The Carrollton Warriors enter the 2025 football season with a new-look roster but a familiar determination to contend in the Eastern Buckeye Conference.
Coming off a 7-4 campaign that included a 4-1 league record and a second-place finish, head coach Storm Hill — now in his second year leading the program — knows replacing a large graduating class will be key.
“As with any new season, we had a strong senior group from last year that we will need to replace,” Hill said. “Our seniors group this year is ready to compete and lead. There will be many new faces on the offensive and defensive lines. We will continue to find balance on offense and create an aggressive defense.”
On offense, Carrollton will look to its ground game to set the tone.
“We have to be able to establish the run if we want to have offensive success,” Hill said.
Returning running backs Levi Kiko and Hayden Thomas will share the workload, running behind veteran linemen Tucker Burgett and Graden Cook. The Warriors also bring back a strong group of receivers, led by Isaac Husted and Jayven Johnson. Hunter Allison, who was part of that receiving corps last season, will take over at quarterback.
Defensively, the Warriors’ secondary is expected to be a strength with the return of Tanner Johnston, Jaden Murphy and Husted. Hill also pointed to a solid group in the front seven, including Thomas, Johnson, Marcus Brooks, Nolan Dietrich, Cook, Burgett and Allison.
Still, the Warriors face challenges up front.
“Our biggest need is to find continuity across the offensive line as we replace four out of the five starting offensive linemen,” Hill said. On defense, they’ll be tasked with filling four spots on the front, including the loss of standout Josh Rheil.
The Eastern Buckeye Conference remains as competitive as ever.
“West Branch is the returning league champs and have many returning starters coming back,” Hill said. “There can be no off nights if you want to be successful.”
Carrollton opens the season with a core group of returning lettermen — including Allison, Burgett, Johnson, Husted, Johnston, Thomas, Brooks, Murphy, Kiko, Dietrich and kicker Paycen Havens — ready to step into bigger roles.
The Warriors are set to kickoff the season Friday, August 22 at home against the East Liverpool Potters. The game is slated for 7 p.m.
