Just the facts
Conference: LC8
OHSAA: Division IV, Region 14
Coach: Ryan O’Rourke, seventh year (36-25)
2022: 7-4 (5-2)
Twitter: @Coach_Rorourke
Home field: Firelands Stadium
Schedule
(subject to change)
Aug. 18: Firelands at Edison, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25: Vermilion at Firelands, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Firelands at Poland Seminary, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Columbia at Firelands, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Black River at Firelands, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: Firelands at Brookside, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: Clearview at Firelands, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: Keystone at Firelands, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Firelands at Oberlin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: Firelands at Wellington, 7 p.m.
Projected lineup
OFFENSE
QB: Jimmy Aunspaw*, Sr., 6-2, 188
RB: Collin Scott, Jr., 5-11, 203
FB: Josh Kovach*, Sr., 5-10, 195
WR: Kevin Williams*, Sr., 5-9, 140
WR: Liam Varndell, Sr., 6-4, 170
LT: Noah Angle*, Jr., 6-3, 250
LG: CJ Gilles, Jr., 6-3, 275
C: Brayden Rowley*, Sr., 5-10, 294
RG: Brandon Adkins, Jr., 6-0, 281
RT: Patrick Geist, Jr., 6-2, 285
K: Rocco Iafolla*, Sr., 6-1, 180
DEFENSE
DE: Noah Angle*, Jr., 6-3, 250
NT: Collin Adkins, Sr., 5-9, 240
DE: CJ Gilles, Jr., 6-3, 275
OLB: Logan Galligan*, Sr., 5-8, 160
ILB: Josh Kovach*, Sr., 5-10, 195
ILB: Collin Scott*, Jr., 5-11, 203
OLB: Michael Lewis*, Jr., 6-3, 170
CB: Devin Linn*, Sr., 5-10, 146
S: Tristan Born*, Sr., 5-10, 150
S: Logan Urban*, Sr., 6-1, 166
CB: Kevin Williams, Sr., 5-9, 140
P: Collin Scott, Jr., 5-11, 203
*: returning starter; Returning letterwinners: 23
Key reserves: Roberto Flores, Jr., 6-2, 267; Jimmy Berry, So., 6-0, 180; Carter Lehman, Jr.; Luke Gibson, Jr.
Best in the classroom: Collin Adkins, 4.2 GPA
Outlook
Firelands had a nice season last year and came up just short of an LC8 title share. The Falcons lose all-time leading rusher Weston Strader, but return a lot of key pieces on both sides of the ball. Competing for the conference title remains a goal in coach Ryan O’Rourke’s seventh season.
Player to watch
Senior fullback Josh Kovach will now be heavily relied on as the veteran in the backfield. As a junior, he rushed for 229 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries. There will be a lot more carries up for grabs in 2023, and it seems like he could be the one to take them. Like many of the Falcons’ players, he is a two-way starter, and will hold down his middle linebacker spot again this year.
Underclassman to watch:Junior left tackle Noah Angle is one of three returning offensive linemen, and he left an impact last season starting as a sophomore. Also a starter at defensive end, Angle will be protecting quarterback Jimmy Aunspaw’s blind side once again whenever the Falcons do pass the ball. Last year’s experience will bolster this offensive line.
Bottom line
IF: The new running backs can step up, THEN: Firelands has the making of an LC8 contender.
