School: University High School
Mascot: Pioneers
Head Coach: Brody Walworth
Years at School: 4
Overall Record: 37-33
Assistant Coaches: Nick Cottone, Nathan Desmet, Jake Gates, Mason Kaufmann, Nate Logsdon, Carsten Menzer, Alec Mudra, Chris Pedersen, Logan Steidinger, Lance Tinsley
Last Year’s Conference Record: 6-2
Last Year’s Overall Record: 7-3
Postseason: 1st Round
School State Championships: n/a
School Conference Championships: n/a (CS8)
Biggest Rival Game Every Year: Central Catholic if we can find a way to play them, but we play Bloomington High School this year and next. 1st time U-High has played a city team since joining the CS8 which is exciting.
Number of returning letterman: 32
Number of returning starters: 17
Offense: 8
Defense: 9
Top Returnees from Fall 2023
Offensive:
Alek Weiland – QB – #6
Martin Donahue – TE – #34
Cole Matejka – T – #55
Landon Hinkle – G – #50
Cayden French – C – #58
Carson Stevens – RB – #4
Cade Cunningham – WR – #2
Lyfe Campbell – RB/WR – #1
Defensive:
Cole Matejka – DL – #55
Charlie Karun – DL – #61
Clay Nord – DL – #66
Martin Donahue – LB – #34
Drew Rader – LB – #40
Lawson Shickel – DB – #23
Josh Caraballo – DB/OLB – #20
Griffin Meyer – LB – #15
Lyfe Campbell – DB – #1
Specialist:
Demir Spaulding – K/P – #3
Who are the newcomers we should know about and why?
AJ Holden – SR – WR – AJ played behind Mason Hooper-Willis and flashed explosiveness when he got the opportunity last year. We expect him to be a major contributor at WR.
Daken Davenport – SR – DE/OL – Daken played a bunch on the DL last year and is line to start at tackle for us. He has had a great summer, and we expect him to be an anchor on both lines.
Deegan Aeilts – SR – WR/DB – Deegan started some games at DB last year and spot played on offense. Explosive player who can play both sides.
Connor MacMillan – WR/DB/OLB & Ethan Kieser – WR/DB – Putting these 2 together because they are both playing football for the 1st time as seniors. Both are great athletes/competitors that had great summers for us and figure to be week 1 starters.
Bodey Klemmensen – JR – LB/TE – Bodey started a couple of games at LB due to injuries last year and played TE spelling Martin. He will take a bunch of offensive snaps and is competing to start at LB.
Rhett Lynch – SO – RB/DL – Rhett played some varsity RB starting in the middle of last season. Big, physical, and agile and will bring a more punishing running style than what we have had my first few years.
Austin Kruger, Calvin Jones, Chenzo Cottone, Jackson Vance, Braden Mehn, Max Dameron. We have depth at the skill positions on both sides. All of these guys have proven that they can play varsity football. Expect a couple of them to emerge as starters or significant contributors.
Hagan Corry, Michael Bennett JR, Carson James JR – These 3 will start or play significant reps on our lines.
Head Coach says: We were able to turn the corner last year, winning seven games and becoming playoff eligible for the first time since 2015. We return the majority of last year’s team and have added some new upperclassmen from the hallways that will be day one producers. We have playmakers in all position groups. This team has great potential. Our challenge will be handling those high expectations and not letting ourselves get comfortable resting on last year’s success. We have to continue to get better in order to reach our potential, and I am excited to help the seniors, and this team leave a big footprint on the U-High football program.
