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2024 Video Snapshot: Anderson

They aren’t satisfied with last season’s regional title, the first for the school since 2008. Anderson isn’t about to rest on its laurels in 2024. The Raptors believe they have what it takes to bring home a state championship. With seven starters back on both sides of the ball, no goal is too large for this team to accomplish.

Division II, Region 8
2023 RECORD: 13-2, 8-1 ECC
COACH: Evan Dreyer (70-27 at Anderson, eight years; 114-55 overall, 15 years)

HONOR ROLL
Justice Burnam, Sr, QB – Was simply outstanding in his first year as a starter. Burnam threw for 4,186 yards, tossed 41 touchdown passes (tied for 39th most in a single season in Ohio history), ran for 596 yards and seven more scores. He was named OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Ohio, Third Team All-TriState Football and TSF Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year Finalist as a junior.

Cam Mathis, Sr, OL – The leader and anchor of an offensive line that helped pave the way for the Raptors to 441 yards of total offense and 40.0 points per game in 2023. Mathis was named Second Team All-ECC for his work.

Caden Piening, Sr, TE/DE – At 6-foot-4 and 230- pounds the two-time OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District selection is a load to deal with on both sides of the ball. The University of Central Florida commit heads into his senior season with 44 receptions for 676 yards and 10 touchdown catches. He also has 28 career tackles.

Reid Baker, Jr, LB – Brings a blue-collar, tough-mindedness to the Raptors defense. In his first year as a starter Baker was in on 74 total tackles, with four sacks and 13.5 tackles for losses earning Honorable Mention All-ECC accolades as a sophomore.

Trace Jallick, Sr, WR – The silky-smooth receiver was named OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District for his efforts. He reeled in 120 balls (10th most in a season in Ohio history) for 1,267 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. Jallick has offers from Akron, Brown, Dartmouth, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State and Miami (OH).

OTHER RETURNEES
Tommy Huster, Sr, LB – Plays with a relentless attitude. Back for his third season as a starter, Huster has 105 total tackles, 10.0 sacks, 17.5 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery in a Raptors uniform.

Owen Bergman, Sr, LB – Along with Huster, Bergman is the heart-and-a soul of the Anderson defense. Las fall Bergman was in on 66 total tackles, with a sack, four-and-a-half tackles for losses and an interception.

Alex Stanyard, Sr, DL – The coaching staff is looking to Stanyard to help guide a young d-line through early season jitters. As a junior, Stanyard recorded total tackles, had five sacks and 13.5 tackles for losses.

Ashton “Ace” Alston, So, DB – Exploded onto the scene as one of the top players in the Class of 2027. As a freshman Alston was in on 11 pass break-ups, had an interception, a fumble recovery, two tackles for losses and 46 total tackles. Alston has nabbed offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Bowling Green, Duke, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kent State, Kentucky, Missouri, Oregon, Purdue, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Antwoine Higgins, So, LB – The real deal. When it is all said and done, Higgins may be the most heavily recruited player in Anderson history. He had 53 total tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, six tackles for losses, four pass breakups and one interception as a freshman. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Higgins has become a hot commodity since the season ended picking up offers that include Arkansas, Boston College, Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, UMass, Oregon, Purdue, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Freshmen of Influence: Class of 2027

NEWCOMERS
Senior transfers RB Durrell Turner from Simon Kenton and former Purcell Marian classmates DL Jayden Egbert and DB Jayonn Saunders are welcomed additions who will fill big roles from voids left because of graduation. Turner ran for 1,401 yards and 13 touchdowns on his way to Division I All-NKY honors as a junior. Egbert had nine sacks and 65 total tackles earning OPSWA Division V Second Team All-Southwest District accolades in 2023. Saunders was named OPSWA Division V First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division V Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, MVC Scarlet Defensive Player of the Year and Tri State Football Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year Finalist after snaring nine interceptions for a second straight season in 2023. Saunders has 120 total tackles, 19 interceptions, two pick-sixes, 33 receptions, 597 yards receiving, three touchdown catches, one rushing score and one punt return for a touchdown, in his career.

Senior WR Aiden McClanahan, junior LB Brady Kuhn along with sophomores WR Cooper Kathman and WR Tegan Jallick are all battling for playing time in the rotation. McClanahan is no stranger to the end zone with three of his 10 catches in 2023 going for scores.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(17 appearances, 25-16) – 2023 (Regional Champion) 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – SOUTH OLDHAM (6-5 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at West Clermont (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – LITTLE MIAMI (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – at Lebanon (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – KINGS (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at Milford (11-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – TURPIN (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at Walnut Hills (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – at Winton Woods (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at Loveland (5-6) – 7:00 PM

TOUGH LUCK
Twenty-six of the 27 Anderson losses under Dreyer have come to teams that went on to make the playoffs. Those 26 postseason qualifiers went a combined 218-57 for .792 winning percentage.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
In 97 games under Dreyer, the Raptors have scored 40 points or more 56 times. Anderson is averaging 38.4 points per game with Dreyer as the head coach.

 2024 Active Leaders: ECC

 

 

 

 

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