Experienced offensive line to lead Buckeye Trail football's playoff hopes in 2024

OLD WASHINGTON − Buckeye Trail football coach Donnie Kerns has an ace up his sleeve as his Warriors look to improve on last year's disappointing 4-6 record, which included a 4-1 mark in Inter-Valley Conference action to finish runner-up in the North Division.

Football begins and ends with the battle in the trenches, and with Kerns welcoming back his entire starting offensive line, it will be a huge advantage for the Warriors.

"The strength of our team is definitely the offensive line. We return the entire line from last year and that's a real plus for us," said Kerns, who enters his ninth year guiding the program. "We have really made a commitment to improving the pass game this summer, but the strength of our team is definitely the run game."

Warriors welcome back 16 letter winners

More: A list of the area football schedules for 2024 season

More: Field generals to defensive stalwarts: Meet 16 football players to watch ahead of the 2024 season

Buckeye Trail returns 16 lettermen, including that experienced offensive line that will be counted on to lead the way.

Comprising that group are senior Cole Porter at center, with seniors Wyatt Conner at left guard and Jackson Hess lining up at right guard. Nick Taflan is the left tackle, while senior Bryer Walter and sophomore Buckey Johnson are battling for the starting spot at right tackle.

Conner earned second team All-IVC recognition last season, while Porter was an honorable mention pick.

"Wyatt is a special kid. He does everything the right way with 100% effort," Kerns said. "If there is a kid on our team I would want others to emulate, it's him."

Rounding out the returning lettermen are seniors Travis Dodd (RB/QB), Blake Wayble (RB/DB), Laine Wayble (WR/QB), Jace Hickman (TE/DE), Wyatt Conner (OL/DT), Hunter Greathouse (OL/DT), along with juniors Sammy Brown (WR/CB), Mason Todd (RB/DB) and Kason Dennis (WR/DB) and sophomore Drew McGlumphey (QB/DB). Senior Ty McGlumphy will miss the season with an injury.

Trail to feature new weapons in offensive backfield

Graduation took a trio of top options, including the 1-2 rushing duo of 1,000-yard rusher Koen Eagon and Charlie Parry, along with starting quarterback Braden Williams.

McGlumphy will take over the quarterback duties, and Kerns is confident the talented sophomore is ready for the job.

"Drew didn't play much as a freshman in 2023 but came in the last five minutes at QB in week 10 and engineered two TD drives to lead a 16-13 win over Newcomerstown," Kerns noted. "He's a talented kid who works really hard. He takes hard coaching well, which is the only way you can be a good QB. He doesn't get down and say "poor me" he looks you in the eye says "yes sir" and moves on. That is exactly what you need from your QB."

To replace Eagon and Parry, Trail will turn to a backfield by committee with Travis Dodd, Blake Wayble and Mason Todd.

"We have three running backs who could be bell cows for us," Kerns said. "We will use Mason Todd, Travis Dodd, and Blake Wayble and also we think Drew McGlumphy can run the ball. We feel Mason could turn into a real force for us in the rushing game."

All-conference selections to lead Warrior defense

"Defensively we will be running a 4-2-5, and we are trying to find guys who will absolutely get after it and play really hard," Kerns said. "I like our linebackers a lot, Travis Dodd and Bryer Walter are really solid players. Our DL will be a nice rotation of Jackson Hess, Wyatt Conner, Cole Porter, Nick Taflan, Jace Hickman, Bucky Johnson and Nate Taflan.

"Our secondary is an athletic bunch of kids playing corner will be Sammy Brown, Laine Wayble, Drew McGlumphy and Trey Yanosik," Kerns added. "We will have three safeties on the field and will be Mason Todd, Blake Wayble, Kason Dennis and Kyler Chase."

Hess earned first Team All-IVC honors, with Mason Todd reeling in a first team selection at safety.

"Jackson anchored our defensive line in 2023 with five sacks, an interception and, five tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery last season," Kerns said. "He is a very skilled lineman who is difficult to block. At times last year, as the season went on he became more and more of a weapon on the defensive line."

Kerns feels Warriors senior class is top notch

"We have a really good group of kids, and I know that sounds cliché, but we have good, tough, hard-working kids," Kerns said. "Because they have great numbers, great work ethic and good leadership. That's not a cut on past classes because we have had more talented classes, but not sure we have had more coachable or a tougher class in recent memory."

Inside The Huddle

Key returnees: Travis Dodd (RB/QB, sr.), Blake Wayble (RB/DB, sr.), Laine Wayble (WR/QB, sr.), Jace Hickman (TE/DE, sr.), Wyatt Conner (OL/DT, sr.), Jackson Hess (OL/DT, sr.), Mason Todd (RB/DB, jr.).

Key newcomers: Drew McGlumphy (QB/DB, soph.); Bryer Walter (OL/LB, sr.); Sammy Brown (WR/DB, jr.).

Coaching staff : Head coach Donnie Kerns, Kevin Spiker, Jacob Sudduth, Mike McGlumphy, Aiden Snodgrass, Bill Hartmyer.

Classification: Division IV, Region 23

Last playoff appearance: 2021, 1st round loss to Fairland.

Total playoff appearances : 4 (1994, 2007, 2020, 2021)

Buckeye Trail football 2024 schedule

Aug. 23 Caldwell

Aug. 30 @ Harrison Central

Sept. 6 @ Barnesville

Sept. 13 Shenandoah

Sept. 20 @ Indian Valley

Sept. 27 @ Tuscarawas Central Catholic

Oct. 4 Malvern

Oct. 11 Strasburg

Oct. 18 @ East Canton

Oct. 25 Newcomerstown

KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Experienced offensive line to lead Buckeye Trail football's playoff hopes in 2024