As always, Alter will face a very difficult non-conference portion of its slate this fall but expect the Knights to make their 26th consecutive playoff appearance. The school’s 25 consecutive trips to the postseason is tied with Steubenville for third most in Ohio history (Stuebenville, 2001-2025) trailing only Mogadore with 27 (1999-2025) and record holder Coldwater with 29 (1997-2025). It tells the tale of just how good and stable this program has been under head coach Ed Domsitz.
The teams that Alter will face were a combined 58-55 (.513 winning %) in 2025. The Knights have fallen to Week 9 foe Badin six straight times (last win 2020) and nine times in their last 10 meetings. Fairmont has also given Alter problems having taken them down in four of the last five season openers. The Knights haven’t started a year 2-0 since 2019 (3-0). Despit the obstacles along the way, Alter always seems to be playing its best football come playoff time.
Here is a look at the 2026 Alter Knights schedule:
Th – 08/20/26 – at Fairmont (5-6 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – CARDINAL RITTER (IN)(3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Taft (11-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – at Trotwood-Madison (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – at Bellbrook (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – BISHOP FENWICK (6-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Carroll (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – at McNicholas (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – BADIN (10-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – CHAMINADE JULIENNE (1-9) – 7:00 PM
ALTER KNIGHTS
Division III, Region 12
2025 RECORD: 8-4, 4-1 GCL Co-ed
HEAD COACH: Ed Domsitz (311-100 at Alter, 34 years; 396-184overall, 50 years)
PLAYOFF HISTORY (31 appearances, 60-29) – 2025, 2024, 2023 (State Runner-up), 2022, 2021, 2020 (Regional Champion), 2019, 2018 (State Runner-up), 2017, 2016 (Regional Champion), 2015, 2014 (State Runner-up), 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 (State Champion), 2008 (State Champion), 2007, 2006 (State Runner-up), 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 (Regional Champion), 2001 (Regional Champion), 1996, 1992, 1991, 1987 (Regional Champion), 1984 (Regional Champion), 1983
TOP RETURNEES
Drew Cripps, Sr, DB, 5-11/170
Committed to: Miami (OH)
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division III First Team All-Ohio (RB), GCLC Co-OPOY, Second Team All-TSF (RB) & TriState Football Dayton Offensive Player of the Year Finalist
2025 Stats: 999 RuYds, 14 RuTDs, 19 rec., 309 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 589 KR/PRYs, 22.6/PR, 30.1 KR, 1 PRTD, 2,051 APYds, 18 TotTDs, 73 Tkls, 5.0 TFLs, 3 Ints, 150 IRYs & 1 IRTD
Career Stats: 2,005 RuYds, 25 RuTDs, 26 rec., 369 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 1,205 KR/PRYs, 1 PRTD, 3,733 APYds, 29 TotTDs, 208 TotTkls, 14.0 TFLs, 2 FRs, 4 Ints, 150 IRYs & 1 IRTD
Jake Botti, Sr, LB, 5-9/190
2025 Honors: First Team All-GCL Co-ed
2025 Stats: 95 Tkls, 10.0 TFLs, 1 FR, 1 FRTD 69 RuYds & 3 RuTDs
Career Stats: 117 Tkls, 10.0 TFLs, 1 FR, 1 FRTD, 25 KRYs, 180 RuYds & 3 RuTDs
Tanner Edmonds, Sr, OL, 5-9/250
2025 Honors: First Team All-GCL Co-ed
Dash Koelker, Jr, DL, 6-3/225
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL Co-ed
2025 Stats: 55 Tkls, 9.0 TFLs & 1 FF
Career Stats: 105 Tkls, 15.0 TFLs & 1 FF
Isaac Manfre, Sr, DL, 6-3/260
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL Co-ed
2025 Stats: 40 Tkls
Career Stats: 74 Tkls & 2.0 TFLs
Chimdi Eze, Sr, TE/DE, 6-3/205
Committed to: Army
2025 Stats: 7G, 5 rec., 29 ReYds, 15 KRYs & 2 Tkls
Israel Jamaica, Jr, OL/DL, 6-3/280
2025 Stats: 37 Tkls & 3.0 TFLs
Brody Heyne, Sr , DB
2025 Stats: 20 Tkls & 1 FR
Matt Ventura, Jr, K
2025 Stats: 37/42 XPs, 0/1 FGs for 37 KPts
Quadrell Thomas, Sr, DB, 5-8/160
2025 Stats: 27 Tkls & 1.0 TFL
FINAL TAKE: This senior class has been through the wars. They have been a part of 28 wins, nine playoff victories, 42 games, a regional runner-up and a state runner-up finish since they walked onto campus. This battle tested group is well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Alter is a legitimate contender to win a Region 12 title no matter what their record might be when the regular season ends.
