Spring football: Where the 6 regional semifinalists stand as college showcases roll around

As college football coaches come to Greater Akron next week to check on potential recruits, the Beacon Journal thought it would be a good idea to see what’s going on as well.

Six area teams made the regional semifinals (round of 16) or better last season and we wondered exactly where those teams sit heading into 2025.

Although no one can predict the future, here’s what coaches from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Highland, Hoban, Nordonia, Wadsworth and Walsh Jesuit want to see from their teams in the spring:

CVCA linebacker Joey Kopec tackles Manchester running back Phil Partin as CVCA’s Bennett McCubbin, Tommy Kopec, and Brayden Harris close in during the first half of their game at Royal Stadium at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 in Cuyahoga Falls.

CVCA Royals (10-3 in 2024)

When do the Royals have their college showcase: 9:30 a.m. Monday at CVCA

What they lost: Honorable mention All-Ohio defensive tackle Dreylin Price (68 tackles, four sacks) is the biggest to replace as is all-state kicker Calvin Warren.

Where CVCA is strong: First-team all-state linebacker and Rutgers commit Joey Kopec (85 tackles, six interceptions) will continue a strong front up the middle with linemen Dirk Geiger, Wesley Keeler and linebacker Tommy Kopec on defense. Charley Levak returns at quarterback and has Keeler and Joey Kopec (1,072 rushing yards, 230 receiving yards, 541 return yards, 17 TDs) in the backfield to run behind third-team all-state star Ben Truax and Josiah Neumeyer on the line.

What coach Nick Cook wants to see this spring: With a strong nucleus of skill players coming back, Cook is looking to further develop his players in those positions.

The biggest question mark for the Royals: With 80% of the roster in a spring sport, CVCA wants to see stability heading into the summer of what could be a great 2025 for CVCA.

Highland running back Casey Myser drives through the line during the first half of an OHSAA Division II regional championship game against Avon on Nov. 22, 2024, in Elyria, Ohio.

Highland Hornets (13-1 in 2024)

When do the Hornets have their college showcase: 11 a.m. Monday at Highland

What they lost: First-team All-Ohioan Carson Noonan (70 tackles, 20 for loss, 10.5 sacks) and second-team All-Ohioan Ryan Zywiec (76 tackles, 21.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks) are the biggest losses in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Dylan Borla (2,303 yards passing, 27 touchdowns) is the other major piece gone.

Where Highland is strong: First-team All-Ohio running back Casey Myser was outstanding last season (2,130 yards rushing, 46 total touchdowns) is the centerpiece for the Hornets. Luke Berkmeyer, Lucas Gerding, Nick Dobkowski and Evan Foust are all back as receivers. Jameson Gordon, Foust and Kallen Whitling are all back as linebackers.

What coach Mike Gibbons wants to see this spring: With a junior varsity team that went 9-1 last season, Gibbons is looking for some future stars to step up and meet the team’s needs.

The biggest question mark for the Hornets: With Noonan playing football at Miami and Zywiec at Ashland, shoring up the offensive line is paramount.

Hoban defensive back Elbert Hill drops back to cover Trinity Episcopal receiver Isaiah Robinson on Sept. 2, 2023.

Hoban Knights (12-3 in 2024)

When do the Knights have their college showcase: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hoban

What they lost: Division III Defensive Player of the Year and Ohio State linebacker Eli Lee is gone, as is All-Ohioan Tanner Mintz and Owen Turner on offense. Defensive tackle Nick Crawford and cornerback Tylan Boykin are also all-state losses.

Where Hoban is strong: The backfield will include all-state star Brayton Feister (2,104 yards, 26 TDs), transfer Jance Henry Jr. (1,011 yards, five TDs), who has 14 Division I offers, and Jonathan McDaniel. Louisville commit Payton Cook, Jackson Calloway and Elbert Hill will be terrors among the receivers. All-Ohio Ohio State commit Sam Greer, Braylin Parker and Rylee Pickering shore up a strong offensive line. The defense is led by USC commit Hill, who also has John Johnson, Lawrence Cherry and Jaiden Daniels in the defensive backfield. Expect Ace Brown to grab headlines on the defensive line with Patrick Kinsell, Brayton Feister and Brydon Feister shoring up the linebacking unit.

What coach Tim Tyrrell wants to see this spring: As a former coach in Florida, Tyrrell is no stranger to college showcases, so he wants college eyes on his kids. Aside from that he wants to “circumvent continuity and judge the team’s needs.”

The biggest question mark for the Knights: It’s not so much a question mark as a quarterback battle between incumbent Trent Hayden, Major (formerly Izzy) Cribbs and transfer Nick Kinsey (2,268 yards passing, 24 TDs), who is an Eastern Michigan commit.

