Photos by Steven Wright | Greene County News
Bellbrook will look to set a program record during the 2024 season by qualifying for the postseason for a fifth consecutive season.
BELLBROOK — A small grin from head coach Jeff Jenkins while talking about his team’s schedule displayed he was proud to put together what his team will face.
“It’s probably the most difficult schedule Bellbrook’s ever had in 60 years of football,” he said. “But you know what, we’re up for the challenge. We have so much respect for the teams that we’re playing in conference and out of conference, but it just keeps us kind of on edge every single day of practice. We know what we’re up against all year long. There’s no easy game on the schedule and we got to bring our best every day.”
The four-time reigning Southwestern Buckeye League champions won’t be wasting any time challenging themselves this season. An opening trip to face Tippecanoe has become a featured week one game in the area the past few seasons with several close battles. Week two sees the Golden Eagles travel to Bellefontaine where Ohio State quarterback recruit Tavien St. Clair, the top ranked high school player in Ohio, will be waiting for them.
A league game against Valley View, which made the state semifinals last season, opens the home schedule and another out of league game hosting Alter, which is coming off a state championship game appearance, arrives in week five.
“We get to go face one of the top quarterbacks in the nation,” Jenkins said. “By a lot of sites, he’s ranked number one. That’s a great experience for our guys. But you know, honestly, our focus is always on us. Yeah we know the schedule, but we’re not really looking two or three weeks down the road.”
Bellbrook is bringing back the experience needed to be able to compete for another league title.
Nearly every major offensive personnel piece from last season is returning outside of quarterback. The Golden Eagles led the SWBL in rushing in 2023 and have more than 87 percent of its total yardage production coming back. Tanner Stewart, Vincent Epifano, and Makai Smith combined to score 22 touchdowns and get leading receiver Noah Barrios back outside of them.
A couple new spots on the line need to be filled, where defensively space will need to be filled to allow linebackers Preston Petit and Preston Valente to do their jobs well again. Gavin McConnell had five interceptions last year and is one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
“The guys who’ve been there have done it for the last couple years,” Jenkins said. “I think they set the tone for what the expectations are, and they set the tone very early to the rest of the new guys who are starting for us on offense and defense. This is how we do things at Bellbrook football, and we’re not gonna lower the standard ever.”
The line is likely where the biggest weakness will lie to start the season. Bellbrook loses five all-league players up front, in addition to defensive player of the year Jacob Umina. The early slate won’t allow for an easy transition.
Jenkins has much to be impressed upon his roster, saying he hopes to see they continuing playing with the brand of Bellbrook football that is fast and hard hitting. Maximizing its potential will surely be needed to get through its slate of games, he said.
“It’s funny, we are proud of our accomplishments but we are not satisfied by any means,” he said. “We still have a huge chip on our shoulder. Winning the league titles is not an easy thing to do. We’ve done it, but if you look at who we’re playing in our non-conference schedule, we’re trying to play some of the best teams in the state of Ohio.”
SEASON OUTLOOK
Bellbrook Golden Eagles
Coach: Jeff Jenkins (9th year, 68-20)
2023 record: 8-4 (SWBL Southwestern 1st, regional quarterfinals D-III playoffs); Points Per Game: 30.0 (Off.) 13.0 (Def.)
What to expect: “You’re gonna see kids who may not be the biggest on the field, but they’re gonna fight with every ounce of strength that they have. And that’s Bellbrook football.” — Jeff Jenkins, head coach
Key Players: Noah Barrios, Jr, WR (25 rec, 408 yds, 3 TD); Vincent Epifano, Jr, RB (116 att, 671 yds, 8 TD); Jude Omiatek, Sr, DL (46 tkls, 24 solo, 5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR, 2 PD); Preston Petit, Sr, LB (100 tkls, 59 solo, 1 sack, 7 TFL); Tanner Stewart, Sr, RB (162 att, 1019 yds, 11 TD); Preston Valente, Sr, LB (76 tkls, 44 solo, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 4 PD)
Captains: Rotating seniors captains
Schedule (all games 7 p.m.)
(Home games in ALL CAPS)
Aug. 23 — at Tippecanoe
Aug. 30 — at Bellefontaine
Sept. 6 — VALLEY VIEW
Sept. 13 — PONITZ CTC
Sept. 20 — ALTER
Sept. 27 — at Edgewood
Oct. 4 — FRANKLIN
Oct. 11 — at Monroe
Oct. 18 — OAKWOOD
Oct. 25 — ROSS
Contact Steven Wright at 937-502-4498 and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @Steven_Wright_.
