CARROLL – High school football season begins in less than two weeks, and it should be another exciting year.
Since the Ohio High School Athletic Association expanded the playoffs a few years ago to 16 teams in each region qualifying for the postseason, there is now an excellent chance that even more teams will qualify for the postseason. The playoffs begin on November 1st.
Here’s a closer look at the Bulldogs as they prepare for their season opener on August 23rd.
BLOOM-CARROLL
Trainer: Jeremy McKinney (third season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division
Record 2021: 103 (MSL-Buckeye Co-Champions; Division III regional finals)
Important returnees: Ethan Thanthanavong, Sr., QB; Park Truex, Sr., DE; Michael Stevenson, Sr., TE; Beau Sherman, Sr, RB/DB; Treyton McKee, Sr., K/P; Aidan Sholtz, Jr., LB; Warren Rawlins, Jr., OL; Braydon Spencer, Sr., OL/DL; Lance Abel, Sr., OL; Christian Ball, Jr., DB; Maddox Byler, Jr., WR; Lunden Dodds, Jr., WR; James Donley, Sr., DL; Dylan Frye, Jr., TE/DE; Ethan Hautala, Sr., OL; Tristan McKeever, Sr., DB; Lincoln Miller, Jr. DL; David Mullins, Jr., LB.
Important new additions: Rusty Hutchinson, Jr., WR; Jude Blair, Sr., RB; Carter Bearfield, Sr., DL; Deven Ash, Jr., DB; Evan Cardenas, Jr., WR/DB; Zach Chambers, Jr., DL; Kelton Kirkpatrick, Jr., WR; Weston Coppess, sophomore, LB; Carson Crury, 2nd year, OL/DL; Cole Thacker, 2nd year, OL.
Coach McKinney’s opinion: “For the second year in a row, we said goodbye to a class with a career record of 47-7 and 14-4 in the playoffs, including several irreplaceable players who hold many of our records. With that in mind, our players have embraced the opportunity to continue to build on the tradition of Bloom-Carroll football. That journey began on January 3 of this year with the launch of our offseason program. They are excited for their turn to make their mark on our program.”
What to expect
Bloom-Carroll has been the benchmark for the past six years when it comes to achieving the most success in the region. Led by McKinney, who is entering his third season as head coach, the Bulldogs could take the next step and make it to the Division III state championship game in 2022. They reached the regional finals a year ago. The Bulldogs have a 24-5 record over the past two seasons. The Bulldogs return another talented roster, led by third-year All-Ohio and starting quarterback Ethan Thanthanavong. Expect the Bulldogs to throw a little more than they have the past two years. Bloom-Carroll has won or shared six consecutive MSL-Buckeye division titles. Don’t expect a major drop in performance, if any.
schedule
Bloom-Carroll
August 23 in Chillicothe
30 August, Teay Valley
6 September Jonathan Alder
September 13, Amanda Clearcreek
September 20 at Liberty Union
Sept. 27 at Fairfield Union
October 4th Logan Elm
11 October in Hartley
October 18 Hamilton Township
October 25th in Circleville
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Reach him at 740-689-5150 or email him at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
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