Sandy Valley Cardinals 2024 high school football schedule, preview

SANDY VALLEY CARDINALS

• HEAD COACH: Brian Gamble, eighth year, 46-28

• LAST YEAR: 7-5, 2-3 IVC South

• POSTSEASON: Division V, Region 17

Sandy Valley football's returning lettermen (15)

Shawn Brooks, WR-LB, 5-8, 160, Sr.

Joey Debellis, OL-DL, 6-0, 220, Soph.

Caleb Duebner, QB-DB, 6-1, 160, Soph.

Jaiden Flory, RB-LB, 5-8, 185, Sr.

Jack Gilland, OL-DL, 6-1, 180, Jr.

Lukas Gilland, WR-DB, 6-2, 155, Sr.

Drew Graybill, QB-DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.

Micah Hoffarth, WR-DB, 5-7, 160, Sr.

Westin Little, OL-DL, 6-1, 315, Sr.

Jack Murphy, RB-LB, 5-11, 165, Sr.

Natch Overly, RB-LB, 5-6, 150, Soph.

Anthony Ross, WR-DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.

Angelo Rossi, WR-DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.

Gino Tozzi, WR-DB, 5-9, 150, Jr.

Luke Williams, RB-LB, 5-8, 160, Sr.

Sandy Valley football's impact players

Lukas Gilland is in line for a special senior season. He made second team Division V All-Ohio as a defensive back and led the Cardinals in receiving with 738 yards and 12 touchdown catches in 2023. His game-saving interception in the end zone helped S andy Valley beat Fairless in last year's opener . Gilland recently committed to NCAA Division I FCS Saint Francis (Pa.). ... Linebackers Jack Murphy and Luke Williams will also anchor the Cardinals defense. Murphy made honorable mention All-Ohio after finishing with a team-best 112 tackles last season. ... Honorable mention All-East District selection Westin Little Brings size and strength on the offensive and defensive lines.

What's new with Sandy Valley football in 2024

The graduation of first team All-Ohioan Nick Petro leaves the Cardinals with big shoes to fill at quarterback. Petro threw for 2,002 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for a team-leading 1,402 yards and 14 TDs last season. Sandy Valley head coach Brian Gamble likes the progression of junior Drew Graybill and sophomore Caleb Deubner. Graybill saw action in three games as a backup in 2023. ... East Canton replaces Canton South as Sandy Valley's Week 3 opponent. The Cardinals will also play an Inter-Valley Conference crossover game against Tusky Central Catholic in Week 5.

Sandy Valley football's outlook

Petro's graduation is a huge loss. That said, the Cardinals are not going to agonize over it. Cameron Blair, one of Stark County's career passing yards leaders, graduated in 2021, and Sandy Valley never missed a beat. "This year is no different with the expectations set high," Gamble said. "Some new faces are competing every day at a high level. ... We are excited for the playmakers on both sides of the football. We are starting to see the experience our team gained last really paying off in every aspect so far."

Sandy Valley football schedule for 2024

Aug. 22 FAIRLESS

Aug. 30 at Manchester

Sept. 6 at East Canton

Sept. 13 at Minerva

Sept. 20 TUSC. CENTRAL

Sept. 27 at Indian Valley

Oct. 4 RIDGEWOOD

Oct. 11 at Claymont

Oct. 18 GARAWAY

Oct. 25 TUSKY VALLEY

Home games in all CAPS. All games at 7 p.m., unless noted .

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Sandy Valley Cardinals 2024 high school football schedule, preview