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2023 Snapshot: Troy

Troy RB Jahari Ward (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

It has been 38 years since Troy won its first and only regional title. With six starters returning on offense and seven back on defense this group of Trojans is out to rectify that situation and take the school to the next level.

Troy has made it to the playoffs, a program best, seven straight years but has failed to get past the second round and has only been able to muster three postseason victories in that span. That could all be about to change with a such a veteran group that is hungry to make their mark on Trojan football history.

“There are lots of lettermen returning and now in year two, our players understand the expectations,” head coach Troy Everhart states. “Finding a leader at quarterback will be critical to the programs growth.”

The schedule is set up for a big regular season run. A three-game stretch in the middle of the slate versus Tippecanoe, Piqua and Xenia will push Troy to its limits. “Weeks 5-7 will let us know right where we stand,” Everhart says. That trio of squads were a combined 32-6 (.842 winning %) a year ago. The other seven teams the Trojans will face all had losing records and were a combined 19-52 (.268 winning %) in 2022.

Division II, Region 8 is deep and full of regional title contenders. Troy the talent and opportunity to make a statement, that it too, is just as worthy as anyone else in Region 8 to bring home that crown in late November. It will all be up to the Trojan players to make it happen.

Division II, Region 8
2022 RECORD: 7-4, 6-3 MVL, 3-2 MVL Miami Division
COACH: Troy (7-4 at Troy, one year; 18 years as a head coach)

HONOR ROLL
Logan Ullery, Sr, DB – Had a great nose for the football in 2022. Ullery was in on 40 total tackles, had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five pass breakups and picked off six passes, returning two of them for touchdowns to earn OPSWA Division II Third Team All-Ohio honors.

Jahari Ward, Sr, RB/LB – The 6-foot-2, 230-pound bruising back blossomed in the Wing-T offense as a junior. Ward ran for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District recognition. He has 1,808 yards rushing and found the end zone 24 times (22 rush, two rec) at the varsity level.

Devon Strobel, Sr, DL – Sets the tone for the defense with his high motor and ferocity. Strobel recorded 51 total tackles, had two sacks, 19.0 tackles for losses, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble on his way to OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District honors as a junior. He has 113 total tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his career.

Parker Nichols, Sr, OL – The anchor and leader of an offensive line that averaged 284.7 yards per game with 33 touchdowns rushing a year ago. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Nichols was an Honorable Mention All-MVL selection a year ago.

Noah Miller, Sr, OLB – Emerged as one of the Trojans top defensive players in 2022. Miller was in on 41 total tackles, had 5.5 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery. He was named Honorable Mention All-MVL for his efforts.

Caleb Akins, Sr, DB – Another returning part of what should be an outstanding secondary. Akins snared three interceptions and broke up five passes to garner Honorable Mention All-MVL accolades.

Antonio Gonzalez, Sr, DB – Came on strong at the end of last season. Gonzalez recorded 15 total tackles and had four takeaways (two FRs, two INTs) including a pick-six in the Trojans final four games on his way to an Honorable Mention All-MVL selection.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(18 appearances, 8-17) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2011, 2010, 2004, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992, 1989, 1986, 1985 (Regional Champions)

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at Dunbar (4-6 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Greenville (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Th – 08/31/23 – BUTLER (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – WEST CARROLLTON (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – at Tippecanoe (13-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – PIQUA (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – at Xenia (10-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – STEBBINS (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Fairborn (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – SIDNEY (4-7) – 7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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