Brock Netter

Brock is SOSA's primary writer and has worked for the Coshocton Tribune, the Kankakee Daily Journal (Ill.), the Vinton-Jackson Courier and the Jackson Telegram. He's a six-time award-winning journalist, a lifelong WWE fan, a suffering Bengals fan and calls the sidelines his home.

20 football players to keep your eyes on this fall

Here's a look at 20 names to watch for on the gridiron this fall.

Brock Netter, Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

It feels so good to finally write this … high school football is officially back.

Last season provided plenty of jaw-dropping performances, instant classics, playoff runs, and even a state championship in Southern Ohio.

Now, as we turn the page to the 2025 season — between the SVC, SOC, FAC, MSL, OVC, TVC and Ironton, who is now independent in football — more moments are waiting to be covered and unknown players are ready to mold themselves into household names.

So before the season’s opening kickoff takes place, we’ve compiled a list of 20 players to watch for this season.

NOTE: This is NOT a list of the 20 best players in SOSA’s coverage area. It’s not a be all, end all. This doesn’t mean other players won’t have outstanding seasons. This is simply 20 names to keep an eye on this season. Nothing more, nothing less.

Julian Baker, Miami Trace

For the last couple of years, the Panthers have been able to rely on a solid passing game. This go-around, it’s the ground game, featuring Baker, that figures to be their bread and butter. The junior back toted the ball for 917 yards and 10 scores on the ground last fall, leading to seven wins. Expect him to cross 1,000 yards and 15 scores. It’s his show behind a well-sized offensive line.

Miami Trace’s Julian Baker ran for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Ryan Seimetz, Jackson

Look up ‘Swiss Army Knife’ in the dictionary and you’ll see Seimetz. He’s seemingly everywhere, and you can always find him with the ball in his hands. Jackson’s top receiving threat caught 45 passes for 881 yards and 12 scores last season, lifting them to a fourth-straight FAC title. His game is versatile and he’ll prove it — again — this season.

Anthony Aaron, Valley

An injury early last season to Gabe McNeil allowed Aaron to be thrust into game action, and he proved how dangerous he can be in the backfield. Despite not playing all 10 games, he still found the end zone nine times and ran for just under 900 yards. Now, McNeil is healthy and the Indians have a two-man attack in the running game. That includes Aaron’s talents in the mix. They’ll be dangerous.

Truitt McGlone, Chillicothe

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Chillicothe’s program with new coach T.J. Carper bringing new energy to the sidelines. It also helps to have the captain of your defense returning to his spot. McGlone is a thumper, evidenced by his 85 tackles in the middle of the Cavs’ defense last season. Wherever the ball is, No. 55 isn’t far away.

Hudson Phalin, Circleville

Circleville enters a new chapter under legendary coach Jay Sharrett and he’ll have an experienced signal caller back under center. Phalin, who led the Tigers to four wins, found the end zone 25 times — 18 passing and seven rushing — while completing 66 percent of his passes. All of his weapons on the outside are back as well, which could turn the Tigers into a prolific passing team.

Cody Braden, Unioto

While the Shermans break in some new receiving threats, Braden’s stock will be on the rise. He was a huge part of the team’s nine wins last fall and a second straight conference championship. The now-senior back carried the ball to the tune of 730 yards and 16 touchdowns. It’s very possible that he tops 1,000 yards on top of his end zone trips this season. He’s got the juice.

Unioto’s Cody Braden rushed for 16 touchdowns last season, leading the Shermans to an SVC title.
CREDIT: *Raymond Gleadle/SOSA*

Myquan Waugh, Logan Elm

A well-sized percentage of Logan Elm’s roster featured seniors last season, including their top two tacklers. Waugh now slides into that role as the premiere guy on the defensive line. He registered 52 tackles, including 39 solo takedowns, with a handful for loss last year. His leadership will be of the utmost value this season with more than a handful of players stepping into new roles.

Anthony Sutton, Athens

Sutton received the opportunity a couple of times last season to be the Bulldogs’ featured back … and he showed out. Now it’s his turn to carry the load in the backfield after racking up 718 yards and nine scores for the 10-win Bulldogs. Despite a number of departed names, Athens figures to be in the mix for the TVC title again, and Sutton’s impact will be as important as ever.

