Fueled by a big senior class on the 2022 Ashland squad, the Arrows finished last season with a 6-5 overall record and were 4-2 in OCC play. They ended the OCC season with a win over Lexington, and closed out the year with a playoff loss to Central Catholic.
While 16 returning letter winners lead the 2023 Arrows, head coach Scott Valentine acknowledges that much of the team will be made up of newcomers. “We had 16 seniors graduate from last year’s team, but we feel good about the group we have this year,” Coach Valentine said.
The Arrows will run a spread offense and multiple defensive sets this season and Valentine sees a challenge for the team’s youthfulness. “We will not have the varsity experience we had last year,” he said. However, with the team’s returning vets and newcomers, he sees an advantage over last year. “I think our team strength will be our overall team speed,” Coach Valentine said.
Returning are senior three-year letter winner Cayden Spotts (RB/LB); and senior two-year letter winners Austin Downing (LB/Y tight end), Josh Pancake (LB/RB) and Owen Repp (G/DT). The Arrows have 12 returning one-year letter winners: Seniors Issac Stewart (WR/DB) and Conner Crunkelton; juniors Jayden Goings (WR/DB), Michael Franz (WR/DB), Gavin Hoffman (LB/QB), Tyler Sauder (DB/Y tight end), Nolan Larue (G/DL) Joey Isenhart (DL/G) and Cooper Smith (DL/C); and sophomores Gabe Baith (RB/DB), Nathan Bernhard (QB) and Gunner Lacey (LB/RB).
Coach Valentine said he is counting on the Arrows’ top players to step up. “Cayden Spotts is a strong runner and should be a big part of our offense. Nathan Bernard will be a big part of what we do offensively. Austin Downing should be a contributor on both sides of the ball. Tyler Saunder will be the leader in the secondary for us and also contribute as a receiver, and Gunner Lacey is a returning starter on defense, and we will need for him to have a big year,” said Valentine.
The Arrows begin their OCC season Friday, Sept. 8 at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium at 7 p.m. against New Philadelphia.
