Just the facts
Conference: Southwestern Conference
OHSAA: Division II, Region 6
Coach: Tom Thome Jr., first year
2022: 0-10 (0-7)
Twitter: @AmherstFootball
Home Field: Memorial Field
Schedule (subject to change)
Aug. 18: Copley at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25: Buckeye at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Amherst at North Olmsted, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Midview at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Berea-Midpark at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: Amherst at Avon Lake, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: Olmsted Falls at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: Amherst at Elyria, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Avon at Amherst, 7 .m.
Oct. 20: Amherst at North Ridgeville, 7 p.m.
Projected lineup
OFFENSE
QB: Cole Norris*, Jr., 6-1, 180
RB: J.R. Bires*, Jr., 5-7, 185
H: Mason Fisher*, Sr., 6-1 215
WR: Tristyn Young*, Jr., 6-3, 180
SLOT: Jonathan Williams*, Sr., 5-6, 150
WR: Eli Solak*, Jr., 6-3, 210
LT: Henry Cislo*, Jr., 6-4, 205
LG: Ryan Auvil*, Sr., 5-11, 215
LG: Joey Brooks*, Sr., 6-0, 205
RG: Ross Auvil*: Sr., 5-11, 225
RT: Baylor Gross*, Sr., 6-2, 270
K: Nathan Stewart*, Jr., 5-11, 145
DEFENSE
DE: Eli Solak*, Jr., 6-3, 210
DT: Carter Poulton*, Sr., 6-4, 220
NT: Patrick Fellenstein, So., 5-11, 195
DE: Henry Cislo*, Jr., 6-4, 205
SAM: Mason Fisher*, Sr., 6-1 215
MIKE: Ryan Auvil*, Sr., 5-11, 215
WILL: Nick Costello, Sr., 5-9, 195
CB: Landon Fellenstein*, Sr., 5-10, 185
FS: Jacob Kraft*, Sr., 6-0, 180
SS: J.R. Bires*, Jr., 5-7, 185
CB: Ashton Draga*, Jr., 5-10, 170
P: Cole Norris, Jr., 6-1, 180
*. returning starter; Returning letterwinners: 38, Keys Reserves: Oliver Fekete, Tyler Denn, Shaddai Cooper, David Dudziak, Brayden Rosebeck
Best in the classroom: Ashton Draga, 4.178 GPA
Best bench press: Name, Nick Costello, 325 pounds
Best 40 time: N/A
Best squat: Baylor Gross, 475 pounds
Outlook
Amherst is back and with a new head of its program. Tom Thome Jr., formerly the coach of Lakewood. Thome has installed an air-it-out offense that can potentially pose matchup problems. They have great size on the outside and shifty receivers in the slot. The number continues to improve for the Comets, and they plan to use their returning varsity experience.
Player to watch
Quarterback Cole Norris will lead the offense. He has varsity experience from 2022 as a sophomore. Decisive decision-making will be key. Jonathan Williams is quick in the slot. Tristyn Young and Eli Solak can showcase their basketball abilities on the outside on corner fades.
Underclassman to watch: Junior cornerback Ashton Draga tore his ACL in Week 1 of the 2022 season at Valley Forge. He was not scheduled to make the comeback as quickly as he did, but his intense recovery process allowed him to suit up for Week 1. He will be a player to watch on the outside to limit the team’s No. 1 options.
Bottom line
IF: The offensive line can keep Norris up and help bring balance to the offense; THEN: then Amherst should put themselves in multiple positions to win.
