Buckeye Local Panthers: 2024 High School Football Preview

Chris Kiedaisch takes over the Panthers program with an eye to the future but also on the know and his players have noticed, like senior offensive and defensive lineman Marek Hickman.

I’m just here to win honestly, I just want to win. We’ve got a brand new coach we are the foundation for a whole new legacy of Buckeye Local and I’m proud to be a part of that foundation.”

Marek Hickman- OL/DL

Hickman is one of 15 seniors that will help make Kiedaisch’s transition easier. An assistant coach at his alma mater Linsly for nearly ten years his practices are designed to mimic a game atmosphere as much as possible.

“We want to practice being successful just like we hope to be in the game we play very up tempo we practice very up tempo and the kids seem to enjoy it. We get out of here early when we get our work done and that’s a little motivation that the kids have.”

Chris Kiedaisch- Head Coach

Senior Alex McDiffitt will return at quarterback and defensive back after earning district honorable mention as a junior.

“I’m really excited about the season, I think we have a lot of guys a lot of experienced guys that can help us propel our way through the year cause a lot of these guys have been playing three-fours starting so I have a lot of confidence in us.”

Alex McDiffitt- Quarterback

The experience includes players like linemen seniors Chris Ebright, Hickman, juniors Cameron Rusnack and Jeven Velez and sophomore Ryder Tibbs.

Skill players joining McDiffitt are fellow seniors Andrew Jones a 6-4 receiver , Shane Griffith , Landon Durbin, Kolton Roush, Hayden Boyce, and Wyatt Luyster, junior Grant Dombrowski, along with sophomores Aiden Takach, Dugan Shadwick, Xavier Eastham and Brody Keyoski.
Kiedaisch says you’ll see a similar look to offense he helped run at Linsly.

“We’re going to be up tempo , no huddle , were going to try to take what the defense gives us, were not going to be afraid to throw it 80 percent of the time if the defense wants to dictate that were also not going to be afraid to pound it and run it 80 percent of the time if the defense wants to dictate that.”

Chris Kiedaisch- Head Coach

Defensively they will line up in a 4-2-5 with the goal to have their best 11 on the field.

“We are going t see a defense hopefully that flies to the ball and is super physical and most importantly what we are spending time on is that we are going to be lined up and gap sound every play.”

Chris Kiedaisch- Head Coach

The new look Panthers will face their first challenge Friday August 23 as they visit Bellaire in the first ever night game at Nelson Field.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.