Central Christian
Last year: 13-8-1 (3-0-0 Mid-Buckeye Conference; 0-3-1 Tri-County League)
Head coach: Alex Steiner (ninth year, 116-41-10)
Returning award winners: Aaron Miedel, Silas Coleman, Carson Hostetler, Josiah Bixler, AJ Munholand, Lexi Bischoff, Lyle Endsley, Bryan Martin, Drew Badertscher, Ben Miller, Kye Kooker
Newcomers to the university team: Connor Clark, Aaron Laird, Cooper Rohrer, Ezra Coleman, Grayden Miller, Adin Horst, Aaron Edmiston, Kyle Shirer
outlook: The Comets bring a ton of experience and look to improve on their performance from last year in a tough league against top programs like Western Reserve, Hiland, Norwayne and Cardinal Mooney, as well as Mansfield Christian in the MBC. This attack is led by standout players like Aaron Miedel, Silas Coleman, Josiah Bixler, Bryan Martin and Carson Hostetler. Overall, Central Christian is ready to continue its throne as one of the region’s best programs this fall.
Chippewa
Last year: 4-14-1 (2-8 WCAL)
Head coach: Mike Chmura (fourth year, 18-34-3)
Returning award winners: Lex Davis, Jacob Hercog, Wyatt Riggenbach, Alex Rodriguez, Luke Blaz, Corbin Gasser, Joe Hegarty, Ben Pierce, Solomon Steiner, Xavier Zollinger, Ian Goodrich, Brayden Hershberger, Alistair Jonke, Cason Leach, Brady Mitchell, Casey Mitchell, Parker West
Newcomers to the university team: Tate Dannemiller, Calvin Gasser, Devin Homa, Titus Klotzle, Holden LeFever, Mason Lepley, Carter Mertic, Wyatt Riggenbach, Sam Siniscalchi
outlook: With 17 key players from last year’s team, this Chipps squad will look to build on last year’s experience and climb up the league standings in the fall. Alex Rodriguez will anchor the defense while being supported by his senior teammates Lex Davis, Jacob Hercog and Wyatt Riggenbach to provide strong leadership to a still young team.
Hiland
Last year: 14-3-4 (1-2-1 TCL)
Head coach: Scott Bodiker (25th year, 307-125-47)
Returning award winners: Zeke Bodiker, Logan Hershberger, Jackson Mullet, Ohlen Troyer, Caedon Hershberger, Ryan Hamsher, Kayden Miller, Chase Coblentz, Rowen Miller, Perrin Miller and Christian Mullet
Newcomers to the university team: Max Jones, Noah Troyer, Luke Bodiker, Isaac Thomas, Dennis Ishan, Josh Yoder and Bodie Gertz
outlook: A model of consistency over the years, the Hawks will be back among the top teams in the region as they re-establish themselves for another season. With talent like Logan Hershberger, Jackson Mullet, Ryan Hamsher, Ohlen Troyer and Zeke Bodiker, Hiland enters the season as the No. 2 team in the Power Rankings for good reason. With skill all over the court and a tough league to hone their skills against, this Berlin-based team will give any team they face problems this fall.
Loudonville
Last year: 4-10-1 (0-2-1 MBC)
Head coach: Steve Seaman (13th year, 202-189-31)
Returning award winners: Christian Gutierrez, Caleb Hammitt, Brayden McQuillen, Dylan Hammitt, Brayson Youngen, Kaden Luyster
Newcomers to the university team: Kayden Cabral, Ethan Hess, Colt McCollough, Wyatt Denslow, Zach Manchester, Waylon Harris, Dakota Wilson, Devin Cabral
outlook: With some great talent being lost to graduating students, the Redbirds will look to restock their roster with some young talent and improve it from last year. The goal will be to get the roster together and have them play well when it counts, and that’s tournament time.
