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The Opening Kickoff Of The 2024 Season In

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2023 Team Preview: Athens Wildcats

Written by: on Thursday, August 17th, 2023. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Shawn Bradley

Assistant Coaches:
Jay White
Nicholas Bradley
Mike Hibbert
Steve Satterly
Tony Robbins
Pat Persun
Chris Weems
Jeremy Davidson
Adam Morgan
Jason Wanck
Teake Yeager
Aaron Raupers

Team Name: Athens Wildcats

2022 Record: 7-5

District: 4

Class: AAA

League: Northern Tier League, Large School Division

Key Starters lost:
Mason Lister (QB / DB)
Lucas Horton (WR / DB)
Caleb Nichols (RB / LB)
Matt Machmer (WR/DB)
Austin Malanoski (OL/DL)
Joe Blood (OL/DL)
Glenn Romberger (RB/DE)=
Brandon Jennings (TE/LB)

Offensive Starters Returning:
Josh Martin (SR; RB; 6’, 190#)
Kaden Parrish (SR; RB; 5’11”, 185#)
Josh Nittinger (SR; OL; 6’, 295#)
Nate Polzella (SR; OL; 5’9”, 230#)
Caleb Nason (JR; OL; 6’2”, 230#)

Defensive Starters Returning:
Josh Martin (SR; LB; 6’, 190#)
Kaden Parrish (SR; LB; 5’11”, 185#)
Josh Nittinger (SR; DL; 6’, 295#)
Nate Polzella (SR; LB/DL; 5’9”, 230#)
Cooper Robinson (SO; DB; 5’8”, 150#)

Special Team Starters Returning:
N/A

Key Newcomers:
Slade Alfred (SR; OL/LB; 5’9”, 235#)
Jack Cheresnowsky (JR; TE/LB; 6’, 185#)
Keegan Congdon (JR; RB/LB; 6’1”, 175#)
Brendan Comstock (SO; OL/DL; 5’11”, 250#)
Eli Chapman (SO; QB/LB; 5’7”, 140#)
Daltton Davis (SO; WR/DB; 5’8”, 140#)
Karson Sipley (SO; WR/DB; 5’8”, 140#)
Sean Peters (SO; WR/DB; 5’8”, 140#)
Ryan Cook (SO; WR/DB; 5’8”, 140#)
Connor Garrison (SO; WR/DB; 5’7”, 135#)
Connor Davidson (FR; QB/DB; 5’9”, 175#)
Landon Layman (FR; OL/DL; 5’9”, 190#)
Brendan Cooke (FR; WR/DB; 5’8”, 145#)

2023 Returning Player Stats:
Josh Martin (SR; RB/LB; 23 receptions, 272 yds, 2 TD; 123 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 Int)
Josh Nittinger (SR; OL/DL; 62 tackles, 7 TFL)
Nate Polzella (SR; OL/DL; 14 tackles, 3 TFL)
Kaden Parrish (SR; RB/LB; 56 yards rushing, 1 TD; 40 tackles, 6 TFL)
Caleb Nason (JR; OL/DL; 28 tackles, 1 TFL)
Jack Cheresnowsky (JR; TE/LB; 21 tackles)
Keegan Congdon (JR; RB/LB; 41 yards rushing, 1 TD; 10 tackles)
Cooper Robinson (SO; RB/DB; 62 yards rushing, 1 TD; 42 tackles, 2 TFL)

2023 Outlook:
Offense:
We look to replace a number of our key offensive contributors as well as longtime head coach Jack Young. Our offense will go as far as our line takes us – as they are our most experienced position group. We do have a number of good young athletes in our skill positions that will develop as the season goes on.

Defense: We will also look to replace a number of defensive starters from last year’s team. We will be led by LB Josh Martin and DL Josh Nittinger. Again, the key to our success on the defensive side of the ball will be the development of our young athletes throughout the season.

Special Teams: Special teams will be a work in progress throughout the season. We will be replacing all skill positions in this facet.

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