By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Coaching Staff: Tom Ciccolelli, defensive coordinator/running backs; Steven Yuhasz, offensive line/defensive line/strength and conditioning; Tyler Halavick, special teams coordinator/wide receivers/defensive backs; Evan Richmond, quarterbacks/linebackers.
• League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division.
• Playoffs: Division VII, Region 25.
• 2024 Record: 4-6 overall, 2-5 league.
• Returning Lettermen (5): Xavier Rebecchi, sr.; Dominic Harouff, sr.; Aiden Conrad, jr.; Keyshawn Anderson, jr.; Dalton Braybon, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (13): Austin Hurst, Landon McClain, Aric May, Luke Thomas, Matthew Ralston, Bradyn Robinson, Logan Baird, Brandon Moore, Seth Feciuch, Anthony Smith, Nolan Hamilton.

THE OFFENSE

Head coach Nathan Brode enters his 15th season as a football coach and ninth as a head coach. He spent the previous eight years leading the Jackson-Milton Bluejays and posted a 34-45 overall record. He takes over for Mike Devies, who retired as a coach and administrator after leading the Vikings’ program for 10 years.

Brode has implemented a Spread-style offense, with use of motion, play action and misdirection.

“Our expectations are to end each drive with a kick (extra point or field goal),” Brode said.

In regards to personnel, Waterloo will utilize its tight end, as well as work in a variety of four- and five-receiver sets.

QUARTERBACKS

A pair of first-time players to the position are at the top of the depth chart leading into the season: Freshman Kody Boles and junior Keyshawn Anderson.

Anderson was used in a variety of roles last year, including receiver and running back.

RUNNING BACKS

Brady Hakes and Dalton Braybon are expected to share the duties out of the backfield.

Hakes was part of the ball-carrying rotation last year, while Braybon lettered as a freshman a year ago.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Dominic Harouff and Xavier Rebecchi return as starters to help anchor the line.

Underclassmen Hunter Mangus (sophomore) and Evan Reakes (freshman) have earned starting roles this season.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

This was a position group that lacked experience at the start of 2024, but had Matthew Ralston emerge as one of the top pass-cathcers in the county (30 receptions, 498 yards).

Ralston has graduated, but this year’s receivers bring a bit more experience overall.

Seniors Landon Widener and Nikolas Lopez, along with junior Aiden Conrad and Braybon, are all expected to be options in the Spread offense.

THE DEFENSE

“We will be aggressive both inside the trenches and outside on the edge,” Brode said. “We want our guys to cause turnovers at a high rate and swing the momentum in our favor.”

LINEBACKERS

Brady Hakes is the leader here, returning after 71 tackles a year ago. Only (graduated) Austin Hurst had more tackles than him last year with 110.

Hunter Mangus, Nikolas Lopez and Dalton Braybon are other spotlighted players who will get time.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Similar to the offensive line, Dominic Harouff and Xavier Rebecchi bring back starting experience.

Helping fill out the remaining spots are freshman Evan Reakes and sophomore Jacob Ingram.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The group is highlighted by senior Landon Widener, junior Keyshawn Anderson, junior Aiden Conrad and freshman Kody Boles.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Kody Boles, fresh.; Evan Reakes, fresh.; Dalton Braybon, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Depth is going to be a huge concern for us,” Brode said. “Injuries, or lack of injuries, will have a huge impact on the season.”