock Catalucci and Brayven Lucas.

Included on coach Jackson’s depth chart are Josh Swaney, Fajer Alababneh, Luke Haney, Elijah Humbert, Antwan Jackson, Jace Reese, Gavin Polcha, Luke Beatty, Lawrence Snoody, Ja’Shawn Turner, Syeed White, Damon Woodward, Jayden Amos, Nate Ash, Carti Beard, Kylan Frost, AJ Mack, Josiah Petty, Jacoby Siciliano and Jayce Turner.

THE DEFENSE

Defensive coordinator Chris Knopick brings a 3-4 base defense, with a standard to play “disciplined, fast and physical.”

Nine returning starters make the defense a strong point for the Rough Riders.

The group will look to improve upon an average of 44 points per game surrendered in the team’s five losses last season (against 15 points allowed per game in the team’s five wins).

LINEBACKERS

Foreman was the team’s leading tackler last year with 64, and he returns, as does another key contributor in Catalucci (47 tackles).

Foreman also had eight tackles for a loss, which led the team.

Other starters include Henley Wiley, Makhi Jones (2 fumble recoveries) and Lucas.

It is a group that has speed and strength.

Many others are in the mix and could fight to see time.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Froman is a standout and finished last year with 5.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 3.5 sacks.

Walter is another strong contributor, who finished with three sacks a year ago.

McDaniel, Haney, Benshoff and Wynn have all earned anticipatory starting spots for the Rough Riders in a position group that includes 23 players.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

A collection of names that were also featured as receivers to form a standout group mirrors itself for Roosevelt’s secondary.

Ellington, Coleman, Dennison and Sevyn Jones all return as starters.

Ellington had a team-high two interceptions last year.

Also jumping into a starting role this season will be Kingston Bryant.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Dylan Benshoff, soph.; Henley Wiley, soph.; Xavier Lowe, soph.; Derrick Jackson, soph.; Jeremiah Taylor, soph.; Corbin Christopher, fresh.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Despite a roster that features 63 players, Jackson said he still does not feel like the team “has a lot of depth,” but can rely on the fact that the team does showcase versatility with players “who can play multiple positions.”