Just the facts
Conference: LC8
OHSAA: Division V, Region 17
Coach: Scott O’Donnell, fifth year (9-30)
2022: 1-9 (1-6)
Twitter: @Brooksidefball
Home Field: Dick Sevit Stadium
Schedule (subject to change)
Aug. 18: Brooklyn at Brookside, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25: Brookside at Huron, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Fairview at Brookside, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Brookside at Oberlin, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: Brookside at Wellington, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: Firelands at Brookside, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: Keystone at Brookside, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: Black River at Brookside, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Brookside at Columbia, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: Brookside at Clearview, 7 p.m.
Projected lineup
OFFENSE
QB: Nick Arra*, Jr., 5-10, 175
RB: Tyler Kitzberger* Jr., 5-11, 205
WR: Lincoln Barnhart*, Sr., 6-1, 170
WR/RB Ben Montgomery*, Sr., 5-10, 185
WR: Shawn Moore*, Sr., 6-0, 160
WR: Brennen Gainer*, Sr., 5-9, 160
LT: Aidan McLaughlin*, Sr., 6-2, 210
LG: Blake Walls*, Sr., 6-0, 200
C: Carter Schuster, So., 6-1, 235
RG: Zy’aire Marn, So., 5-10, 200
RT: Michael Borgmann, So., 6-3, 220
K: Noah Adkins*, Jr., 5-10, 140
DEFENSE
DL: Aidan McLaughlin*, Sr., 6-2, 210
DL: Dylan Dennis*, 6-1, 210
DL: Carter Schuster, 6-1, 235
DL: Blake Walls*, 6-0, 200
LB: Tyler Kitzberger*, 5-11, 205
LB: Nick Arra*, 5-10, 175
OLB: Lincoln Barnhart*, 6-1, 170
CB: Shawn Moore*, 6-0, 160
S: Brennen Gainer*, 5-9, 160
S: Ben Montgomery*, 5-10, 185
CB: Christian Arend, 5-10, 150
P: Tyler Kitzberger*, 5-11, 205
*. returning starter; Returning letterwinners: 25: Key reserves: Brody Hamilton, Fr., 5-11, 210, Andy Bilczo, So., 5-9, 140
Best in the classroom: Nick Arra, 4.1 GPA
Best bench press: Tyler Kitzberger 225 pounds
Best squat: Tyler Kitzberger
Outlook
Brookside is back down to Division V, after it spent the 2022 season in Division IV. The Cardinals come back with quality athletes at the skill positions and the athleticism they have translated to a senior-laden secondary. More than half of the offensive line returns, with Aiden McLaughlin anchoring the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Player to watch
Senior Ben Montgomery possesses great athleticism that has earned Division III college looks. Brookside suffered injuries throughout the 2022 season and the Cardinals used Montgomery’s versatility to fill in several voids, which helped him earn a Division IV All-Ohioan selection. He is also a fly-around player on defense.
Underclassman to watch: After fighting for the starting position last year, junior quarterback Nick Arra will start for the second year in a row. He’s paired with a ton of talent, such as Montgomery and running back Tyler Kitzberger. Arra’s judgment at the moment has progressed a ton. With all of the talent at the skill positions, he will be spoiled with options.
Bottom Line
IF: the offensive line can make strides, THEN: 2023 will be a bounce-back year in Brookside.
