MOGADORE WILDCATS
- HEAD COACH : Matt Adorni
- LAST YEAR : 11-3 (4-0 Portage Trail Conference)
- POSTSEASON : Division VI, Region 21
Mogadore football's returning lettermen (15)
- Will Baskey, E/LB, 6-3, 185, Sr.
- Dylan Benedum, E/DL, 6-4, 210, Jr.
- Daniel Colebank, OL/DL, 6-0, 255, Sr.
- Trevor Hinkle, OL/LB, 6-1, 210, Sr.
- Karson Jaber, QB/DB, 6-1, 180, Sr.
- Conner Lehner, RB/DB, 5-10, 190, Jr.
- Keegan Leslie, OL/DL, 6-3, 295, Sr.
- James Pollock, OL/LB, 6-0, 210, Jr.
- Kasey Pruitt, OL/DL, 6-1, 155, Sr.
- Cole Reese, RB/LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.
- Aaron Rumschlag, RB/LB, 5-9, 205, Sr.
- Maddox Smith, RB/DB, 6-0, 180, So.
- Shayne Thomas, OL/DL, 6-1, 210, So.
- Nick Stephenson, E/DL, 6-5, 195, Sr.
- Tyler Youngblood, OL/LB, 6-1, 215, Sr.
Mogadore football's impact players
Nick Stephenson was the Wildcats' top pass rusher last year and there's no reason that should change in 2024. Moreover, Stephenson should have a breakout season at tight end where he boasts "the wingspan" and "the catch radius" to make new quarterback Karson Jaber "feel comfortable throwing to him early on," according to coach Matt Adorni. ... Will Baskey is "a tenacious sideline to sideline player" at linebacker, per Adorni, who "doesn't look like much out of uniform, but he's one that hits and plays stronger than he looks." Beyond his ability to roam the field and deliver jarring hits, Baskey has developed a reputation for coming up clutch in Mogadore's biggest games, including last year's Portage Trail Conference championship-clinching win over Rootstown . Per Adorni, Baskey "really made a name for himself" in "some of the big, impactful games." ... Senior running backs Cole Reese and Aaron Rumschlag are back after "both got the ball a lot last season," per Adorni. Both hard-charging, downhill backs "are eager to get more of an opportunity this year."
What's new with Mogadore football in 2024
Mogadore's new starting quarterback, Karson Jaber, isn't your typical new starter under center. As coach Matt Adorni noted, "It's not often times your backup gets the chances that he got last year," including starting (and starring in) a postseason win. So the Wildcats "feel really good about the time that he got" on the varsity, per Adorni, not to mention the way he managed the JV, and are confident that Jaber is "really ready for this to be his team." Moreover, Jaber put in a "great offseason," frequently opening up the stadium on team off nights to get in extra work. ... Losing defensive coordinator Ben Kobus to Norwayne (where he became the athletic director) "was kind of a blow," per Adorni, but "we were able to fill it from within" with long-time Mogadore coach Billy Rosato. ... There are changes on the offensive side of the ball as well, per Adorni, where the Wildcats boast a number of very versatile players (like Maddox Smith) that will allow them to be "a little more camouflaged this year" with less "defined sets" than the past couple of years. ... Smith, a sophomore, and Conner Lehner, a junior, are poised to join Reese and Rumschlag in the running back room. Lehner "packed on about 20 pounds of muscle and worked really hard on his footwork and speed in the offseason," per Adorni, while Smith started at safety last year and brings plenty of versatility. Between Lehner, Reese, Rumschlag and Smith, the Wildcats have "four really capable guys back there" in the backfield.
Mogadore football's outlook
The Wildcats have won double-digit games in three straight years and five of six (the lone exception being the pandemic-shortened 2020 season). Mogadore now looks to chase down its fourth straight league championship (and fourth straight regional title game berth) and has the roster to do so. While the program's overall numbers (roughly 30) are lower than the Wildcats are accustomed to, the talent is there for a big season. That includes a defense that returns six or seven starters in the front eight, including Dylan Benedum and Stephenson anchoring the line and Baskey, Reese and Rumschlag creating a loaded linebacker corps. ... Moreover, Mogadore, "so young on the offensive line" last year per Adorni, brings back five or six guys that started multiple games in 2023, meaning the Wildcats will be "very experienced up front." Watch for third-year starter Trevor Hinkle, "the heart and soul of our offensive line" per Adorni, and Tyler Youngblood, who "did a great job at center last year," to lead a savvy unit.
Mogadore football schedule for 2024
- Aug. 23 at Field
- Aug. 30 at Ravenna
- Sept. 6 DALTON
- Sept. 13 NEWARK CATHOLIC
- Sept. 20 at Ellet
- Sept. 27 WARREN JFK*
- Oct. 4 CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC
- Oct. 11 COLLINWOOD
- Oct. 18 at Aquinas*
- Oct. 25 ROOTSTOWN*
Home games in all CAPS. Conference games marked with an asterisk. All games at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted .
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Mogadore Wildcats 2024 high school football schedule, preview
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