Woodridge High School football coach John Daraio stepped onto the field for his second year at the helm, delivering a clear vision for the 2026 campaign. He emphasized that the Bulldogs are targeting playoff contention while navigating a Metro Athletic Conference that promises tougher competition.
Last season the team posted a 6‑4 record and advanced to the postseason with a 5‑2 run in Division 4, Region 13 before bowing out. That experience provides a foundation, but Daraio knows the upcoming schedule will test the squad in new ways.
Returning talent and new roles
Offensively, Alex Christensen will anchor the line, providing stability and leadership in the trenches. Tight end Carter Maxa, who filled in as an emergency quarterback a year ago, is slated to revert to his natural position, bringing size and versatility to the receiving corps.
Defensively, freshman linebacker Nathaniel Lahoski is expected to make an immediate impact. His aggressive style and football instincts could shore up a unit that aims to tighten up after a season that saw three quarterbacks lost to injury.
Health emerges as a central theme. Daraio noted that the team’s performance last year was hampered by injuries, especially at the quarterback position. With a full offseason of conditioning and a focus on injury prevention, the coaching staff hopes to field a healthier lineup in 2026.
A demanding schedule and new rivalries
The Bulldogs’ slate includes traditional foes such as Revere, Brookside, CVCA, Field, Ravenna, Norton, Springfield and Streetsboro, while also confronting new league rivals Tallmadge, Kent Roosevelt and Cuyahoga Falls. Daraio sees these matchups as opportunities to prove the team’s mettle and to foster a trophy rivalry with Cuyahoga Falls.
Beyond individual games, the coach’s ultimate goal is to reclaim the Metro Athletic Conference championship — a title that used to be a standard expectation for Woodridge. Achieving that will require consistency, depth, and the ability to execute under pressure.