Knights banking on defense to fuel 2025 playoff push

Keaton Leppla is entering his second year as head football coach at West Holmes.

That continuity should help the Knights this season.

“Year two in our program and system equals more comfort and confidence,” he said. “(We’ll be) more efficient offensively and more aggressive defensively.”

West Holmes dropped its season opener last season, then won four of its next five games. A three-game losing streak followed before the Knights ripped off three consecutive wins, including two playoff victories, before bowing out to unbeaten St. Clairsville in the regional semifinals.

They finished 7-6 overall and 3-3 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference. Leppla expects his team to finish in the upper half of the conference this season.

With only three defensive letter-winners gone, a strong defense could help Leppla’s Knights reach that goal.

Seniors Lynn Cline (OLB), Blake Johnson (DL) and Chance Jackson (CB); juniors Zach Hustack (DL), Braxton Blake (LB), Chris Williams (LB), Cam McCluggage (OLB) and Mac Craft (CB); and sophomore Rhett Chaney (S) are all back and projected to start on defense. Also in the starting mix are senior defensive linemen Grady Hawkins and Max Coakley, junior DL Oliver Fleming, and freshman safety Coi Beachy.

Blake led the unit last season with 134 tackles while Cline was second with 124.

The offense must replace seven letter-winners but returns several key pieces.

Cline, a wide receiver/running back, is expected to be the focal point after catching 43 balls for 648 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for 458 yards and three scores on 76 carries last year.

Senior running back Brody Bowman will be leaned on heavily. He rushed for 371 yards and six scores on 95 carries in 2024.

Coakley (OL), Chaney (WR) and Jackson (WR) are the other returning letter-winners. Other projected starters include Blake (WR), Hustack (OL), junior Chet Cooper (OL) and junior Brayden Parsons (QB). Senior Charlie Cooper and junior Parker Hoxworth are battling for the center position while senior Johnson and junior Boden Macaulay are fighting for the final offensive line spot.

2025 schedule

Aug. 22 Triway

Aug. 29 Orrville

Sept. 5 at Dover

Sept. 12 at Mansfield Sr.

Sept. 19 at Madison

Sept. 26 Wooster

Oct. 3 Lexington

Oct. 10 at Ashland

Oct. 17 at New Philadelphia

Oct. 24 Canton South