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2023 Snapshot: Mount Healthy

Mount Healthy QB Jameir Spain (photo from Twitter: @Jahmeirspain7/Visuals.By.Will)

There is no team in Division III, Region 12 that is deeper or more talented at the skills positions than Mount Healthy. That is saying something in a region that includes Badin, Trotwood-Madison, Chaminade Julienne, Carroll, Tippecanoe, Wapakoneta and Hughes (with no disrespect to the region’s other teams). The Owls are a legitimate contender to bring home a regional championship, the first in school history.

There are a lot of individuals that have their own “on-field” identities already. How this team comes together and form its unique identity will be key for Mount Healthy’s extended success as the season wears on. “We have speed and experience, but we are still young,” head coach Jordan Stevens states.

We know the offense is going to P-O-T-E-N-T! The big question is what is this defense really capable of? The Owls got pushed around in the trenches against its upper echelon opponents a year ago. With the addition of some proven varsity players and a veteran core returning, this side of the ball could mesh into something special if they can win at the line of scrimmage.

Weeks 2-6 will test Mount Healthy’s mettle. How the Owls fare in those games is going to prepare them for October and the playoffs. A few early wins and this team’s confidence could be soaring and their momentum really building come the postseason.

Division III, Region 12
2022 RECORD: 5-6, 2-3 SWOC
COACH: Jordan Stevens (5-6 at Mount Healthy, one year; 5-6 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Jai’Mier Scott, Jr, WR/DB – One of Ohio’s elite defensive backs in the Class of 2025. Scott fills so many roles for the Owls. He amassed 960 all-purpose yards (226 rush, 172 rec, 562 ret), averaged 45.0 yards/punt return, averaged 42.9/kickoff return, had 49 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three interceptions and found his way into the end zone nine times (five rush, one rec, two PRs, one KR) on his way to OPSWA Division III Third Team All-Ohio (DB) accolades as a sophomore. Scott has offers Penn State, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Illinois, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Pitt, Duke, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Marshall, Boston College, Miami (OH), Toledo, Central Michigan, UMass, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green and Eastern Kentucky.

Mount Healthy WR/DB Jai’Mier Scott (photo from Twitter: @JaimierScott/Visuals.By.Will)

Mike Watson, Sr, RB/LB – The poster boy for the Owls toughness. Watson tallied 133 total tackles (102 solo), had 14.0 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery earning OPSWA Division III Honorable Mention All-Ohio (LB) acclaim as a junior. On offense, Watson ran for 560 yards, had rushing touchdowns, four receptions and 62 receiving yards.

Javier “Jay Jay” Etheridge, Sr, WR/DB – One of the state’s top athletes in the Class of 2024. Etheridge hauled in 41 balls for 678 yards, had seven receiving touchdowns, 50 total tackles, one forced fumble and one interception on his way to OPSWA Division III Second Team All-Southwest District (WR) honors as a junior. He has 50 receptions for 854 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in his career. Etheridge has verbally committed to Indiana.

Jahmeir Spain, Jr, QB – Broke onto the scene in big way last fall throwing for 2,001 yards, with 19 touchdown passes (only five interceptions), 190 yards rushing and four scores on the ground. Spain was named Second Team All-SWOC for his efforts. The 6-foot-3, 184-pound Spain has offers from Akron, BGSU, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, UNLV and Toledo.

Aysa Hinkston, Sr, DL – Plays with a relentless motor along the d-line. Hinkston was a Second Team All-SWOC selection in 2022. He has 109 total tackles 10.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery at the varsity level.

Raishawn Cotton, Jr, LB – The future is bright for Cotton, buy stock in him. He registered 65 total tackles, two sacks and had 12.0 tackles for losses earning Honorable Mention All-SWOC accolades as a sophomore.

Mount Healthy Head Coach Jordan Stevens (photo from Twitter: @MTHOwlNation)

OTHER RETURNEES
Jeremiah Sanders, Jr, WR/DB – Became a factor on both sides of the as a sophomore hauling 16 receptions for 275 yards, with four touchdown catches and 40 total tackles.

Gabriel Garcia, Jr, OL/DT – A pleasant surprise for Mount Healthy in 2022. The 5-foot-10, 275-pound was in 41 total tackles, had one-and-a-sacks and 6.0 tackles for losses as a sophomore.

NEWCOMERS
Israel Bradford, Sr, CB – Had an outstanding junior year at Walnut Hills being named OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Southwest District (DB) and Third Team All-TriState Football. Bradford amassed 1,052 all-purpose yards (391 rush, 397 rec, 260 ret), reeled in 34 receptions, had 41 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception as a junior. He has offers from Tiffin and Notre Dame College.

Kash Mallory, Sr, LB – A transfer from Walnut Hills who was a beast for the Eagles in the five games he played as a junior. Mallory had 51 total tackles in those affairs. He has offers from Boston College, Buffalo, Campbell, Coastal Carolina, Duke, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Jackson State, Kentucky and Louisiana.

Landyn Phillips, Sr, WR/DB – A stellar performer for Holy Cross in Covington, Kentucky the past two years, Phillips should fit right in with the Owls. He has 384 yards passing, 901 yards rushing, 627 yards receiving on 45 receptions, 94 total tackles, seven interceptions, and accounted for 16 touchdowns (eight rush, five pass, three rec), in his career. Phillips picked up and offer from Notre Dame College.

Mount Healthy WR/DB Landyn Phillips (photo by James Bates/TriStateFootball.com)

Mount Healthy is looking for seniors OL/DL DeAveon Washington and DB Nazir Steele to provide senior leadership. They each have offers from Ohio Dominican and Wittenberg.

Coach Stevens is looking for breakout years from juniors WR Larry Fannon and WR Charlie Turnage. Fannon is a transfer from Hughes.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(16 appearances, 7-16) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

Fri – 08/18/23 – at Little Miami (4-8 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – ROSS (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – at Wilmington (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – CLINTON-MASSIE (7-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – BISHOP FENWICK (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Northwest (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – HARRISON (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – BELMONT (2-7)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Talawanda (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – WAVERLY (5-6) – 7:00 PM

 

 

 

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