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(Photo Courtesy Champine Photography)

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

WEST ALEXANDRIA — Experience will be one of Twin Valley South’s biggest assets this season as the Panthers look to turn last year’s progress into a winning campaign.

Third-year varsity coach Mary Johnson welcomes back an experienced group after South finished 11-11 overall and 6-6 in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference last season.

The .500 finish continued the Panthers’ steady improvement under Johnson. South went 10-13 overall and 5-7 in the WOAC during her first varsity season. Johnson, who previously spent two seasons coaching at the middle school level, enters this year with a 21-24 varsity record and an 11-13 conference mark.

After reaching one of the program’s initial goals last season, Johnson said the Panthers are ready to set their sights higher.

“With several key players graduating and changes within the coaching staff, I am excited about the opportunity for our team to compete at a high level in the WOAC this season,” Johnson said. “Our goal has always been to achieve a .500 season, which we accomplished last year. This year, we are raising the bar and challenging ourselves to build on that success and finish the season with a winning record.”

South should benefit from plenty of familiarity within its lineup, with the Panthers bringing back a veteran group that already understands Johnson’s system and expectations.

Adding to that group are junior defensive specialist Clair Napier and sophomore middle hitter Kamryn Metzger, who will provide additional depth to the varsity lineup.

Johnson expects the Panthers’ experience and versatility to be strengths as they navigate another challenging WOAC schedule.

“Each of our players plays a vital part in our success this year, with them all bringing well-balanced skill and knowledge to the court,” Johnson said.

For South, however, improvement will not be measured solely by its record.

The Panthers will again center their program around the theme “One Team, One Purpose, One Family,” emphasizing relationships, support and a willingness to play for one another.

“Our focus this season will continue to be One Team, One Purpose, One Family,” Johnson said. “We will come together, support one another, and rally around one of our own while embracing the true meaning of being part of a team.”

Johnson said those relationships are an important part of what she wants players to take away from their time in the program.

“Volleyball is more than just a sport — it is about building relationships, creating lasting memories, supporting each other through challenges, and being part of something bigger than ourselves,” she said.

After taking another step forward last season, South enters 2026 with a veteran roster, increased expectations and a clear objective. The Panthers have reached the .500 mark. Now, they will try to use their experience and team-first mentality to climb above it and make a move in the WOAC standings.

The Panthers are currently 3-6 overall and 0-2 in the WOAC. They are scheduled to play Franklin Monroe (Thursday) and Arcanum (Saturday) later this week.

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

(Photo Courtesy of Champine Photography)

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

CAMDEN — A veteran group of runners has Preble Shawnee cross country coach Jess Worley optimistic about what the Arrows can accomplish this fall.

Worley, now in her seventh season leading the program, returns several accomplished runners on the boys side, including four who qualified for the regional meet last season. While the boys will lean heavily on experience, the Arrows will focus on developing a young girls roster.

“We have a strong group of returning juniors and seniors,” Worley said. “Looking good for our boys this season and rebuilding our girls team.”

Dennis Hall and Evan Shields headline the returning group after earning all-league and all-county recognition in each of the past three seasons. Both advanced to the regional meet last fall and enter their sixth season running for the program.

Alex Meyers provides additional experience after earning all-league honors last season. He was also an all-county selection in both 2024 and 2025.

Junior Kyle Bruno is another runner the Arrows will count on this season. Entering his fifth year with the program, Bruno has earned all-league and all-county honors in each of the past two seasons and qualified for the regional meet last fall.

With Hall, Shields, Meyers and Bruno forming an experienced nucleus, Preble Shawnee hopes to be among the stronger boys teams in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference while positioning itself for another successful postseason run.

Madison Moore gives the Arrows an accomplished veteran on the girls side. A six-year runner, Moore has earned all-league and all-county honors in each of the past three seasons and advanced to the regional meet last year.

Preble Shawnee will also begin developing its next group of runners with four freshmen joining the program. Garrett Wysong, Eli Duckworth, Dylan Lowery and Makaela Henry are newcomers this season.

The mix of proven upperclassmen and younger runners gives Worley two different objectives this fall — competing at a high level with an experienced boys group while laying the foundation for the future of the girls program.

With multiple postseason-tested runners returning, the Arrows will look to remain competitive in the WOAC and again have individuals running deep into the postseason.

(Photo Courtesy of Champine Photography)

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

NEW LEBANON — Nathan Russell is back at the helm of the Dixie cross country program, and the Greyhounds enter the season with an experienced group, a returning state qualifier and aspirations of competing for a conference championship.

Russell begins his first season in his latest stint as Dixie’s head coach after previously leading the program from 2018-23.

“I’m very excited about the upcoming season and the direction of our cross country program,” Russell said. “Our expectations are to improve every day, build a strong team culture, and compete with confidence at every meet.”

Leading the way for the Greyhounds is senior James McNew, who returns after qualifying for the state meet and posting a time of 16 minutes, 44 seconds.

Fellow senior Evan Jackle gives Dixie another experienced runner near the front of the lineup after recording a time of 17:11.

The Greyhounds also return juniors Brayden Day and Adyin Ryan. Day posted a time of 18:52, while Ryan recorded a 24:09.

Sophomores Josh Hurd and AJ Volmer round out the group of returning runners. Hurd enters the season with a time of 18:30, while Volmer has recorded a 20:06.

Russell also expects freshmen Levi Russell and Alijah Trammell to make an immediate impact.

“Both of my newcomers already have impacted the lineup of racing,” Russell said. “I am eager to see them in a race.”

