It was a very historical 2024 campaign for CCPA. The Lions set a school record with nine victories in a season, won back-to-back conference titles for the first time in school history, made their sixth straight playoff appearance and first trip to the regional semifinals. The 2025 squad is confident that there is more to come and that this run is only just beginning.
“I’m very excited about the upcoming season. We’re looking to build on the success we had last season. We’re going to be young in age, but experienced in playing time. Most of the 2027 class has been either a starter or played significant roles since their freshman year. Our expectations are very high and we expect to make another deep run in the playoffs,” head coach Jeff Cargile states.
The Lions have some holes to replace on offense with the graduation of seven seniors on this side of the ball. However, there are players who have shown moments of being capable of filling those voids.
“Our team strength will be our defense. We have nine returning starters and most of them have been starters since their freshman year,” Cargile states. In eight of its nine wins last fall CCPA held its victims to nine points or less including four shutouts.
This is a talented, well coached team who will face a challenging schedule that will prepare them for the gauntlet of the Region 28 playoffs. Reaching last year’s heights and then some is not a far-fetched notion for this pride.
Division VII, Region 28
2024 RECORD: 9-3, 2-0 CMAC Blue
HEAD COACH: Jeff Cargilel (22-11 at CCPA, three years; 59-23 overall, eight years)
HONOR ROLL
Sir Michael Miller, Jr, OL/DL – The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Miller can wreak mass destruction on opposing backfields. He is a legitimate candidate for Region 28 Defensive Player of the Year for the next two seasons. Not including the last two playoff games, a year ago, Miller had 69 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 24.5 tackles for losses and a fumble on his way to OPSMA Division VII Second Team All-Southwest District (DL) honors.
Marlan Robertson, Jr, RB/S – Will play a major role on both sides of the ball. Robertson earned OPSMA Division VII Second Team All-Southwest District accolades at linebacker as a sophomore. On offense, he also ran for more than 500 yards and four touchdowns. Robertson has more than 100 tackles, 17.5 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and four takeaways heading in his career.
Kenmarion McCray, So, QB – Performed quite well as a freshman and should have a monster 2025 campaign. McCray was named Second Team All-CMAC Blue after throwing for more than 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Mario Meatchem, Jr, WR/DB – A Second Team All-CMAC Blue selection a year ago, Meatchem has a nose for the ball. He recorded 44 tackles and had three takeaways two INTs, one FR) as a sophomore.
Ramik Bell, Jr, WR/DB – Had a bust out sophomore campaign. Bell had 57 tackles, 5.0 tackles for losses, four pass breakups and two interceptions including a pick-six which was the games only score in the Lions 6-0 victory over Shroder. He was named Second Team All-CMAC Blue for his efforts.
Ramad Jacobs, Jr, OL – A three-year starter and the leader of the o-line. The young Lions up front are going to rely heavily on Jacobs. He was named Honorable Mentions All-CMAC Blue as a sophomore.
OTHER RETURNEES
Jermaine Ramsey, Jr, S – Teams with classmates Meatchem and Bell to make a formidable secondary. Ramsey will get plenty of opportunities to be a playmaker behind a defensive front that is going to put a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks on passing downs.
Eries Evans, Sr, LB/ATH – Injuries curtailed Evans’ junior year after starting at quarterback as a sophomore. He will move to linebacker and lineup in multiple positions on offense this season. Evans amassed 737 yards of total offense (340 pass, 397 rush) and accounted for six touchdowns (three pass, three rush) in his first two varsity campaigns.
Charles Howard, Jr, DE – When healthy Howard can be an absolute force on the d-line. In five games as a sophomore he was in on 34 tackles with 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for losses and one forced fumble.
NEWCOMERS
Senior TE/LB Bryson Mitchell, junior OL Jaden Pankey, and sophomore WR/DB Kendrick Napier could immediately step in and fill big holes left by graduation. Pankey adds great size up front at 6-foot-0 and 260-pounds.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(six appearances, 4-6) – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – at Cedarville (4-6 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – at Eastmoor Academy (4-6) – TBA
Fri – 09/05/25 – DUNBAR (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – CINCINNATI COUNTRY DAY (11-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – at Meadowdale (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – KIPP (1-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – at Dayton Christian (4-6) – TBD
Fri – 10/10/25 – SHRODER (7-4) – 6:30 PM
Sa – 10/18/25 – GAMBLE MONTESSORI (0-8) – TBD
Sa – 10/25/25 – STIVERS (N/A) – TBD
BUILDING A WINNER
This is the 16th season of CCPA football. In the first nine years, the program went a combined 26-58 (.309 winning %) with only one winning season, 5-4 in 2012. Since then the Lions have made the playoffs in six consecutive seasons with a combined record of 40-22 (.645 winning %).
CCPA is also riding on the waves of its first back-to-back winning seasons in school history. The 16 victories over that period are also the most in a two-year span in school history and 24% of the program’s all-time wins.
