CARROLL — The high school football season gets underway this week in what should be another exciting year. With the Ohio High School Athletic Association reducing the playoffs from 16 teams to 12 in each region a year ago, qualifying for the postseason could be a little tougher. The playoffs begin Oct. 30, but before we get there, teams are preparing for their 10-game regular-season schedules. More: H.S. Football | A closer look at Berne Union, Fisher Catholic and Millersport
Here is a closer look at the Bulldogs, Falcons and Lions as they prepare for their season opener on Friday, Aug. 21. BLOOM-CARROLL Coach: Steve Daulton (first year) Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division 2025 record: 8-4 (MSL—Buckeye Division champions, lost in 2nd round of playoffs) Key returners: Kyson Cline, Sr., RB; Weston Coppess, Sr., LB; Carson Drury, Sr., OL; Rob Williams, Sr., WR; Cole Thacker, Sr., OL; Landon Hansel, Sr., OL; Cameron Spencer, Sr., RB; Malachi Williams, Jr., OL; Ben Sebastiano, Jr., OL. Key newcomers: Ronnie Smith, Sr., WR; Dominic Eshbaugh, Jr., DB; Max Cook, Soph., LB. Coach Daulton’s take: “I am honored to be at Bloom-Carroll where I started my teaching & coaching career 18 years ago. This is a community and school with high expectations where students are held to a high standard in the classroom as well as in all athletics. We are blessed with kids who are willing to work hard and show up every day with great attitudes. We are led by a strong senior class made up of great young men. I’m excited to see where this season will take us.” Schedule Aug. 21: at River Valley Aug. 28: Teays Valley Sept 4: Jonathan Alder Sept. 11: at Liberty Union Sept. 18: at Fairfield Union Sept. 25: Logan Elm Oct. 2: at DeSales Oct. 9: Hamilton Township Oct. 16: at Circleville Oct. 23: Amanda-Clearcreek
FAIRFIELD UNION Coach: Andy Clark (fourth year) Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division 2025 record: 7-5) (won first playoff game in 24 years) Key returners: Lane Burkhardt, Sr, RB/DB; Dean Clark, Sr., QB/DB; Boston McKoyes, Jr., WR/DB; Kohen Arnett, Jr., WR/DB; Jacob Nye, Sr., OL/DL; Codie Andrews, Sr., RB/DB; Colton Borah, Jr., RB/LB; Trace Taylor, Sr., LB; Cash Stover, Sr., LB; Jack Denny, Sr., OL/DL; Braxton Lenhart, Sr., DL; Kaleb Pierce, Jr., OL/DL Key newcomers: Ayden Hall, Sr., OL/DL; Braylen Tharp, Sr., OL/DL; Lucas Watkins, Sr., OL/DL; Remington Roshon, Jr., OL/DL; Carter Fernow, Sr., WR/DB; Riley Simmons, Sr., WR/DB. Coach Clark’s take: “We return a large senior class; 10 starters on offense and 8 on defense. We were devastated by injuries over the past month of the season last year, which allowed last year’s juniors and sophomores to gain a ton of experience in important games against tough opponents. They stepped in, and our team didn’t miss a beat. We won our last four regular-season games and our first playoff games in 24 years. Offensively, the experience lies with the senior-heavy offensive line. The lineup includes senior tackle Jacob Nye, senior guard Braylen Tharp, senior Ayden Hall at center, junior guard Remi Roshon, and senior tackle Lucas Watkins. Juniors Kaleb Pierce and Drew Hyme will provide depth. The Falcons return honorable mention All-Ohio senior quarterback Dean Clark and All-MSL running back Lane Burkhardt. Junior Colton Borah will also see time in the backfield. The receiving corps includes seniors Keaton Webb, Riley Simmons, and Carter Fernow along with juniors Boston McKoyes and Kohen Arnett. Senior fullback Camden Maynard returns and will be backed up by sophomore Parker McCutcheon. Returning on defense are ends Webb and Maynard along with interior linemen seniors Braxton Lenhart and Jack Denny. Pierce, Roshon, Tharp, and junior Tim Eaton will add depth. At linebacker, senior Trace Taylor and Borah will fill the open spots created by graduation. Both saw extensive game experience last year. Seniors Cash Stover and Codie Andrews figure to be outside linebackers and strong safety, respectively, with Burkhardt providing depth. McKoyes, Clark, and Simmons will rotate at cornerback, and Arnett will return at the safety spot. We achieved team goals in the 2025 season by competing for a league championship and winning the school’s first playoff game in 24 years. The goal is to continue the progress and challenge for a league title this year and make a deeper run in the playoffs. The non-league schedule to begin the season is extremely tough, with a regional final and a final four team back-to-back to start the season. Returning experience on both sides of the ball should be a strength for us this year.” Schedule Aug. 21: New Lexington Aug. 28: Colonel Crawford Sept 4: Lakewood Sept. 11: at Logan Elm Sept. 18: Bloom-Carroll Sept. 25: at Liberty Union Oct. 2: at Circleville Oct. 9: at Amanda-Clearcreek Oct. 16: Alexander Oct. 23: Hamilton Township LIBERTY UNION Coach: Dan Shirey (eighth season) Conference: Mid-State League-Buckeye Division 2025 record: 3-7 Key returners: Ethan Stapelton, Sr., RB; Jackson Martin, Sr., OL; Rohen Lawrence, Sr., DE; Zane Boggs, Sr., WR; Zander Piper, Jr., WR; Hunter Hutchenson, Jr., OL; Brody Bosch, Soph., QB; Hayden Rowland, Soph., RB/LB. Key newcomers: Dhani Billingsley, Fr., RB/LB; Trace Howdyshell, Fr., TE/DE; Zander Clifton, Soph., OL; Landon Hayes, Soph., OL; Caleb Delp, Jr., OL; Graham Savage, Jr., LB Coach Shirey’s take: “This team has embodied time for change. They have accepted what has been done in the past and what it will take to be better. They have really come together as a team and realize that they always have more to give. They are excited, and so am I.” Schedule Aug. 21: Monroe Central Aug. 28: Valley Sept 4: at Meigs Sept. 11: Bloom-Carroll Sept. 18: at Logan Elm Sept. 25: Fairfield Union Oct. 2: at Hamilton Township Oct. 9: Circleville Oct. 16: at Amanda-Clearcreek Oct. 23: Fort Frye Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @twil2323. This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: HS Football | A closer look at Bloom-Carroll, Fairfield Union. Liberty Union