By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

High school football preview capsule for the Ravenna Ravens’ 2022 season.

Head Coach: Joe Callihan, 1st year.

Coaching Staff: Brad Crislip, defensive coordinator and defensive line; George Tompkins, defensive backs; Devin Shipp, inside linebackers; Keith Fife, outside linebackers; Steve Both, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; Les Carney, wide receivers; Brett Dubinsky, running backs.

2021 Recap: 7-4 overall record; 5-2 Metro Athletic Conference; 3rd in MAC.

Returning Lettermen (13): Dean Baker, Pavel Henderson, Austin Marshall, Maykai O’Neal, Thurman Treadwell, Carlione White, M’Kell Williams, David Davis, Tyler Dohm, Mikey Myers, Bobby Melzer, Charlie Prichard, Mateo White.

Lettermen Lost (12): Eathan Cobbin, Christian Neff, Matt Mitchell, Isaiah Boyle, Matthew Catiglion, Tyler Morehead, Philip Barton,  Dylan Hamlin, Jalen Brown, Zack McFarland, Larenzo Slade, Joe Holfman.

Offensive Outlook: First-year head coach Joe Callihan is in the process of installing a brand new system for the Ravens.

“Our guys have done a nice job of picking it up,” said the Mogadore High School graduate. “We are very fortunate to have skilled players that will allows to do many different things this year.”

The team’s success this fall center around the team staying healthy, as well as if “everyone continues to buy into their roles,” according to Callihan. 

Quarterbacks: Multi-year starter Eathan Cobbin (John Carroll) has graduated and the Ravens are looking for his replacement.

This summer, it was seniors M’Kell Williams and Pavel Henderson (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) taking the majority of the first-team reps.

Callihan states that both bring a different skill-set.

Underclassment that are working hard and appear to have bright futures are sophomore Bobby Melzer, along with freshmen CJ Ross and Conner Welling.

The quarterback group is coached by Steve Poth, who starred for Mogadore in the 1980’s and played at Kent State.

Running Backs: Veteran Brett Dubinsky will be coaching this group, which is led by senior Carlione White (6-1, 195), junior Austin Marshall (5-8, 199) and senior Zareus Susanek.

“We think those guys can set the tone for our offensive to play the physical style of football we want to be known for.”

Offensive Line: Ravenna returns two starters in junior Dean Baker (5-10, 195) and junior David Davis (5-10, 205).

“We have a group of guys that have been working hard leading up to the season to earn a spot on the line.”

That group includes senior Nathan Peppered, junior Mateo White, junior Andrew Thompson, junior Lucas Byerly Barr, junior Charlie Prichard, sophomore Jaxon Kelly and sophomore Kenyan Robinson.

“Our offensive line is working hard to come together. They know that a lot is going to be put on their shoulders this season.”

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: This is a position of experience strength for the ravens.

Henderson, along with Maykai O’ Neal (5-9, 140) bring leadership to the group as returning starters.

Additionally, junior Daniel Sanders has emerged as a solid option for Ravenna.

At tight end, Callihan has “two monsters” in senior Thurman Treadwell (6-3, 180) and sophomore Bobby Melzer (6-3, 200). Both are athletic and have spent time in the weight room.

“They will give us the ability to run the ball and also provide mismatches in the passing game.”

Defensive Outlook: “Things are starting to come together. We want to be able to kill the run and provide offenses with different looks defensively.”

Defensive Backfield: Williams and O’Neal return as starters.

Daniel Sanders has been taking reps at safety and is growing into the position.

With another Mogadore flavor, longtime football and basketball coach George Tompkins is leading this group of Ravens.

Linebackers: Henderson and White lead the way for this group.

“Both guys have played multiple positions for us in the past and give us a lot of versatility in where they can line up and what they can do.”

Junior Tyler Dohm (5-8, 165), Marshall, Susanek have all been vying for the starting spot.

Melzer and Treadwell will provide big, long edge-setting strength as outside linebackers.

Defesnive Line: Ravenna’s group has shown growth throughout the off-season, according to Callihan.

“This group will be instrumental in shutting down the run.”

Special Teams: Junior kicker Mikey Myers returns as the team’s kicker and punter, with M’Kell Williams as the place-holder. Prichard and sophomore Nolan Bolser are battling for the long-snapping position.

From the Coach’s Eyes: “With this being my first year leading the program, I have been extremely proud of how our leaders in the program have bought into what we are trying to do,” Callihan said. “I applied for this job because of the kids and how special they are. They have not disappointed. We have a long way to go to get to where we want to get to, but our leaders have done a phenomenal job of showing the younger guys what it takes to do things our way.”

Underclassmen to Watch: Bryant Thompson, soph.; Jaxon Kelly, soph.; Kenyan Robinson, soph.; LaDarion Askew, fresh.