TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / 2023 Snapshot: Cincinnati Country Day

2023 Snapshot: Cincinnati Country Day

Cincinnati Country Day TE/LB Shepard Snell (photo from Twitter: @ShepardSnell1)

With eight returning starters back on both sides ball from a team that won 10 games in 2022 including its first playoff victory since 1999, Cincinnati Country Day has everything in place for another big year. The Nighthawks are a veteran team and they will be ready for anything they face.

This is the deepest and most athletic squad that head coach Dennis Coyle has had in this his fourth year at the helm. That bodes well because Cincinnati Country Day has been overmatched in their postseason losses the past two years. Now the Nighthawks have the roster make a run at a regional title.

The CCD offense has averaged more than 32 points the last two years. It was in high gear last fall, the Nighthawks averagd 333.8 yards of total offense per game and found the end zone 52 times (39 rush, 13 pass). The unit returns three players – Parker Corbin, Ryan Coyle and Lee Thomas who all have more than 1,000 yards rushing in their careers. The accomplished trio has also combined for 55 touchdowns on the ground.

Defensively, Cincinnati Country Day allowed just 14.9 points per game in the regular season last fall. Where the unit (one that has been pretty much intact the last three years) looks to improve is against upper echelon competition. In the Nighthawks three regular season losses and three playoff games over the past two campaigns they have allowed 39.5 points in those affairs.

Another 10-win season is not out of the question, Cincinnati Country Day will only play three teams that had winning records and they all went 6-5. The Nighthawks schedule features teams that went a combined 34-70 (.327 winning %) in 2022. Keep an eye on how this team fares against Summit Country Day in the opener. The Silver Knights have won six in a row against CCD dating back to 2016. If that streak ends take Coyle’s Clan very serious.

Division VI, Region 24
2022 RECORD: 10-2, 5-0 MVC Gray
COACH: Dennis Coyle (19-18 at Cincinnati Country Day, four years; 67-76 overall, 14 years)

HONOR ROLL
Ryan Coyle, Jr, RB/S – One of the top juniors in Ohio Division VI. Coyle tallied 103 total tackles, had two tackles for losses, six pass breakups and five interceptions on his way to OPSWA Division VI Second Team All-Ohio (DB) honors a year ago. On offense, he ran for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns. Coyle heads into his junior year with 187 total tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, six interceptions, 1,033 yards rushing, 1,420 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns (15 rush, three rec).

Shepard Snell, Sr, TE/LB – Was sensational last fall for the Nighthawks defense. Snell recorded 140 total tackles, had seven tackles for losses, one forced fumble one fumble recovery, five pass breakups and two interceptions on his way to being named OPSWA Division VI Third Team All-Ohio (LB) as a junior. On offense, he hauled in 16 receptions for 295 yards and a touchdown. Snell has 228 total tackles, two forced fumbles and six takeaways (four INTs, two FRs) in his career.

Parker Corbin, Sr, QB/DB – A vital cog in the Nighthawks offense. Corbin earned First Team All-MVC Gray accolades after amassing 1,367 yards of total offense (807 rush, 556 pass, four rec) and accounting for 16 touchdowns (11 rush, five pass) as a junior. For his career, Corbin has thrown for 688 yards, ran for 1,326 yards, amassed 1,774 all-purpose yards, accounted for 30 touchdowns (22 rush, six pass, two rec), registered 97 total tackles, with two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Patrick Ramage, Jr, OL/LB – A model of consistency for the CCD defense. Ramage was named Second Team All-MVC Gray for a second straight year after recording 97 total tackles, three tackles for losses, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble as a sophomore.

Cincinnati Country Day OL/DL Patrick Ramage (photo from Twitter: @patrickramage25)

Lee Thomas, Jr, RB/DB – Here is a scary thought for Nighthawks opponents…the best years are still ahead for Thomas. As a sophomore, Thomas ran for 916 yards, amassed 1,158 all-purpose yards, accounted for 15 touchdowns (13 rush, one rec, one pass), had 42 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and eight pass breakups. He was named Second Team All-MVC Gray for a second straight season.

Luke Heekin, Sr, OL/DL – Emerged as one of the Nighthawks top defensive players in 2022. Heekin was named Second Team All-MVC Gray. He has 95 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks and two fumble recoveries in a CCD uniform.

Carson Yackey, Sr, OL/DE – Took his game to whole new level on defense as a junior. Yackey was named First Team All-MVC Gray after totaling 93 total tackles, five sacks and five passes defended.

Andrew Zimmerman, Sr, WR/DB – Look for Zimmerman to play a more prominent role on offense in 2023. He caught 10 balls for 147 yards and three touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-MVC Gray honors as a junior.

Ra’Maryon Spikes, Sr, FB/LB – Friday night lights weren’t too big for Spikes as a freshman. He was in on 61 total tackles, had an interception and two rushing touchdowns in his varsity debut.

NEWCOMERS
A trio of promising freshmen ATH Levi Guttman, WR/DB Leon Hall and WR/DB David Field add depth and athleticism to the Nighthawks. All If they adjust to the speed of the game by playoff time CCD is going to be that much tougher to take down.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(16 appearances, 7-16 overall) – 2022, 2021, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1995 (Regional Champion), 1994, 1991 (Regional Champion), 1990, 1989, 1987, 1986

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – SUMMIT COUNTRY DAY (6-5 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Holy Cross (KY)(2-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – HILLCREST (0-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – CCPA (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Th – 09/14/23 – at Clermont Northeastern (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – MVCA (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – at Clark Montessori (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – NEW MIAMI (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Lockland (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – ST. BERNARD-ELMWOOD PLACE (6-5) – 7:00 PM
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You must be logged in to post a comment Login