The 2026 season marks a pivotal moment for the Mapleton Mounties, a high school football program that finished last year with a 2‑8 record and is now focused on turning the tide. Competing in Division VII, Region 25 and the Firelands Conference, the team faces a rugged schedule that includes traditional rivals such as Loudonville and Wellington, as well as non‑conference matchups that will test their mettle early in the year.
Key Players to Watch
Among the standouts, junior running back Landon Jenkins returns after a 500‑yard, six‑touchdown season, while his brother Lukus Jenkins anchors the defense with 11 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Sophomore quarterback Keith Donley, who threw for 750 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, is expected to take a larger role, and junior nose tackle Mason Spring, who recorded five sacks and 37 tackles, will be a disruptive force up front.
Senior standout Cameron Nichols, who missed much of the previous campaign due to a broken collarbone, is fully healthy and poised to contribute both as a runner and a receiver, adding depth to the offense.
Defensive back Ethan Bowles, who broke up eight passes last season, is slated to build on that production, while second‑year head coach Mitchell Young, who returns for his third year after a 6‑14 record in his first two seasons, believes the roster’s blend of experience and youthful energy can translate into more wins.
The Mounties’ aspirations extend beyond raw statistics; they aim to finish in the upper half of the Firelands Conference and to break a playoff drought that has lingered since 1991. With a schedule that tests them against some of the region’s strongest programs, the team’s progress will be measured not only in victories but in the development of its emerging stars.