If you want to see the blueprint on how to build and maintain a winning program look no further than how they do it at Tippecanoe. Despite losing 21 seniors in each of the last three seasons the Red Devils are riding the wave of back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and two regional titles in the last four campaigns. Even though they return just five starters on offense and four on defense this program doesn’t seem to be losing its momentum anytime soon.
“We take great pride in being a developmental program and we can’t wait to see which players step up for us this year. Each year, we have a few players that take on this role and exceed our expectations. The cupboard in Tipp is not empty, and we look forward to putting another product on the field our community can be proud of,” head coach Matt Burgbacher states.
He goes on. “Our team strength is having the ability to practice 10 extra weeks over the last three years. This experience is invaluable to carryover to the next season. This group has tasted success and knows exactly what it will take. We lost quite a bit from last year’s squad, but we have plenty of experience coming back to continue building on the success we’ve enjoyed. This incoming freshman class is very talented and will add depth and competition to our practices that we need.”
OFFENSE
Senior Larkin Thomas is the heart and soul of the offense. One of the top quarterback’s in the state, Thomas is 24-2 as a starter and holds every passing record at Tippecanoe. He was a First Team All-Ohio selection as a junior.
Thomas will have plenty of weapons surrounding him including classmates Cade Havill, Grant Titley, James Merry and junior Bentley Heckman. Titley, who had a breakout year in 2025 is the Red Devils top threat on the outside. Havill is back at tight end after missing last season with an ankle injury. Merry will get the opportunity to replace Xavier Melton at running back.
Doing the blocking up front are seniors Cal Connors, Nick Wemple and junior Sam Adkins. Connors, the leader of the offensive line, was named Third Team All-Ohio a year ago and has 26 starts under his belt. Adkins is an emerging star who started all 14 games at left tackle as a sophomore.
DEFENSE
Anchoring the defensive line is Ryan Kolb, a Honorable Mention All-Ohio performer as a junior. Connors is also a force in the trenches. Merry had a breakout year at defensive end last fall. Junior Toby Hoover is on the other end and will be an every down player who is expected to make a huge impact up front. Adkins and Wemple will join them in the rotation.
Linebacker Raiden Nicholls will be the “QB” of the defense and replace Collin Isaac in the middle. Havill has the chance to also do big things at linebacker. Titley and Talan Hoover return as starters in the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Toby Hoover was a beast, recording six tackles on kickoffs inside the opponents 20-yard line last fall. Merry has been super as a long snapper. Handling the kicking duties will be senior Owen Baileys who missed 10 games last season but returned in time for the playoffs where he averaged 40.8 yards per punt.
Division III, Region 12
2025 RECORD: 13-1, 9-0 MVL Miami
COACH: Matt Burgbacher (68-18 at Tippecanoe, seven years; 149-51 overall, 17 years)
HONOR ROLL
Larkin Thomas, Sr, QB, 6-0/185
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division III First Team All-Ohio & TriState Football Dayton Offensive Player of the Year Finalist
2025 Stats: 2,429 PaYds, 27 PaTDs, 632 RuYds & 8 RuTDs
Career Stats: 5,108 PaYds, 65 PaTDs, 976 RuYds & 13 RuTDs
Cal Connors, Jr, OL/DL, 6-0/237
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division III 3rd Team All-Ohio (OL)
2025 Stats: 34 Tkls & 1.0 TFL
Ryan Kolb, Sr, DL, 6-2/250
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division III Honorable Mention All-Ohio (DL)
2025 Stats: 78 Tkls, 7.0 sacks, 14.5 TFLs, 3 FFs & 1 PD
Career Stats: 110 Tkls, 8.0 sacks, 18.0 TFLs, 3 FFs & 1 PD
James Merry, Sr, RB/DE/LS, 5-11/172
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-MVL
2025 Stats: 80 Tkls, 2.5 sacks, 6.0 TFLs, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 1 Int, 4 IRYs, 224 RuYds, 4 RuTDs & 18 KRYs
Career Stats: 86 Tkls, 2.5 sacks, 6.5 TFLs, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 1 Int, 4 IRYs, 277 RuYds, 5 RuTDs & 18 KRY
OTHER RETURNEES
Owen Baileys, Sr, K/P, 6-4/190
2025 Stats: 4G, 7/10 XPs, 2/4 FGs, long of 27 yards for 13 KPts, 34.7 on 14 punts, long of 58 yards, 3 In20, 0 TBs on 18 KOs
Career: 65/71 XPs, 8/12 FGs, Lng 27, for 89 KPts, 32.5 on 29 punts, long of 58 yards, 6 In20, 13 TBs on 101 KOs
Cade Havill, Sr, Hback/LB, 6-2/235
Career Stats: 24 rec., 293 ReYds, 5 ReTDs, 6 RuYds, 2 Tkls & 1 FR
Grant Titley, Sr, WR/DB, 6-2/180
2025 Stats: 28 rec., 407 ReYds, 4 ReTDs, 26 Tkls, 1.0 sack & 2.0 TFLs
Career Stats: 33 rec., 449 ReYds, 5 ReTDs, 26 Tkls, 1.0 sack & 2.0 TFLs
Raiden Nicholls, Sr, TE/LB, 5-11/175
2025 Stats: 86 Tkls, 1.0 sack, 7.5 TFLs, 1 FR, 1 PD, 1 Int, 12 IRYs, 4 rec & 51 ReYds
Talan Hoover, Sr, S, 5-10/140
2025 Stats: 35 Tkls, 1 PD, 1 Int & 25 IRYs
Career Stats: 36 Tkls, 1 PD, 3 Ints & 38 IRYs & 46 RuYds
Nick Wemple, Sr, OL/DL, 6-0/202
2025 Stats: 22 Tkls, 0.5 sacks, 2.0 TFLs & 1 FF
Toby Hoover, Jr, DE/ATH, 5-10/150
2025 Stats: 40 Tkls, 1.0 sack, 4.0 TFLs, 2 FFs & 5 FRs
Bentley Heckman, Jr, WR/DB, 5-10/155
2025 Stats: 5G, 14 rec, 129 ReYds & 76 KR/PRYs
Sam Adkins, Jr, OL/DL, 6-1/241
NEWCOMERS
Looking to leave their marks on the 2026 Red Devils for the first time will be seniors OL/DL Jack Tennant, OL/DL Isaac Broering, WR/DB David Alvarez, LB Parker Sutchell along with juniors OL/DL Jacob Riffell, OL/DL Corbin Zumwalt, WR/DB Kam Hypes and RB/DB Colston Artz.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(19 appearances, 20-19) – 2025 (Regional Champion), 2024, 2023, 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021, 2020, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – BELLBROOK (4-6 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – at Piqua (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Fairborn (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – STEBBINS (5-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – BUTLER (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – at Sidney (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – XENIA (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – at Greenville (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – at Troy (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – WEST CARROLLTON (0-10) – 7:00 PM
