SPRINGBORO — Springboro has spent the last two seasons reestablishing itself as a consistent winner.
The next step for the Panthers is turning that consistency into a deeper postseason run.
Springboro enters the 2026 season coming off consecutive seven-win campaigns and returns several key pieces from a team that went 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Greater Western Ohio Conference last fall. The Panthers closed the regular season with four straight victories before falling 21-3 to Springfield in the playoffs.
Coach Ryan Wilhite has one of the GWOC’s most experienced quarterbacks to build around in senior Max Miller.
Miller completed 205 of 341 passes for 2,347 yards and 18 touchdowns with nine interceptions last season. Springboro ranked third in the GWOC with 305.1 yards per game and led the conference with 213.4 passing yards per game. Miller earned first-team All-GWOC honors.
His top target also returns.
Senior Noah Bilinski led the GWOC with 84 receptions for 1,082 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. He averaged 98.4 receiving yards per game and joined Miller on the all-conference first team.
That combination gives Springboro proven production after losing several significant contributors, including running back Mattias Brunicardi, who rushed for 722 yards and 10 touchdowns, and receiver Brady Gutmann, who caught 69 passes for 803 yards despite playing eight games.
The Panthers also have experience to build around defensively.
Senior defensive lineman Carter Napier returns after collecting 53 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks last season. The 6-foot-3 lineman was a first-team All-GWOC selection and has committed to Pitt after attracting significant Division I recruiting attention.
Senior Max Weimer gives Springboro another productive returner on defense after recording 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and two sacks. Maddox Dixon had 50 tackles and an interception, while junior Cole Henson added 47 tackles and an interception.
Springboro will have production to replace after Evan Weinberg, Isaiah Doerman and Jacob Tibbits graduated. Weinberg had 78 tackles and a team-high 11.5 sacks, while Doerman led the Panthers with 84 tackles.
The Panthers’ recent trajectory provides reason for optimism. Springboro rebounded from a 1-9 season in 2023 to finish 7-5 in 2024 and 7-4 last year.
Springboro opens Aug. 21 at home against Mason before traveling to Gahanna Lincoln and Withrow. GWOC play begins Sept. 11 against Wayne at Watkins Stadium.