Nordonia linebacker Karsen Fisher chases Hoban quarterback Tylan Boykin during the Division II regional semifinal football game at Rudy Sharkey Stadium in Barberton on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

Nordonia Knights (10-3 in 2024)

When do the Knights have their college showcase: 8:15 a.m. Wednesday at Nordonia

What they lost: The Knights are the hardest hit of all the regional semifinalists with third-team All-Ohioan Ben Chesser (1,646 yards passing, 15 TDs, 816 yards rushing, 14 TDs) and running back Rocco DeLorenzo (1,037 yards rushing, 12 TDs) lost to graduation as well as all-state defensive linemen Jordan Jackson, offensive linemen Grant Lefeld and defensive back Blake Allen. Add almost all their skill positions and secondary and there are a lot of moving parts at Nordonia.

Where Nordonia is strong: Luke Williams and Gavin Kanar will help the offensive line. Connor Whapham and Karsen Fisher should help at linebacker and cornerback RJ Jefferson and wide receiver Collin Atha are back as well. Don’t discount the kicking game with Riley Edgehouse.

What coach Jeff Fox wants to see this spring: Fox is looking forward to implementing “a foundation of fundamentals and habits.” He is also excited to watch the development of quarterback Steven Fakult, who is already getting Division I looks after throwing for 1,748 yards and 25 touchdowns in 34 quarters on junior varsity last season.

The biggest question mark for the Knights: With position battles everywhere, Fox wants to see players earn their starting roles so he can build his team accordingly.

Wadsworth running back Cooper Gray, left, dives for yards as he picks up a first down ahead of Solon defensive back Cooper Walker during the first half of a high school football game, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Wadsworth, Ohio.

Wadsworth Grizzlies (11-2 in 2024)

When do the Grizzlies have their college showcase: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wadsworth

What they lost: All-state offensive linemen Eli Kaufman was the biggest loss, as were defensive linemen Bryce Polczak, Troy Myers and Zach Wise.

Where Wadsworth is strong: In a word, everywhere. Army recruit and All-Ohioan Gavin Madigan (92 tackles, 4.5 for loss, in 10 games) leads a secondary that includes all-state wide receiver Calix Lemp, Tommy Hohn, Jude Haller and Ryan Stoops. All-state linebacker Jacob Earnest (112 tackles, 4.5 for loss) is back as well. Madigan (764 yards rushing, 11 TDs) will be in the backfield with all-state running back Cooper Gray (1,673 yards, 21 TDs). They’ll run behind Jordan Jones, Merit Fortner and Gabe Ludtke. Look for Brysen Hall to flourish in his second season at quarterback.

What coach Justin Todd wants to see this spring: Todd wants to see an emphasis on fundamentals. Although Wadsworth has experience, it’s the little things that can lead to wins.

The biggest question for the Grizzlies: As with every high school team, it all centers around the offensive line, so finding the missing pieces on both sides of the trenches is vital.

Walsh Jesuit linebacker Caden Carter, left, wraps up Ursuline quarterback DC Ferrell after picking up a first down during the first half of a high school football game at Stambaugh Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Youngstown, Ohio.

Walsh Jesuit Warriors (13-1 in 2024)

When do the Warriors have their college showcase: 9:40 a.m. Wednesday at Walsh Jesuit

What they lost: For starters, Mr. Football finalist and Division II Co-offensive Player of the Year Keller Moten (1,734 yards, 17 TDs, 1,380 yards rushing, 23 TDs) at quarterback. All-state offensive lineman Kodey Kish, All-Ohio linebacker Declan Norton and all-state safety Aiden Henry are also gone, as is running back Lucas Weaver (857 yards rushing, nine TDs).

Where Walsh is strong: At running back for sure with Marty Tobin (974 yards, nine TDs), Carlos Smith (558 yards, eight TDs) and Cade Romanini, who returns from injury. Iowa State commit and All-Ohioan Milan Parris (597 yards receiving, nine TDs) is back, as are all-state lineman and Ohio University commit Colton Crosley and guard Brayden Piersall. Caden Carter is a star at linebacker as are Grant Blascak, James Brewer, Ben Biel and Tommy Pulletti in the secondary. Add Dario Jeras on the line and the Warriors shouldn’t miss a beat.

What coach Nick Alexander wants to see this spring: Alexander is looking for competition at all positions to further improve his team. He’s also excited to see David Ternosky (1,253 yards passing, 22 TDs, 500-plus yards rushing, six TDS) take over after a solid junior varsity season at quarterback. He’ll also have Biel and Caden Mariola pushing him for reps.

The biggest question mark for the Warriors: The offensive and defensive line lost some substantial players. Alexander wants to see players rise to the challenge before summer.

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What coaches from 6 area high school football teams want to see in May

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