Akron City Series football: 5 things to know from media day

Akron Public Schools hosted its annual City Series Football Media Day on Wednesday at the Akron Education Association building.

Buchtel (6-6, 4-1) and East (8-3, 4-1) were City Series co-champions last year.

The Griffins and the Dragons were playoff participants in Division IV and Division III, respectively, in 2023, and Firestone (5-6, 3-2) and Ellet (3-8, 3-2) made playoff appearances in Division II.

APS athletic staff employees Joe Vassalotti, Ron Linger and Sherry Basinger and AEA President Patricia Shipe talked at the luncheon.

Here are five things to know from the 2024 event, which featured six head coaches and 12 players:

Ziaire Stevens, Denico Knight Jr. lead East into football season

East, which defeated Buchtel last season, has become one of the City Series' top programs under head coach Marques Hayes.

"This is year 13 [as head coach] at East for me," Hayes said. "I am super excited. Every year brings different challenges for what we need for our program, but the mindeset and the culture is always there."

Seniors Ziaire Stevens and Denico Knight Jr. joined Hayes at the luncheon. Stevens is heading into his fourth year as a starter and is a Purdue recruit at running back. Knight is going to be a three-year starter.

"Our league is definitely becoming more competitive year in and year out," Hayes said. "... I know it is going to be another battle this year within our league."

Hayes encouraged all senior players to "leave a legacy."

"Have fun," Hayes said. "Have a blast this year and leave nothing on the table. Be great role models and great leaders for your team."

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Buchtel's Stevie Diamond, Demetrice Coates, Arman Gable have state championship pedigree

Buchtel fourth-year coach Bryan Williams brought seniors Stevie Diamond and Demetrice Coates to the luncheon. Diamond and Coates have been at Buchtel during Williams' four years as head coach.

"They understand what it takes to be a leader, and not only that, they are [Division II] state champions in basketball [in 2023]," Williams said. "... We want to continue to build, continue to learn and continue to grow."

Senior Arman Gable gives Buchtel three football players who contributed to the state championship basketball team.

"I am proud of where we are as a league," Williams said. "Last year, we had four teams go to the playoffs."

Dionte Younger Jr., Blake Harris guide Firestone into football season

Firestone 10th-year coach Eric Mitchell brought seniors Dionte Younger Jr. and Blake Harris to the media day.

"There is no sport in the world like football," Mitchell said. "There is no other sport in the world where you can create and be a part of a brotherhood that will last a lifetime.

"... We had four teams in the playoffs last year, and we hope to be one of those teams again this year."

Mitchell, a 1984 Garfield High School graduate, started on the Golden Rams team that was the 1983 Division I state runner-up team.

Harris is heading into his fourth year as a starter and Younger is going to be a three-year starter

"They are outstanding leaders," Mitchell said. "These two gentlemen are perfect examples of what it takes to be the best version of yourself as a student, as a citizen and as a football player."

Elijah Griffin, Brandon Knowles ready to play key roles for Ellet football

Second-year coach John Daraio and juniors here Elijah Griffin and Brandon Knowles (three-year starter) represented Ellet. Knowles is going to be a three-year starter.

"We set a good foundation in year one and we are looking to build on that," Daraio said. "We are a really young program, a young team. ... Our league is getting better all the time. that is a testament to coaches that came before me and the coaches in this room."

Garfield, North eye a rise in City Series football standings

Garfield (2-8, 1-4) is led by 11th-year head coach Kemp Boyd, who said his focus is "producing solid young men who are honorable."

Seniors Kevin Strickling (three-year starter) and Breshaun Nichols flanked Boyd as he spoke.

"These two young men are great," Boyd said. "They come from great families and they are great students and great leaders."

North (1-9, 0-5) is led by second-year coach DeMonte Powell and seniors Marvin Causey Jr. and Tyreon "TY" Jones.

"This is year two and we are super excited," Powell said. "I think we finished last year with 18 players. We are at 34 players right now. That is the biggest thing."

Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron City Series football: 5 things to know from media day