Wildcats want to take the next step

NEW LONDON — The hardest part may be over. But the road back is no easier for the New London football team. For the first time since the shortened 2020 season, the Wildcats played 11-man football in 2024. A lack of numbers forced the program into competing in 8-man and junior varsity football from 2021-23. And while the results were uneven, the Wildcats did manage to win two games last season. However, in Firelands Conference play, the 'Cats were outscored 357-37 over seven games. That was an average score of 51-5. After consecutive 6-4 seasons in 2012 and 2023, New London is 17-64 since. "I think the biggest part about this year is we definitely have some experience now with our seniors," fifth-year head coach Jon Harrison said. "They've been here all four years. We have seven seniors who have gone through it. That has definitely helped us with our offseason and setting goals." Harrison said the senior class has also helped stabilize the roster. After 31 players on the preseason roster in 2023, it was 32 last season and now 34 for the upcoming 2025 season. "They are a class that wants to set a tone for the future of the program, and I think that's shown in our practices," Harrison said. "Last year, getting the taste of the return to varsity football helped and made them understand what they needed to do in the summer to get ready for this season." Offense Harrison is looking for the center of his offense to lead the way this fall. Chase Cooke (5-foot-8, 160) is a four-year varsity player and team captain at center. "He is going to hold down the front of that line and is very important to us," Harrison said. "Because around him, we're kind of young and are plugging some kids in and out, trying to find the right guys for the right spots." Junior quarterback Jarrett Mencl (6-0, 180) is back for a third season. He was 90-of-160 passing for 976 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024. Senior Hunter Chandley (5-9, 205) returns behind both of them in the backfield. "Jarrett is in his third year and has definitely grown a lot with experience under him, and he's also a captain as well," Harrison said. "Our biggest weapon on offense is Hunter, who is another four-year senior." Harrison said Chandley is the workhorse of the team at all times. "He missed most of the summer, but it's because he was in basic training camp," Harrison said. "He's already elevated the team's level of physicality since he got back. That's what he does. "Hunter sets the tone, and they know they have to work as hard as he does. He's going to be a big factor for us." Harrison said another key senior is receiver Keith Squire (6-2, 215). "Another four-year target for Jarrett," he said. "Keith is a big kid out there, and we want him to be able to really contribute with the ball in his hands. Those experienced guys will lead the way." Still, Harrison said the biggest area the Wildcats need to work on is finding the right balance of players around Cooke on the line. "That's where the game is won and lost," he said. "If you don't have the right guys, it will take a toll on the offense. Our focus in the offseason has been there. We have younger kids and first-time players trying to step in there. "In our first scrimmage against Willard, we did do a lot better than previous years, but we're not quite where we want to be. The picture is coming into focus, but it all starts with that offensive line." Defense Squire figures to be the anchor of the defensive line at one of the end positions. Senior Oliver Harrison (6-1, 210) and Chandley are behind him to lead the linebackers. "They both make physical plays and will play aggressively," Harrison said. Junior Gabe Ellis (6-2, 195) is another linebacker who Harrison said brings quickness and physicality to the position. "Those are guys we're looking to really count on," he said. Harrison said the Wildcats need to play fast, attack, and tackle well to make big improvements from last season. "Those are our three keys to being successful on the defensive side," he said. "We've been really preaching that all summer. A lot of that comes with playing physically, but we also have a new defensive coordinator taking over. "It is a different sense of urgency on defense, and I think it will show. We've been playing well, but little mistakes tend to get us out of alignment we need to be in. In our first scrimmage, Willard hurt us there a couple of times." Oliver Harrison returns to punt, while Landon Harrison will handle kickoffs, extra points, and field goal attempts. There is also another level of excitement this season in New London. After 55 years at Recreation Park across town, the football team opens a brand-new stadium outside the high school. The first official game is set for Aug. 29 against Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans. "We're all excited for the new field," Harrison said. "I played and coached on the old field, and there are a lot of memories to cherish. But this is almost like a fresh start. We came back to varsity 11-man last year, and now a new stadium this year. "We haven't talked about it a lot as a group, but we all know we're excited to be out there. It's going to be different, but it's something we'll be able to take great pride in. We want to get everyone excited not only for the new stadium but also by what we put on the field." 2025 schedule Aug. 22: at Millersport, 7 p.m. Aug. 29: Bishop Rosecrans, 7 p.m. Sept. 5: Vanlue, 7 p.m. Sept. 12: at Ashland Crestview, 7 p.m. Sept. 19: at Monroeville, 7 p.m. Sept. 26: St. Paul, 7 p.m. Oct. 3: Plymouth, 7 p.m. Oct. 10: at Ashland Mapleton, 7 p.m. Oct. 17: South Central, 7 p.m. Oct. 24: at Western Reserve, 7 p.m. 2024 results (2-8) New London 34, Millersport 20 Bishop Rosecrans 41, New London 14 New London 44, Vanlue 8 South Central 33, New London 12 Ashland Crestview 67, New London 0 Monroeville 71, New London 0 St. Paul 55, New London 0 Plymouth 40, New London 12 Ashland Mapleton 47, New London 13 Western Reserve 44, New London 0 2025 roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 2 Jackson Mitchell QB/WR/DB 6-2 165 10 3 Morgan Randleman WR/DB 5-7 125 9 4 Brody Thomas WR/S 5-11165 9 5 Shane Dobias 5-7 145 9 6 Landon Mitterling WR/DB 5-10 135 10 7 Jarrett Menci QB/DB 6-0 180 11 8 Landon Harrison WR/DB 6-1 185 11 9 John Spiecher WR/DB 5-11 150 10 10 Gabe Ellis WR/LB 6-2 195 11 11 Jaxon Spiecher OL/LB 5-11 180 12 13 RJ Yelley WR/LB 5-11 170 11 20 Hunter Chandley RB/LB 5-9 205 12 21 Oliver Harrison TE/LB 6-1 210 12 23 David Hostetler RB/LB 5-7 175 11 26 Alexander Koch WR/DB 6-0 155 10 28 Lyric Close RB/LB 5-11 180 10 30 Anthony Zamora WR/LB 5-9 175 11 32 Keith Squire WR/DE 6-2 215 12 33 Evan Lewis WR/DB 6-0 155 10 37 Connar Hillis RB/LB 5-11 170 10 50 Chase Cooke OL/DB 5-8 160 12 52 Logan Hess OL/DL 5-7 215 9 54 Scott Lambert OL/DL 5-10 215 9 55 Steven Hostetler OL/DL 5-6 210 9 56 Lucas Boswell WR/LB 5-11 165 10 60 Raymond Kowalski OL/LB 5-11 160 10 62 Lyric Hillis OL/DE 6-1 180 11 65 Riley Zabor OL/DL 5-5 230 11 66 Ethan Koch OL/DL 6-1 185 11 75 Garrett Schramm OL/DL 5-10 235 12 77 Mikah Frye OL/DL 5-9 285 12 79 David Goble OL/LB 5-6 180 10 82 Henry Thomas WR/DB 5-11 160 9 88 Jayden Bracken OL/DE 6-3 175 10