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2024 Snapshot: Springboro

Springboro OLB Aiden Weimer (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

Things didn’t go as planned for Springboro last fall. A 2-9 finish was not the way things should have ended. Now, the Panthers are looking to rebound and make the playoffs for a school record sixth straight time.

“We had a great season in 2022, but alot of injuries and problems with turnovers led to a disappointing season in 2023. This team is looking to get things right. The effort and attitudes have been excellent this offseason. It’s a complete page turn from last year and there appears to be no lasting effects from struggles of last year,” head coach Ryan Wilhite states.

The positivity is a huge plus but Wilhite knows his team still has to execute on both sides of the ball. “We have alot of experience on offense and return three linemen. If our o-line can protect our young quarterbacks while they grow up and we can establish a running game to take pressure off of them, this offense has a chance to be much improved from last season.”

Wilhite goes on. “Defensively we lost a ton from last year. This unit will be tested but we appear to be solid at a lot of positions. We are a senior heavy along the defensive line but with not much experience. This group could go from a weakness to a strength, though. They are very hard working, blue collar. We will have a team effort approach with relentless effort and pursuit to the football.”

Last season was an aberration. It was the program’s first losing campaign since 2011. Look for Springboro to bounce back and finish on the winning side of the ledger.

Division I, Region 2
2023 RECORD: 2-9, 2-5 GWOC
COACH: Ryan Wilhite (117-71 at Springboro, 18 years; 117-71 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Aiden Weimer, Sr, OLB – Back for his third season as a starter, Weimer is the heart-and-soul of the Springboro defense. A Second Team All-GWOC selection as a junior, Weimer has 190 total tackles, 14.0 sacks, 28 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and seven pass breakups in his career.

Springboro WR/DB Jaxon Long (photo from: X: @jaxonlong6)

OTHER RETURNEES
Brayden Wilhite, Sr, WR – Will be one of the focal points of the offense after a breakout junior campaign. Wilhite had 31 receptions, 321 yards receiving and two touchdowns a year ago.

Braylen Smith, Sr, TE – Will be the Panthers starter at tight end. Smith is still looking for his first varsity reception.

Jackson Dulle, Sr, OL – A returning starter up front, Dulle will be called upon to provide senior leadership on the o-line.

Joseph Schenking, Sr, OL – Like Dulle the coaching staff will look to Schenking to be a leader in the trenches.

Jack Harper, Jr, OL – One of the teams most pleasant surprises in 2023. Harper graded out as the Panthers top offensive lineman. He will move from right tackle to left tackle.

Mattias Brunicardi, Jr, RB – The staff is excited to see what Brunicardi can do. In Week 8 at last fall against Wayne, he ran for 171 of his 256 yards and his only touchdown on the season.

Jaxon Long, Jr, WR/DB – Will team with Wilhite to give the Panthers a potent punch at receiver. Long caught balls for 227 yards. He also had 13 total tackles as a sophomore.

Kam Minteer, Sr, DB – Was rock solid in his first year as a starter last fall. Minteer recorded 43 total tackles, had two-and-a-half sacks, one forced fumble and a pass breakup.

Nick Bratton, Jr, DB – Came on strong over the last half of 2023. Bratton finished with 13 total tackles in Weeks 6 through 10.

Springboro QB Max Miller (photo from: X: @maximmillerQB12)

NEWCOMERS
Senior OLB Jake Cane, juniors OLB Evan Weinberg, DB Drew Balogh as well as sophomores QB Aidan Newdigate and QB Max Miller are all battling for spots in the rotation and starting roles. Miller and Newdigate are in a tight race for the quarterback job.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(13 appearances, 6-13) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2005, 2004, 1999

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – LITTLE MIAMI (1-9 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at Edgewood (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – at Elder (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – WAYNE (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – NORTHMONT (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at Springfield (10-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – BEAVERCREEK (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at Fairmont (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – CENTERVILLE (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at Miamisburg (8-4) – 7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

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