St. Edward Football 2025

E

eaglepride

Well-known member
Here is the new thread for the year. Schedule has 5 games so far.

Pickerington North - Week 1
Massillon - Week 5
St. Ignatius - Week 7
Moeller - Week 9
Hoban - Week 10

Assuming Football North will be on the schedule as well and a couple OOS programs. Will be interesting to see if Elder continues the series. I know of one Elder poster that doesn't want it to continue anymore.

A lot of players returning, especially on the offense. Who will be the new QB and will he be able to execute the RPO style of offense that Lombardo likes to use.

So many questions as the eagles look to bring home their 8th state championship.
 
 
I'd hate to see Elder off the schedule as well, but, looking at it from their perspective, they are 4-14 since the schools started playing each other on an annual basis back in 2005. They also don't seem to have the scheduling issues we do and could probably find a local or nearby bordering state replacement pretty easily. I'd love to see St. X become an annual matchup but they seem more inclined to schedule the Kentucky and Indiana privates rather than make the trek to Lakewood.

As far as next season, a very solid core returns that should have us competing for a potential return to Canton. The QB battle likely comes down to Langston Lucas or Jonny Evanchick. Both are good athletes that are better suited to run Lombardo's preferred offense. Possible lineup with returning starters in bold:

QB: Langston Lucas ('27) or Jonny Evanchick ('26) - I'd give the edge in overall ability to Lucas, but the senior will get a shot.
RB: Brandon White ('26) - Ty Buchanan will also return and should help shoulder the load for White coming off the injury.
WR: Zach Hackleman ('26)
WR: Joe Saffold ('26)
WR: Ryan Mikovsky ('26) - Others will be in the mix for the third receiver spot, but Mikovsky was first in line when Hackleman went down.
TE: ??? - Not sure who's next in line and not sure that it matters with as little as we use the position.
LT: Jack Marquard ('27) - Became the full time starter at guard (way too late in the season), but should be the tackle moving forward.
LG: Xavier Krzak ('27) - Just a guess here but he rotated between LT and LG on the JV team.
C: ???
RG: Jahmal Menefield ('26) - Started the '24 season at RG, but really struggled at times and lost this spot. Hopefully a good offseason and time in the weight room will get him where he needs to be.
RT: Mason Wilhelm ('26)

DE/OLB: Collin Crocker ('26)
DT: Diondre Taylor ('26)
DT: Brendan Shultz ('26) - Could be in the mix on the OL as well, similar to JD Woods this past season.
DE: Brayden Paulozzi ('27)
LB: Aiden Peterson ('26)
LB: ???
DB: Brodon Moore ('26)
DB: Brayden Thomas ('26)
DB: Makhi Boone ('26)
DB: Landon Lehmer ('27) - Good all-around athlete and could be in the mix at WR too.
DB: ???
 
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High end skill wont be an issue with the big guys returning from injury. We all know what makes the Ed’s culture win games and that’s in the trenches.

We struggled to run it and stop the run all last year. I don’t see that happening again. The rpo offense hopefully with a running qb and improved Oline should take us farther.

Lambo needs to beat Massillon and get over that hurdle . It’s the biggest reg season game of the year now.
 
The 2024 season was a bit frustrating. Granted, it was the first time in almost half a decade we witnessed some real bumps in the road, so I can't complain all that much. I hate blaming shortcomings on injuries because we have the luxury of depth, but can't overcome it against really great teams like Liberty was this year. Would love to see Liberty again next year at Arlin Field. Some odd coaching decisions along the way but I'm not the coach for a reason and Lombardo has earned the right to run the team as he sees fit. He's built the winning culture and hopefully 2025 gets us back to where we want to be.

@edsfootball10 couldn't agree more about the Massillon game. 3 losses in a row stings a lot. Need to go down there and beat them. No other way to put it. I still have Ignatius in the rearview mirror for obvious reasons but right now beating Massillon is the most important regular season game.

Will be great to see a full season of Taylor, who is one of the most underrated players in the state. The returning starters have seen a lot of playing time which is always a good sign. Really hope everyone can stay healthy in 2025.

Can't help but be worried about the schedule though. Would hate to see Elder go but understand exploring other options. Assuming we add Glenville and Football North. Hopefully one more in state game before looking out of state, whether that's Elder or someone else. I know Walsh Jesuit doesn't join their new conference until 2026....maybe? Not sure what their schedule situation is or whether a game is feasible. Would really love to see Mentor back on the schedule as well. I'm assuming Avon's schedule is already full?
 
