Half of the teams in the Northern Buckeye Conference earned a spot in the 2023 playoffs, and that number could grow to five teams this postseason.
Oak Harbor is predicted to repeat as champions of the NBC in its second season in the league. The experienced Rockets have the balance on offense and defense to make another deep run in the Division V playoffs.
Oak Harbor, Eastwood, Genoa, and Otsego all qualified for the playoffs last season and Maumee could join that group.
Oak Harbor earned five of eight first-place votes in a preseason coaches poll, earning the nod to repeat with the most overall points. Eastwood, which received two first-place votes, is picked to finish second. Genoa, which earned one first-place vote, is predicted to finish third.
Maumee was picked to finish fourth followed by Otsego, Lake, Rossford, and Fostoria.
“Our seniors are an experienced group and know that last season has nothing to do with this season,” Oak Harbor coach Mike May said. “Being picked to win the league just means that we will need to be ready to be the best version of ourselves every Friday, because we will get all of our opponents' best shot.”
The Rockets look to earn a third straight league title after winning the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division in 2022.
“We know that we will need to be ready to play every week in the NBC, because of the quality of athletes and coaches in the league,” May said. “We have always had tremendous respect for the NBC and feel very fortunate to now be a league member.”
Two coaches, Eastwood's Sam Cotterman and Maumee's Evan Karchner, look for growth in their second seasons. Former longtime Eastwood coach Craig Rutherford moves over to Otsego after a stint as an assistant at Anthony Wayne.
The key stretch to the NBC season comes in Weeks 7 through 9 when the top four teams all clash.
Here is a look at all the NBC in predicted order of finish.:
OAK HARBOR
■ Coach : Mike May, 17th season
■ Last season : 12-1 overall, 7-0 NBC
■ Top players: Seniors Jacob Ridener, 6-0, 215, DL-OL; Michael Lalonde, 5-10, 170, QB-DB; Carson Ridener, 6-0, 195, RB-LB; Tyler Thompson, 5-11, 165, WR-DB; Brayden Butzin, 6-0, 180, WR-DB; Brady Losie, 5-9, 175, WR-DB; Jaxson Overmyer, 5-8, 150, WR-DB.
■ Outlook : With 14 seniors among 24 returning letterwinners, May has large numbers (68) and good experience. May, who has a 103-66 record at Oak Harbor, has seven players back on defense and six on offense. Carson Ridener is a four-year varsity starter, while Lalonde is in his third season on both sides. Jacob Ridener has earned All-Ohio honors as a sophomore and junior. Thompson, Butzin, Losie, and Overmyer are all three-year starters. The Rockets will run a power-spread offense and 4-2-5 scheme on defense. May said the skill positions are a strength along with experience on defense. But he said the Rockets must build depth on the lines. Oak Harbor lost four of five starting offensive linemen and three of four starting defensive linemen to graduation. Oak Harbor must again survive a tough stretch of three key games in Weeks 7 through 9. The Rockets play at Otsego, before hosting Genoa and Eastwood.
“We have a group of seniors that have played a lot of football,” May said. “They have provided great leadership and are focused on improving every day.”
EASTWOOD
■ Coach : Sam Cotterman, second season
■ Last season : 9-3, 6-1
■ Top players : Seniors Paul Lautzenheiser, 6-2, 230, DL-OL; Andre Lewis, 5-11, 170, WR-DB; Kevin Lewis, 5-10, 175, RB-OLB; DayQuan Oliver, 5-11, 175, WR-DB; Kadyn Donnell, 6-1, 185, QB-LB; Colton Woodward, 5-10, 160, WR-DB; Ethan Recker, 6-0, 240, OL-DL; Connor Norton, 5-11, 200, OL-LB; Brock Messinger, 5-10, 160, WR-DB.
■ Outlook : Cotterman, the former longtime Perrysburg wrestling coach and assistant football coach, looks to build on a successful season with 62 total players, 16 seniors, and 17 returning letterwinners. Seven starters are back on both sides of the ball. Lautzenheiser (44 tackles and seven sacks) earned All-NBC first-team and all-state third-team honors. Andre Lewis, who had 874 receiving yards and nine TDs, earned all-league first-team honors. Kevin Lewis (62 tackles and two interceptions) and Oliver (388 receiving yards and 6 TDs with 22 tackles) both earned all-league second-team honors. Donnell threw for 1,972 yards and 21 TDs while rushing for 964 yards to earn all-district second-team honors along with Recker, Norton, and Messinger (298 receiving yards). Woodward had 24 tackles to earn all-league first-team honors, while Messinger had 298 receiving yards and 3 TDs. Depth at QB and wideout are strengths, while the players all have a full year of playing under Cotterman's systems. However, depth on the offensive line is a concern.
