Ohio’s Anderson Township This week, the football squad at Anderson High School is prepared to go out on a new adventure.
Even so, head coach Evan Dreyer hasn’t forgotten about the Division II state runner-up squad from the previous year.
“We haven’t moved on,” Dreyer stated. Because of everything that happens, including seniors graduating, award ceremonies, and losing a tight game. Your desire to return and play at Tom Benson’s Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton has undoubtedly been rekindled by the kids.
In the Ohio Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings, Anderson comes in at number three.The Raptors are unquestionably one of the preseason favorites to make it back to Canton for the Division II state final.
However, a lot of work needs to be done before December is discussed.
Ace Alston, a junior defensive back for Anderson, stated, “I think we’re just working hard and putting all our effort into this season and coming in very prepared for Week 1.”
In the WCPO 9 Friday Football Game of the Week, Anderson (15-1 in 2024) hosts Cooper (14-1) to kick off the new season. The first Friday night of the season kicks off in Ohio and Kentucky at 7 p.m.
Cooper, the Kentucky Class 5A state runner-up the previous two seasons, will be playing an Ohio football team for the first time in school history. Cooper opened its doors in 2008. This is a home-and-home agreement’s first game.
Coach Randy Borchers of Cooper stated that his club is among the top teams in Ohio. Over the past five or so years, they have demonstrated that. Last year, I believe they were 15-1. It will therefore be difficult for us to counter anything they do offensively. They have a large number of playmakers. They have many elite players. Therefore, we will undoubtedly assess our current situation early on. However, at the moment, our primary attention is on ourselves and our daily improvement.
Cooper brings back a number of important players, including senior quarterback Cam O Hara, a verbal commit to Western Kentucky University.In 15 games with the Jaguars in 2024, O Hara passed for 3,617 yards and 52 touchdowns. He ran for four touchdowns and 186 yards.
According to Dreyer, this is among the best-rated games. The child you are playing against will grow up to be Mr. Kentucky. with the return of our defense. to test our DBs’ ability to make plays against Cam.
Over the years with Dreyer, Anderson has established a reputation for having a fast-paced, explosive offense. Last season, the Raptors averaged 456 yards and 45.4 points. Nevertheless, the defense is the talk of the town this year.
Four-star players in the 2027 class, Alston and junior linebacker Antwoine Higgins have national college recruiting rankings and scholarship offers. Brady Kuhn, a senior linebacker, is dedicated to the Air Force.
We have to make a defensive adjustment in order to compete for trophies, Dreyer stated. And that’s what we did. Regardless of whether it was personnel or a scheme. Perhaps it was simply the approach we were taking. That, I believe, was crucial for us. And the fact that there are so many returners today, particularly at linebacker, just helps our season.
The majority of the Anderson offense is inexperienced and youthful. The younger brother of former Anderson quarterback Griffin Scalf, sophomore quarterback Owen Scalf, is the team’s leader.The only returning wide receiver with significant experience is Junior Cooper Kathman.
Anderson takes the place of four offensive linemen, while junior Quinn Gagen returns at center. Another guy to keep an eye on for a squad that frequently discusses in the locker room that the season opener is August 22 is junior running back Jordan Davis.
Alston stated, “We’re just locked in because the ultimate goal is a state run.” Last year, we failed miserably. We pushed that to the back of our minds. That, in my opinion, inspires us to work harder every day.
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