Advertisement

Nordonia Knights 2023 high school football preview

brad bournival, akron beacon journal
·2 min read
Nordonia has been a Division II standout for years under coach Jeff Fox. Can the Knights do it again in 2023?
Nordonia has been a Division II standout for years under coach Jeff Fox. Can the Knights do it again in 2023?

NORDONIA KNIGHTS

HEAD COACH: Jeff Fox, 12th year, 80-46

LAST YEAR: 9-3, 4-2

POSTSEASON: Division II, Region 5

RETURNING LETTERMEN

  • Caleb Aiken, LB, 5-11, 290, Jr.

  • Blake Allen, CB, 5-10, 170, Jr.

  • Ryan Atha, DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.

  • Jordan Byrd, LB, 6-0, 225, Jr.

  • Rocco DeLorenzo, RB, 5-10, 180, Jr.

  • Mike Ebert, WR, 5-10, 180, Sr.

  • Vince Hack, LB, 6-1, 185, Sr.

  • Gabe Hart, OL, 6-2, 250, Jr.

  • Josh Henderson, OL, 5-11, 290, Sr.

  • Brendan Hermensky, LB, 6-2, 215, Sr.

  • Anthony Irace, DL, 5-10, 275, Sr.

  • Donovan Jackson, WR, 5-11, 185, Sr.

  • Jordan Jackson, DL, 6-2, 250, Jr.

  • Grant Lefeld, OL, 5-11, 220, Jr.

  • Vince Natali, CB, 5-10, 175, Jr.

  • Danny Ours, WR, 6-1 170, Jr.

  • Gino Perrine, RB, 5-9, 185, Sr.

  • Jaxon Pestino, DL, 6-0, 210, Sr.

  • Israel Petite, DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.

  • Connell Rafferty, K, 5-11, 160, Sr.

  • Jack Sarkissian, OL, 6-1, 220, Sr.

  • Armaan Singh, DL, 6-1, 240, Sr.

  • Owen Smotek, WR, 5-10, 175, Jr.

  • Vince Sorboro, OL, 6-3, 240, Sr.

  • Dylan Werden, DB, 5-9, 140, Sr.

  • Asher Wilson, DL, 6-4, 240, Sr.

Nordonia's Brendan Hermensky, left, will be counted on to continue the football prowess the Knights have had over the years.
Nordonia's Brendan Hermensky, left, will be counted on to continue the football prowess the Knights have had over the years.

IMPACT PLAYERS: Nordonia has three standouts in Petite, Wilson and Hermensky. … Petite returns as a four-year starter who had two picks on defense and 28 receptions for 430 yards and two scores. He has Division I offers from Army, Temple, Youngstown State, Robert Morris and Sacred Heart. … Wilson is headed to Air Force next fall. The senior defensive tackle registered 45 tackles, 13 for loss, 7½ sacks, five forced fumbles and two pass breakups. … Hermensky will have an increased role at linebacker after a junior season in which he recorded 103 tackles – 15 for loss – with 6½ sacks, a caused fumble and two pick-sixes.

Greater Akron high school football: 10 players we can't wait to watch during the 2023 season

WHAT’S NEW: There will be a lot of new faces in the trenches on both sides of the ball. … Junior signal caller Ben Chesser takes over Joey Palinkas, who threw for 1,323 yards and 13 touchdowns. ... With Logan Villamagna and Jeremy Olszko gone to graduation, there are a few holes to fill at linebacker.

OUTLOOK: Nordonia has been a mainstay in the playoffs with three straight appearances and four of the last five seasons. … Fox has taken the Knights to the postseason eight times in his previous 11 seasons and was a Division II runner-up in 2014. They’ve made the playoffs 17 times with the first coming in 1985. … Connell Rafferty returns as a third-team All-Ohio kicker. … The Knights return 26 letterwinners from their nine-win team in 2022. “We’re excited,” Fox said. “We have a team that I think can compete with our very respectable schedule of Bedford, Berea, Mayfield, Solon, the Suburban National and Region 5.”

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football: Nordonia Knights 2023 preview