- Senior Salute: Leland Gantz
- 2024 Final Leaders: Southeastern Indiana
- 2024 NKFCA Top 26
- 2024 OPSMA Division I All-Ohio Teams, Ponatoski tabbed as OPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division II All-Ohio Teams; Burnam named Co-OPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division III All-Ohio Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division IV All-Ohio Football Teams; Taft’s Pavey named Co-DPOY
- 2024 OPSMA Division V All-Ohio Football Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division VI All-Ohio Football Teams
- 2024 OPSMA Division VII All-Ohio Football Teams
2022 Snapshot: Western Brown
- Updated: June 22, 2022
The 2021season was the best in the history of Western Brown football. The Broncos lit up the scoreboard on their way to the program’s first ever appearance in the regional finals (Region 11) where they lost a heartbreaker to Granville. With a cast of very experience players returning the school looks to add another chapter to last fall’s incredible run.
Last year Western Brown averaged 519.6 yards of total offense and 50.0 points per game. They became just the 12th team in Ohio history to score 700 points in a season. The Broncos return 100% of the players who ran for the teams 39 touchdowns, 94.8% of the players that accounted for their rushing yards (1,788 of 1,888) and 63.8% of the players that caught touchdown passes (37 of 58). That explosive barrage all starts on the arm and legs of senior Drew Novak who is coming off one of the greatest seasons a quarterback in the Buckeye state has ever had.
On defense, Western Brown should be even better that they were in 2021. The Broncos return players that accounted for 80.0% of their sacks (16.0 of 20.0) and players that accounted for 71.4% of the team’s takeaways (20 of 28).
Getting back to the regional finals isn’t going to be easy. Western Brown moves from Region 11 to the much tougher and deeper Region 12 which includes 2021 state runner-up Badin as well as 2019 & 2017 state champion Trotwood-Madison. Expect the Broncos to make the playoffs and host a first-round game. From there it all comes down to the heart of this squad and the destiny it wants to forge for itself.
Division III, Region 12
2021 RECORD: 11-3, 4-1 SBAAC American; Region 11 runner-up
COACH: Nick Osborne (16-6 at Western Brown, two years; 16-6 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Drew Novak, Sr, QB – It was a historical junior campaign for Novak. He threw for 5,269 yards, ran for 1,202 yards with 56 passing touchdowns and 21 scores on the ground. His 5,269 passing yards are the sixth highest season total in Ohio history. Novak also became just the sixth player in Ohio history to throw for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a season. He is the 15th player in Ohio history to throw at least 56 touchdowns.
Those efforts also earned him OPSWA Division III Ohio Offensive Player of the Year, Ohio Mr. Football finalist, OPSWA Division III First Team All-Ohio, TriState Football Cincinnati OPOY, Second Team All-TSF and SBAAC American OPOY honors.
Novak heads into his senior year with 9,924 yards passing, 13th most in Ohio history. He is projected to finish with the third most yards behind Maty Mauk (18,932) and Ben (17,364) Mauk of Kenton. He has offers from Stetson, Ashland, Glenville State, Norte Dame College and Thomas More.
Drew Novak: By The Numbers
Que Collins, Sr, DB – The leader of the secondary is back for his third season as a starter. Collins was named Second Team All-SBAAC after recording 113 total tackles and seven takeaways (five INTs, two FRs) as a junior.
Dane Tomlin, Sr, LB – Emerged as one of the Broncos best defensive players in 2021. Tomlin recorded 100 total tackles, had three sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception. He was a Second Team All-SBAAC American selection.
Matthew Frye, Sr, WR/DB – A vital cog on both sides of the ball. Frye snared 53 receptions, had 924 receiving yards, 11 touchdown catches, 1,348 all-purpose yards, 25 total tackles and four takeaways (three INTs, one FR) as a junior. He was named Second Team All-SBAAC American. Frye has offers from Centre and Otterbein.
Zackery Chisman, Sr, RB/WR – Can rack up yards with the best of them on offense. Chisman amassed 1,402 all-purpose yards (960 rec, 422 rush, 20 ret), had 64 receptions and found the end zone 23 times (12 rush, 11 rec) in 2021. He was named Honorable Mention All-SBAAC or the efforts.
OTHER RETURNEES
Jace Beasley, Sr, DL – A high motor guy who had an excellent first year as a starter last fall. Beasley recorded 70 total tackles, had five sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception. He has an offer from Otterbein.
Seth Barber, Sr, DL – A returning starter in the trenches. Barber tallied 48 total tackles, had four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as a junior.
Tyler Loudon, Sr, DL – Had an outstanding varsity debut in 2021. Loudon was in on 45 total tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble and an 85-yards pick-six against Batavia.
Andrew Schneeman, Sr, LB/DB – Back for a second season as a starter. The versatile Schneeman can play at linebacker or in the secondary. He had 48 total tackles as a junior.
Matthew Osborne, Jr, TE – A red zone scoring machine. Osborne had nine touchdown catches on 18 receptions for 146 yards as a sophomore.
Isaiah Smith, Jr, WR – Should have a monster junior campaign with more targets headed his way. Smith had 39 receptions for 685 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore.
NEWCOMER
Andrew Sandefur, Sr, OL – The West Clermont transfer will be a huge addition to the offensive line. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Sandefur was an Honorable Mention All-ECC selection for the Wolves last season. He has an Offer from Rose-Hulman.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(five appearances, 4-5) – 2021, 2020, 2014, 2013, 2008
2022 SCHEDULE
Sa – 08/20/22 – HILLSBORO (4-6 in 2021) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/26/22 – at Washington Court House (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/02/22 – MONROE (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/09/22 – at Jackson (10-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/16/22 – MIAMI TRACE (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/23/22 – NEW RICHMOND (4-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/30/22 – CLINTON-MASSIE (14-1)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/07/22 – at Goshen (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/14/22 – WILMINGTON (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/22 – at Batavia (1-8) – 7:00 PM
You must be logged in to post a comment Login