Northwest
Last year: 9-6-2 (6-3-1 WCAL)
Head coach: Zac Gray (second year, 9-6-2)
Returning award winners: Ben Ream, Gabe Nicholson, Colton Mark, Ayden Hendricks, Gino Guidetti, Blake Good, Mateo Dague, Wahied Fasihi, Caden Grier, Reed Hamey, Jack Morris, Mason Gray
Newcomers to the university team: Kegan Kostohryz, Jamison Gilbert, Aidan Crank, Evan Crank
outlook: The Huskies were very competitive in the league last year and now they’re looking to take it a step further as they and Smithville could potentially be Norway’s toughest league opponents this year. Northwestern has a ton of talent back, led by Mateo Dague and a solid defense. They’ll be a tough opponent for most of the teams on their roster.
Norwegian
Last year: 13-4 (10-0 WCAL)
Head coach: Jake Zimmerly (12th year, 127-52-22)
Returning award winners: Cade Everhart, Jon Graham, Colton Roda, Luke Larrison, Parker Metsker, Bryson Kimberlin, Kyle Olszewski, Connor Preattle, Cooper Ringle, Braden West, Austin Hamelink
Newcomers to the university team: Austin Gasser, Jaxson Gasser, Erik Neruda, Ethan Hewitt, Garrett Ponting, Gideon Steiner
outlook: This fall, the Bobcats will get a ton of experience back as 11 key players returned for another year. This group is led by Jon Graham, Parker Metsker, Cooper Ringle and Connor Preattle, all of whom played important roles a year ago. After checking off a few other boxes, they will look to the playoffs as Norwayne seeks its fourth consecutive league title.
Orrville
Last year: 14-2-1 (7-0 PAC)
Head coach: Jaime Maravilla (sophomore, 14-2-1)
Returning award winners: Kaleb Wayt, Gabriel Gonzales, Seth Kinser, Daniel Comito, Caleb Carter, Kellen Wayt, Xavier Brown
Newcomers to the university team: Mclain Bochart, Edwin Martinez, Peyton Casto, Yeremi Gonzales Martinez
outlook: The Red Riders are seeking their sixth straight conference title this year and are once again the favorites. With seven top players from last year, this team should be able to pull off that success and then focus on the ultimate prize – a long road to the OHSAA playoffs.
Rittman
Last year: 0-16-1 (0-10 WCAL)
Head coach: Bud Olszewski (29th year)
Returning award winners: Luke Robinson, Heath Hazel, Trevor McClain, Kerem Cakmak, Davey Hutchison, Jordon Cool, Gavin Bolender, Zak Vance, Ezra Baltzly, Brody Taylor, Chavie Baltzly, Lily Kindel
Newcomers to the university team: Gabe Shreve, Gia Maimone, Quinton Dawson, Alex Williams, Meredith Brown
outlook: With the addition of some girls from the girls soccer team that was discontinued this season, Rittman will continue to consider a rebuild. With a dozen returning players, Rittman has some experience and will look to compete in the WCAL this fall.
Smithville
Last year: 11-6-3 (6-2-2 WCAL)
Head coach: Dave Zimmerly (third year, 55-70-18)
Returning award winners: Aaron Meech, Garret Harmon, Myron Kintyhtt, Quinn Maibach, Keegan Barnes, Hunter Zuercher, Ethan Numer, Sam Ritchey, Luke Derodes, Josh Yates, Diego Vasquez, Taygen Nelson
outlook: This program has continued to rise under Zimmerly’s leadership over the past two years. Diego Vasquez, Quinn Maibach, Aaron Meech, Luke Derodes and Josh Yates are some of the up-and-coming names and will be crucial to the Smithies’ success this year. Smithville enters a tough WCAL and will take advantage of its chances at a third division title and further postseason success. Last year’s three postseason wins were a program record for a single season and improved their OHSAA tournament mark to 13-11 since the program’s inception in 2013.
