They have built an incredible program at Winton Woods. The Warriors haven’t finished below .500 since 2001. They have won 10 or more games in a season eight times since 2008.
“We are hungry and ready to reload,” Winton Woods head coach Chad Murphy states. The Warriors only two losses a year ago were to Division II state runner-up Anderson and in the playoffs to eventual Division I regional runner-up St. Xavier. With a strong nucleus returning from a defense that held opponents to 8.5 points per game with four shutouts in 2024 and a ginormous offensive line leading the way for an elite quarterback and running back Winton Woods is set up once again for a very successful season.
Division I, Region 4
2024 RECORD: 10-2, 8-1 ECC
COACH: Chad Murphy (43-10 at Winton Woods, four years; 76-68 overall, 13 years)
HONOR ROLL
Isaiah Garrett, Jr, RB – Came on strong down the stretch last fall with five games of 111 yards or more rushing the final six weeks of the season. Garrett finished with 1,011 yards on the ground, nine rushing touchdowns, 15 receptions for 137 yards and amassed 1,176 all-purpose yards on his way to being named OPSMA Division I Honorable Mention All-Southwest District. For Garrett, 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns rushing are very reasonable and achievable goals as a junior.
Nate Dawson, Sr, DB – A leader of the defense who had a breakout junior year. Dawson tallied 17 tackles, had a forced fumble, eight pass breakups and two interceptions including a pick six on his way to Second Team All-ECC honors.
Jon’ir Travis, Sr, WR/ATH – An electrifying talent who is primed for a monster senior campaign. Travis found the end zone five times (four rec, one PR) on 25 touches for 487 yards (337 yards on 21 receptions, 150 yards on four punt returns) on his way to Second Team All-ECC accolades as a junior.
Bryshawn Brown, Sr, QB – Added 40-pounds to his frame this off season. Brown was named Honorable Mention All-ECC as a junior. Brown has thrown for 2,723 yards with 21 passing and five rushing touchdowns in his career.
TOP RETURNEES
It all starts up front on offense for Winton Woods with seniors OL Julian McGhee, OL Chris Mimms, OL Julian Eichert and highly recruited junior OL Lual Aleu who will be paving the way for some very good skill positions players. Brown should have plenty of time to throw to Travis, senior WR Terrell Burton and junior WR Chris Mathis. Burton is hungry to show off his abilities. In six games a year ago, Mathis had 14 receptions of which four went for touchdowns.
The Warriors will have one of the best cores of defensive linemen in Ohio with juniors DE Kehyon Roberts, DE Jaylen Mercer, DT Lael Jones and sophomore DT Jayden McKinney. This should be the year when Mercer becomes a dominating force on a weekly basis. McKinney, a rising star, had 17 tackles, four tackles for losses and a fumble recovery as a freshman.
The secondary, led by seniors DB Dawson, DB Rihyael Kelley, DB Josiah Hill and junior Ka’Ronn Daugherty are going to get plenty of interception opportunities with the pressure the aforementioned front four is going to put on opposing quarterbacks. Dawson, Hill and Daugherty all had pick-sixes a year ago. The Winton Woods defense turned 19 turnovers into seven touchdowns (four IRs, three FRs) in 2024.
OFFERS AND COMMITMENTS
Rihyael Kelley, Sr, 6-3/175 – committed to Alabama.
Nate Dawson, Sr, 6-2/170 – committed to Miami (OH).
Bryshawn Brown, Sr, 6-6/215 – committed to Northern Illinois.
Terrell Burton, Sr, 6-4/175 – offers from Kent State, Miami (OH), Toledo & Western Michigan.
Jaylen Mercer, Jr, 6-5/230 – offers from Arizona State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, UMass, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Stanford, USC, Tennessee, Toledo, Virginia Tech, Western Michigan & Wisconsin.
Lual Aleu, Jr, 6-5/295 – offers from Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Florida, Kent State, Kentucky, Liberty, Marshall, Maryland, Miami (OH), Missouri, Pitt, Temple, Toledo, Virginia, Western Kentucky & West Virginia.
Isaiah Garrett, Jr, 5-9/175 – offers from Bowling Green, Georgia Tech, Kent State, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Purdue, Toledo & West Virginia.
Kehyon Roberts, Jr, 6-3-213 – offer from Minnesota.
Lael Jones, Jr, 6-4/330 – offers from Eastern Kentucky.
Jayden McKinney, So, 6-3/263 – offers from Indiana, Liberty, Miami (OH), Minnesota, Purdue & Toledo.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(16 appearances, 30-14) – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 (State Champion), 2020, 2018 (Regional Champion), 2017 (State Runner-up), 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009 (State Champion), 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998
2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – SPRINGFIELD (6-5 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – at Kings (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – at Milford (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – TURPIN (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – at Walnut Hills (1-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – LITTLE MIAMI (1-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – LOVELAND (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – at West Clermont (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – ANDERSON (15-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – at Lebanon (7-4)– 7:00 PM
2025 Active Leaders: ECC
