There are far more answers than there are questions about CCPA heading into the 2026 season. They are big in the trenches, incredibly athletic and gifted at the skill positions, extremely experienced and highly decorated with five All-Ohio, six All-Southwest District and 15 All-CMAC Blue honorees returning from a year ago. To put it quite simply, the Lions who have made the playoffs seven straight years, “will look the part.”
“I’m very excited about the 2026 season. We have 95% of our team back. Our offseason has been great and we’ll be a very physical team. Our expectations are very high. We expect to make a deep run in the postseason,” head coach Jeff Cargile states.
He goes on. “We won our third consecutive CMAC Championship last season. Experience will be our strength. We have 16 seniors and most of them have been playing varsity football since their freshman year.
The focal point of the offense is Marlan Robertson. He ran for 120 yards or more seven times last season. Junior quarterback Kenmarion McCray is back for his third year as a starter. There is plenty of girth up front with seniors Ramad Jacobs (250 lbs), Jaden Pankey (270 lbs) and Maleek Reese (270 lbs) paving the way.
The CCPA defense comes at opponents with relentless pressure. Five times in the last nine contests the Lions posted shutouts a year ago. Seniors Sir Michael Miller (33.0), a preseason Division VII Ohio Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Charles Howard (26.0) and Robertson (13.0) spearheaded that unit, combining for 72.0 tackles for losses. An opportunistic secondary took full advantage of the situation as classmate Ramik Bell reeled in six interceptions.
As good as this team looks on paper, the road to the Division VII, Region 28 regional title still runs through Marion Local. Cargile knows what is required of the Lions to upset the status quo. “We have to make sure we stay locked in and don’t take anything for granted.” If they can do that, CCPA has a real shot at bringing home the first ever Division VII regional title for a Hamilton County school.
Division VII, Region 28
2025 RECORD: 8-3, 2-0 CMAC Blue
COACH: Jeff Cargile (29-14 at CCPA, four years; 65-26 overall, nine years)
TOP RETURNEES
Sir Michael Miller, Sr, TE/DL, 6-3/225
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division VII First Team All-Ohio (DL) & CMAC Blue Defensive Player of the Year
2025 Honors: 38 RuYds, 13 rec., 190 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 108 Tkls, 20.0 sacks & 30.0 TFLs
Career Stats: 38 RuYds, 13 rec., 190 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 207 Tkls, 29.0 sacks & 63.5 TFLs & 1 FR*
Ramik Bell, Sr, WR/DB, 6-3/192
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division VII First Team All-Ohio
2025 Honors: 13 rec., 216 ReYds, 5 ReTDs, 66 Tkls, 1.0 TFLs, 15 PDs, 6 Ints & 121 IRYs
Career Stats: 13 rec., 216 ReYds, 5 ReTDs, 123 Tkls, 6.0 TFLs, 19 PDs, 8 Ints, 154 IRYs & 1 IRTD*
Marlan Robertson, Sr, RB/OLB, 5-10/170
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division VII Honorable Mention All-Ohio (RB) & CMAC Blue Athlete of the Year
2025 Stats: 1,253 RuYds, 13 RuTDs, 1 rec., 25 ReYds, 75 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 13.0 TFLs & 1 PD as jr. / Career Stats: 1,748 RuYds, 17 RuTDs, 6 rec., 65 ReYds, 1,833 APYds, 176 Tkls, 2.0 sacks, 30.5 TFLs, 3 FFs, 2 FRs, 4 PDs, 2 Ints, 20 IRYs*
Mario Meatchem, Sr, WR/DB, 5-11, 170
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division VII Honorable Mention All-Ohio (DB)
2025 Stats: 19 rec., 281 ReYds, 7 ReTDs, 252 KR/PRYs, 50 Tkls, 11 PDs, 2 Ints & 3 IRYs
Career Stats: 20 rec., 284 ReYds, 7 ReTDs, 252 KR/PRYs, 96 Tkls, 1.0 TFL, 1 FR, 14 PDs, 4 Ints & 23 IRYs*
Ramad Jacobs, Sr, OL, 6-1/250
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division VII Honorable Mention All-Ohio (OL)
Charles Howard, Sr, OL/DE, 5-11/226
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division VII Second Team All-SW District (LB)
2025 Stats: 92 Tkls, 9.0 sacks, 26.0 TFLs, 2 FFs & 2 FRs
Career Stats: 126 Tkls, 11.5 sacks, 31.5 TFLs, 3 FFs & 2 FRs*
Jermaine Ramsey, Sr, DB, 5-10/170
2025 Honors: Second Team All-CMAC Blue
2025 Stats: 132 RuYds, 4 RuTDs, 1 rec, 37 ReYds, 246 KR/PRYs, 1 KRTD, 1 PRTD, 62 Tkls, 2.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 FR & 10 PDs
Career Stats: 132 RuYds, 4 RuTDs, 1 rec, 37 ReYds, 246 KR/PRYs, 1 KRTD, 1 PRTD, 79 Tkls, 2.5 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 FR & 11 PDs*
Jaden Pankey, Sr, OL, 6-0/ 270
2025 Honors: Second Team All-CMAC Blue
Maleek Reese, Sr, OL, 6-3/270
2025 Honors: Second Team All-CMAC Blue
Kenmarion McCray, Jr, QB, 5-10/160
2025 Honors: Second Team All-CMAC Blue
2025 Stats: 1,351 PaYds, 16 PaTDs & 150 RuYds
Career: 2,525 PaYds, 33 PaTDs, 332 RuYds & 1 RuTD*
Ryan Drew, Jr, LB, 6-0, 210
2025 Honors: Second Team All-CMAC Blue
2025 Stats: 73 Tkls, 3.0 sacks & 10.0 TFLs
Career Stats: 137 Tkls, 3.0 sacks, 11.0 TFLs & 1 FR*
Martavion Evans, Jr, WR, 6-3/170
2025 Honors: Second Team All-CMAC Blue
2025 Stats: 8 rec., 219 ReYds & 2 ReTDs
Kendrick Napier, Jr, WR, 5-9/160
2025 Honors: Second Team All-CMAC Blue
2025 Stats: 4 rec., 416 ReYds, 4 ReTDs, 6 Tkls & 6 PDs
Kenny Powe, Jr, LB, 5-7/165
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-CMAC Blue
2025 Stats: 75 Tkls, 1.0 sack, 9.5 TFLs, 1 FR, 2 PDs, 1 Int & 5 IRYs
Dontez Reed-Wade, Jr, DE, 6-2/220
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-CMAC Blue
2025 Stats: 32 Tkls, 3.0 sacks & 5.0 TFLs
*Career Stats Do NOT include playoff games from 2024 & 2023
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(seven appearances, 4-7) – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – CEDARVILLE (7-6 in 2025) – 7:00 PM at Western Hills H.S.
Sa – 08/29/26 – EASTMOOR ACADEMY (4-6) – 1:00 PM at Woodward H.S.
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Dunbar (3-7) – 7:00 PM at Welcome Stadium
Th – 09/10/26 – at Cincinnati Country Day (9-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – MEADOWDALE (5-5) – 6:30 PM at Western Hills H.S.
Fri – 09/25/26 – KIPP (0-10) – 6:30 PM at Woodward H.S.
Fri – 10/02/26 – DAYTON CHRISTIAN (6-5) – 6:30 PM at Walnut Hills H.S.
Sa – 10/10/26 – SHRODER (5-5) – 1:00 PM at Woodward H.S.
Fri – 10/16/26 – at Gamble Montessori (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Sa – 10/24/26 – at Stivers (2-8) – 7:00 PM