I have always believed (especially at the HS level) that if you are strong up the middle on O and D, it will typically equate to a solid football team and a positive outcome. If this team finds a QB that is a versatile athlete and makes solid decisions in this RPO offense, it has the balance of the pieces to be a contender again in 2025.

Go Eagles!
 
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slammer20 said:
I have always believed (especially at the HS level) that if your strong up the middle on O and D, it will typically equate to a solid football team and a positive outcome. If this team finds a QB that is a versatile athlete and makes solid decisions in this RPO offense, it has the balance of the pieces to be a contender again in 2025.

Go Eagles!
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I heard a sports reporter talking about pro football being more quarterback driven than coach driven.Saying a good solid coach can win a super bowl if he had a Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady etc. He said in college football it's equally driven great coach, Saban, Meyer Dabo along with a Heisman level quarterback Tebow ,Lawrence Deshawn Watson, etc. Imo, in high school football it is more coach driven than quarterback drive. Now you need a good quarterback but I can give you many programs that were losing and a new coach came in and turned the program around immediately and won championships, etc. Tom Lombardo is an excellent high school football coach and could go to any school and turn that school into a winning program imo.
 
petepastromi said:
I heard a sports reporter talking about pro football being more quarterback driven than coach driven.Saying a good solid coach can win a super bowl if he had a Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady etc. He said in college football it's equally driven great coach, Saban, Meyer Dabo along with a Heisman level quarterback Tebow ,Lawrence Deshawn Watson, etc. Imo, in high school football it is more coach driven than quarterback drive. Now you need a good quarterback but I can give you many programs that were losing and a new coach came in and turned the program around immediately and won championships, etc. Tom Lombardo is an excellent high school football coach and could go to any school and turn that school into a winning program imo.
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Agreed.
 
I think the Lucas kid will prove to be a very good dual threat QB for the Eagles. He was easily one of the best 9th grade QBs I’ve ever seen at St Edward in the freshman game against Ignatius in 2023.
 
I’m looking forward to next fall, with the combination of our record and close L’s , id hope it lights a fire in our guys this offseason. The combination of the offense never adapting/injuires definitely hampered us all year.

I doubt mentor wants to play us when they can keep the iggy series. Elder would be disappointing going down too cincy is huge and always a hurdle.

I think next years team will be a combination of the explosiveness we saw last year and our usual grind it out style.

Gonna be a long offseason.
 
Agree in many ways on the coach/QB thing at this level. But the reality appears to be that Lombardo does not want to change the offense around the QB and is committed to running the RPO. One of the things that puzzled me in 2024 was the offense not being a little bit more tailored to Csanyi's strengths as a gunslinger style QB (for example: playing a tight end consistently).

If you have a kid that fits the RPO mold perfectly it's great, but it makes who's playing QB very important. Lucas seems to fit it really well. Haven't gotten to see much Evanchick but I know he’ll get his shot and if he's better he should be playing anyway, senior or not.
 
eaglesfan216 said:
Can't help but be worried about the schedule though. Would hate to see Elder go but understand exploring other options. Assuming we add Glenville and Football North. Hopefully one more in state game before looking out of state, whether that's Elder or someone else. I know Walsh Jesuit doesn't join their new conference until 2026....maybe? Not sure what their schedule situation is or whether a game is feasible. Would really love to see Mentor back on the schedule as well. I'm assuming Avon's schedule is already full?
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Mentor is only open Week 1. Their options at this point are limited as almost every Ohio team is filled for Week 1. If Mentor/Eds had a mutual opening and Mentor got a little desperate, I could see a one or two year series. But in general, I think Mentor will stay away from the Eagles in the regular season as much as they can. There aren't really a lot of positives from Mentor's perspective. Most years they would get annihilated (like 2021). When the talent is close and the Eagles remain their one major obstacle in Region 1 (like 2024), they would rather not give St Eds a bonus chance to learn first hand how to stop them. If you happen to beat the Eagles, almost impossible to beat them twice.
 
eaglepride said:
Here is the new thread for the year. Schedule has 5 games so far.

