TRENTON — The Edgewood Cougars are looking to bounce back after a 3-8 season under second year head coach Trace Reynolds.
The 2015 EHS graduate believes last year was a season of missed opportunities.
“The goal is to find a way to win. Last season came down to about eight to 10 plays that we ended up on the wrong side of — but ultimately, that’s football,” Reynolds said.
“As a young team playing a bunch of sophomores, the expectation now is to show maturity and growth, and not be starstruck by Friday night lights. Three wins will never be an expectation for Edgewood football — and it shouldn’t be. With a senior-heavy roster of 15-plus players, the expectation is to win football games.”
Last season the Cougars were strong defensively only allowing 24 points a game, however on offense they were averaging scoring 12 points a game. Reynolds said the team needs to perform better.
“First, I think it’s important to highlight the level of play from our defense last year,” Reynolds said. “Coach Heflin and the defensive staff did a phenomenal job putting guys in position to fly around and keep us in games.
“Offensively, averaging 12 points a game does not meet expectations. In Year 1 of a new system, execution can be a struggle. But moving into Year 2, execution becomes an expectation. To win games with the strength of schedule we have, protecting our defense and scoring more points will give us a real chance to compete.”
Edgewood returns several key players on both sides of the ball. Running back Brody O’Banion (154 carries, 875 yards, eight touchdowns), running back Miller Fall (45 carries, 249 yards, one touchdown), as well as leading tackler on defense Solomon Rothermel (109 tackles, two forced fumbles), and defensive back Roman Smith (77 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and two sacks) and caught a touchdown with 177 total yards.
They’ll be joined by senior Kyle Franke, who missed most of the 2024 season (due to a leg injury suffered in week two) and is making the move from fullback to tight end. He will also see time on defense at linebacker.
“The adjustment to tight end wasn’t too rough for me. I loved running the ball, which I may still do a little this year. But as I grew in size, tight end and linebacker fit my build more,” Franke said. “I’m very excited to play linebacker and to be able to go both ways this year. I feel truly comfortable playing linebacker, and I think it’s a great spot where I can make a strong contribution to the team.”
Edgewood lost 78-7 to eventual state runner-up Anderson in the OHSAA Division II playoffs — the worst loss in program history. The Cougars are trying to avoid their third consecutive losingseason, something that hasn’t happened since 1991-93.
“I believe our record the past two years hasn’t fully shown how we are as a team,” Franke said. “There were multiple games last season that came down to a play or two where it could’ve changed the outcome, I believe the biggest thing we can do is to just win on those plays over anything else.”
Reynolds wouldn’t name a starting quarterback yet however Carter Breedlove is in the mix after finishing the rest of last season after Ryan French went down.
“We emphasize competition throughout our football program in every aspect,” Reynolds said. “We encourage our players to compete against one another in a healthy way to earn the positions they want.”
Heading into fall camp, Breedlove will take the majority of quarterback reps, but his performance, along with others in the competition, will determine who wins the starting position.
The Cougars will host the Oak Hills Highlanders in their season opener on Aug. 22, looking to start 1-0 for the first time since 2020. Edgewood has consistently played one of the toughest schedules in the area.
“Iron sharpens iron. When you look at our schedule, Weeks 1 through 10, we’re going to face tough, well-coached football teams week in and week out,” Reynolds said. “In order to prepareyour football team to win in Week 11, you have to be challenged from the start.
“From a coaching standpoint, our staff and I are excited to prepare our kids to compete against some of the best talent in southwest Ohio. Since 1970, the Edgewood football mentality has been to never back down and to represent the ‘E’ with pride and respect. We intend to carry on that tradition.”
2025 SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 22, Oak Hills
Friday, Aug. 29, at Springboro
Friday, Sept. 5, at Badin
Friday, Sept. 12, at Fenwick
Friday, Sept. 19, Chaminade Julienne
Friday, Sept. 26, at Bellbrook
Friday, Oct. 3, Ross
Friday, Oct. 10, Valley View
Friday, Oct. 17, at Franklin
Friday, Oct. 24, Monroe
