Before 2019 Xenia had never been to the playoffs, now it has been to the last seven tournaments. In order to keep tht streak alive head coach Mo Harden is going to ask a ton of new faces to step up and deliver on Friday nights.
The Buccaneers returns just three starters on defense and six on offense. Just how young is this squad? Five of the six team captains are underclassmen. It’s crazy to think that there is only one senior captain.
What is coming back on offense are some very talented skills positions players led by junior quarterback Gage Stephan. Marqus Keller and DeMarco Ruffin are primed for breakout years after showing that Friday night lights weren’t too big for them as freshmen.
The bar has been set high for the defense after the unit allowed just 13.2 points per game in 2025. Seniors Kyran Rackley, Alex Gragg and junior TT Thompson will be called upon to provide leadership.
The Xenia players know how and what it takes to win. The 18 victories that this team has accrued over the past two campaigns are the most by the program over a two-year period in the 21st century. Expect the Buccaneers to keep their winning ways to keep going in 2026.
Division II, Region 8
2025 RECORD: 8-3, 7-2 MVL
COACH: Maurice “Mo” Harden (39-16 at Xenia, five years; 39-16 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Gage Stephan, Jr, QB, 6-1/200 (captain)
Offers from: Kent State & Miami (OH)
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division II Honorble Mention All-Southwest District
2025 Stats: 1,343 PaYds, 17 PaTDs, 45 RuYds & 2 RuTDs
Kyran Rackley, Sr, DL, 6-3/250
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-MVL
2025 Stats: 42 Tkls, 2.0 sacks, 4.5 TFLs & 2 FRs
Career Stats: 65 Tkls, 2.0 sacks, 7.5 TFLs & 2 FRs
Max Greene, Jr, OL, 6-2/250 (captain)
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-MVL
OTHER RETURNEES
Alex Gragg, Sr, OLB, 6-0/180 (captain)
2025 Stats: 46 Tkls, 2.5 sacks, 3.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 Int, 29 IRYs & 1 IRTD
Career: 57 Tkls, 4.5 sacks, 5.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 Int, 29 IRYs & 1 IRTD
Jaxon Austin, Jr, TE, 6-4/210 (captain)
Committed to: Cincinnati
2025 Stats: 5 rec., 48 ReYds & 3 ReTDs
Tyler (TT) Thompson, Jr, DB, 5-10, 165 (captain)
2025 Stats: 53 Tkls, 2.0 TFLs, 3 PDs, 2 Ints & 2 IRYs Career Stats: 102 Tkls, 2.0 TFLs, 5 PDs, 2 Ints & 2 IRYs
Blake Sutton-Shumway, Jr, K, 5-9/165
2025 Stats: 43/51 XPs, 1/3 FGs, Lng 43 for 46 KPts, 23 TBs on 61 KOs
Marqus Keller, So, RB, 5-10/195
Offers from: Kent State & Miami (OH)
2025 Stats: 324 RuYds, 6.9/carry & 2 RuTDs
DeMarco Ruffin, So, WR, 6-0/175
Offers from: BGSU & Miami (OH)
2025 Stats: 23 rec., 319 ReYds, 2 ReTDs & 59 KRYs
NEWCOMER
Jamison Williams, So, LB, 5-10/175 (captain)
2025 Stats: 6G, 16 Tkls, 2.0 TFLs & 1 Int
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(seven appearances, 2-7) – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – at Beavercreek (4-6 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – TROY (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – BUTLER (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – at West Carrollton (0-10)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – at Sidney (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – PIQUA (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Tippecanoe (13-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – FAIRBORN (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – GREENVILLE (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – at Stebbins (5-5) – 7:00 PM
