When you talk about being a model of consistency for winning football look no further than the Kings program. The Knights have not had a losing season since 2009. Since that ill-fated campaign 16 years ago, the team has gone a combined 132-41 (.763 winning %) with six seasons of 11 victories or more. With nine starters back on offense and six returning on defense from 2024’s nine win squad, Kings looks like it is in line again for another huge year.
“We feel really good about this team and the way the offseason has been progressing. We have a lot of players that have seen some significant varsity playing time. This senior class has shown great strides in leadership. This is going to be a great team to coach this fall,” an excited head coach Alex Garvin exudes. “This team is hungry to win!”
Garvin and the staff have some areas to address. “Our entire 2024 defensive line graduated so we have a lot of question marks there. Our o-line will be undersized in the later rounds of the playoffs so we will have to scheme for the bigger defensive line teams.”
If Kings just does what it does best, it will be a recipe for huge success. This offense will be fun to watch and will light up the scoreboard. The Knights have weapons and can spread the wealth gratuitously. Special teams will have the advantage almost every Friday night in the kicking punting games. The defense under Garvin, has been very opportunistic. In his six seasons (including the Covid year of 2020), Kings has created 160 takeaways (105 INTs, 55 FRs), amassed 1,413 interception return yards with 21 defensive touchdowns (14 IRs, seven FRs).
Division II, Region 8
2024 RECORD: 9-3, 7-2 ECC
COACH: Alex Garvin (52-17 at Kings, six years; 52-17 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Jacob Rudowski, Sr, DB/P – A defensive stud and a special teams weapon. Rudowski was named OPSMA Division II Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a punter (Third Team All-Ohio in 2023) and Third Team All-TSF after averaging 41.3 yards on 24 punts (long of 62 yards) as a junior. He also had 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for losses and returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns. Rudowski has averaged 40.9 yards on 61 punts (long of 71-yards), placed 13 of those punts inside the opponents 20-yard line, with 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for losses, six interceptions, 172 interception return yards and two pick-sixes in his career.
Grant Nurre, Sr, QB – A Second Team All-ECC selection last fall, Nurre is back for his third season as a starter. He blossomed as a dual-threat quarterback as a junior. Nurre has thrown for 4,357 yards, ran for 269 yards and with 33 touchdown passes and six rushing scores in his career.
OTHER RETURNEES
Aiden Sanders, Sr, OL – A three-year starter and the leader of the offensive line. Sanders helped pave the way for a Knights offense that averaged 329.4 yards of total offense per game in 2024.
Sean Salyers, Sr, OL – Teams with Sanders to provide senior leadership in the trenches. Salyers helped open the holes that led to 30 rushing touchdowns a year ago.
Max Lockwood, Sr, RB – Will slide into the role of the Knights number one option in the run game. Lockwood finished with 416 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as a junior.
Jaxon Frisk, Sr, WR – A three-year starter Fisk will be one of Nurre’s top targets. He has 23 receptions for 335 yards and two touchdowns in Knights uniform.
Jackson Bake, Sr, RB/WR/DB – Keeps defenses honest because he can line up in so many different spots and be a threat at each. Bake has 40 receptions for 396 yards, 181 yards rushing, 679 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns at the varsity level.
Andrew Lyman, Jr, WR – All signs point to a breakout junior year for Lyman. He has 11 receptions for 119 yards at the varsity level. Lyman has an offer from UMass.
Nathan Tucker, Jr, WR – Has a knack for being in the middle of big plays. Tucker threw a 52-yard touchdown pass, ran for a 76-yard score and had an 81-yard touchdown reception on 16 offensive touches as a sophomore.
Ben Lockwood, Sr, ILB – Rebounded well after being injured as a sophomore. Lockwood tallied 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for losses and one interception last fall.
Josh Cassio, Sr, LB – Did a nice job of being a disruptor in opposing backfields as a junior. Cassio was in on 28 tackles, had 2.0 sacks, 6.5 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery.
Grady McKelvey, Sr, S – A leader in the secondary who is back for a second year as a starter. McKelvey had 27 tackles and a pair of takeaways (one FR, on INT) as a junior.
Trent Hogan, Sr, CB – Tied Rudowski for the team lead in interceptions with three in 2024. He also had 23 tackles.
Logan Burke, Sr, LB – Limited to just five games in 2024, Burke was still productive. Three of his 11 tackles went for losses and he had two pass breakups.
Charlie Pearson, Jr, OL – Had a solid sophomore campaign in his first year as a starter. The underclassmen linemen are going to look to Pearson for guidance.
Noah Magrino, Jr, K – Was excellent in his varsity debut connecting on 41/42 extra points, 5/8 field goals (long of 42 yards) for 56 kicking points as a sophomore.
NEWCOMERS
Senior OL/DL Will Thomas and junior DL/OLB Jack Pearson are expected to fill open starting spots.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(19 appearances, 22-19) – 2024, 2023, 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999
2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – at Sycamore (10-3 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – WINTON WOODS (10-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – LOVELAND (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – at West Clermont (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – ANDERSON (15-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – at Lebanon (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – at Little Miami (1-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – MILFORD (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – at Turpin (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – WALNUT HILLS (1-10) – 7:00 PM
2025 Active Leaders: ECC
