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Northmont brothers carry on long-running family football tradition

Brothers Kaleb (left) and Korey Ringer helped their Northmont football team bring down Wayne High School last Friday, Oct. 2. Linebacker Kaleb, a sophomore, won the Hammer Award for the hardest hits. Running back Korey is a senior.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam Brothers Kaleb (left) and Korey Ringer helped their Northmont football team bring down Wayne High School last Friday, Oct. 2. Linebacker Kaleb, a sophomore, won the Hammer Award for the hardest hits. Running back Korey is a senior.

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By Kyle Nagel and Kyle Nagel
Staff Writer Updated 3:57 AM Tuesday, October 6, 2009

CLAYTON — When Kaleb Ringer was in the fourth grade, his family moved from Huber Heights to the school district that included Northmont High School.

Kaleb, the third of four Ringer brothers, didn’t have the same knowledge of the coming high school that he did about his family’s athletic legacy.

“I had never heard of Northmont,” Kaleb said.

Many people, though, had already heard of the Ringers.

Continuing a new family tradition at Northmont, Korey (a senior running back) and Kaleb (a sophomore linebacker) have helped the Thunderbolts to a 4-2 record, including impressive performances in their previous two games, wins against Fairborn and Wayne.

With a father, Kevin, who starred at Belmont High School before playing at Iowa and an uncle, Javon, who excelled as a running back at Chaminade Julienne and Michigan State and now plays for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, the Ringers have faced steep expectations.

In many ways, they have delivered.

Their talents were on display on Friday, Oct. 2, in Northmont’s key Greater Western Ohio Conference game against Wayne. Kaleb, 6 feet and 219 pounds, grabbed two interceptions in the first half, including one he returned 52 yards for a touchdown and another he tipped to himself in the open field.

Korey, 5-10 and 186 pounds, aided the offense with 132 first-half yards and scoring runs of 1 and 13 yards. He has averaged 117.7 yards in the previous three games since fully returning from a concussion he suffered in the opener against Lakota West.

The Wayne game held special significance for the brothers, who knew many of the Warriors’ players from their days as youth teammates.

“It was like a statement game for us,” Korey said. “That meant a lot to us. There was more to it that people didn’t know about.”

Korey and Kaleb are the Ringer family’s two middle brothers. An older brother, Kevin, finished his Northmont career last year and the youngest, Kyle, is in sixth grade.

All have faced their share of expectations because of their father, now a pastor at a Trotwood church, and their uncle Javon. Korey and Kaleb said they have felt the attention often, but they have accepted it.

“We really want to show everybody it’s not a fluke,” Korey said. “If you’re a Ringer, that’s part of it.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Ohio Scout - it was more than Miller at that game. I really don't think he would have made a difference maybe 1 touch down. What would have made a difference is if we had receivers that can catch a ball. The O line did a good job and defense did well. Harrison with a little more varsity experience under his belt will be another great qb. Our coaches play way too conservative of an offense. We have talented players, but coaching again this year is what is hurting us.

WHS Alum
12:05 PM, 10/8/2009

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I hate when people try to make someone else look like an idiot while in the process making there self looking like an idoit. Have some decroum you *******. Grow up, what a childish game to go to "great english". You artard!!! Was that haw yu wantted it miser?

trotwoodfan
12:09 PM, 10/7/2009

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Nice english trotwood fan. If you 'gone' comment on an article, 'gone' and hit the spell check. Neva herd of da Byrd familee ne way.
whuchu talkin bout willis?

nice english trotwoodfan
2:01 PM, 10/6/2009

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If you gone do an article about them you should do an article about the byrd family way bigger and way more talent

trotwoodfan
11:32 AM, 10/6/2009

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"If Braxton Miller plays, Northmont loses big". I heard that last year too when he got hurt in the Northmont game. If your entire team depends upon one player, you don't have much of a team. All the hype about Miller, and we have seen nothing on the field. Looks like he is running out of time, since the playoffs are a lost cause this year.

Don'tStart
11:29 AM, 10/6/2009

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