Carrollton aims to end playoff skid
The 2025 Carrollton High football team includes Tanner Johnston, front from left, Connor McConnell, Darrion DePalmo, Hunter Allison, Alex Carlisle, Tucker Burgett, Jayven Johnson, Graden Cook, Isaac Husted, Jonathan Grubbs; Levi Kiko, second row, left, Brody Gonda, Jaden Murphy, Maddox Moore, N/A, Hayden Thomas, Killian Sweeney, Noah Hutson, Marcus Brooks, Thomas Patrick, Caleb Grove; Hunter Morgan, third row, left, Easton Russell, Paycen Havens, Jace Witham, Pryce Rodgers, Andrew Pridemore, Jacob Husk, Ryan Barnett, John Bajornes, Ryan Kennedy; Olivia McCort, fourth row, left, Aiden Fierstos, Drew Gero, Nolan Dietrich, Billy Indorf, Wyatt Ridzon, Lucas Mitchell, Brayden Dingess, Joey Witham, Kolby Seevers, Josilynn Cross; Kenzie Owens, back left, Butch Wood, Zade Deitz, Dan Westlake, Doug Rininger, Nick Piergallini, Cameron Clapper, Kris Booth, Adam Shipley, Travis Haugh, Storm Hill, Rich Percic and Gabriella McCort.
Thomas Clapper
Carrollton football is a team looking to get over the hump.
In a town that eats, sleeps, and breathes football, expectations to make the playoffs come with the territory. The Warriors have checked that box with regularity, as the last time they stayed home for the playoffs was 2019, following a 2-8 season.
Carrollton has experienced three consecutive first-round playoff exits. In 2024, the Warriors’ first season in Div. III, Region 11, their 7-4 campaign ended with a 42-13 playoff loss to Tri-Valley.Carrollton’s last foray past the first round was a 37-21 win over Cambridge in 2021.
In order for Coach Storm Hill and his squad to accomplish this feat, they will have to make up for losses on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Warriors said goodbye to Eastern Buckeye Conference first-team selection and quarterback Jacob Whitmore, an important cog both through the air and on the ground in last season’s attack.
Taking snaps as QB1 will be Hunter Allison, who makes the move from WR to QB. The good news for Allison is that important pieces from the offensive backfield and receiving corps are returning to smooth his transition from wideout. The backfield will be integral to the Warriors’ spread offense this year, says Hill, who enters his second season as head coach and 15th at Carrollton.
“We have to be able to establish the run if we want to have offensive success,” he said. “Returning both Levi Kiko and Hayden Thomas at running back will help with that.”
Kiko, one of only two sophomores to be named to the EBC’s All-League second team, was the Warriors’ leading ground gainer in 2024. Carrollton also returns a large chunk of its receiving weapons, meaning Allison has Isaac Husted (WR/DB), Tanner Johnston (DB/WR), Jaden Murphy (DB/WR), and tight end Jayven Johnson (TE/OLB) to throw to despite the Warriors losing Braylen Murphy and Garrett Broadwater.
The defensive backfield will be the strength of the Carrollton defense as Johnston, Murphy, and Husted will lead the charge in the secondary.
Graduation depleted the defensive line, where the Warriors lost Landyn Jackson (DL/OL), Landon James (DL/TE), Dillon Naylor (DL/OL), Matt Wayt (DL/OL), and Angelo Wilson (DL/OL), and Josh Rheil (DL/OL).
Look for Thomas, Johnson, Marcus Brooks, Nolan Dietrich, Graden Cook, Tucker Burgett, and Allison to man the defensive trenches this season, where Hill says Carrollton will be “replacing four starters on the defensive front, including an all-state player in Josh Rheil.”
The attrition also affects the offensive line. “Our biggest need is to find continuity across the offensive line as we replace four out of the five starting offensive lineman,” said Hill.
The Warriors finished second in the EBC with a 4-1 mark, and Hill expects another dog fight in the grueling conference this season.
“West Branch is the returning league champs and have many returning starters coming back,” Hill said. “The league as an entirety is very competitive across the board. There can be no off nights if you want to be successful.”
