Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Genoa football team went 11-2 overall last fall, won the NBC title with a perfect 7-0 record and advanced to the regional final before falling to eventual state champ Liberty Center. It was the program’s first conference title and regional final appearance since 2018.
With that said, fifth-year head coach Bill Fisher believes his team could potentially be better this season.
“We might not be as deep from a position by position standpoint, but with the amount of reps and experience that these guys got, they play well together,” he said. “They’re all one unit, they joke amongst each other, they practice hard amongst each other and they compete amongst each other. They’re all just one giant person willing to interlock arms and take on whatever's coming at them. It's a special class. We're super pumped for the opportunities that we're going to have.”
Last year’s senior class was crucial to the team’s success and the Comets will have to replace 12 players, including several key spots on the defensive line and in the secondary.
“We’re continuously reminding the guys of what we prepared for, what we endured,” Fisher said. “We know what it's going to take to get to that level and repeat where it is we're trying to go. The biggest thing is continuously reminding them we have the skill, we have the players and the formula to build off of our success last year, as well as the hard work, the dedication and sacrifice that goes into it.”
Evan Millner, who was the NBC’s Lineman of the Year and a First Team All-NBC selection on both sides of the ball, is among those who graduated. Also gone are Ryan Routson, an all-conference player at three positions, and Logan Routson, who earned All-NBC recognition on both sides. Second Team All-NBC offensive lineman Josh Lands and Honorable Mention All-NBC tackle Eric Messenger are both gone.
Jaxon Magnone, a hybrid wide receiver/tight end, highlights this year’s senior class that returns seven all-conference players and 13 student-athletes overall. The NBC’s reigning back of the year selection was an all-conference player on both sides.
This year, Magnone could see some time at defensive end. He has visited several Division I schools within the MAC over the past year and could potentially play at the next level.
Linebacker Tyler Abbey, tailback/linebacker Alex Materni and center Sam Myers were all first team selections. The honorable mention selections included offensive lineman/linebacker Gus Buffington, defensive back Adam Knight and quarterback Myles Mollenhauer.
Knight, who is also generating college interest as a defensive back, could see some time at wide receiver, but he is primarily a corner. Materni was a Second Team All-Ohio player. Myers will play the majority of his time at center but could also see some time at defensive end.
Other key seniors include free safety/halfback Tommy Braun and halfback/slot receiver/linebacker Carter Miller.
“The senior group as a collective is our strength,” Fisher said. “We have some very good players and depth in the linebacking corps. Our other strengths include our offensive skill from the return of our quarterback, the tight end, some slot guys and our running back.”
The team’s other returning all-conference selection is junior honorable mention outside linebacker Gavin Grigson. Fellow juniors Hunter Bickel and defensive end Preston Maher are back, too.
“Our guys' work ethic is second to none,” Fisher said. “They really live by the idea of work hard, play hard. Their mentality is very happy-go-lucky when they’re around each other and on the sideline, but when it comes time to take a rep, or get down to business, the line has been drawn, and now it's go time.
“It's nice to be around that environment. They're easygoing. They're lighthearted. But man, when you blow the whistle and say it's time to go, they're all in. It's max effort. It's fun to be around. You could get frustrated at times because of that lightheartedness. But it's very easy to give a little rope when they compete and practice so hard.”
With key guys back like Mollenhauer, Magnone and Materni, among others, Genoa’s expectations certainly won’t change from last year.
“We're pretty darn good, and we're going to have a target on our back,” Fisher said. “It’s a matter of how far can we practice and play to keep guys in the rearview mirror and not allow them to catch up. The expectations are high. The motivation is there, and the excitement is there. We’ll definitely be ready to compete and perform at the highest level we can.”
