TOLEDO, Ohio — Ottawa Hills overview:
2023 Record: 11-2 (Advanced to 3rd Round of playoffs)
Head Coach: Brandon Carter (2nd year)
Top Returning Players:
Reddik Pillarelli, Senior WR (Honorable Mention All-Ohio)
Rocco Pillarelli, Junior RB (Honorable Mention All-Ohio)
Micah Walker, Senior K (1st Team All-TAAC)
Jackson Snyder, Senior DB (1st Team All-TAAC)
Teddy Szyperski, Senior OL (2nd Team All-TAAC)
2024 Schedule:
WEEK 1 8/23 @ Gibsonburg
WEEK 2 8/30 vs. Evergreen
WEEK 3 9/6 vs. Swanton
WEEK 4 9/13 vs. Port Clinton
WEEK 5 9/20 vs. Erie-Mason (MI)
WEEK 6 9/27 @ Northwood*
WEEK 7 10/4 vs. Hilltop*
WEEK 8 10/11 {Open}
WEEK 9 10/18 @ Montpelier*
WEEK 10 10/25 vs. Edon*
*Denotes Toledo Area Athletic Conference game
For the past two years, the Toledo Area Athletic Conference has run through Ottawa Hills. The Green Bears have secured back-to-back TAAC championships following undefeated seasons in conference play.
Last year served as a breakthrough campaign however for many reasons. Reaching the Division VI regional semifinals and winning 11 games are achievements that have never before been done in program history.
That experience provides a legitimate thought of this team advancing even further in the fall. A big reason for that confidence revolves around head coach Brandon Carter, who is entering his second season.
"We can only beat ourselves, so if we go out and do everything that we need to do, then we've got a chance to win every week," Carter said. "That's the approach, 1-0 every week and making sure we're putting our best foot forward."
He and the Green Bears set a high bar to open his tenure, but it's one a veteran group is prepared to chase. The team has more than a dozen seniors.
"Skillset-wise, we're probably one of the best around here. We can run, we can throw it," said senior Reddik Pillarelli. "Chase [Miller] can run at QB as well. They're excited, so I'm excited to see what they can do."
The all-state Pillarelli brothers, Reddik and Rocco, highlight the talent that returns for Ottawa Hills. Although replacing high-caliber players along the offensive and defensive line serves as a challenge, expectations surrounding the program remain high and embraced.
"Everyone is excited, coach Carter is getting us hyped up every day and reminding us that we're hunting still," said Rocco, a junior. "We are the hunted but we're still hunters and we're coming after people this year for sure."