“We know the system, and now we need to run it at an even better level,” Cotterman said. “We are still setting team goals but this team with 16 seniors has the potential to be special if we can come together and stay together.”
GENOA
■ Coach : Bill Fisher, third season
■ Last season : 7-4, 5-2
■ Top players: Seniors Alex Spencer, 6-0, 175, WR-DB; Dom Lindenberger, 5-10, 195, OL-LB; Josiah Clement, 6-5, 215, DE-WR; Cam Agler, 5-8, 195, OL-DE-K. Juniors Luke Clement, 6-1, 185, RB-LB; Logan Routson, 5-7, 150, WR-DB; Evan Millner, 6-0, 225, OL-DE; Ryan Routson, 5-7, 145, WR-DB. Sophomores Jaxon Magnone, 6-4, 200, WR-DB; Adam Knight, 5-10, 160, WR-DB; Myler Mollenhauer, 6-1, 165, QB-DB.
■ Outlook : Fisher, who enters his third season with a 13-9 record, said depth at the skill positions should be the Comets' biggest strength. Among 54 varsity players are seven seniors and 18 returning letterwinners. Six starters return on offense and five are back on defense. Spencer accounted for 1,100 total yards and 10 TDs and had 47 tackles. Magnone had 19 receptions for 299 yards. Lindenberger is the top returning tackler (92), including 10 for loss. Clement (46 tackles), Routson (43), and Millner (34) also were key contributors. Fisher said his team has multiple threats and the ability to get players the ball in space. He lost four senior offensive linemen to graduation but said the replacements are fully capable.
“This season will depend on our ability to take care of the football,” Fisher said. “Each game will be competitive and come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes. Everyone needs to contribute. We have a system in place that we feel works, the players believe in, and each other. It will be an exciting season.”
MAUMEE
■ Coach : Evan Karchner, second season
■ Last season : 5-5, 3-4
■ Top players : Seniors Carson Graetz, 6-0, 175, WR-DB; Tristen Dotson, 6-0, 185, WR-DB; Espn Hurt, 6-1, 265, OL-DL; Donovan Mays, 5-11, 210, TE-DL; Cody Wulf, 6-0, 215, RB-LB; Keishon Midcalf, 5-11, 165, RB-DB; Bryson Bonds-Crawford, 5-9, 170, RB-LB; Pierce Simpson, 6-2, 240, OL-DL. Juniors Will Kubicz, 6-0, 160, WR-DB; Ben Kubicz, 6-1, 160, QB-DB; Brock Heard, 6-2, 180, TE-LB; Ryan Patterson, 6-4, 240, OL-DL; Robert Burlew, 5-11, 210, OL-DL.
■ Outlook : The Panthers, who went 1-48 from 2018-22, snapped a 34-game losing streak with a 27-20 win over Springfield in its season opener last season. Karchner, a former Maumee linebacker, has 14 returning letterwinners in his second season at the helm. Among 55 varsity players are 11 seniors. Seven starters are back on offense and eight return on defense. Graetz (a three-year letter winner), Dotson (a two-year starter), and Wulf (a two-year starter who rushed for 973 yards and 11 TDs) each earned All-NBC second-team honors. Mays and Midcalf earned all-league honorable mention. Karchner said the Panthers have a well-rounded offense. He said the keys to success are to protect the ball, while effectively stopping the run and defending the pass. But he said the primary concern is youth on the offensive line. He also said the defense must do a better job of stopping big plays.
“In 2023, we took a huge step forward, going 5-5 and having a shot at the playoffs was a big confidence boost for our kids,” Karchner said. “We fell short in a few areas, but it is my job to keep pushing us forward as a program.”
OTSEGO
■ Coach : Craig Rutherford, first season
■ Last season : 4-7, 4-3
■ Top players : Seniors Jake Limes, 5-9, 158, RB-LB; Carter Lampe, 6-1, 181, TE-LB; Jack Rowland, 6-1, 259, OL-DL; Bodde Simon, 5-10, 229, OL-DL; Kaidyn Hutton, 6-3, 152, QB-DB.
