Even though they haven’t had a winning season since 2022, Northwest will consider it a disappointment if they don’t finish above .500 this fall. The Knights will play three teams that finished 2025, 0-10 and two other schools that went 1-9. They will only face two squads that had winning records a year ago.
Even though the goals are lofty for Northwest, head coach Brandon Schon knows there are still some mental challenges. “We have to learn how to get over the hump. We are still learning how to win.”
The Knights have been through the wars and are returning nine starters on offense and eight on defense to go to combat again. “We have four returners who will be four year starters and six who will be three year starters. We have a lot of experience coming back,” Schon states.
Hezikiah Kelley and Jaylen Lilly highlight the marquee for Northwest. They have been standouts on defense the past three seasons combining for 223 tackles, 12 takeaways and 26 passes defended. Expect them to have monster seasons on offense behind a veteran offensive line that includes seniors Eli Neri, Austin Ashurst and Jamir Phifer.
The time has come for the Knights to turn potential into production (in the win column). Look for Northwest to honor that commitment and have one of the best seasons in program history.
Division III, Region 12
2025 RECORD: 4-6, 1-2 SWOC
HEAD COACH: Brandon Schon, 7-23 at Northwest, three years; 7-23 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Hezikiah Kelley, Sr, ATH, 6-2/190
College Offers: BGSU, Cincinnati, UConn, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Georgia State, Illinois, James Madison, Kent State, Kentucky, Marshall, Michigan, Miami (OH), Ohio, Pitt, Temple & Toledo.
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division II Honorable Mention All-Ohio
2025 Stats: 49 RuYds, 2 RuTDs, 14 rec., 255 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 265 KR/PRYs, 1 PRTD, 61 Tkls, 2.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 FR, 5 PDs & 1 Int
Career Stats: 48 RuYds, 2 RuTDs, 42 rec., 636 ReYds, 3 ReTDs, 730 KR/PRYs, 1 PRTD, 1,421 APYds, 143 TotTkls, 1.0 sack, 3.0 TFLs, 2 FF, 1 FR, 16 PDs, 4 Ints & 7 IRYs
Jaylen Lilly, Sr, ATH, 6-0/190
College Offers: Kent State
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division II Honorable Mention All-Ohio & SWOC Defensive Player of the Year
2025 Stats: 707 PaYds, 6 PaTDs, 311 RuYds, 4 RuTDs, 31 KRYs, 40 Tkls, 5.5 TFLs, 2 FRs, 1 FRTD, 4 PDs, 4 Ints, 50 IRYs & 2 IRTDs
Career Stats: 764 PaYds, 6 PaTDs, 402 RuYds, 4 RuTDs, 3 rec., 26 ReYds, 79 KRYs, 80 Tkls, 10.5 TFLs, 2 FRs, 1 FRTD, 10 PDs, 5 Ints, 50 IRYs & 2 IRTDs
Ethan Dixon, Sr, RB/LB, 6-2/220
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division II Honorable Mention All-Southwest District
2025 Stats: 591 RuYds, 8 RuTDs, 1 rec., 14 ReYds, 42 KRYs, 52 Tkls, 6.0 sacks, 8.0 TFLs, 1 FF & 3 FRs
Career Stats: 616 RuYds, 9 RuTDs, 1 rec., 14 ReYds, 42 KRYs, 108 Tkls, 6.0 sacks, 13.5 TFLs, 2 FFs, 3 FRs & 1 PD
Eli Sterling, Sr, WR/DB, 6-0/170
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division II Honorable Mention All-Southwest District
2025 Stats: 17 RuYds, 12 rec., 147 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 101 KRYs, 34 Tkls, 2.5 TFLs, 1 FF, 5 PDs & 3 Ints
Eli Neri, Sr, C, 6-2/280
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division II Honorable Mention All-Southwest District
OTHER RETURNEES
Austin Ashurst, Sr, OG, 6-0/245
Jamiro Phifer, Sr, OL, 6-1/245
J’veon Jackson, Jr, WR, 6-0/170
2025 Stats: 8 rec., 74 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 27 KRYs & 3 Tkls
DJ Akemon, Jr, ATH, 5-11/200
2025 Stats: 32 Tkls, 2.0 TFLs & 1 FR
NEWCOMERS
Kiren Session, Jr, CB, 6-0/175
DJ Jones, Jr, DB, 5-8/155
Langston Riley, Jr, TE, 5-10/170
J’vohn Jones, So, LB, 5-8/ 180
Demonte Gee, Sr, OL/DL, 5-11/240
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(six appearances, 1-6) – 2022, 2020, 2014, 2013, 2012, 1990
2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – WILMINGTON (5-5 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – at Reading (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – ROSS (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – at Carroll (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – WOODWARD (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – MOUNT HEALTHY (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – TALAWANDA (10-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – at Dunbar (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – at KIPP (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – at Harrison (9-4) – 7:00 PM
