By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

MATT ADORNI

Matt Adorni

20th year

191-45 career record

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Ben Kobus, defensive coordinator; Thom Rosato, offensive line; Billy Rosato, offensive line; Anthony Ricci, quarterbacks, defensive backs, special teams coordinator; Aaron Male, running backs, linebackers and strength and conditioning; Robert Christy, defensive line and tight ends; Quinn Hiney, offensive and defensive line.

2022 Record: 12-1; regional finalists.

Returning Lettermen: 14.

Lettermen Lost: 9.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

The Wildcats return experience and skill across the major positions, but the offensive line will be a major rebuild.

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Zeke Cameron is back for his third year as a starter. Over the previous two seasons, he has started 26 games and earned a 21-5 record.

He completed 57-of-100 passes a year ago for 1,002 yards, including 15 touchdowns against only five interceptions.

His backup is Karson Jaber.

RUNNING BACKS

The two anchors are Corey Lehner and Austin Constantine.

Both played a major role in last year’s regional-championship-appearance run.

Constantine rushed for 338 yards as the team’s top returning rusher.

Depth and opportunities will be provided by Aaron Rumschlag, Cole Reese and C.J. Westfall.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Trevor Hinkle is the only returning starter.

Jumping into starting spots will be Tyler Youngblood at center, Bo Lanham at guard and Keegan Leslie at tackle.

Daniel Colebank, Kasey Pruitt, Travis Hummel and James Pollock will all be part of the team’s push at the line of scrimmage.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Nick Stephenson and Devin Graham return as the primary aerial targets, returning from starting roles last year.

Graham was the team’s leading receiver in 2022 with 288 yards on only eight receptions (36 yards per catch). Stephenson had 10 catches for 159 yards.

After not playing last year, senior Layne Miller returns to the lineup, while Dylan Benedum gives depth.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Ben Kobus was named the new defensive coordinator and will lead the Cats in a three-stack setup.

LINEBACKERS

Will Baskey (50 tackles) and Constantine (42 tackles) return as starters in the middle, with Westfall (42 tackles) returning on the outside.

Lanham and Rumschlag will also be in the mix in the middle.

Reese will also start on the outside.

Anthony Schwind (2 sacks) and Maddox Smith are the backups.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The familiar faces that man the offensive line will also be across the defensive line, including Hinkle, Pruitt, Youngblood, Benedum and Hummel.

Stephenson will also get time.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The starters will be Graham (3 interceptions) and Lehner (4 interceptions), who both return from starting a year ago.

Miller’s return boosts the group. He started in 2021 as a sophomore, but did not play in 2022.

Buso provides depth.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our lack of depth, as well as our very difficult schedule,” Adorni said.