SYLVANIA, Ohio — Southview overview:
2023 Record: 8-4 (Advanced to 2nd Round of playoffs)
Head Coach: Steve Hardy (3rd year)
Top Returning Players:
Josh Adamczyk, Senior OL (Honorable Mention All-Ohio)
Drew Young, Senior LB (Honorable Mention All-Ohio)
Scott Hearn, Senior OL (2nd Team All-NLL)
Carson Fielding, Senior P (2nd Team All-NLL)
2024 Schedule:
WEEK 1 8/23 @ Northview
WEEK 2 8/30 vs. Waite
WEEK 3 9/6 @ Findlay
WEEK 4 9/13 vs. Perrysburg
WEEK 5 9/20 @ Whitmer
WEEK 6 9/27 vs. Scott
WEEK 7 10/4 @ Bowling Green*
WEEK 8 10/11 vs. Fremont Ross*
WEEK 9 10/18 vs. Clay*
WEEK 10 10/25 @ Napoleon*
*Denotes Northern Lakes League Cardinal Division game
In the first season of the newly formed Northern Lakes League, Southview High School finished with a perfect 4-0 record in the Cardinal Division.
"We're motivated, hungry and obsessed with winning," senior quarterback Will Mayzes said.
It's easy to get complacent when you capture the program's first league title since 2011. But these Cougars are not dwelling in the past.
"We weren't content with what we did last year," senior lineman Josh Adamczyk. "There were a couple games that we feel we could've won or made closer. We want to eliminate those games, have a better record and go further in the playoffs."
In 2023, Southview nearly defeated Whitmer (35-28) in an NLL crossover game. The goal of beating a Division I opponent remains on the list of objectives this season as they'll play Findlay, Perrysburg and Whitmer again.
Those three schools served as the only losses in regular season play, which provides an element of belief for those returning. Especially given the fact they hosted and won a playoff game as well.
"It was important for our younger guys who are going to have an important role this year," Mayzes said. "They know what it's like to win a division championship and host a playoff game. Just a great experience for all of us to know how it's done."
A program capable of replicating those aspirations but one that did lose 29 seniors to graduation. That includes the school's all-time leading rusher Isaac Sexton who tallied over 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns.
"Of all of our players besides Will [Mayzes], we have one reception and maybe a handful of rushing yards," head coach Steve Hardy said. "We have to replace all of that but we have a great core group."
Mayzes takes the role of leader, returning as the team's starting signal caller. He does possess a chip on his shoulder having not been able to finish the season last year due to injury (missed all Cardinal Division games).
Four other starters are back as well, including three offensive linemen, to bolster confidence.
"We did lose Isaac [Sexton] which is some big shoes to fill, but we got Moe McArthur who will fill those shoes well," Mayzes said. "We're going to be doing a lot of similar stuff to last year and we got some great receivers and a lot of weapons on offense."
The season opener is scheduled to take place on Aug. 23 at rival Northview High School. A game this unit understands they need to be locked in for.
"It really helps having the giant rivalry week one," senior linebacker Drew Young said. "Sometimes the summer can feel like a grind, but when you know the team up north is week one it's like, 'Let's push, let's do it.'"
The Cougars have won the last two meetings in the "Battle of Sylvania." Setting the tone for the season remains at the forefront for this team as Southview strives for a third consecutive winning season.
"If we set on the idea that this one year was really good, we'll fall back to previous years where we struggled to win games," Young said. "If we build that winning culture, it becomes an expectation."
Success is trending upward for the program. In Hardy's first year as head coach, they won eight games. Year two brought eight more victories and a playoff win (the first since 2008 State Championship run).
"This year, they are focused, quiet and hard-working," Hardy said. "They want to be successful and continue to have success for this program moving forward."