jonah rosenblum, ravenna record-courier
·4 min read
AURORA GREENMEN
HEAD COACH: Bob Mihalik
LAST YEAR: 11-2 (7-0 Suburban American)
POSTSEASON: Division III, Region 9
Aurora football's returning lettermen (24)
Reid Acomb, OL/DL, 5-11, 240, Sr.
Luke Bonnette, TE/DL, 6-4, 220, Jr.
Alex Brooker, TE/DL, 5-11, 215, Sr.
Matthew Copley, OL/DL, 6-3, 295, Sr.
Ewan Dacres, OL/DL, 5-11, 235, Sr.
Peyton Duguay, TE/DL, 6-2, 170, Sr.
Ryan Dwyer, QB/LB, 6-3, 205, Sr.
Nathan Grummit, WR/DB, 6-2, 185, Jr.
Tyler Hanus, OL/DL, 6-0, 235, Sr.
Joe Janzig, WR/DL, 6-5, 195, Sr.
Quincy John, WR/DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.
Ben Kinkopf, OL/DL, 6-5, 295, Sr.
Ben Lukasik, SB/DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.
Lucas Manderbach, TE/DE, 6-3, 235, Sr.
Brody Markle, OL/DL, 6-3, 270, Sr.
Zach Pannetti, WR/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.
Mason Romancak, SB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.
Athan Salgado, WR/LB, 5-11, 160, Sr.
Dan Shanholtzer, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.
Tommy Tartabini, FB/LB, 5-11, 195, Sr.
Rob Thrash, OL/DL, 6-2, 200, Sr.
Cole Walton, TB/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.
Michael Wise, OL/DL, 5-11, 215, Sr.
Evan Yasenosky, FB/LB, 6-1, 185, Sr.
Aurora football's impact players
Ryan Dwyer takes over at quarterback this year and the Greenmen have proof that he's ready for the big stage. Their evidence includes Dwyer leading Aurora to a first-round victory over Alliance last year while playing for an injured Brandon Liepins as well as tossing the game-winning touchdown pass with two minutes to go to secure a league championship in Week 10 at Highland. ... "An electric football player," per coach Bob Mihalik, wide receiver Ben Lukasik is coming off a "breakout season" in which he turned 30 catches into 419 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Lukasik is a highly versatile weapon, also excelling last year as a runner (33 carries, 181 yards), returner (28 yards per kickoff return and 13 per punt return) and defender. ... Linebacker Tommy Tartabini led the Greenmen in tackles a year ago with 97, serving as "a coach on the field," "a ferocious hitter" and "our emotional leader on the defensive side of the ball," per Mihalik. He returns in that role and should also get more carries at running back in 2024. ... Defensive end Lucas Manderbach "was a dominant force" last year, per Mihalik, with 25 quarterback hurries and a school-record 12 sacks. Manderbach also excelled at running back, both with the ball and as a "great lead blocker," per Mihalik, and should do more of the same this season.
What's new with Aurora football in 2024
In each of the last two years, the Greenmen had a 1,000-yard runner, first Alex Tenorio (2022) and then Enzo Catania (2023). That streak is likely to end in 2024 as Aurora coach Bob Mihalik noted that running back "by committee will be the plan" as Xavier Board, Lucas Manderbach, Tommy Tartabini and Cole Walton will all run the ball and contribute on the defensive end. Manderbach was one of the Greenmen's leading runners last year behind Catania, turning 57 carries into 306 yards (5.4 per carry), while Tartabini reached the end zone four times in just 20 carries. ... Aurora has a history of strong play at the tight end position, with Jayce Unverferth most recently starring in that role. With Unverferth's graduation, expect senior Alex Brooker to keep that position "a strength," per Mihalik. ... For the first time in years, the Greenmen are leaning on a new kicker with Dominic Trivisonno's graduation. Ryan Dwyer will fill in for Trivisonno at punter, with the quarterback/punter combination potentially causing confusion for opponents on fourth and short, while Colin Dockman takes over at kicker.
Aurora football's outlook
The Greenmen haven't had a losing season since 2003 and have made the postseason five straight years. There's no reason to expect that record of success to change in 2024. ... It's not just the culture and long record of success, with coach Bob Mihalik recording his 200th win last season. It's also the simplest principle of football. If you can win up front, you can win the game. The Greenmen have the ability to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, led by defensive linemen Lucas Manderbach (12 sacks) and Alex Brooker (7 sacks) as well as linebacker Tommy Tartabini (97 tackles, 9 TFL). They should be similarly stout along the offensive line, led by three returning starters in Reid Acomb, Matthew Copley and Ewan Dacres. Indeed, that unit "should be a strength," per Mihalik, with Tyler Hanus, Brody Markle and Rob Thrash also set to play a key role.
Aurora football schedule for 2024
Aug. 23 at Twinsburg
Aug. 30 LUTHERAN WEST
Sept. 6 at West Geauga
Sept. 13 at Revere*
Sept. 20 at Copley*
Sept. 27 CUYAHOGA FALLS*
Oct. 4 TALLMADGE*
Oct. 11 at Roosevelt*
Oct. 18 BARBERTON*
Oct. 25 HIGHLAND*
Home games in all CAPS. Conference games have an *. All games at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio high school football, Aurora Greenmen 2024 preview
