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2016 Snapshot: Little Miami

Since joining the Southwest Ohio Conference in 2012, Little Miami has not seen the success that it saw in the old Fort Ancient Valley Conference. In that time, the Panthers have gone 4-36. In last season’s campaign, the Panthers’ two wins were the most wins since joining the conference.

Little Miami Panthers

Little Miami Panthers

New head coach Nate Mahon, who left Northwest with a 21-12 record, including two playoff appearances, will look to turn the corner as a new era of Panthers football begins. “The team has worked hard in the off season and has developed their overall team strength and work ethic,” Mahon said. Mahon’s experience and expectations of the team could bring more than two wins to Little Miami this year in a tough Southwest Ohio Conference.

Division II, Region 8
2015 RECORD: 2-8, 1-5 SWOC
COACH: Nate Mahon (0-0 at Little Miami, first year; 21-12 overall, three years)

HONOR ROLL
Jacob Ungruhe, Sr, OL/DL – An immovable force, Ungruhe is Big, strong, quick and athletic. He is one of the best kept secrets in Southwest Ohio. The “Bull” was a First Team All-SWOC selection as a junior.

Josh Davidson, Sr, OL/DL – A strong junior campaign saw Davidson named Second Team All-SWOC.

OTHER RETURNEES
Luke Patten, So, RB/DB – As a freshman Patten ran for 511 yards and seven scores including a four touchdown performance against Talawanda just seven games into his career. Patten is all-league material.

Dylan Carpenter, Sr, QB/DB- Carpenter didn’t see much action last season as a running back, but he will make the transition to starting quarterback in 2016 and will be expected to lead a young offense.

Little Miami WR/DB Jake Shirey (photo from Facebook)

Little Miami WR/DB Jake Shirey (photo from Facebook)

Jake Shirey, Jr, WR/DB – Shirey could provide Panthers with needed depth at a wide receiver position that will need to replace top pass catchers Paul Sizemore and Jacob Andrews from last year.

Nigel McCraney, Sr, RB/DB – McCraney will take on a bigger role in 2016, but still had a couple big games in 2015. In a Week 2 loss to Western Brown, McCraney rushed 13 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns.

Tony Agricola, Sr, DL – The defensive line will look to stop the run and Agricola will be a big part of that. In his junior campaign, he recovered a big fumble that aided the Panthers in victory over Talawanda.

NEWCOMERS
Ryan Sellars, Jr, WR/LB – Sellars will add to the depth of that wide receiver corps that will attempt to replace the reproduction of Paul Sizemore and Jacob Andrews. He will also contribute on defense as a linebacker.

Colton Metz, Sr, WR/DB – Metz’s senior season could be special, as he will finally have the opportunity to contribute.

Josh Tramuta, Jr, WR- Tramuta will face competition to carve out a role in the Panthers offense with a plethora of wide receivers.

Alex Johnson, Sr, WR- Similar to Metz, Johnson will look to carve out a role in a loaded offense, especially at the wide receiver position.

Kameron Bates, Sr, WR/LB – Bates will find an opportunity to contribute on the defensive side of the ball as the Panthers gave up the second most points in the league a season ago.

Chris Baer, Sr, RB/DB – Baer will be playing behind the sophomore Patten in the backfield, but could contribute if Patten isn’t able to reproduce what he started last season.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(one appearance, 1-1) – 1992

2016 SCHEDULE
Five of the seven teams in the SWOC last year finished with winning or at least non-losing records. Little Miami will have a rematch against Western Brown, this time at home, as well as a facing the Miami Valley Conference powerhouse CHCA, who went undefeated last regular season. Coach Mahon will face his old team in Week 6 at his new home in Little Miami.

MAHON STAYS IN CONFERENCE
Coming from Northwest, Head Coach Nate Mahon is familiar with the SWOC. In three years at Northwest, Mahon went 12-5 against SWOC opponents while leading the Knights, including 3-0 against Little Miami. Mahon also made two playoff appearances with the Knights, going 1-2 in November.

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