■ Outlook : Rutherford, the former longtime Eastwood coach, takes over for Josh Lindke, who is now at St. Francis. Rutherford enters his first season in Tontogany with 71 total players. He also inherits 11 returning letterwinners, with five starters back on each side of the ball. Limes and Lampe both earned All-NBC second-team honors. Rowland and Simon were named all-league honorable mention. Hutton will operate out of the Wing-T and the Knights' defense will feature a 4-3 base. Five players who started multiple games are back on the offensive line. The Knights also have developed more depth this summer, and Rutherford said he would prefer to rotate several players into some positions, especially early in the season. However, the running backs and receivers will be starting for the first time. But Rutherford said he has some good athletes capable of making big plays.
“It might also take us some time to find a rhythm as we transition to some new schemes,” Rutherford said. “The team was hit hard by injuries in 2023, but that allowed some younger players to get varsity experience. We play a tough non-conference schedule that should prepare us for the NBC. We won't be the biggest team on the field very often, so we are going to need to play with a lot of speed and outhit our opponents.”
LAKE
■ Coach : Lane Bishop, second season
■ Last season : 2-8, 1-6
■ Top players : Seniors Jay Blazevich, 6-1, 185, WR-DB; Izyck Whalen, 5-8, 170, RB-SS; Brett Bomyea, 6-1, LB-TE. Juniors Gavin Kohlhoder, 5-8, 160, WR-DB; Carter Behlmer, 5-9, 150, QB. Sophomore Julian Rodriguez, 5-7, 170, RB-SS.
■ Outlook : Bishop, a former offensive coordinator for Elmwood, has 14 returning letterwinners from his first Flyers team. He has 60 total on the varsity with 13 seniors. The Flyers have eight back on offense and seven returning on defense. Behlmer threw for 2,347 passing yards and 21 passing touchdowns while completing 67 percent of his passes. Blazevich had 50 catches for 633 yards and seven touchdowns, while Kohlhoder had 39 catches for 495 yards and three TDs. Whalen rushed for 233 rushing yards and three TDs in just three games. Rodriguez finished with 268 all-purpose yards and three scores. Bomyea had 109 tackles and five sacks with one forced fumble. Bishop said he has athletes at the skill positions with his top two leading receivers and top two leading rushers back. He also said he has talented underclassmen who will be impact players, including two QBs. However, a lack of experience creates question marks.
“If we can establish the run a little bit more on offense and do a better job of stopping the run on defense, I like our odds to make some noise in the league,” Bishop said. “I like our chances to improve in those areas and be a team that may shock some people.”
ROSSFORD
■ Coach : Todd Drusback, 15th season
■ Last season : 1-9, 0-7
■ Top players : Seniors Grant Eckel, 5-10, 205, OG-DE; Sam Wilburn, 6-0, 245, C-DT; Keagan Engram, 6-0, 190, OG-LB; Blake Dewey, 6-3, 210, TE-DE; Jace Odenweller, 6-0, 155, WR-DB; Zaydin Morrison 6-0, 200, WR-DE.
■ Outlook : Now the dean of NBC coaches, Drusback looks to build on a down season with 16 seniors and 20 returning letterwinners among 51 total players in the program. Four starters are back on offense and five return on defense. Eckel, who was injured on the first play of the season last year, earned all-league honors as a sophomore. Wilburn, Engram, Dewey, Odenweller, and Morrison are all key returning starters. Drusback said he believes the offensive line can be solid and that team chemistry and unity of purpose are strengths. But the Bulldogs are inexperienced at some key spots.
“We look to get back to playing competitive football after a very disappointing 2023 season,” Drusback said. “Our offseason and summer preparations have gone well with the goal of having a winning season in 2024.”
FOSTORIA
■ Coach : Derek Angelone, first season
■ Last season : 3-7, 2-5
■ Top players : Seniors Trenten Smith, 5-8, 170, QB-S; Brayden Harrison, 5-11, 180, CB-WR; Trenton Kirby, 5-9, 225, OL-DL. Juniors Lance Miller, 5-10, 185, CB-RB; Ezra Sanchez, 5-11, 220, OL-DL; Silas Raney, 5-10, 185, LB-RB.
■ Outlook : Angelone, an assistant coach in the Redmen program, takes over for Derek Kidwell, who is now coaching at Arcadia. He inherited 48 total players, including seven seniors and seven letterwinners. Five starters are back on both sides of the ball. Smith will operate the offense out of a multiple look. Angelone said his team's strengths will be its youth and athleticism. But he said a lack of overall depth is a concern.
“We are very young,” Angelone said. “We have potential and talented athletes all over the field. Our mission here is to change the culture and prove that we can still compete at a high level even in a league as talented as the NBC. We will continue to build and improve week to week.”
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