2024 Video Snapshot: Winton Woods

By Greg Shoemaker
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Updated: July 18, 2024

A move up to Division I and a rough finish to 2023 isn’t deterring Winton Woods from focusing on its ultimate goal, winning a second state title in the last four years. Injuries got the best of the Warriors as they went 3-4 down the stretch last season after a 5-0 start. With a roster that is loaded with talent and healthy, Winton Woods more than capable of wreaking havoc against their schedule and being a huge menace in the playoffs.

Division I, Region 4
2023 RECORD: 8-4, 6-3 ECC
COACH: Chad Murphy (33-8 at Winton Woods, three years; 66-66 overall, 12 years)

HONOR ROLL
Justin Hill, Sr, LB – A disruptive force to say the least. Hill was a beast in 2023 with 13.0 sacks, 16.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and six pass breakups on his way to racking up OPSWA Division II First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Division II Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, ECC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-TriState Football and TSF Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year finalist honors. The University of Alabama commit heads into his final campaign with 78 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, 26.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, 11 pass breakups and a pick-six as a Warrior.

Delan Massey-Wright, Sr, DL – One of the best Division II defensive linemen in the state. In 2023, Massey-Wright was named OPSWA Division II First Team All-Ohio for a second straight season. Massey-Wright heads into his senior year with 98 total tackles, 15.5 sacks and 30.0 tackles for losses in a Warriors uniform. He has an Ivy League offer from Cornell.

Tyler Gooding, Sr, RB – Injuries slowed Gooding down in the second half of 2023 but he was super explosive the first five weeks of the year. In that five-game span, Gooding ran for 488 yards, averaged 9.2 yards per carry and found the end zone six times helping the Warriors get off to a 5-0 start. He was named Second Team All-ECC for his efforts.

Erick Morris, Sr, LB – The transfer from Northwest acquitted himself well in his first season as a Warrior. Morris was name Second Team All-ECC as a junior after earning First Team All-SWOC in 2022. Morris has 96 total tackles, five tackles for losses and two takeaways (one FR, one INT) at the varsity level.

Donmiel Rogers, Sr, DB – A real ball hawk, Rogers emerged as one of the top defensive backs in Cincinnati last fall. He was named OPSWA Division II First Team All-Ohio as a junior. Rogers has 67 total tackles, a sack, 20 pass breakups, one fumble recovery, five interceptions, a scoop-and-score, and a pick-six in his career. He has offers from Boston College, Bowling Green, Michigan, Toledo and West Virginia.

OTHER RETURNEES
Raphael “Big Ralph” Greene, Sr, OL – The monstrous Greene at 6-foot-6 and 320-pounds is the heart-and soul of the Warriors o-line. He has verbally committed to Toledo.

Da’Von Cain, Sr, DE – A key member of the d-line rotation. Cain recorded 18 total tackles and four sacks as a junior.

Seaonta Stewart Jr., Sr, DB – Injuries have kept Stewart Jr. from really displaying his full set of talents over the past two seasons. He is primed for a breakout senior campaign. Stewart Jr. has verbally committed to Indiana.

Winton Woods DB Seaonta Stewart Jr. (photo by Shelby Frieszell/TriStateFootball.com)

Keenan “K.J.” Brown, Sr, DL – Injuries curtailed Brown’s junior year. Like Stewart Jr., look for a big senior campaign out of Brown. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Brown has verbally committed to BGSU.

Charles Mathis, Sr, WR – The Warriors top returning receiver. Mathis has 16 receptions, 236 yards receiving and one touchdown at the varsity level.

Matthew Palmer, Sr, OL – A mountain of a man at 6-foot-6 and 345-pounds, Palmer creates some massive space up front. He is one of the biggest hidden gems (literally) without a Division I offer in the Cincinnati area.

Chaz Sanders, Sr, OL – A returning starter on the o-line. The 5-foot-10, 294-pound Sanders is out to help the Warriors improve on the 27 offensive touchdowns (16 rush, 11 pass) that they scored in 2023.

Barry Howard, Sr, OL – The anchor of the offensive line and a hugely underrated asset for the Warriors. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Howard is back for his third season as a starter.

Winton Woods OL Barry Howard (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Landen Anderson, Sr, LB – Adds depth and stability at linebacker. In seven games as a junior, Anderson recorded 14 total tackles with two-and-a-half tackles for losses.

Darrion Lumpkins, Sr, DB – A returning starter and a veteran presence in a deep Warriors secondary. Lumpkins has 42 total tackles, five tackles for losses, eight pass breakups and one interception at the varsity level.

Bryshawn Brown, Jr, QB – Long and lanky at 6-foot-6 and 185-pounds, Brown was thrust into the starting role for the Warriors final six games of 2023. He threw for 1,262 yards and seven touchdowns but the team averaged just 11.1 points in his starts. With a healthy Gooding and Garrett in the backfield to compliment Brown those scoring numbers should skyrocket. He has offers from Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky, Marshall and Toledo.

Julian McGhee, Jr, OL – The baby of the o-line bunch at 5-foot-9 and 285-pounds. A returning starter, McGhee helped the Warriors amass 3,163 yards of total offense last fall.

Isaiah Garrett, So, RB – The future is bright for the young Garrett. Like Gooding injuries slowed Garrett down in the back half of 2023. He still managed to run for 444 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. He already has offers from Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan, Purdue and West Virginia.
Freshmen of Influence: Class of 2027

NEWCOMERS
A pair of junior transfers from Colerain RB Tristan Cornist and WR Terrell Burton add depth at the offensive skills positions. Cornist, a track star, will get his share of carries along with Gooding and Garrett. Burton, a big target at 6-foot-4, has offers from Kent State, Miami (OH) and Toledo.

Promising sophomore offensive linemen OL Lual Aleu at 6-foot-5 and 290-pounds and OL Lael Jones at 6-foot-4 and 315-pounds are stars waiting to happen. Aleu has offers from Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky, Marshall, Toledo, Western Kentucky and West Virginia. Classmate DE/OLB Jaylen Mercer has been a hot commodity, grabbing offers this offseason from Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, UMass, Michigan State, Oregon, Purdue, USC, Tennessee and Toledo.

Junior DB Rihyael Kelley is all set to join the secondary and make an impact. Kelley has offers from Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Kent State and West Virginia.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(15 appearances, 29-13) – 2023, 2022, 2021 (State Champion), 2020, 2018 (Regional Champion), 2017 (State Runner-up), 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009 (State Champion), 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – at Springfield (10-6 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – KINGS (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – MILFORD (11-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – at Turpin (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – WALNUT HILLS (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – LITTLE MIAMI (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – at Loveland (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – WEST CLERMONT (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – at Anderson (13-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – LEBANON (7-4) – 7:00 PM