Ridgewood football: 'We're not rebuilding'

WEST LAFAYETTE — For the first time in half a decade, John Slusser faces a major reconstruction at Ridgewood.

The Generals’ 19th-year head coach, with a 154-37 career record and 25 playoff games under his belt, will employ a horde of new faces in yet another quest to replace a hardscrabble senior class.

It's nothing new, of course, but this season presents a larger challenge than usual. Just six seniors are on the roster, with half playing key roles.

The offense loses quarterback Josiah Cahill and top runner Kaulean Smith, both of whom had plenty of playoff experience from some of the best teams in program history.

This is not Slusser's first rodeo, however.

Offense: Running game must produce

The Generals haven't been under center in almost a decade, since before a Tingle was taking snaps. We're talking Caleb, not Gabe.

With two key linemen back and a roster blessed with seasoned runners, however, that's precisely what the Generals will lean on. Five starters return.

Senior Dyllan Austin, after a year in Rootstown, is back home at Ridgewood and primed to be a bell cow at 6-1, 200 pounds.

He will have plenty of help with junior Aidan Sparger (5-11, 172), who Slusser says "is our best football player on both sides of the ball."

Speedster Matt Humphrey, who dazzled at times as a sophomore, will line up at receiver but is a capable runner. Sophomore Talon Carns (5-7, 155) is also in the running back mix.

The line features returning starters Logan Sesser (6-1, 275 jr.) at guard and Cam Stanton (6-3, 250 sr.) at tackle and a trio of newcomers in tackle Paul Wheeler (6-6, 305 jr.), center Carter Kelley (6-4, 215 jr.) and guards Chris Art (5-7, 165 soph.) and Cohen Parsons (5-9, 205 jr.).

Grant Lahmers moves from H-back to quarterback where, at 6-2, 190 pounds, is much larger than multi-dimensional predecessors Gabe Tingle and slippery Josiah Cahill. Sophomore Jace McQueen (5-11, 155) is also in the quarterback mix.

Lahmers tossed a pair of first-half touchdown passes in a scrimmage win at Zanesville.

Senior Mason Colvin is also starting at receiver with sophomore Preston Ator also in the mix, while senior Eli Stroup (6-3, 195) and sophomore Logan Ridenbaugh (6-2, 185) are sharing time at tight end.

Freshman Jadon Smoulder (5-8, 112) will handle the placekicking.

“We’re going to look different,” Slusser said.

Defense: Loss of Smith a big one

Smith was a three-year starter and four-letterman at linebacker, where he was part of a veteran corps with many pelts on the wall. One was end Jonas Paugh, who parlayed a big showing as a pass rusher into an All-Ohio senior season.

Sesser was a force at tackle with his ability to penetrate and shed blocks, and even more is expected from a player Slusser says is the best at s position in the area. Stanton, Stroup and Trent Moore (6-0, 205 soph.) is part of a deep mix at the other tackle spot, while Austin will line up opposite Ridenbaugh at end.

Sparger and Carns lead the linebacker corps, with Bryce Tolliver (5-10, 160 fr.), Krishar McCormick (5-11, 180 soph.) and Parsons fighting for time at the third starting spot.

The secondary, firmly seated on the struggle bus in 2022, is still seeking improvement.

McQueen and Ator are the safeties, with Lahmers and senior Blake Wells (6-0, 152) also pitching in. Colvin and Humphrey are at cornerback, with Jackson Cabot (5-9, 125 soph.) and Wells also fighting for time.

Outlook: New faces must adapt

Slusser said the expectations of being competitive won't change, even as a team with six seniors and mostly sophomores and juniors comprise the core.

He also didn't hide the fact that he's waiting for improvement, especially on defense, for which he coordinates.

"It's really important that we grow because we return a lot of these guys next year," Slusser said. "That can be good and bad. If they stink next year, we don't want them returning. If they get better, we'll be excited for next year. We've got to grow as we go and get better each week."

The schedule does few favors. County rival games with Coshocton and River View start the season before road games with Division IV Carrollton and state power Beloit West Branch. A road game with Indian Valley looms in Week 8, but rival Garaway is at home.

"I never want to use the word 'rebuilding' because that is loser's talk," Slusser said. "I think it really short-changes the kids that are here. They don't care about next year. I hate it when coaches say, 'well, we're rebuilding.' We're not rebuilding. We're going to go out and play Ridgewood football."

sblackbu@gannett.com; Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR

Inside the huddle

Key returnees: Logan Sesser (OL/DL), Cam Stanton (OL/DL), Aiden Sparger (RB/LB), Matt Humphrey (WR/DB), Eli Stroup (TE/DL), Mason Colvin (WR/DB).

Key newcomers: Jace McQueen (QB/DB), Dyllan Austin (RB/DE), Logan Ridenbaugh (TE/DE) Paul Wheeler (OL), Preston Ator (WR/DB), Cohen Parsons (OL/DL), Carter Kelley (OL/DL), Chris Art (OL/LB)

Coaching staff: John Slusser (HC/DC), Chris Cabot (OC), Todd Cabot, Nate Carpenter, Jake Lahna, Chad Lahna, Chad Massie, Ryan Gress, Sam Carpenter, Caleb Tingle, Josh Lahmers, Chad Carroll.

Classification: Division V, Region 17

Last IVC-South title: 2020 (20 overall)

Last playoff appearance: 2022 (17 overall)

Regional championships: 1 (2009)

Schedule

Aug. 18: Coshocton

Aug. 25: at River View

Sept. 1: Carrollton

Sept. 8: Beloit West Branch

Sept. 15: at Tuscarawas Central Cath.

Sept. 22: at Tuscarawas Valley

Sept. 29: Sandy Valley

Oct. 6: at Indian Valley

Oct. 13: at Claymont

Oct. 20: Garaway

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Ridgewood Generals football says they're not rebuilding in 2023