Coventry Comets 2024 high school football schedule, preview

COVENTRY COMETS

• HEAD COACH : Rich Smith, second year, 1-9
• LAST YEAR : 1-9, 1-6 in Metro Athletic Conference
• POSTSEASON : Division IV, Region 17

Coventry football's returning letter winners (19)

Gage Akins, C/DT, 5-11, 220, Sr.

Adam Amedeo, WB/LB, 5-11, 150, Jr.

Alex Barker, TE/DE, 6-1, 185, So.

Andre Bell, WR/DB, 5-4, 140, So.

Ben Blackert, WR/DB, 5-10, 157, Sr.

Aiden Boylen, G/DE, 6-0, 190, Sr.

Sebastian Jensen, G/DT, 6-0, 285, Sr.

Kell'n McAfee, WR/DB, 6-4, 195, Sr.

Kaleb McBride, OL/NG, 6-3, 356, Jr.

Alex Meinen, QB/DB, 6-1, 165, So.

Landon Moritz, WR/LB, 6-1, 180, Sr.

Evan Owens, RB/LB, 5-9, 185, Jr.

Matt Prebynski, WR/DB, 5-7, 150, So.

Ayden Sipe, WR/DB, 6-0, 183, Jr.

Alex Staiger, OT/DE, 5-10, 175, Jr.

Jaydon Stover, WR/DB, 5-3, 135, Jr.

Lamar Taylor, RB/LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.

Bryce White-Heldman, QB/DB, 5-5, 155, Sr.

Makai Woolridge, FB/DL, 6-2 220, Sr..

Coventry football's impact players

White-Heldman was a two-way starter last year and is in competition to start at quarterback. He will return as a starting cornerback. … "He's one of the toughest kids I’ve coached," Smith said. "He took a beating last year and never missed a snap." … Blackert will lead the Comets defense at strong safety. … "He's a heck of an athlete and a hard worker," Smith said. "He’s the type of kid that comes in and shakes your hand after practice."… Moritz could be Coventry's home-run threat at wide receiver, as Smith called him "one of the fastest on the team."

What’s new for Coventry football in 2024

Coventry has a revamped coaching staff, as Smith welcomes veteran coaches Gary Kanaga and Jason Shaw as co-defensive coordinators. … "I only had a week to prepare to be a head coach last year," Smith said. "I had a whole offseason this year, and I feel better. Our style is going to be a lot more run-based this year." … After running the spread offense last year, Smith intends to use a lot more power offensive sets, while the defense will switch to a 4-3 formation.

Coventry football's outlook

After just one win with a young team last year, Coventry is focused on getting back above .500. Smith said he wants to get the Comets into the playoffs "anyway I can." … "The biggest thing I have this year is culture change," he said. "Kids are buying in. It’s 100 percent discipline. I'm wanting to compete in every game. We're trying to slow down a game on offense and win on defense."

Coventry football schedule for 2024

Aug. 23 MANCHESTER

Aug. 30 Rittman

Sept. 6 Chippewa

Sept. 13 Streetsboro

Sept. 20 Cloverleaf

Sept. 27 WOODRIDGE

Oct. 4 FIELD

Oct. 11 Springfield

Oct. 18 RAVENNA

Oct. 25 Norton

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

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