Richland 25: Nos. 10 and 11 will lean on program tradition and expectations

MANSFIELD — The saying goes, tradition never graduates.

For the next teams appearing in the Richland 25, that will be put to the test in 2024-25. With plenty of seniors to replace, the momentum both programs built over the last several years should lead to successful years again. Let's meet the teams coming in at 10 and 11.

10. Ontario wrestling

It has to be considered the golden age of Ontario wrestling. Last year, the Warriors cruised to the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship with 255 points, won a sectional team championship with 190.5 and finished fourth in the district tournament. And as scary as it sounds, the Warriors are going to be just as good in 2024-25.

It will all start with junior Aiden Ohl, who won the 106 MOAC championship and took runner-up honors at state. He finished 41-4 last season and has to be in the conversation as a potential state champion. Sophomore Ashton Pfeifer took fourth at last year's MOAC tournament and junior Julian McGinty was the runner-up at 132 pounds before he made a nice run in the postseason as a state qualifier.

Mason Turnbaugh is back for his senior year at 138 pounds after winning the MOAC championship in his class. He went 47-3 last year and took third in the state tournament and could be considered a state championship contender in his weight class after the last year's winner graduated.

The Warriors also bring back Colton Blevins, who took sixth at 150 in the MOAC, Alan O'Blisk, who finished fourth in the MOAC at 165 and Landon Sowards, who took third in the MOAC at 190. The Warriors will have to figure out how to replace Jacob Ohl, Cole Dille and Dylan Floyd, but with another young, talented class coming up, the Warriors have things grooving right now. And with Gavin Miller returning from an ACL injury, he will be an exciting kid to watch.

Coach Wes Turnbaugh has some special things brewing at his alma mater, and the Warriors will be fun to follow for the next several years.

11. Ontario football

Any time a football program loses 21 seniors, it's going to be a punch in the gut.

But the Ontario Warriors should be just fine in 2024. The Warriors will have the most talented player on the field every single Friday night in Ohio State commit Bodpegn Miller, who reset the record books last season. Miller threw for 2,328 yards and 19 touchdowns while also running for 1,003 yards and 17 scores at quarterback.

The Warriors also bring back Landon Foltz, who was one of Miller's main targets last year catching 19 passes for 426 yards and a team-high six touchdown catches. Mason Vantilburg also returns and should be the main threat at running back after carrying the ball 48 times for 274 yards and four touchdowns on limited touches last season.

The Warriors also have some young, promising talent in Grady Muncy and Gavin Miller along with a plethora of offensive lineman that should help the sting of replacing nearly the entire line from last year.

The 2023 season was historic for the Warriors. Their 10-2 record gave them just the third 10-win season in program history and the playoff win over Lutheran West was just the third postseason win for Ontario football. And if the Warriors hope to continue their recent trend, they will have to figure out how to replace last year's leadership.

But, when you have the best player on the field and a Buckeye bound one at that, things will always look bright.

On the cusp

Lexington Girls Soccer

Lady Lex was right there in the race for the Ohio Cardinal Conference championship. It was right on the tips of their fingers in 2023, but in 2024, it could be there for the taking yet again.

Yes, Lex does lose 10 seniors and most of them were veteran players who played a ton of minutes. And yes, Lex only has four seniors on the roster this season, but there is plenty to be excited about. It all starts with senior Emily Thomas who was second on the team in scoring last year with nine goals and eight assists. She will be the key offensive threat in 2024.

Lex brings back the most experience on the defensive side of the pitch so, again, it will lean on defense to keep them in close games. Seniors Megan Dials and Ruthie Togliatti join senior midfielder Luci Getz as the veterans on the team and defensive minded leaders. Junior Maggie Arnett will also see time on defense this year.

Junior Zoe Borowicz is a do-it-all talent as a forward and midfielder. She scored eight goals and handed out six assists last season as a sophomore and will have a much bigger role this year. Sophomore goalkeeper Claire Hammer and sophomore midfielder Morgan Harrod will both slide into starting roles. Harrod had four goals and three assists last year and Hammer had 13 saves in a back-up role.

Plus, with Buck Morton still running the program, Lady Lex will always put a competitive product on the pitch and will always be in the conversation for a league championship.

jfurr@gannett.com

740-244-9934

X: @JakeFurr11

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland 25: Nos. 10 and 11 will lean on program tradition and expectations