By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Coaching Staff: Brett Dubinsky, offensive coordinator/running backs; Lester Carney, offensive coordinator/wide receivers; Davon Coman, quarterbacks; Corey Gibson, offensive line; Devin Shipp, defensive coordinator/linebacker; Brad Crislip, defensive line; Charles Harris, defensive backs; Darshan Saunders, middle school.
• League: Metro Athletic Conference.
• Playoffs: Division IV, Region 13.
• 2024 Record: 4-7 overall, 3-4 league.
• Returning Lettermen (16): Curtis Ross, sr.; LaDarion Askew, sr.; Braylon Burks, sr.; Ziare Sanders, sr.; Keon Fortson, sr.; Bradley Davis, jr.; Jose Carpenter, jr.; Andrew Mladek, jr.; Mark Miller, jr.; D’Anthony Allen, jr.; Collin Dray, jr.; Dominick Meckley, soph.; Julius Maddox, soph.; Jontez Williams, soph.; Ethan McKamey, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (11): Bobby Melzer, Bryant Thompson, Jaxon Kelly, Amare Marshall, Christopher Pellegrini, Hunter Dray, Mark Jones, Tykwon Ward, Trey Carter, Seth Gidley, Jayden Pudder.

THE OFFENSE

The Ravens plan to move into an offense that is heavy on the run, with play-action passes mixed in.

“We will use a multitude of runners in different ways,” second-year head coach Brian Coman said. “We will also run some options.”

QUARTERBACKS

Curtis “CJ” Ross returns as the starter.

He threw for 944 yards last year while completing 53 percent of his passes.

Ross has a strong arm and plenty of athleticism to be a ball-carrier, too.

His dual-threat abilities bring plenty of options to the offense.

Mark Miller will be the team’s backup, with freshman Liam Summers on the depth chart, as well.

RUNNING BACKS

The group of D’Anthony Allen, Carsyn Swauger and LaDarion Askew will all be options out of the backfield.

The Ravens did not have a back rush for more than 500 yards last year and the leader in the category graduated (Bryant Thompson with 430 yards).

Others expected to be in the mix are Asygh Gaines, Ethan McKamey, Julius Maddox and Mark Miller.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Bradley Davis and Collin Dray were starters last year and return to lead the line.

Jontez Williams, Dominick Meckley, Nathan Plona and Noah Brode all bring depth and will be fighting for opportunities.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

Athleticism and speed are on the outside.

Askew, when not lining up in the backfield, will be split out, with Mason Scott being a promising contributor.

Zander Mehalic and Ziare Sanders will also push for minutes.

Askew was one of the top receivers in the county last year, pulling in 19 receptions for 232 yards.

THE DEFENSE

Ravenna will run a base 3-4 defense, but will not be afraid to move into some 3-Deep and 2-High coverages based on circumstances.

If anything, Coman said he knows one important thing.

“We need to be a gap-sound defense, and we know that if want to win the Metro Athletic Conference, we must stop the run,” Coman said.

LINEBACKERS

Graduation brings in some new faces into the mix, with Marcus Hutchison, Braylon Burks, Zachary Allen and Dominick Meckley all in the mix.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Bradley Davis and Keon Fortson are the returning starters, with Darius Brown, Demere Tatum and Carlen Talley pushing for time.

Fortson is the team’s top returning tackler. He totaled 37 last year as the fourth-most on the team behind graduated Amare Marshall (76), Jaxon Kelly (67) and Bobby Melzer (48).

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Askew led the team with two interceptions last year and will hold down one of the corner spots.

Curtis Ross, D’Anthony Allen, Mark Miller, Asygh Gaines and Julius Maddox are expected to make major contributions and add depth.

Allen worked his way into the starting rotation last year and appears ready for a breakout season.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Bradley Davis, jr.; D’Anthony Allen, jr.; Asygh Gaines, jr.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We lack numbers on our roster,” Coman said. “We will start the season with 38 guys, so we must stay healthy.”