Rootstown senior soccer standout Zach Pastor.
Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The curtain fell on the Rootstown boys soccer team’s historic 2026 season on Wednesday in a 5-2 loss to Norwayne in the Division V state semifinal.

It was the Rovers’ greatest season in school history and included a district championship, first-ever regional championship and Final Four appearance in the OHSAA state playoffs.

It also was led by the greatest soccer player in school history.

Senior Zach Pastor finished his career as the school leader in goals scored (107), assists (53) and points (267).

The three offensive totals are all also the best in Portage County history.

Talk about a legacy made by the Rovers and Pastor.

Congratulations on an incredible season and career.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS

   • Molly Murphy, Field girls soccer, Seton Hill University

   • Lila Bultrowicz, Aurora softball, Youngstown State University

   • Lilly Kamenash, Rootstown softball, Kent State University

   • Whitley Rockhill, Aurora volleyball, Walsh University

ALL-OHIO VOLLEYBALL

Rootstown sophomore Ella Hayn and Mogadore senior Kaitlyn Clester were named to the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-Ohio teams.

Hayn finished the season with 164 points, 50 aces, 505 service receptions and 522 digs.

Clester finished the season with 362 kills, 82 points, 48 aces, 48 blocks, 226 digs and 184 assists.

LEHNER WINS PICKS TITLE

Mogadore’s John Lehner earned the championship of the 2026 Portage Sports Pigskin Picks Challenge.

Congratulations!

The final season records were:

MOGADORE’S JOHN LEHNER

John Lehner 84-22

Mike Keegan 80-26

Ron Evans 79-27

Chuck Ulrich 79-27

Tom Nader 78-28

Gary Humberson 78-28

Tom Byich 78-28

Brett Dubinsky 78-28

Jim Manion 77-29

Kayne Smith 76-30

Jeremy Allen 75-31

Ryan Smith 75-31

Tom Rauber 74-32

Alex Blake 72-34

Chip Bittecuffer 70-36

Randy Porter 70-36