NORTHWOOD, Ohio — Northwood overview:
2023 Record: 3-7 (Missed playoffs)
Head Coach: Ken James (39th year)
Top Returning Players:
Anthony Gomez, Senior DB (Honorable Mention All-Ohio)
Kam Smith, Senior WR (1st Team All-TAAC)
Julien Chappell, Senior LB (1st Team All-TAAC)
Jason St. Claire, Junior DB (1st Team All-TAAC)
Alex Ellis, Junior OL (2nd Team All-TAAC)
2024 Schedule:
WEEK 1 8/23 vs. Rossford
WEEK 2 8/30 @ Lake
WEEK 3 9/6 @ Lakota
WEEK 4 9/13 @ Erie-Mason (MI)
WEEK 5 9/20 vs. Vanlue
WEEK 6 9/27 vs. Ottawa Hills*
WEEK 7 10/4 vs. Edon*
WEEK 8 10/11 @ Montpelier*
WEEK 9 10/18 @ Hilltop*
WEEK 10 10/25 vs. Otisville-Lakeville (MI)
*Denotes Toledo Area Athletic Conference game
The Northwood Rangers are looking for a big rebound this fall. Since 2000, the team had not experienced a losing season, but that streak that came to an end last year.
Motivated to prove it was just a fluke, the Rangers have been pushing themselves all summer.
"We're ready, we've been working really hard. Last year was upsetting, so we're coming harder this year," said senior Anthony Gomez. "We got a lot more weight room attendance and we've been going 10 times harder at practice."
Northwood doesn't possess the luxury of a big senior class, though, with 36 underclassmen compiling the roster. The leadership in place is proving beneficial already with head coach Ken James entering his 39th season.
"Guys are a little angry, a little grumpy, but we've had a really good offseason," James said. "We're going to play a lot younger guys this year, we don't have a whole lot of upperclassmen, so young guys are pretty excited."
He said this will be the youngest team he's had in 20-25 years, and that it's apparent to him that coming off a losing season is uncharted territory for the program.
Yet, the challenge of returning to glory breeds excitement throughout the team.
"I'm excited for toughness, like mental toughness," said senior Julien Chappell. "We might not have a whole lot of size, but we have the mental state of working hard and punching you in your mouth. Show them how coach James used to play football."