Harrison Central football geared up for 2025 improvement

The Harrison Central Huskies are hoping the roller coaster that has been the last two seasons is on its way back up. After a 9-3 mark in what was the most successful season in school history in 2023, the Huskies plunged to a 2-8 finish in 2024, largely due to a host of high-profile injuries that depleted the roster by midseason.

With teams all over Ohio strapping up to tackle opening weekend, the Huskies are positioned somewhere between a rebuild and a reload. Meaning, graduation claimed some of the highest producers, but key pieces do remain.

Head coach Anthony Hayes, entering his eighth season on the sidelines for the Huskies (33-35 record), will be taking the field this weekend with a mix of familiar veterans that played a large majority of impactful snaps last year. Most notably, the position that some would argue is the most important position in football — quarterback — where senior Brady Hyre returns for his second season in the role behind an experienced offensive line.

Across the front, seniors Dylan Walters, Nathan Dulkoski and Jaden Harris bring multiple starts to the trenches. Sophomore Hunter Snyder joins them as the core of a group that saw significant playing time last season. Jayse Hython will suit up tight end, with senior Michael Stock logging time on the end and at wide receiver as well.

On the outside, the skill positions are well maintained with a variety of game-breakers returning. Jacob Quito may qualify as the most exciting option from his running back and wideout spots, while senior Chaz Culbertson will share in that role between both positions. Running back Beau Rinkes is back and is expected to carry more of the load on the ground, while senior Kayne Dunkle returns as the top outside option. He’ll be joined by Zander Stabile and sophomore Lance Smith to give Hyre plenty of targets.

Like most small schools, it will be two-way ironman football for the Huskies, with many of the same names from the offense unit transitioning over to defense.

The Huskies return 12 players with varsity experience on the defensive side of the ball, much of it in the secondary and linebacking corps. Hayes admits the interior could be considered rather green in terms of game or position experience, with Walters, Harris, Dulkoski, Hython, and Snyder expected to anchor the line.

Nico Wurschum and Olin Wade return on the second level at linebacker, along with Rinkes, Harris, Smith, and Culbertson. Culbertson will also roam the secondary, along with Dunkle, Hyre, Quito, Stabile, and Smith.

Kicking duties will be manned by specialist Noah Thaxton with Hyre doing the punting.

The schedule got a bit of a makeover for 2025, including games with Bellaire and Weir, matchups that have historically been good games. The Huskies welcome Newcomerstown back onto the slate for the first time in 20 years, replacing a four-year run that saw Buckeye Trail in the Week 2 slot, and Akron North will make the trip to Cadiz in Week 5 for the first meeting between the schools.

Now, all attention turns to Claymont in the Week 1 Battle for Tappan Lake. Historically speaking, the Huskies have had the Mustangs' number in recent years, leading the all-time series 13-4 and emerging victorious in 10 of the last 11 meetings dating back to 2007, including a 28-13 victory last season.