2023 Snapshot: Ross
- Updated: August 14, 2023
Ross RB/DB Riley Caldwell (PHOTO BY AJ FULLAM/6SPHOTO.COM)
When adversity hits, you can make excuses and quit or adapt and show your character. Ross is looking to do the latter in 2023. The Rams will fight an uphill battle as one of the smallest schools in Division II. They believe they are up to the challenge.
“I wish I could say, that the levy failures haven’t hurt our numbers but truth of the matter is they have. This will be the smallest team roster we have fielded since we arrived seven years ago. Depth will play a major role in our success or failure. We just do not have the ability to possess two-to-three deep at each position on the field,” head coach Kenyon Commins states.
Then there are the unknowns of joining a new league. “We are extremely excited about the talent of this group and especially in certain areas on the field. This will be another version of what we try to produce year in and year out. We are just tough, gritty, hard-nosed players who play with a relentless effort. We will need all those things heading into our first year in the SWBL and with our non-conference schedule. This is a group that understands they are blazing a new path for our program by joining a new conference. They are excited to represent the Ross community on Friday nights in front of some new teams and fans. We, as a staff , will continue to push them past their limits to make sure that their representation is one that makes our community proud,” Commins says proudly.
Offensively, our strength lies up front with the offensive line. We return four starters. Three of them have started every game since their sophomore year. Their overall strength and experience will be huge for the success of Riley Caldwell and Emory Severance,” Commins chimes.
Commins digs his defense, “Defensively, our strength will be in the versatility of certain players, like Derrick Rack who can do it all. There is an unselfish desire on this side of ball. I know Coach Meyers is excited about it. The toughness of our defensive players will be huge for us late in games and as the year progresses.”
A grueling schedule, loaded with opportunities will push Ross to its limits. The road to the playoffs will be difficult but expect the Rams to have enough fuel in their tanks and gumption to be playing in November. They will not be an easy out, if they earn that chance.
Division II, Region 8
2022 RECORD: 6-6, 3-2 SWOC
COACH: Kenyon Commins (35-28 at Ross, six years; 35-28 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Trace Kirby, Sr, LT – The smallest of the Ross offensive linemen, but the toughest. Kirby was a Second Team All-SWOC selection as a junior.
Ross OL Trace Kirby (PHOTO BY AJ FULLAM/6SPHOTO.COM)
Derrick Rack, Sr, TE/DL/LB – The Rams Swiss Army knife who plays whatever position is best for the team. Rack was named Second Team All-SWOC (DL) after tallying 52 total tackles, three sacks and nine-and-a-half tackles for losses as a junior.
Riley Caldwell, Sr, RB/DB – Is the player everyone looks to. Caldwell is a three-year starter whose impact can be felt on both sides of the ball. A Second Team All-SWOC (RB) performer, a year ago Caldwell has 1,338 yards rushing, 1,765 all-purpose yards, 12 rushing touchdowns and 45 total tackles in his career.
Carson Adams, Sr, DB – Started every game as junior and just got better as the year went on. Adams registered 36 total tackles and had an interception on his way to Second Team All-SWOC honors.
OTHER RETURNEES
Austin Farris, Sr, LB – Back for his third season as a starter. Farris has 84 total tackles and one-and-a-half sacks in his career.
Justin Pence, Sr – The leader of a rugged group of offensive linemen who paved the way for an offense that averaged 221.5 yards rushing per game with 29 touchdowns on the ground in 2022.
Emory Severance, Jr, QB – Took over the quarterback position after Week 5 last fall and never looked back. Severance finished with 600 all-purpose yards (486 rush, 104 rec, 10 ret), 241 yards passing and accounted for 12 touchdowns (seven rush, five pass).
Ross QB Emory Severance (PHOTO BY AJ FULLAM/6SPHOTO.COM)
Blake Holmes, Jr, RT/DL – Another Ram that probably won’t come off the field. Holmes tallied 23 total tackles and three-and-a-half sacks as a sophomore.
Mason Shaw, Sr, LG – The biggest of the Ross o-linemen. Shaw has literally, grown into a huge role up front.
Brayden Bastin, Sr, DB – Will hold down one of the corner positions and be vital to the Rams success. Bastin recorded 31 total tackles, one-and-a-half sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior.
Noah Nichols, Sr, LB – Played huge part for the defense in 2022 and will be a major contributor again this season. Nichols was in on 33 total tackles and had three-and-a-half tackles for losses as a junior.
Robbie Reiners, Sr, LB – Like Nichols, Reiners is a main cog in this defense. He registered 32 total tackles and had a sack in 2022.
NEWCOMERS
Junior TE/LB Kellan Wright along with sophomores RB/DB Lucas Kunkel and TE/LB Brady Gillespie all have great shots at cracking the starting lineup. Kunkel and Gillespie made their varsity debuts as freshmen.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(10 appearances, 4-10) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2011, 2009, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1993
2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – WYOMING (15-1 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Mount Healthy (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Sa – 09/02/23 – NORTHWEST (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – WILMINGTON (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – at Jackson (10-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Waynesville (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – at Edgewood (11-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – FRANKLIN (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at MONROE (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – BELLBROOK (9-3) – 7:00 PM
2023 ACTIVE LEADERS: SWBL
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