Stow Bulldogs 2024 high school football schedule, preview

STOW BULLDOGS

• HEAD COACH : Martin Poder, third year, 2-19
• LAST YEAR : 1-9, 1-5 Suburban League National Conference
• POSTSEASON : Division II, Region 5

Stow football's returning starters (14)

• Paul Biltz, ATH, Sr.
• Caden Boyd, OLB, So.
• Nes Cobbin, DE, Sr.
• Jake Harrington, QB, Jr.
• Nick Hosey, ATH/LB, Sr.
• Josh Jones, C/T, Sr.
• Daylon Keeling, WR/CB, Jr.
• Walter Kirkland, DE, Jr.
• Parker Mcvey, G, Sr.
• George Pontius, T, Sr.
• Andy Rickelman, TE/LB, Jr.
• Brenden Simmons, C/T, Sr.
• Jeremy Turner, CF/WR, Jr.
• Josh Whited, MLB, Sr.

Stow football's impact players

Harrington enters his third year as Stow's starting quarterback. … "His leadership growth has been huge," Poder said. "He is probably the leader of the team. He assumed that role last year as a sophomore. Over the last two years, he’s been sacked 60 times, so there's no doubting his toughness." … Keeling will be Harrington's primary target after as solid sophomore season. … "He has a chance to be one of the best corners in the league as well," Poder said. … Rickelman is getting Division I college attention at tight end.

Watch Ohio High School Football Live on the NFHS Network all season

What’s new for Stow football in 2024

Poder will step back a bit from Stow's offense this fall, as former CVCA head coach Dan Larlham joins the Bulldogs as offensive coordinator. … "I think, since I’ve been a head coach, when I have someone I trust as coordinator, it helps me," Poder said. "It allows me to be the head coach and the leader of the team that I need to be." … Stow will benefit from the opening of a new fieldhouse. This will be Stow's first year in Division II for football.

Stow football's outlook

Stow has had a tough first two years under Poder, but he acknowledges his program rebuild is a multi-year project. … "It’s process over product. I feel really good about where our team is culture-wise," he said. "That puts us in the position to win. When I took the job, the administration was very forthright. There were thinking it was going to take time. Our whole thing is HWPO — Hard Work Pays Off. We have to show progress."

Stow football's schedule for 2024

• Aug. 23 Medina
• Aug. 30 BARBERTON
• Sept. 6 Jackson
• Sept. 13 Hudson
• Sept. 20 SOLON
• Sept. 27 BRECKSVILLE
• Oct. 4 North Royalton
• Oct. 11 WADSWORTH
• Oct. 18 NORDONIA
• Oct. 25 Twinsburg

Home games in all CAPS. All games at 7 p.m., unless noted

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stow Bulldogs 2024 high school football schedule, preview