Pickerington North - Week 1
Massillon - Week 5
St. Ignatius - Week 7
Moeller - Week 9
Hoban - Week 10

Assuming Football North will be on the schedule as well and a couple OOS programs. Will be interesting to see if Elder continues the series. I know of one Elder poster that doesn't want it to continue anymore.

A lot of players returning, especially on the offense. Who will be the new QB and will he be able to execute the RPO style of offense that Lombardo likes to use.

So many questions as the eagles look to bring home their 8th state championship.
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No trip to philly?
 
EaglePride01 said:
Would love to see if any more of the large Columbus publics are willing to engage.
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Would love to as well but there are only so many open weeks with the big publics in their conferences.

If the Ignatius to IMG transfer news is true it puts schools like ours into a dilemma with scheduling. The NIL really changed the landscape of high school football quickly. It's either we turn into a national program and focus more on that or risk losing key players to other programs across the country.

Probably should be modeling the program after a school like Bishop Gorman. I guess the writing has been on the wall for a few years now with the more national scheduling but I'd rather go all in on it versus trying not to go that way and getting no benefit out of it, or even losing kids. Don't have much of a choice either, with only 5 games for sure and 2 probable games (Glenville, Football North) it's not like we can't avoid the national schedule.

Unless a Ohio Catholic Conference comes along with everyone in it there's just no way to avoid turning into a national program to survive at the level we've come to expect.
 
eaglesfan216 said:
Would love to as well but there are only so many open weeks with the big publics in their conferences.

If the Ignatius to IMG transfer news is true it puts schools like ours into a dilemma with scheduling. The NIL really changed the landscape of high school football quickly. It's either we turn into a national program and focus more on that or risk losing key players to other programs across the country.

Probably should be modeling the program after a school like Bishop Gorman. I guess the writing has been on the wall for a few years now with the more national scheduling but I'd rather go all in on it versus trying not to go that way and getting no benefit out of it, or even losing kids. Don't have much of a choice either, with only 5 games for sure and 2 probable games (Glenville, Football North) it's not like we can't avoid the national schedule.

Unless an Ohio Catholic Conference comes along with everyone in it there's just no way to avoid turning into a national program to survive at the level we've come to expect.
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The transfer is real.
 
Any predictions on what the schedule will be like in 5 years? Unless, the eagles take a similar drop off like St. Ignatius, they are going to run out of options. Maybe the OSHAA splitting up the publics and privates may be the best outcome, if things keep trending the way we’re seeing it.
 
eaglepride said:
Any predictions on what the schedule will be like in 5 years? Unless, the eagles take a similar drop off like St. Ignatius, they are going to run out of options. Maybe the OSHAA splitting up the publics and privates may be the best outcome, if things keep trending the way we’re seeing it.
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In many ways the split has already happened. IMO the only hope for the OHSAA as we currently know it is to abandon competitive balance and ensure that all the top teams with big enrollments are playing in division 1. But still it’s not predictable with the general nature of high school football and where it’s going.

I think a decision is going to have to be made sooner than later: go all in as a national program or run the risk of ending up like Ignatius right now stuck in football purgatory. We may not even have a choice. We don’t have a conference and local public schools either can’t play us or don’t want to.
 
I don't know if anyone else recalls this, I've been trying to find the post. Around the time of the Pick North game, someone, maybe a Columbus area person, posted something like, don't be surprised if Pick North pays the fee and gets out of the away game next year, they've done that before.

Does anyone else remember that? Thanks
Go Eagles!
 
Schedule always dominates the talk this part of the offseason. I know I've been impressed we've gotten 10 game schedules more often than not. I hope that there are a lot of young jv guys who are working hard to take over the spots the seniors will be vacating. Would hate to see Elder go, I think that benefits us a lot but as someone posted earlier, 4-14 since that series started. We DO need to beat Massillon, 3 in a row to anyone is too much. The interior of the o-line needs a big offseason, a lot to replace. Keeping Glenville would be a nice local game to keep as well.
 
PDC said:
The transfer is real.
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When we start losing players I’ll worry about it ….. They allow early graduation now which I know some guys wanted. Armstrong twins ,Thomas. I’m honestly not too worried.

When you have great coaching / great schedule year in and year out. Combined with the academics the eagles seem to have the formula figured out.

Obiv some alumni would love to say we won a national championship but it’s meaningless, unlike wrestling who hasn’t in a while but even wrestling has gone the prep route.
 
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