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2018 Snapshot: Little Miami

Last fall, for just the fourth time in 29 years, the Little Miami football program finished with a winning record. Now the Panthers look to build upon that and make the playoffs for just the second time in school history.

Little Miami returns eight starters on offense but must replace seven on defense. “In order to have success, we will need some young kids to step up defensively and upfront, on both sides of the ball,” head coach Nate Mahon states. It will be a key factor in the Panthers taking the next step.

Division II, Region 8
2017 RECORD: 7-3, 3-3 SWOC
COACH:  Nate Mahon (10-10 at Little Miami, two years; 31-22 overall, five years)

HONOR ROLL
Ben Blevins, Jr, OL/DL – Heads into his junior campaign having already started 20 games. He was named Second Team All-Southwest district as an offensive lineman as a sophomore.

Ryan Kerman, Sr, DB – A First Team All-SWOC performer as a junior. Kerman is the leader of the secondary. He had a pair of interceptions in ’17.

Luke Patten, Sr, RB – An ankle injury brough Patten’s junior campaign to an abrupt end. Patten was the leading rusher in the SWOC as a sophomore and was named Special Mention All-Southwest District for the effort. He is back to 100% and should challenge for another rushing title this fall. Patten has run for 2,300 yards, caught 22 passes for 259 yards amassed 2,931 all-purpose yards and accounted for 33 touchdowns (32 rush, one pass) in a Panthers uniform.

OTHER RETURNEES
One of the rocks on defense is senior Gabe Huffman who recorded six sacks in ’17. Classmates DB Cordell Oeder, DL Redi Jones and OL Hunter Fletcher will be called upon to provide more leadership. In his first year as a starter, junior QB Brody Reder threw for 1,020 yards, ran for 261 yards and accounted for 17 touchdowns (14 pass, three rush). His classmates Blevins, OL/DL Chase Linneman and RB Neal D’Andrea will join him as starters on offense. Sophomores WR Reis Stocksdale and RB/LB Sean Buschur both started as freshmen. Stocksdale had 14 receptions for 188 yards and three touchdowns.

NEWCOMERS
Little Miami looks to add depth in all phases of the game with seniors WR Drew Mairn, LB Michael Ertel, HB/LB John Frommeyer, RB/LB Brian Wells, OL Toby Davidson, OL Ben Maupin, DB Reed Norman and DB, WR/DB/P Andrew Oder.   Juniors WR Andrew Hinds, WR/DL Avery Harris, DL/ LB Wyatt Lykins, WR/DB Nick Carr and DB Connor Jones will get their shots at major playing time. Also battling for snaps are sophomores OL Collin Streuer, HB/DL/LB Spencer Aills, LB Jarad Bentley, WR Ty Williams, WR Trey Williams and LB/DB KC Duncan.

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

2018 SCHEDULE
Fri – 8/24/18 at West Carrollton  7:00 PM
Fri – 8/31/18 WESTERN BROWN  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/7/18 at Goshen 7:00 PM
Fri – 9/14/18 MOUNT HEALTHY  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/21/18 at Talawanda  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/28/18 NORTHWEST  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/5/18 at Harrison  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/12/18 ROSS  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/19/18 at Edgewood  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/26/18 WESTERN HILLS  7:00 PM

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Allowed just 13.1 points per game.  The Panthers did not allow more than 38 points in a game after giving up 40 or more five time in 2017.

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