Senior linebacker anchors Western Reserve defense

BERLIN CENTER, Ohio (WKBN) – The Western Reserve football team is in a resurgence after the Blue Devils won a playoff game in 2023 for the first time in 18 years, beating Conneaut 28-24.

Last season, Western Reserve finished with a record of 9-3. In 2023, the Blue Devils had the most wins in a season since 2014, when the team went 11-2.

Head coach John Armeni said the team returns six starters on offense and eight on defense. Armeni said the team will rely heavily on the defensive front to win games.

“I would say our defense is going to be a top priority,” said Western Reserve senior lineman Isaac Burnett. “I’ve been saying it since the start of June, we’re going to go mouth-to-mouth with teams and final scores would be 7-0.”

Coach Armeni said senior linebacker Nathan Hemberger will lead the defense this season. Hemberger posted a single-season school record 176 tackles in 2023.

“That’s my plan, I hope to get 200 at least,” said Hemberger. “As soon as I got that record, the first thought that went through my head was, I got to beat it. At least before I graduated. I got to beat it again.”

Hemberger anchors a defense that held opposing teams to just 17.1 points in 2023. The standout linebacker said there are no plans for the success to disappear.

“Most of the guys on defense, we’re hungry,” said Hemberger. “We’re hungry for tackles, we’re hungry to get to the ball. Our expectations for defense are really high.”

This season, Western Reserve is looking to replace quarterback Luke Henning . Henning was the first Western Reserve quarterback to have over 1,000 passing and rushing yards in a single season (1,228 passing yards, 1,106 rushing yards).

Coach Armeni said the team will rely on a younger offensive core, with many players playing multiple positions on offense.

“Definitely keeping the fire lit,” said Western Reserve receiver Dominic Ricciardi. “Keeping it going and make sure you put more wood on the fire. Just keep it reignited.”

In 2023, the Blue Devils’ offense scored 27.3 points a game. Offensive specialist Dominic Ricciardi said the new look offense will keep the spark the team had last season.

“Reignite the flame last year,” said Ricciardi. “So now we’re just trying to keep it warm, keep everything going.”

Coach Armeni said this season, the goal is to live up to expectations and achieve a consecutive playoff berth.

“Personally, since I was younger and I was playing football, I just love hitting people and I want to keep it going,” said Burnett.

“We want to host playoff games in our community, so that’s kind of the measuring stick here,” said Armeni. “We don’t shy away from that, we want to embrace that.”

The Blue Devils open the season at home against Crestview on Aug. 22.

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