By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Matt Adorni, 23rd year, 219-56 career record.
• Coaching Staff: Billy Rosato, defensive coordinator; Thom Rosato, offensive line; Chad Westfall, special teams coordinator, defensive backs; Rob Custer, tight ends, linebackers; Bobby Shew, linebackers; Luke Rosato, quarterbacks, passing game coordinator; Corey Lehner, receivers, defensive backs; Rhett Brodie, JV, offensive line, defensive line.
• 2025 Record: 11-2.
• Returning Lettermen: 17.
• Lettermen Lost (10): Tyler Pendergast, Thomas Hinkle, Conner Lehner, Daniel Dunson, Aiden Boylen, James Pollock, Matthew Trusky, Chris Wunder, Dylan Benedum.

THE OFFENSE

The Wildcats will benefit from the return of four skill players returning in Maddox Smith, Kade Thomas, Landen Williams and Collin Hendrickson. Additionally, two returning linemen, Shayne Thomas and Cole Turner, will help anchor as leaders with experience.

“We will use multiple formations and be under center and in the Shotgun,” veteran head coach Matt Adorni said.

QUARTERBACKS

Smith, a dual-threat player, totaled 1,850 combined yards last year and 21 touchdowns, including 676 yards rushing and 1,153 yards passing (15 TDs and 7 INTs).

Peyton Custer, a sophomore, is the team’s backup.

RUNNING BACKS

Conner Lehner totaled the most rushing yards in Portage County last year with 1,736, but he is graduated. Dylan Benedum is another graduated player, and he had 432 yards rushing.

Smith was a big part of the run game a year ago, while the Cats will also lean into Jake Hopkins, who received time a year ago on varsity.

Landen Williams and Jaykob Dasco will form a “running back by committee approach,” according to Adorni.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Shayne Thomas (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) returns as a starter at left tackle and Cole Turner (6-0, 185) will be back again to start at left guard.

The other starting spots are being competed for by Nick Hamilton, Logan Pollock, Alex Jarvis, Gabe Boylen and Sam Wyatt.

RECEIVERS

Kade Thomas, who had the most receiving yards in Portage County last year, returns as a starter. He is a playmaker and gamebreaker.

A season ago, Thomas pulled in 36 receptions for 728 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

Another top threat through the air is Collin Hendrickson, who also was a starter last year. He caught eight passes for 176 yards.

Jayce Smith will be the team’s starting tight end.

Depth in the receivers will come from Luke Adorni and Blake Adorni.

THE DEFENSE

Mogadore will use a Base 4, but will have the ability to mix fronts throughout each week.

“We have a young and athletic defense,” said Adorni, who has five returning starters on the defensive side of the ball.

LINEBACKERS

Hopkins returns to be the starter at the SAM on the outside.

Kade Thomas will move to the Rover Hybrid, while Custer and Disco will be the leaders at the pair of inside spots.

Williams gives depth on the inside, while Jackson Wallace will also be in the mix.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Thomas will be back at defensive end. He had five tackles for a loss last year.

Hamilton saw some time at defensive tackle last year. Isaiah Quillen and Jack Centa, along with White and Williams, round out the remainder of the group.

Hendrickson will also help provide depth at defensive end.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Maddox Smith is in his third year as a starer, is the team’s leading returning tackler with 47, and he also had two interceptions.

Kade Thomas led the team in interceptions last year with four.

Luke Adorni returns as a starter at corner, while Blake Adorni and Q Siggers-Greco are battling of the role at the other corner.

Calieb Tompkins is also on the depth chart.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Isaiah Quillen, soph.; Peyton Custer, soph.; Blake Adorni, soph.; Jayce Smith, soph.; Jackson Wallace, soph.; Calieb Tompkins, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our depth and also our strength of schedule,” Adorni said.