jonah rosenblum, ravenna record-courier
·4 min read
ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS
HEAD COACH: Kardell Jackson
LAST YEAR: 4-6 (2-5 Suburban American)
POSTSEASON: Division III, Region 9
Roosevelt football's returning lettermen (24)
Patrick Barkley, OL/DL, 6-1, 205, Sr.
Ethan Braham, OL/DL, 6-0, 210, Sr.
Brock Catalucci, TE/LB, 5-11, 190, So.
Tyler Copen, OL/DL, 5-10, 195, Jr.
Gavin Corbett, OL/DL, 5-10, 215, Sr.
Parker D'Sidocky, WR/DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.
Jaden Dennison, WR/DB, 6-1, 185, Sr.
Deonne Dickerson, TE/LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.
Noah Dunlap, OL/DL, 6-3, 215, Sr.
Tyler Ellington, RB/DB, 6-2, 185, So.
Lucas Fankhauser, TE/LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.
Carter Foreman, TE/LB, 6-3, 215, Sr.
Cyler Foreman, QB/LB, 6-0, 185, So.
Maxwell Froman, OL/DL, 6-0, 245, So.
Adam Ghumrawi, OL/DL, 5-8, 250, Sr.
Ethan Humbert, OL/DL, 5-10, 210, Jr.
Theodore (Teddy) Maccarone, WR/DB, 5-8, 155, Jr.
Jerome Norton, OL/DL, 6-1, 200, Sr.
Gavin Peeps, WR/LB, 6-4, 170, Jr.
Jaiden Portis, WR/DB, 5-9, 155, Jr.
Nicholas (Nick) Roberts, OL/LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.
Kyle Salazar, OL/DL, 5-9, 280, Sr.
Michael Shannon, TE/LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.
Yahntae Smith, QB/DB, 5-11, 165, Jr.
Roosevelt football's impact players
Sophom*ore Tyler Ellington will play defensive back and multiple offensive positions after gaining experience on the varsity as a freshman. Per coach Kardell Jackson, Ellington has "grown quite a bit since last year" and is "very explosive with the ball in his hands." ... Jaden Dennison, like Ellington, can play multiple offensive positions and will also "bring experience back for our secondary," according to Jackson. A safety with the ability to play elsewhere, Dennison "has gotten stronger," per Jackson, and is "one of our smartest players." ... At 6-4, wide receiver Gavin Peeps is a "big target," per Jackson, with "good hands" and the veteran know-how to "use his frame to help create separation." ... Linebacker and tight end Carter Foreman is "beginning to feel confident again," said Jackson, after missing back-to-back seasons with ACL injuries. Foreman boasts "soft hands" and "is a very smart football player who is able to communicate on the field and with coaches."
What's new with Roosevelt football in 2024
What's old is what's new in Kent. After a big year of transition as a new coaching staff took over in 2023, the Rough Riders "are excited to have all of our coaches return this year," per second-year head coach Kardell Jackson. They also have a new mentor on the sideline in safeties coach Luke Larkin, a member of Roosevelt's Class of 2020 who went on to play at John Carroll. ... Roosevelt will debut a new starting quarterback in 2024 — junior Yahntae Smith, who showcased his potential last year when he led the Rough Riders on a touchdown drive against the Ravens before tearing his ACL. Smith has "shown great flashes of his athleticism when he's healthy," per Jackson, and is a "threat with the ball in his hands." ... Watch for junior Ke'Shan Talbert to take on running back and safety for the Rough Riders. Also watch for fellow junior Tristyn Page, a baseball star as well for Roosevelt, to factor in at linebacker and tight end.
Roosevelt football's outlook
The Rough Riders have the tools to be a far more explosive offense after averaging just 11.8 points in 2023. They have a talented quarterback in Yahntae Smith, who should have plenty of weapons to throw to, including the 6-4 Gavin Peeps. They also have an endless supply of speedy ball-carriers, including Tyler Ellington, Jaden Dennison, Parker D'Sidocky, Teddy Maccarone and Jaiden Portis. ... Of course, success on the football field tends to start up front, and with four returning starters on the offensive line (Patrick Barkley, Tyler Copen, Gavin Corbett and Jerome Norton), coach Kardell Jackson is optimistic there, too, nothing that "having them all back and everyone being stronger should be a huge help for us." ... The defense is loaded, particularly in the backfield and the linebacker corps (led by the Foreman brothers), with Cyler Foreman starting as a freshman, and per Jackson, boasting the ability to "run our whole defense on the field." Additionally, linebacker Mike Shannon has gained confidence and strength, and per Jackson, "sees the field well and helps set our defense each play." ... The goals are simple, starting with winning back-to-back games against rival Ravenna for the first time since 2012-13 and finishing with the program's first winning mark since 2020.
Roosevelt football schedule for 2024
Aug. 23 RAVENNA
Aug. 30 at Wooster
Sept. 6 at Lakewood
Sept. 13 at Cuyahoga Falls*
Sept. 20 BARBERTON*
Sept. 27 COPLEY*
Oct. 4 at Highland*
Oct. 11 AURORA*
Oct. 18 TALLMADGE*
Oct. 25 at Revere*
Home games in all CAPS. Conference games marked with an asterisk. All games at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio high school football, Roosevelt Rough Riders 2024 preview
