TriStateFootball.com

2023 Snapshot: Finneytown

Finneytown RB/DB Alex Dykes (photo from: wyomingathletics.org)

It has been 12 years since Finneytown football had a winning season. The Wildcats went 6-4 in 2011 since then the program is a combined 11-105 with no more than two wins in a year. To add to the futility, Finneytown has a current 59-game losing streak in Cincinnati Hills League action. The Wildcats last CHL victory was over Deer Park on October 3rd, 2014.

Now in his second season as head coach, Armand Tatum hoping that some stability and familiarity with his offensive and defensive schemes has taken hold with his players. Getting to be respectable on the field is a top priority in Finneytown’s moving out of obscurity.

The Wildcats has some players that can make a difference, but the question is… do they have enough depth to stay in games on Friday night’s? Finneytown is going to have to be the best conditioned team every week as much of its top talent will rarely come off the field as they fight to stay in contests.

There are many hurdles overcome and baby steps to take for Finneytown if they want to become winners. It isn’t going to happen over night but by the time that the 2023 campaign ends expect Tatum and his Cats to have made significance progress down that path.

Division V, Region 20
2022 RECORD: 1-9, 0-7 CHL
COACH: Armand Tatum (1-9 at Finneytown, one year; 21-39 overall, seven years)

TOP RETURNEES
Cedrek Gordon, Sr, slot/DB – A three-year starter and team leader. Gordon is an explosive player who can play anywhere in the defensive backfield. He was an Honorable Mention All-CHL performer as a junior.

Finneytown RB/DB Cedrek Gordon (photo by: John Cravaack/Cravaack.smugmug.com)

Marvin Siakam, Sr, ATH – A very skilled athlete that can fill multiple positions on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats. His versatility will help make this one of the best Finneytown offenses in years.

Alex Dykes, Jr, RB/DB – An aggressive runner and kick returner, Dykes will have some very big nights as a junior and senior. His time to shine is ready to happen. He was an Honorable Mention All-CHL selection as a sophomore.

Jamarria Youngblood, Jr, WR/LB – A starter since his freshman year, Youngblood is a talented athlete with a huge catch radius. One defense, he could develop into one of the league’s best linebackers over the next two years. Youngblood was named Honorable Mention All-CHL last fall.

Evan Steimle, Jr, OL/DL – One of the best kept secrets in the Class of 2025. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Steimle has a huge wingspan and a high football IQ. With a very good junior campaign look for FBS offers especially ones from MAC schools to be flowing for him, by next Spring. Steimle was named Honorable Mention All-CHL as a sophomore.

Finneytown OL/DL Evan Steimle (photo from: wyomingathletics.org)

NEWCOMER
Sophomore NT Warren Hankerson will add much need size and depth on the d-line for the Wildcats.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(two appearances, 0-2) – 2020, 2004

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – HILLCREST (0-9 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Sa – 08/26/23 – at St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (6-5) – 7:00 PM*
Fri – 09/01/23 – at Lockland (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – READING (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – at Mariemont (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Deer Park (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – TAYLOR (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – at Indian Hill (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – MADEIRA (11-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – WYOMING (15-1) – 7:00 PM

*at Bron Bacevich Stadium (Roger Bacon HS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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