Austin Gautier, Nelsonville-York

The reigning TVC champion is reloaded for a chance to keep the crown. Gautier is a key reason why. The Buckeyes’ feature back ran for just under 1,000 yards and found pay dirt 13 times last fall, earning himself TVC Offensive Player of the Year honors. If you thought that was impressive, he’ll be even better this year.

Zayne Williams, Ironton

The defending Division V state champions are replacing key players all over the field. However, Williams is back and that alone should scare opposing defenses. He’s a bruiser of a running back with a motor that never stops, finding the end zone on 17 different occasions last season. That was just a teaser of his capabilities. He’s ready for the full spotlight now.

Eric Manley, Eastern

The Eagles have state title aspirations, and Manley is leading the charge for one last ride. As one of the top three quarterbacks returning, if not the best, in Southern Ohio this season, he looks to lead the Eagles to yet another lengthy playoff run. He threw for over 2,800 yards and 42 touchdowns last season. Division VII is in a world of trouble. He’s worth the price of admission, and more.

Eastern’s Eric Manley threw for 42 touchdowns last season.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Camden Cooper, Paint Valley

From his linebacker position, Cooper is one of the best in the SVC and had no issue proving it last season. He finished as the Bearcats’ second-leading tackler, collecting 60 takedowns and a pair of forced fumbles. Entering his senior year, he’s the captain of the defense under new coach John Penwell, and is poised to put up huge numbers.

A.J. Paudicz, Westfall

Paudicz got his first taste of varsity action last fall and showcased his ability to run the show while taking care of the football. Completing 61 percent of his passes, he threw for 1,309 yards and 10 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Now entering his junior year with a year of experience under his belt, Westfall could be a very sneaky team.

Blake Brower, Zane Trace

Zane Trace is a program that’s always going to have stout interior play on the defensive line. Brower fits that mold and passes the eye test. He proved himself to be a mismatch up front with his speed and get-off ability, racking up 77 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks last season. Simply having that type of season again would be incredible. But he’s got more in store heading into his junior year.

Zach Berry, Fairfield Union

Fairfield Union’s program has undergone a complete 180, winning six games in back-to-back seasons. Berry was a force on the defensive line, and he’ll have to turn it up a notch again this season with a number of starters gone. The senior defensive end finished with 55 total tackles, including a team-high 14 for loss. He’ll lead a stingy defense into a new season.

Luke Gullion, Piketon

Dual threat. That’s what Guillon is, and his abilities could lead the Redstreaks back to the top of the SVC mountain. He finished the season with 22 total touchdowns — 11 rushing, 11 passing — while throwing just four interceptions, leading the Redstreaks to seven wins and the playoffs. With a number of starters returning, led by their signal caller, buy stock in the ‘Streaks.

Piketon’s Luke Gullion scored 22 total touchdowns last fall.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Ison Emnett, Wheelersburg

Emnett’s name is among the top defensive forces in Southern Ohio. A tackle-for-loss machine, he’s back with the intentions of his Pirates making it back to the regional final, at the very least. Last season, he finished with 50 tackles, 15 of which came for a loss. This Pirate team is reloaded for another deep run, one that could end in Canton with Emnett’s presence leading the way.

Isaac Taylor, Huntington

Taylor may not have gotten as many chances to showcase his full abilities in the backfield last year due to injury. But he still took full advantage when the ball was in his hands. He led the Huntsmen with 76 carries for 412 yards and found paydirt nine times as they went from 1-9 to 3-7 last season. The talent is there to make some noise, and with Taylor getting more chances, things are looking bright in the TWP.

Mason Dumpert, Hillsboro

Dumpert is entering his third year under center, and this could be the season the Indians put everything together. His junior season didn’t pan out, from a numbers and record perspective, totaling 11 touchdowns — eight rushing and three passing — as the Indians missed the playoffs. That alone should provide a spark for this team, led by their general to put a special season together.

Tilton Rapp, West

If you didn’t know his name before this season, you will before its end. Rapp was just a sophomore last year, but quickly proved himself to be a machine. He had one job: make the tackle. And he did it better than anyone by racking up a team-high 119 tackles, including seven for loss, from his linebacker spot. Remember his name. He’s a wrecking ball.