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2024 Snapshot: Cincinnati Country Day

Cincinnati Country Day LRB Lee Thomas (photo by Kyle Yackey)

What a ride it has been for the Cincinnati Country Day seniors. As freshmen they couldn’t even finish the season due to a lack of healthy players. A year later they rebound, win 10 games and make it to the regional semifinals. Last fall the Nighthawks in the Class of 2025 were the nucleus of squad that went undefeated in the regular season and end the year 12-1. They are back for one last go around and to write one final chapter of what should be an exciting storybook ending to their careers.

As good as things have been the past two campaigns head coach Dennis Coyle does worry about his seniors being complacent and the underclassmen being mature enough to carry the torch that they are being handed. “It will be critical for this group to have a good offseason and develop the grit and toughness that has allowed us to experience our recent success.”

Defense set the tone for Cincinnati Country Day in 2023. The Nighthawks were stupendous recording seven shutouts and allowing just 20 total points in the regular season. A large portion of that units core that forced 33 turnovers and had 79.5 tackles for losses returns.

The CCD offense wasn’t too shabby either racking up 4,709 total yards (3,340 rush, 1,369 pass), posting 41.0 points per game with 69 trips to the end zone (50 rush, 19 pass) a year ago. The majority of that incredibly productive crew is also back.

The road to the regional championship in Region 24 now goes through small school powerhouse, Coldwater. Cincinnati Country Day knows it will have to elevate its game to a whole new level in the postseason to bring the home the schools first regional crown in 29 years. With so many veterans returning expect the Nighthawks to be in the hunt to end that title drought.

Division VI, Region 24
2023 RECORD: 12-1, 5-0 MVC Gray
COACH: Dennis Coyle (31-19 at Cincinnati Country Day, five years; 79-77 overall, 15 years)

TOP RETURNEES
Lee Thomas, Sr, RB/DB – One of the premier players in Division VI. Thomas will be a contender for Offensive Player of the Year in Division VI. He is coming off a junior campaign in which he ran for 1,503 yards and 26 touchdowns to earn OPSWA Division VI First Team All-Ohio honors. Thomas has racked 2,820 yards rushing, 3,248 all-purpose yards, 44 rushing touchdowns, one touchdown catch and two passing touchdowns in his career. He is also an outstanding defense back recording 104 total tackles, four tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 11 pass breakups, four interceptions and a pick-six at the varsity level.

Cincinnati Country Day DB Ryan Coyle (photo by Kyle Yackey)

Ryan Coyle, Sr, DB – Like classmate Thomas, Coyle is one of the upper echelon players in División VI and will be in the talks for the Defensive Player of the Year. Coyle was in on 106 total tackles, had 10 tackles for losses, a sack, three forced fumbles and five takeaways (three INT, two FRs) to earn OPSWA Division VI Second Team All-Ohio (DB) honors in 2023. His 293 total tackles are second most in school history. Coyle has been a stat sheet stuffer in his career with five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, eight interceptions, 1,407 yards rushing, 18 touchdowns on the ground, 15 receptions for 263 yards and one touchdown catch to go along with all of his tackles.

Lucas Donahue, Jr, OL/DL – A big and physical presence up front, Donahue has all-state potential. As a sophomore, Donahue was named OPSWA Division VI Second Team All-Southwest District (OL). He has 55 total tackles, four tackles for losses, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery heading into his junior year.

Teagen Davis, Sr, FB/LB – It was an excellent varsity debut for Davis in 2023. He tallied 82 total tackles, had nine tackles for losses and one-and-a-half sacks on his way to First Team All-MVC Gray accolades.

Patrick Ramage, Sr, OL/DL – A team captain and a four-year starter who is a smart and physical player. A First Team All-MVC Gray selection as a junior, Ramage has recorded 256 total tackles, 13 tackles for losses with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two interceptions in a Nighthawks uniform.

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

Bryce Snell, Sr, WR/DB – The Nighthawks top target at receiver, Snell is athletic and skilled. He was named First Team All-MVC Gray after reeling in 33 receptions for 471 yards receiving and seven touchdown catches in 2023. Of Snell’s 49 career receptions (for 608 yards), 10 have gone for touchdowns.

Will Robinson, Jr, OL/LB – Will start on both sides of the ball this season. Robinson was a Second Team All-MVC Gray selection as a sophomore. He has 50 total tackles and two fumble recoveries in his career.

Brandon Proffitt, Jr, WR/CB – Emerged as one of the Nighthawks key players in 2023. Proffitt was named Second Team All-MVC Gray for his efforts. He heads into his junior campaign with 100 total tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, 12 pass breakups and three interceptions.

Elijah Guttman, Sr, QB – Has the strong arm and the athleticism that will help the CCD offense be more diverse in 2023. A two-time Honorable Mention All-MVC Gray performer, Guttman has thrown for 881 yards, ran for 117 yards with 11 touchdown tosses and one rushing score in his career.

David Fields, So, WR/DB – May be the best sophomore route runner in the city. The Nighthawks staff is expecting big things from Fields in 2023. He named Honorable Mention All-MVC Gray after catching 22 balls for 180 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. Fields also had 14 total tackles, with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on defense.

NEWCOMERS
Myles Shaw, Jr, OL/DL – Will start on both sides of the ball, bringing much need depth in the trenches.

Thomas Huckleby, Fr, RB/WR/DB – The fastest player on the team who is also very athletic. The coaching staff expects Huckleby to have a great career at CCD.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(17 appearances, 9-17 overall) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1995 (Regional Champion), 1994, 1991 (Regional Champion), 1990, 1989, 1987, 1986

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – at Summit Country Day (3-7 in 2023)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – BLANCHESTER (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – at North College Hill (1-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – CCPA (7-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – CLERMONT NORTHEASTERN (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at MVCA (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – CLARK MONTESSORI (4-5) – 7:00 PM
Th – 10/10/24 – at New Miami (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – LOCKLAND (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (8-3) – 7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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