Building on Last Year’s Momentum
Beachwood’s football program, a Division V member of the CVC Metro OHSAA conference in Region 17, enters the 2026 season under second‑year head coach Jonathan Gonell. After a 1‑9 finish in 2025, including a winless conference slate, Gonell is looking to reverse the trend.
The roster returns 11 starters, a group that includes every lineman from the previous year, providing continuity on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Jordan Uria will lead an offense that also features junior running back Ben Linik, who brings a 4.0 GPA and impressive strength numbers to the backfield.
Linik’s blend of academic excellence and physical power — bench press of 365 pounds and a 450‑pound squat — has drawn attention, while the defense will lean on returning left tackle and linebacker Diez Williams, whose leadership has been praised by teammates and coaches alike.
Key Players to Watch
Jordan Uria’s arm strength and poise in the pocket make him the centerpiece of the offense, while Ben Linik’s vision and burst give the team a dynamic rushing option. Diez Williams anchors the defensive line, and his experience at both tackle and linebacker should help stabilize a unit eager to rebound.
Other returning starters such as Logan Johnson, Dylan Paul, Deandre Sims and Abel Perez add depth at various positions, and the defensive unit also includes Malik Coles, Charlie Buchanan and Jackson Hanlin. The team’s schedule begins in August with home games at Allen D. McCullough Field, facing opponents like Richmond Heights and Waterloo.
If the offense can gel up front, the coaching staff projects a .500 record as a realistic target, a milestone that would mark a significant improvement over the previous season.