1A Cambridge City Lincoln
Head Coach: Jeremy Bane, entering second year at Lincoln
Record last season: 1-9
Cambridge City Lincoln is in serious rebuilding mode. The Eagles’ roster last year listed 21 players. Ten graduated and another was injured in an off-season accident and will not be able to play this season. Their starting quarterback of the last two seasons was one of a handful of players who moved to another fall sport or transferred to other schools. The net result is a roster of only 13 players to open the varsity season, but Coach Bane is high on them. “The kids we have have worked hard and they want to be there,” Bane said.
The most experienced skill position returnees include senior running back, wide receiver and defensive back Braxton Dick and senior wide receiver and defensive back Dustin Lunsford. Lunsford, who Bane described as “a team player who will do anything we ask to help the team win,” will take over as the quarterback.
The Eagles also return several experienced linemen, most notable among them Caden Alvarez, Justin Driscoll, Brayden Hampton and Drake Waddell. Bane said that Alvarez, only a sophomore, has improved greatly and will be an impact player. Bane also expected big things from Gage Collins, a freshman that Bane describes as the strongest player on the team.
The Eagles were scheduled to take part in a preseason jamboree hosted by Union City on Friday, Aug. 15, involving teams from Fort Wayne Blackhawk, Wes-Del, Union City and Lincoln, but it has been changed to a scrimmage between Lincoln, Tri-County North and Union City at Union City. The Eagles are scheduled to open regular-season play on Friday, Aug. 22, when they host Centerville at 7 p.m.
2A Centerville
Head coach: Ryan Cole, entering fourth year at Centerville
Record last season: 9-2
The Bulldogs graduated some key players from their nine-win team a year ago. Most notable among them was Indiana South All-Star Coleson Campbell. But the Bulldogs return substantial talent and will be the favorite to win the Tri-Eastern Conference and to compete for a sectional championship. The Bulldogs have arguably the best quarterback in the TEC in Jace Hollendonner, the best running back in Maddox Pritchett and the best overall player on both sides of the ball in Ethan Vecera.
Hollendonner connected on nearly 70% of his pass attempts last season as a freshman while completing 27 touchdown passes. His top three receivers, Pritchett, Vecera and Jeremiah Mull, all return. His 130.7 quarterback rating last season led the TEC. Vecera averaged nearly 12 tackles per game and had a team high of five interceptions. Johnny McGinty averaged 7.5 tackles and 4 sacks per outing.
The Bulldogs, along with Northeastern, are one of only two league teams to receive votes in the 2A preseason state poll.
Centerville will host New Castle for a scrimmage at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, and will open their regular season on Friday, Aug. 22, with a road game at Cambridge City Lincoln set to kick off at 7 p.m.
1A Hagerstown
Head coach: Scott Snodgrass, entering 15th year at Hagerstown
Record last year: 4-7
The Tigers graduated their leading receiver, their leading rusher, their scoring leader, their sack leader, much of their offensive and defensive line and their quarterback, but the Tigers return a lot of talent, especially in their sophomore and junior classes. How quickly the underclassmen gel will have a large bearing on the success of the program this season. Most of the sophomores saw significant playing time a year ago. Jaxon Hale rushed for nearly 200 yards, Graham Vinson completed four touchdown passes, and Kaden Hall, Heath Johnson and Gus Golliher will all return after seeing playing time on the line as freshmen. Juniors Ben Hokey, who had six interceptions last season, and Ty Lieberman are also expected to be key contributors.
The only two seniors on the team, Leyton Berger and Isaac Schmitz, will provide leadership and key contributions on both sides of the ball. Six-foot, 190-pound freshman running back Lincoln Small is expected to be an immediate impact player.
Hagerstown will host Lapel for a scrimmage at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15. They will open regular-season play on Friday, Aug. 22, by hosting Knightstown at 7 p.m.
2A Northeastern
Head coach: Wes Oler, entering seventh year at Northeastern
Record last season: 9-1
The Knights are defending Tri-Eastern Conference Champions and will be back in the hunt to repeat. The Knights, along with Centerville, are one of only two league teams to receive votes in the preseason state 2A poll.
Quarterback Blake Waters, leading receiver Colton Creech and defensive force Zane Schnieder graduated, but the Knights return substantial talent and speed.
Leading rusher Dylan Ross and leading receiver Trent Deloney as well as linemen Kale Hansen, Charlie Shaffer and Dakota May all return. Speedster Quanell Denton also returns.
The Knights will travel to Bellmont for a scrimmage at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, before opening regular-season play Friday, Aug. 22, with a road trip to Union County. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
4A Richmond
Head coach: Marcus Calvert, entering second year at Richmond
Record last season: 1-9
The Red Devils are looking for continued growth in their program.
Richmond will start the season with a 56-man roster. Leading rusher Lewis Alexander and leading receiver Ja’riyah Delucio will be among the large number of returning players from last season.
Richmond will host Jay County at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, for a scrimmage. The Red Devils will open regular-season play by hosting Connersville at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22.
Richmond is not thinking in terms of a North Central Conference championship but rather steady improvement, an achievable goal.
A version of this article appeared in the August 13 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.