Wildcats hope for breakthrough

NEW LONDON — The long road back is starting to take shape. After being forced to play 8-man football from 2021 to 2023, New London returned to 11-man football in the Firelands Conference in 2024 and 2025. The Wildcats started 2-1 in 2024 but lost all seven FC games for a 2-8 overall mark. Last season, they were again 2-1 after three games before going 1-6 in the FC for a 3-7 record. This season, New London has a 36-man roster and some key returners to the skilled positions. It also is entering the second year of a brand new football stadium in its hopes of finishing stronger than the previous two years. "I think the kids definitely want it, and we've seen it in our scrimmage and even in our 7-on-7's that we did," sixth-year head coach Jon Harrison said. "They are really attacking and being aggressive instead of sitting back and waiting for something to happen. "We know our biggest strength is we have some skilled guys who can do some damage when we get them in the right situations in the open field," he added. "We simplified the offense, and they are just playing confidently so that they can play fast and downhill." Offense The Wildcats bring back a four-year starter at quarterback in senior Jarrett Mencl (6-foot, 175). "We want Jarrett to be the best decision-maker on the field," Harrison said. "We want him to get the ball to his athletes and let them do their thing. That's what we're basing the offense on, his decision-making. "He looks comfortable and understands where he needs to go with the ball. We're really starting to hone in on the new offense, and he understands what we're asking him to do." Junior Jackson Mitchell (6-3, 175) is back as the top receiving target after earning All-FC honorable mention in 2025. He will be joined by sophomore Shane Dobias (5-9, 175), senior Landon Harrison (6-1, 190) and sophomore Brody Thomas (6-0, 180). "Shane will have a bigger role, then Brody and Landon will be hybrid-type players at receiver, running back and even tight end, depending on how we're lined up," Harrison said. "When we get Shane in space, he will take his athleticism and use it, and Jackson can outjump anyone for the ball. "Things like that will be useful, or when we do screens, which will be a big part of our offense. We have a lot of weapons." Sophomore Henry Thomas (6-0, 165) is at running back. "He's going to be a workhorse back there to get us some momentum in the run game," Harrison said. "Then we can use the screen game to complement the two." Senior Ethan Koch (6-2, 195) is another four-year starter at center. "He's always wanted to play tight end, but we've always needed him on the line, and he's been willing to do it," Harrison said. On a similar note, senior David Hostetler (5-8, 180) and David Goble (5-7, 180) are guards after both were initially set to be running backs. "But they unselfishly went to the line to try and make us better," Harrison said. Junior Connar Hillis (5-10, 180), junior Lucas Boswell (6-0, 175), senior Jackson Hartman (6-0, 265) and senior Riley Zabor (5-6, 260) are also going to be working at tackle and serving as depth. "We're not going to be power style and push guys into the ground, but more of a quick get in the way and let our athletes be athletes," Harrison said. Defense Along the defensive line will be Koch, who returns from last season, along with junior Lucas Boswell (6-0, 175) and several others who are also working on the offensive line. Brody Thomas, Goble, Landon Harrison and Hostetler will be the linebackers, while Dobias is at free safety. Others in the secondary include Mitchell, Henry Thomas, junior Tristan Kent (6-1, 165) and junior Alex Koch (6-1, 160). "We can rotate those four or five and be solid in coverage," Harrison said. The coach noted the team is keeping the same defense from a year ago with some added wrinkles to the schemes. "The kids are used to playing with it," he said. "Last year it was our strong point in games until we couldn't hold up on our end late in games. But it was our strong point last year. "I think it can be the same thing to give us opportunities to get the ball back on offense and take some of that weight off of them, and the offense will help in that aspect." Special teams Mitchell will return as the placekicker on kickoffs, while Landon Harrison will take over punting duties for his cousin, Oliver, who is now punting at Bluffton University. The Wildcats are still working on the extra point and field goal kicker, with Landon Harrison and Henry Thomas vying for the spot. 2026 schedule Aug. 21: at Woodmore, 7 p.m. Aug. 28: Loudonville, 7 p.m. Sept. 4: at Waynedale, 7 p.m. Sept. 11: Crestview, 7 p.m. Sept. 18: Monroeville, 7 p.m. Sept. 26: at St. Paul, 7 p.m. Oct. 2: TBD, 7 p.m. Oct. 9: Mapleton, 7 p.m. Oct. 16: at South Central, 7 p.m. Oct. 23: Western Reserve, 7 p.m. 2025 results (3-7) New London 28, Millersport 14 Bishop Rosecrans 36, New London 18 New London 49, Vanlue 0 Crestview 42, New London 0 Monroeville 55, New London 13 St. Paul 47, New London 6 Plymouth 20, New London 12 New London 6, Mapleton 4 South Central 32, New London 0 Western Reserve 47, New London 0 2026 roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 2 Jackson Mitchell WR/DB 6-3 175 11 3 Alex Koch WR/DB 6-1 160 11 4 Brody Thomas WR/LB 6-0 180 10 5 Shane Dobias WR/DB 5-9 175 10 6 Landon Mitterling WR/LB 5-10 145 11 7 Jarrett Mencl QB/DB 6-0 175 12 8 Landon Harrison WR/DB 6-1 190 12 9 Tristan Kent WR/DB 6-1 165 11 10 John Speicher WR/LB 5-11 165 11 11 Henry Thomas RB/DB 6-0 165 10 13 Braylon Harrison WR/ILB 6-0 145 9 20 Raymond Kowalski RB/LB 6-0 165 9 21 Cameron Keene WR/DB 5-5 160 9 23 Patrick Yoxtheimer QB/DB 6-0 180 11 28 Jeremiah Moore QB/DB 6-1 155 11 33 RJ Yelley WR/LB 5-11 155 12 35 Avion Hodge OL/LB 5-10 185 9 42 Edward Daniel RB/LB 5-11 165 10 45 Logan Hatfield WR/DL 5-11 220 11 47 Locke Johnson OL/DL 6-2 240 9 49 Lyric Hillis OL/DL 6-1 185 12 50 Lucas Boswell OL/LB 6-0 175 11 52 Connar Hillis OL/LB 5-10 180 11 54 David Hostetler OL/LB 5-8 180 12 55 Ethan Koch OL/DL 6-2 195 12 56 David Goble OL/LB 5-7 180 11 60 Harvey Fawcett OL/DL 5-7 200 9 62 Tate Stevens OL/DL 5-8 265 9 65 Riley Zabor OL/DL 5-6 260 12 66 Evan Wiles OL/DL 5-11 225 9 75 Salem Westcott OL/DL 5-10 250 9 77 Jackson Hartman OL/DL 6-0 265 12 78 Isaac Hovatter OL/DL 5-7 170 10 79 Steven Hostetler OL/DL 5-8 230 10