Springfield High School is gearing up for the 2026 season with a roster that returns 19 lettermen, giving second‑year head coach Ben Lolli a solid foundation after a tough 1‑9 finish last year.
Among the key pieces are senior offensive lineman Spencer Casto, a 6‑foot‑2, 250‑pound stalwart expected to start at center for four years, and wide receiver Dustin Sabolek, a 6‑foot‑0, 165‑pound playmaker who will anchor the skill positions.
Tight end Isaac Ternosky, listed at 6‑1 and 190 pounds, is slated to be a critical target in the red zone, adding depth to the offense.
A Shift in Scheme and Conference
Coach Lolli says the team will run a more ground‑focused attack and simplify its defensive fronts, while also playing more under center. The approach is designed to be flexible and to build on the lessons from a season that ended winless in conference play.
Next year the Spartans will leave the Metro Athletic Conference and join the Portage Conference, facing regional rivals such as Waterloo, Minerva, Coventry, Ravenna, Cloverleaf, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent Roosevelt, Woodridge and Norton on the schedule.
Lolli emphasizes that the goal is not just to win games but to foster effort, competitiveness and steady improvement throughout the campaign.