With a mix of veteran runners and promising newcomers, Russell believes the Greyhounds have the potential to make some noise in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference.

“Our goal is to compete hard, continue improving throughout the season, and put ourselves in a position to compete for a conference championship,” Russell said. “We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but with a group of runners who are willing to work, stay committed, and believe in each other, I’m excited about what we can accomplish.”

More than simply chasing results this season, Russell wants the Greyhounds to establish expectations that can help build the program for the future.

“We want to establish ourselves as a program that expects to compete and win,” he said.

On the girls side, sophomore Scarlett Cantrell returns to represent the Greyhounds.

For Russell, the season will be about developing each runner while creating a team-first culture that can help Dixie continue progressing beyond this fall.

“We have a great opportunity to develop our runners both individually and as a team,” Russell said. “My goal is for our athletes to work hard, support one another, and finish the season stronger than where we started.

“I believe we can have a successful season and lay the foundation for a strong cross country program moving forward.”

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

NEW PARIS — Ansonia needed just two offensive plays to score two touchdowns Friday night.

The Tigers didn't slow down much from there.

Ansonia rushed for 405 yards and scored 48 first-half points on its way to a 48-13 Western Ohio Athletic Conference victory over National Trail.

The win kept the Tigers unbeaten at 3-0 overall and moved them to 2-0 in the WOAC, while National Trail dropped to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Jacob Schmitmeyer provided an immediate spark for Ansonia, breaking loose for a 78-yard touchdown on the Tigers' first offensive play. Lander Shives added the 2-point conversion to give Ansonia an 8-0 lead just 17 seconds into the game.

National Trail fumbled at its own 22-yard line on its ensuing possession, and the Tigers capitalized immediately.

On Ansonia's next offensive snap, Schmitmeyer raced 22 yards for his second touchdown. Shives again ran in the conversion, giving the Tigers a 16-0 advantage with 10:10 remaining in the opening quarter.

“I do think that is probably the best thing about tonight is we hadn't started fast yet this year and so tonight we were able to start pretty fast there,” Ansonia coach Adam Hall said. “So that was an overall positive thing and then in the first half we were for the most part moving the ball pretty well.”

National Trail responded with a big play of its own. Quarterback Kaili Merritt connected with Jonah Brinkley for a 54-yard touchdown pass to finish a three-play, 68-yard drive. Killian Brewer's extra point cut Ansonia's lead to 16-7 with 8:52 left in the first quarter.

The Blazers then recovered an Ansonia fumble on the Tigers' next play but couldn't capitalize, going three-and-out.

From there, Ansonia's ground game took control.

The Tigers put together a 10-play, 62-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard Shives touchdown run. Cade Shellhaus added the 2-point conversion to make it 24-7 with 1:39 remaining in the first quarter.

Ansonia followed with an eight-play, 57-yard scoring drive. Shives capped it with a 3-yard touchdown and added the conversion for a 32-7 advantage with 8:03 left in the second quarter.

Shives scored his third touchdown of the half following an 11-play, 62-yard march, finding the end zone from 7 yards out. He again ran in the conversion, pushing the lead to 40-7 with 1:09 remaining before halftime.

Ansonia added eight more points before the break.

National Trail began a possession at its own 2-yard line, but a fumbled snap resulted in Merritt being tackled in the end zone for a safety.

On the Tigers' first play following the safety, Jake Pierre broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, leaving Ansonia with a 48-7 halftime lead.

Hall said the large advantage allowed Ansonia to get several younger players onto the field in the second half.

“It's a good thing for us,” Hall said. “Last week just because of the circumstances we weren't able to play a JV game, so it's nice that they get a lot of time tonight because you know playing football is hard work, doing practice is hard work, and so those young guys want to play, and I get that, and so it's good when we get a chance to get those young guys in. And I thought they played well tonight.”

National Trail put together the only scoring drive of the second half, going 64 yards in 11 plays. Brinkley scored on a 9-yard run on the final play of the third quarter to make it 48-13.

Ansonia drove from its own 42 to the National Trail 6 on its final possession before the game ended.

Schmitmeyer finished with 149 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, with all of his production coming in the first half.

Shives carried 15 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns, also all in the opening half. Pierre added 63 yards and a touchdown on six carries.

Ansonia finished with 417 total yards, including 405 rushing yards.

“It's good to win the game. We played well enough to do that,” Hall said. “It felt like we played very sloppy. We'll have to see the film, see what it looked like. But out here, it felt like there were things that we could be doing better that we're capable of doing better.”

For National Trail, Brinkley caught two passes for 82 yards and a touchdown and carried five times for 17 yards and another score. Merritt completed 3 of 9 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The Blazers finished with minus-3 rushing yards as a team.

National Trail coach Ricky St. Augustine said his team continued to show signs of growth despite the loss.

“We're learning to be a family, and we're putting it together over these last few games, and we got a lot to learn about what family means and I can't ask much more than that of these guys,” St. Augustine said. “That’s been the message the last two weeks, have courage and be together.”

St. Augustine said he saw players continue to compete despite falling behind early.

“We had a lot of guys tough through every snap on the field, and we had a lot of new guys out on the field that kind of gave us life to show that this game is worth the work,” he said. “We've a lot of growing to do, but we've proved some things to ourselves.”

Ansonia is scheduled to host Tri-County North (1-2, 0-2) on Friday, Sept. 11.

National Trail is scheduled to travel to Mississinawa Valley (0-3, 0-2) on Sept. 11.