D.L.B

  Name: John Bell Head Coach C4  LIONS Middletown, Ohio   Would you share with the readers your coaching history? First job to current job. My coaching journey has been a rewarding path of growth and development across different levels of the game: ▪ Head Junior High Coach — Landmark Eagles (3 years): This is where I cut my teeth as a head coach, learning how to build a program culture, teach fundamentals, and lead young athletes. ▪ Assistant Varsity Coach, Defensive Back Coach, & Defensive Coordinator (7 years): Spending seven years on the varsity staff allowed me to dive deep into scheme design, master defensive back play, and coordinate a varsity defense. ▪ Varsity Head Coach (Present): Bringing all of those years of experience together to lead my own program, build a brotherhood, and help young men grow both on and off the field." Who are some of the coaches you have learned from? I've been fortunate to learn from some incredible football minds thro...

  Name: Leland Korona School/town: Gaylord, Michigan Positions played: EDGE/DT Class: 2027 Height and Weight: 6’2” 220 Jersey Number: 44 Awards won or earned: First-team all-area HUDL LINK: http://www.hudl.com/v/2SbMMv Other sports played: Twitter Handle: Lelandkorona4 What makes you a good teammate?   I am persistent with motivating my teammates to not do the bare minimum and go above and beyond What is the strongest part of your game?  My twitch; you never know what I'm going to do. I could do almost anything to an OL in a pass rush situation. I use my hips to create explosive knock back to get separation and get a tfl in my film. What's been your biggest moment as an athlete?    2nd and 5 one-score game vs st. Johns around our 35-yard line with around 10-15 seconds left, and they use their last timeout. What are your personal goals for the season?  10 sacks, 20 TFL , and 1 scoop and score What team goals are you going to set?   State title Wh...

  Name: Kaden Russell School/town: Selby Area School Positions played: O-line/tight end and D-line Class: 2028 Height and Weight: 5ft 11 inches/ 190lbs Jersey Number: 34 Awards won or earned: all state HM and 2x all conference HUDL LINK: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19917173/Kaden-Russell Other sports played: Basketball baseball and track Twitter Handle: @kadenrussell34 Who or what got you started playing football? Loved playing catch with my dad and brother and then started in 6th grade and loved it since. Offensive line or defensive line, which one do you feel you are better at? Defensive line for sure. Offensive line or defensive line, which one is harder to prepare for? Definitely offensive line. What have you done during the off-season to help you improve your game? Lifted multiple times a week and worked out to get ready for the season. Which part of your game do you feel is your strongest? I would say defensive line just firing off and getting to the QB. What has b...

  Name: Parker Harvey School/town: I go to school at Bethel Tate High School and live in Georgetown, Ohio. Positions played: running back and linebacker. Played defensive of line last year. Class: 2028 Height and Weight: 5,10, 190 Jersey Number: 0 Awards won or earned: Freshman year honorable mention all SBAAC, sophomore year second team all-league SBAAC. HUDL LINK: http://www.hudl.com/profile/26821205 Other sports played: Wrestling Twitter Handle: @parkerharvey20 What is the toughest part of being a student-athlete at Bethel-Tate High School? I don’t get a lot of free time. There’s always something sports-related or school-related to do. What is the best part of playing for Head Coach Jeff Essig? He’s a great coach, always coaching us up if anyone messes up, he knows what he’s doing and if you listen to him, you’ll be great. Linebacker or running back, which one do you feel you are better at? I feel like I'm better at running back. I’ve been running the ball since youth and...

     Name: Cayden Cross School/town: Licking Heights, Pataskala Positions played: Running Back, Outside Linebacker, and Strong Safety Class: 2027 Height and Weight: 5’10”, 185 lbs Jersey Number: 8 Awards won or earned: Four-year varsity letterman, JV Player of the Year 2023 HUDL LINK:  http://www.hudl.com/profile/19493343 Other sports played: Track Twitter Handle:  CaydenC2713 What or who got you started playing football? My G-Pop. Family has always been a big part of my life, so he got me started playing football when I was young. They’ve supported me since I can remember. What keeps you motivated to play the game? Wanting to really be successful in life and showcase my skills, wanting to be an athlete representing God, and making sure I’m able to give back to my family who poured so much into me. What does community buy-in mean to you and the team? Community buy-in means the community showing up for games, supporti...

