The first preseason scrimmage of the year for Kirtland High School football took place on August 8, 2026, and it introduced a handful of new faces in the backfield.
New Running Backs Step Into the Spotlight
Sebastian Becker, a senior who earned All‑Ohio honors on defense last year, is now competing for a starting role after years of dreaming about it.
Four teams — North, Geneva, Gilmour and Ridgewood — took the field, each favoring a ground‑oriented attack, while Kirtland’s own squad used the session to test fresh combinations.
North’s Rushing Challenge
North must replace two top rushers, Bray Sandstrom (1,190 yards) and Alex Harris (1,160 yards), in their single‑wing offense.
Coach Shawn Dodd stressed the importance of ball security and competitiveness, warning that turnovers cost the team last season.
Geneva’s Wing‑T Overhaul
Geneva’s Wing‑T offense requires replacements for Bryce Peet (1,868 yards), Caden Proy (1,100 yards) and Ricky DiPetta (571 yards) after their leading rushers retired.
Coach Don Shymske noted the difficulty of replacing the all‑time leading rusher, Peet, and focused on developing new players’ skills.
Gilmour’s Transition
Gilmour returns Nathan Lennon (671 yards) but has shifted its offense to mirror Kirtland’s running game, introducing a learning curve for new players.
The Eagles’ offensive line showed marked improvement, a point highlighted when Tommy Caimi scored four times during the scrimmage and emphasized the importance of discipline in the trenches.
Looking ahead, Kirtland will test its revamped attack against Cincinnati Taft on August 22, while Geneva and Gilmour open their seasons on August 21 with home and away matchups, respectively.