HARRISON — Derek Rehage doesn’t have to search far for evidence of how close Harrison High School was to an even bigger football season a year ago.
Five points separated the Wildcats from an unbeaten regular season.
Harrison finished 9-4 and advanced to the Division II, Region 8 semifinals, but its three regular-season losses came 21-20 to East Central, 31-29 to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and 23-21 to Columbus DeSales.
Those close calls helped shape Harrison’s offseason.
“We’ve worked really hard this offseason about trying to become a unit, become a family,” said Rehage, who enters his 10th season. “This is probably one of the best units I’ve had in a while. They’re a unit.”
Harrison placed an increased emphasis on its weight program, moving team lifts after school and using them as both strength and team-building sessions. Rehage said seven players bench-pressed more than 300 pounds.
But getting stronger wasn’t the only objective.
Execution was.
Rehage pointed to missed assignments, decisions and turnovers that played significant roles in Harrison’s three regular-season defeats. Against CHCA, for example, Harrison amassed 534 yards — including 335 rushing — but committed four turnovers in a two-point loss.
“We’ve worked really hard this offseason about trying to buy into the team,” Rehage said.
The Wildcats have an experienced player directing that effort in senior quarterback Brady Lawhon.
Lawhon led the Southwest Ohio Conference with 1,779 passing yards last season and ranked third in the league with 643 rushing yards.
“He has been the catalyst,” Rehage said. “He is the leader. It’s his team.
“When you have a senior quarterback, you feel really good about your chances.”
Lawhon said his priorities are simple — create opportunities for teammates, protect the football and win.
“You either get better or you get worse,” Lawhon said. “You never stay the same, so always try to get better every single day.”
There will be changes around him.
Harrison graduated running back Preston Flick, who rushed for 1,474 yards last season, along with several other offensive contributors. The Wildcats also return only two starters on the offensive line.
One of the new pieces up front could eventually become one of Harrison’s most imposing. Rehage said sophomore tackle Jonathan Netherly is approximately 6-foot-8 and 270 pounds.
“He’s going to be really good if he figures it out,” Rehage said.
Harrison’s offensive system remains intact. Rehage will continue calling plays in the Wildcats’ RPO-based attack while his brother serves as offensive coordinator. Former Harrison quarterback Connor Kinnett, the program’s career passing leader, has joined the varsity staff as quarterbacks coach.
Defensively, Harrison enters its second season operating out of the “Colerain 50” under defensive coordinator Carl Huber.
There is plenty of experience returning on that side.
Baldock recorded 85 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior. Markarian intercepted six passes last season and has since committed to Northern Illinois.
Jack Denier led the SWOC with eight interceptions. Rehage also expects Wyatt Roudebush, Izzy Taylor and Bronson Baker to play significant roles.
Harrison’s defense helped produce one of the defining victories of last season when the Wildcats shut out Talawanda 14-0. The Brave entered the game unbeaten and eventually finished 10-2.
The Wildcats then showed their postseason capability.
They defeated Butler 40-7 in the opening round before going on the road and upsetting 9-2 Kings 35-31. Their season ended the following week with a 49-0 loss at Trotwood-Madison in the regional semifinals.
It marked Harrison’s second straight 10-plus-game season after going 10-3 in 2024.
The road doesn’t get easier in 2026.
Harrison opens Friday at Milford before road trips to McNicholas and Beavercreek. The Wildcats’ schedule also includes Withrow, Ross, East Central and La Salle along with SWOC opponents Mount Healthy, Talawanda and Northwest.
Rehage isn’t hiding from the difficulty.
“Our schedule is tough,” he said. “It is very tough. … Sure, we want to go 10-0, but I’m realistic. Our schedule is really tough for us to go 10-0.
“So our goal every year is to win eight football games.”
More than a particular record, Rehage wants the Wildcats to look like a team that learned from how thin the margin between winning and losing became last season.
“A well-disciplined, well-operational, well-executed team that’s going to do what is asked of them,” Rehage said, “and play hard.”