    Name: Braylon Francis    School/town: Paris High School, Paris, KY Positions played: Football: WR, CB, ATH Basketball: CG, SG Class: 2028 Height and Weight: 6’2, 175 lbs Jersey Number: 3 Awards won or earned: Basketball: District 40 All District Team, District 40 Player of the Game, 10th Region All-Region Honorable Mention  HUDL LINK: www.hudl.com/profile/22749776 Other sports played: Football, Basketball, Track Twitter Handle: @BraylonF3 Are you better at football or basketball?  I would say I'm generally better at basketball, but don't get me wrong, I am still good at football, so I'm just a multisport athlete that's good at both. How long have you played each sport? I have played basketball and football since I was around 6 years old, so 10 years. What makes you a good teammate? I am a good teammate because not only do I want to see myself win, but I want everyone to win in whatever it is, from the field to the court, and in life in general. I lead m...

  Name: Jeremiah Jones School/town: Taylor High School, Cleves, Ohio Positions played: WR/DB Class:28 Height and Weight: (188 lbs 6,2) Jersey Number:1 Awards won or earned: Freshman year honorable all CHL. mention Sophomore year second team all CHL HUDL LINK: Other sports played: basketball, track Twitter Handle: @Darealbabyj2424 What makes you a good teammate? The energy and competitiveness I bring to the team is what gets us going What goals are you setting with the team? To go 16-0 this season and put everything on the line every play What do you feel is the strength of your game? My strength would be being able to stay calm and execute at all times, especially when things are intense. I look at myself like the go-to guy What did you accomplish during the off-season to aid you into becoming a better player? Getting fast and working on being quick and explosive so all my skills can come together, including the physicality and elusiveness. Can the band, fans, and cheerleaders ...

  Name: Asher Wilmink School/town: University School Positions played: ATH - RB/WR Class: 2028 Height and Weight: 5’ 11” 185 Jersey Number:  # 1 Awards won or earned:  Topped the 2026 NXGN THE SHOW Leaderboard  with a Pro shuttle 4.3, L Drill 6.9 and broad jump of 10'. Earned invite to Adidas Pro Day 2027.  https://youtu.be/Bg8ywgk1Gt8?is=tOhj7htLuipAjIbH Other sports played: Track, Powerlifting  Twitter Handle: @asherwilmink Post anything from last season that sticks out to you the most. It can be from a practice, a game, the bus ride to or from the game. Any one moment that sticks out to you. What makes you a good teammate?   Being encouraging no matter what  What are your personal goals for the season?   Be a leader, support my teammates and score 2 touchdowns a game What team goals will you set?   Beat our rivals and make the playoffs  What has been your biggest moment as an athlete?   Either 6th grade when I gained a ton o...

  Name: Desmond Jackson School/town: Licking Heights High School / Pataskala, Ohio Positions played: Wide Receiver Class: 2027 Height and Weight: 5’8”, 165 lbs. Jersey Number: 19 Other sports played: Basketball Twitter Handle: @DezJackson2027 Hudl Link: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16166462/Desmond-Jackson What has been the biggest adjustment that you have had to make with the new coaching staff? The biggest adjustment has been that I can’t slack off. The coaches expect us to stay focused and give maximum effort every day, so I’ve had to be more consistent and accountable. What are your goals for the season? My goal is to help my team have a winning record and do whatever I can to contribute to our success. What were the first words Coach Sayers said to you? “You’re a great player. That’s why we need you here.” With this being your final high school football season, are you approaching things with more urgency? Explain. I wouldn’t say I’m approaching things with more urgency. I...