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2025 Snapshot: Taylor

Taylor OL/DE Mike Branch (photo from X: @TaylorHSFB)

They are hungry for more at Taylor. The Yellow Jackets won 10 games and picked up two victories in the playoffs for the first time in program history. With many key members returning from that this team is more than equipped to reach greater heights.

“We lost a great senior class, but they also helped to raise the bar. After a 10-3 season and our playoff experience, this team has momentum. That taste of success has fueled the drive to build on those accomplishments, Head coach David Dransman states.

Taylor has an envious mix of talent. There are veterans, younger players that have had big moments at the varsity level and a group that is itching to prove themselves under the Friday night lights for the first time. The Yellow Jackets have the depth and versatility that will be hard for foes to handle. The opportunities to create mismatches for Dransman and his staff are going to be boundless.

“This team will have a strong core of starters and playmakers returning. Offensively, this group should hit the ground running and look to build upon the success of 2024,” Dransman says. Added in the Yellow Jackets size up front and this unit could be a juggernaut on the scoreboard.

On the other side of the ball Dransman has some obstacles to overcome. “Defensively, we have lost some big difference makers. This group must be up to the task in ‘25.”

A first regional title and more for Taylor is a legitimate possibility but they must not take for granted what lies ahead to make a run in an incredibly deep Region 16 that includes regional champion Taft, Alter who knocked the Yellow Jackets out of the playoffs a year ago, CHL rivals Wyoming and Indian Hill as well as Valley View and Eaton. Like Taylor all of the aforementioned have the potential to be special with the talent they return. The road is going to be tough come November but bank on the kids from Cleves making their presence felt.

Division IV, Region 16
2024 RECORD: 10-3, 6-1 CHL
COACH: David Dransman (23-21 at Taylor, four years; 23-21 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Aaron McFarland, Sr, WR/ DB – Arguably Ohio’s best receiver in Division IV and one of the top’s in the entire state. McFarland was named OPSMA Division IV First Team All-Ohio (Second Team as a sophomore) after catching 74 balls for 1,081 yards with 15 touchdowns catches, 1,576 all-purpose yards and 108 points scored (17 TDs, three 2-pt conv). On defense, he had 29 tackles, 4.0 tackles for losses, a forced fumble, three pass breakups and three interceptions including a pick-six. For his career, McFarland has 148 receptions, 2,783 yards receiving, 37 touchdown receptions (tied for 23rd most in Ohio history), 3,735 all-purpose yards, 41 total touchdowns, 260 points scored, 77 tackles, 5.0 tackles for losses, four forced fumbles, nine pass breakups and five takeaways (four INTs, one FR). His offers include West Virginia, Toledo, Kent State, Miami (OH), Marshall, Eastern Kentucky, UMass and East Carolina.

Taylor WR/DB Aaron McFarland (photo from X: @TaylorHSFB)

Mike Branch, Sr, OL/TE/DE – For the past three years Branch has been a force in the trenches. He was named OPSMA Division IV Third Team All-Ohio after tallying 79 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 18.0 tackles for losses with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a junior. Branch has 164  tackles, 17.5 sacks, 46.0 tackles for losses, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his career. He has an offer from Miami (OH). 

Charlie Kantz, Jr, QB – Look for Kantz to take on more of a leadership role after throwing for 2,645 yards and 28 touchdowns as a sophomore. His work earned him OPSMA Division IV Honorable Mention All-Southwest District and First Team All-CHL accolades.

Ryan Massie-Cable, Jr, OL/DL – The big man found his footing in 2024 and made waves on both sides of the ball. Massie-Cable was in on 38 tackles, had 2.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for losses and a forced fumble. On offense, he was named OPSMA Division IV Second Team All-Southwest District and First Team All-CHL as a lineman. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Massie-Cable has an offer from Toledo and should have more by the time the season starts.

Taylor OL/DL Ryan Massie-Cable (photo from X: @TaylorHSFB)

Easton Schrimpf, Sr, RB/LB – A two-way stud who is a key component to Taylor’s success. As a junior, Schrimpf led the Yellow Jackets with 902 yards rushing and had 15 touchdowns (12 rush, three rec). On defense, he was second on the team with 82 tackles, had 2.0 sacks, 6.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a pick six. He was named Second Team All-CHL for his efforts.

Jeremiah Jones, So, WR/DB – Had a solid year at cornerback and finished strong at receiver as a freshman. Jones averaged 24.2 yards (363 yards receiving) on 15 receptions with three touchdown catches. On defense, he recorded 13 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions on his way to Honorable Mention All-CHL acclaim. Jones will be an impact player for the Yellow Jackets, he showed  a sampling of what is to come averaging 33.0 yards on eight catches with a touchdown reception in three playoff games.

Taylor ER/DB Jeremiah Jones (photo from X: @TaylorHSFB)

OTHER RETURNEES
George Lehmann, Jr, OL/DL – A starter since he was a freshman, Lehmann came into his own on defense as a sophomore. He will be a huge part of what the Yellow Jackets are in 2025. Lehmann was in on 30 tackles, had a sack, 4.0 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

Will Gooding, Jr, WR/TE/LB – Will be utilized in a bigger role this fall and play on both sides of the ball. Gooding had 44 tackles and 3.0 tackles for losses as a sophomore.

Anquan Evans, Jr, RB/WR/LB – A very slick runner on offense and a player who loves contact on defense. Evans was only able to play in five games as a sophomore due to transfer eligibility but still made his presence felt with 100 yards rushing and a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.  
 
Cooper Sandusky, So, WR/TE/LB – Became a starter by the end of 2024 at receiver. Sandusky’s 6-foot-6 frame is a huge asset in the passing game. He finished his rookie campaign with 11 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

Taylor WR Cooper Sandusky (photo from X: @TaylorHSFB)

Tommy Bedel, So, OL/DL – Played sparingly as a freshman but has the ability to be a prime time player. Bedel will be playing on both sides of the ball.

NEWCOMERS
Juniors OL Stelios Stavropoulos, LB Bryce Clayton, OLB/DB Ryan Wehking, OLB/DB Logan Kordenbrock, WR/TE/OLB Colton Tenhundfeld and sophomore DB Jacob Everett will be called upon to fill voids left due to graduation. Clayton is the only one in the bunch with any varsity experience. He played in nine games with 15 tackles and a sack a year ago.

Taylor LB Bryce Clayton (photo from X: @TaylorHSFB)

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(four appearances, 3-4) – 2024, 2021, 2020, 2014

2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – at Talawanda (3-8 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – LAWRENCEBURG (IN)(10-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – at Woodward (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – MARIEMONT (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – at Wyoming (11-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – INDIAN HILL (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – at Reading (5-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – DEER PARK (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – MADEIRA (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – at Finneytown (1-9) – 7:00 PM

 

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