ROSS TWP. — Ross football coach Kenyon Commins knows what he has on paper. The numbers won’t lie from a season ago.
The fourth-year mentor said his Rams bring back some talent, but he admitted he simply doesn’t have a full grasp as to where his program sits in 2020.
Though it does help to have coached the current seniors for the past four years, Commins said.
“These seniors hold a special place with us,” Commins said. “These guys are the first group we’ve coached since their freshman year. We’ve been able to groom them with our system. They know that we have to finish what we’ve started since the beginning.
“How you look and how we play are two completely different things at this point,” Commins added. “We know what we have coming back on paper and how we should be. How we will be? We’ll find out really quick on Friday.”
The Rams, who went 8-3 last season, open things up against the other Rams — Badin — with a 7 p.m. kickoff start at Robinson Field. Ross beat Badin 20-19 in a season-opening overtime thriller and then fell to Badin in a 46-14 postseason throbbing.
“It’s become a rivalry that we can’t stop playing,” Commins said of the Badin-Ross season opener. “The community needs this game, and I think the players do too.
QUOTABLES
“What’s special about this group is their competitiveness, and I tell you what, they’re ultra competitive,” Commins said. “They just don’t like to lose. They don’t like to lose in cornhole. Heck, we had a rock-paper-scissors tourney, and they were going crazy. No one wanted to lose in that either. They’re just a fun group to coach.”
“We’re just like any other team right now,” Commins said. “We’re fighting through the bumps and bruises. And I think the effort these guys have given will show on the field.”
“As they were rolling (on the first day of practice), you’re still kind of getting goosebumps seeing them being back,” Commins said when practice was able to resume back on June 1. “I’m pleasantly surprised with the shape that their bodies are in. I’m really impressed with how their bodies looked.”
“We’re excited to be back,” said Kaden Rogers, a senior offensive lineman who has received over 20 college offers. “We’ve got to continue to keep our teammates accountable and just work hard. We’re glad to be back out here. A little sweaty, but that’s all right.”
KEY RETURNEES
Kaden Rogers — All eyes will be on the senior lineman. Commins said “it’s nice to have someone who has 20 college offers on your team. Kaden Rogers is the spearhead on an offensive line that can make some big holes.”
CJ Boze — The senior quarterback led Ross in rushing with 1,227 yards last season. He had 11 scores on the ground while running an offense that rarely ever passes.
Jackson Gifford — The senior running back received first-team, all-conference while rushing for 16 touchdowns and a team second-best 1,146 yards. Opposing teams will see more of the same from him and Boze.
Will Mischke — The senior offensive lineman got an honorable mention nod last season.
Griffin Peacock — A second-team, all-conference performer, Peacock returns on one of the best offensive lines in the area. He’s a senior.
Tanner Meale — The senior grabbed second-team, all-conference honors at tight end last season.
Casey Redemeier — The senior earned first-team, all-conference accolades in 2019 in the defensive backfield.
IN THE KNOW
Commins said the Rams will return 10 of the 11 offensive starters who played in the playoff loss against Badin in 2019.
KEY GRADUATES
Mehki Bouldin, Ethan Hall, Ethan Mills, Jack Duprie and Aaron Smith.
2020 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (6-game)
Aug. 28, Badin
Sept. 4, at Northwest
Sept. 11, at Talawanda
Sept. 18, at Harrison
Sept. 25, Edgewood
Oct. 2, Mount Healthy