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2023 Snapshot: Edgewood

Edgewood LB Clay Halsey (photo from Twitter)

Edgewood embarks on a new journey, joining the SWBL after capturing five of the last seven championships in the SWOC. The Cougars should continue that success being the largest school (enrollment-wise) in their ne conference. They will join former SWOC rival Ross, Monroe, Bellbrook, Valley View and Franklin in the SWBL Southwestern Division.

Edgewood is a veteran squad that is no stranger to winning. The Cougars had 11 (2022) and nine (2021) game winning streaks the last two years. “We are very seasoned on the offensive line and at linebacker on defensive. We will have 20 to 22 seniors and that is a plus with leadership,” head coach Scott Clemmons states. The team will be young at some key positions on both sides of the ball, but upperclassmen experience will guide their youngsters through the rough moments.

As good as Edgewood is going to be, winning the Region 8 title will take a herculean effort with teams like Winton Woods, Northmont, Withrow, Kings, Anderson, Piqua and Troy all believing they have what it takes to bring home the crown. The talented Cougars are more than worthy of being included in this group of contenders now they just have to go out an prove it on the field.

Division II, Region 8
2022 RECORD: 11-2, 5-0 SWOC
COACH: Scott Clemmons (70-48 at Edgewood, 11 years; 70-48 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Braden Sullivan, Sr, RB/DB – One of the best kept secrets in the Buckeye state. Sullivan is a flat out closer. He amassed 1,608 all-purpose yards (877 rush, 463 rec, 268 ret), averaged 9.1 yards per carry, averaged 28.9 yards on 16 receptions, found the end zone 17 times (10 rush, six rec, one IR), had 14 total tackles and two interceptions as a junior. Sullivan earned OPSWA Division II Honorable Mention All-Ohio (RB) honors for his efforts. He has 1,217 yards rushing, 1,115 yards receiving, 2,717 all-purpose yards, 26 touchdowns (13 rush, 12 rec, one KR), 39 total tackles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions in his career.

Edgewood RB/DB Braden Sullivan (photo by Kristina Swisher/SwishPics)

Luke Halsey, Sr, OT – A mountain mover at 6-foot-2 and 290-pounds, Halsey is the anchor of the o-line. He was named OPSWA Division II Honorable Mention All-Ohio (OL) as a junior.

Wyatt Walker, Sr, LB – Another underrated Cougar who doesn’t get the just “love” he deserves in Southwest Ohio. The 2022 Second Team All-SWOC (LB) selection has 198 total tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception at the varsity level.

Brayden Smith, Sr, OLB – Back for a third year as a starter, Smith is a key component of the Cougars defense. He recorded 68 total tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, nine tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on his way to Second Team All-SWOC (LB) honors in 2022.

Brycen Robertson, Sr, DL – A pleasant surprise last fall. Robertson was named Second Team All-SWOC after getting in on 36 total tackles in his first season as a starter.

Declan Hitte, Sr, C – Fit in splendidly in his first year at the school earning Second Team All-SWOC (OL) accolades as a junior.

Brady Wagers, Sr, OL – Helped pave the way for the Edgewood offense to churn out 282.4 yards rushing per game, average 7.3 yards per carry with 44 rushing touchdowns in 2022. Wagers was named Second Team All-SWOC (OL) for his efforts.

OTHER RETURNEES
Offensive linemen, senior OT Kohen Moore and junior OG Braden Gunckle are part of a very special group up front. Returning on defense are seniors OLB Clay Halsey, LB Brayden Fitzwater, DL Talan Schmidt, DB Charles Flege and junior DB Xander Douglass. Halsey had 33 total tackles, three sacks and three fumble recoveries in 2022. Douglass tallied 31 total tackles and had an interception in his first season as a starter last fall.  Senior K/P David Rumpler is a star on special teams. He has 117 kicking points (99/109 XPs, 6/12 FGs) and 34 touchbacks on 130 kickoffs in his career.

NEWCOMERS
Seniors DL Austin McAbee, WR Alex O’Campo, juniors TE/LB Caden Sparks, SE/DB Isaac Rosenfelder, DL Elliot Besingi and DL Carter Smith are all going to push to make the rotation and hope to crack the starting lineup.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(16 appearances, 17-16 overall) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003 (State Runner-up), 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 (Regional Champion), 1998, 1997

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – MILFORD (9-3 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Clinton-Massie (7-6) – 7:00 PM
Sa – 09/02/23 – at Badin (13-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – at Talawanda (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – CHAMINADE JULIENNE (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Bellbrook (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – ROSS (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – VALLEY VIEW (13-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Franklin (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – at MONROE (7-5) – 7:00 PM

2023 ACTIVE LEADERS: SWBL

 

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