2025 Dalton football preview
Dalton's Carter Hignight, a first-team All-Ohio quarterback in 2024, threw for more than 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns last season.
Josh McWilliams
The Dalton football team was 10-4 a year ago, 5-2 in the
WCAL, which was good for third place behind Norwayne and Division VII state runner-up
Hillsdale. Reid Geibel takes over at head coach for Ray Leek, who moved on to
take the same position at Wooster.
“We have a very committed, hardworking football team,”
Geibel said. “These players have been responding well ever since our June
workouts. We’ve had high participation throughout the summer outside of
vacations and mission trips. We’ve had just about 100% attendance at every
workout. It’s just been unreal — the attendance and hard work throughout the
summer.”
Geibel pointed at a group of five seniors who will lead
Dalton this year. Lineman Conner Mori (all-district), running back/linebacker
Jaxon Ryder (all-district and a 1,000-yard rusher last season), lineman Mitchell
Reynolds, linebacker/guard Aiden Pelfrey and guard/defensive end Corbin Lehman
will provide leadership to an underclassmen-heavy team.
Behind them is returning first-team All-Ohio quarterback
Carter Hignight, who threw for more than 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns last
season against only six interceptions.
“These kids are adapting well to new terminology, a new
offense and new defensive schemes,” Geibel said. “There are a lot of familiar
parts to what these players have had over the years to help in this
transition.”
As Geibel pointed out, a WCAL team has been in a state title
game each of the past two years including Dalton in 2023 when it lost to Marion
Local. Broc Dial left for Tuslaw after that year as the Bulldogs’ coach after
seven seasons.
The WCAL has proven its mettle as one of the best
small-school leagues in the state, annually putting multiple teams in the
playoffs and, as seen, contending for titles.
“We are really looking forward to competing in the Wayne
County League,” Geibel said. “It’s always been an extremely competitive league.
There have been two state final teams in the last two years; it’s a tough
league. There’s good football here and a lot of good coaches. We are excited
for the season.”
2025 schedule
Aug. 22 Col. Bishop Ready
Aug. 29 at Sparta Highland
Sept. 5 Mogadore
Sept. 12 at Smithville
Sept. 19 Hillsdale
Sept. 26 at Northwestern
Oct. 3 Rittman
Oct. 10 at Norwayne
Oct. 17 Chippewa
Oct. 24 at Waynedale
