HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COUNTDOWN: NORTHMONT

League/conference: Greater Western Ohio Conference, Central Division

Head coach: Lance Schneider, 16th year with a record of 103-57; all at Northmont.

Assistant coaches: Tony Broering, DC/LB, Mike Schneider, special teams coordinator/QB; Tom Meyer, OL; Mike Smith, asst. OL; Earl Taylor, WR; Shane Kincer, RB/freshmen head coach; John Brands, DL; Aaron Fister, safeties; Chris Stanley, CB; Mike Jewsikow, K; Nic Nagel, freshmen WR; Chris Pulos, freshmen OL; Mike Mangen, freshmen DL; Danny Gress, freshmen LB; Mark Mays, freshmen DB.

2013 record: 4-1 GWOC Central; 8-3 overall.

2013 highlights/notable achievements: Stunned 32-22 by Thurgood Marshall in the opener, then ran off eight wins before losing to Wayne in Week 10 GWOC Central championship game, 14-7. Lost in playoff opener to Elder, 16-7. Hilliard Darby (8-3) replaces Thurgood (7-4) in the opener; Fairfield (9-2) bumps Westerville South (5-5) in Week 2. Other schedules changes are Piqua in Week 4 instead of Fairborn (2-8) and Springboro (9-2) is in Week 5 over Dunbar (5-5). This will be Northmont's first true road game to begin a season since 1992 (all others since were at home or a neutral site).

5 key returners:

Ryan Smith, 5-10, 175, sr., QB; first team All-GWOC Central RB but switches to QB in place of one-and-done standout Graham Oberer.

Josh Perry, 6-3, 290, sr., OT (committed to Western Kentucky)

Jonte’ Broski, 6-3, 245, sr., TE/H-back

Sean Richards, 6-3, 250, sr., DE

Jimi Saul, 5-10, 205, jr., OLB

Key newcomers:

Ryan Boyd, jr., WR; transfer from CJ; must sit the first five games, but will be an impact player.

Arius Spears, so., WR

James Abrams, jr., DE

Coach's comments: Defensively, we have to replace nine starters from last year's unit. Offensively, even though we had to replace all but one skill player (Smith), our strength will be our offensive line. This could be the fastest overall team we have had.

Schedule:

Fri., Aug. 29 at Hilliard Darby, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept 5 at Fairfield, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 12 Lakota East, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 19 at Piqua, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 26 Springboro, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 3 Beavercreek, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 10 at Centerville, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 17 Wayne, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 24 at Fairmont, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 31 Springfield, 7 p.m.

Coming Monday: Miami East Vikings