Three-way
Last year: 7-11-1 (4-3 PAC)
Head coach: Cole Duskey (first year)
Returning award winners: Connor Carr, Landon Hochstetler, Zach George, Ethan Wade, Cohen Baker, Aiden Snell, Gage Kota, Anderson Quinteros
Newcomers to the university team: Collin Keplar, Nolan Strong, Austin Nehrenz, Joey Mast, Kaven Johnson
outlook: Cole Duskey becomes the program’s third coach in the last three years, but will look to bring some consistency and stability to the post. Duskey was an area soccer standout during his prep season and will look to continue the rebuild with the goal of making Triway Soccer one of the area’s best teams again. Graduation was tough on the program, but with Anderson Quinteros, Landon Hochstetler, Zach George, Cohen Baker and Aiden Snell, the program has a lot of building blocks and will look to continue to learn a new system and improve with each game.
Tuslaw
Last year: 1-15-2 (0-10 PAC)
Head coach: Michael Brown (fourth year, 2-45-3)
Returning award winners: Matthew Cook, Bladyn Rink, Luke Ruehling, Zander Williamson, Tate Neuenschwander, Noah Criswell, Daniel Peterson, Andrew Shahan, Carter Dallas, Cobey Baxter, Ryan Kronmiller
Newcomers to the university team: Logan Smith, Lefteri Verginis, Bryce Fisher, Eli Owens, Ezra Lammlein
outlook: The Mustangs have won 11 awards, so they have experience to draw on as they try to put it all together this year in a conference that has been dominated by Orrville for the past five years. This year, Tuslaw will look to improve on last year and make a splash in the tournaments.
Waynedale
Last year: 7-11-1 (4-5-1 WCAL)
Head coach: Larry Cerniglia (35th year, 247-258-89)
Returning award winners: Neal Brewer, Anthony Hershberger, Weston Hilty, Zander Alexander, Isaac Lauffenberger, Lance Kearney, Broc Badger, Parker Reich, Cordell Troyer, Kace Milner
Newcomers to the university team: Ernesto Reyes, Gavin Sarver, Chase Woofter, Dakotah Capeletty, Bronson Wickens
outlook: The Golden Bears look to build on last year’s success, have a solid goalie in Neal Brewer and will look to solidify the defense in front of him. Waynedale will rely on that strong defense and look to once again compete in the league and build on last year’s success.
West Holmes
Last year: 3-15 (0-7 OCC)
Head coach: Joshua Wengerd (third year, 85-92-13)
Returning award winners: Carson Barnhart, David Bower, Travis Jamison, Sami Latouf, Miles Mallasch, Garrett Obst, Kyden Porter, Alex Pringle, Patrick Weaver
Newcomers to the university team: Jordan Gerber, Oliver Hiller, Marley Irias-Bamford, Royce Milam, Austin Miller, Ethan Ramseyer, Brayden Swinehart, Jimmy Wengerd, Caleb White
outlook: The numbers for the program are slowly increasing as nine new Knights join the nine returning top performers this year. Success doesn’t come overnight, but this West Holmes program is clearly on the rise as they continue to gain experience this fall and will look to translate that into results as the season progresses.
Wooster
Last year: 12-7-1 (6-1 OCC)
Head coach: JP Lytle (seventh year, 69-37-8)
Returning award winners: Michael Buchholz, Nicholas Morse, Jake Rickett, Dominic Ebin, Calen Relle, Tyler Hill
Newcomers to the university team: Jake Vermaaren, Eddie Lopez, Avery Tyrrell, Madden Turner, Jacob Benson, Erick Kimmel, Sebastian Morse
outlook: Offense hasn’t been a problem for the Generals in recent years and won’t be this year either, with Nicholas Morse and Michael Buchholz back at the helm. With Calen Relle, the backbone is strong and the defense will be strong as always. Wooster will look to compete for a conference title that it has won twice in the last four years. Of course, eyes will also be on the OHSAA playoffs, where Wooster has turned things around recently and will look to continue that trend.
