Frontier Athletic Conference – Conference Preview
By: Grant Kiefer
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Jackson Ironmen
2024 was yet another year that the Ironmen sat atop the FAC, now winning the conference title in four straight seasons. This season will be their biggest challenge in a few seasons, with lots of talent returning across the conference. However, it’s going to be another year to be another year that Jackson returns virtually everyone. Despite key losses on defense and workhorse running back Nolan Johnson, the Ironmen boast one of the best returning rosters across the 740.
Star senior quarterback and defensive back Bodhi Wolford returns for his third season as the starting quarterback, along with senior Ryan Seimetz, who will be splitting time out of the backfield and as a wide receiver. Jackson’s always been loaded in the trenches and will continue to do so again this season, with a star-studded offensive line anchored by all-district honoree Jacob Allen.
This year’s non-conference schedule will provide some excellent opportunities for Jackson to face some quality opponents, as the Ironmen welcome in DII program week one from Cincinnati, Little Miami. The rivalry against Gallia Academy will return the following week, followed by hosting Wheelersburg. After three home games to open the season, Jackson will hit the road for the first time to face Western Brown and then close out its non-conference slate with rival and defending DV state champion, Ironton.
Miami Trace Panthers
Last year was a major leap for a Miami Trace program that’s on the rise, winning 7 games and finishing near the top of the conference once again. There’s talent all over the roster, and most of it returns this season—a season that the Panthers expect to knock off Jackson at the top.
Elite players like Gridiron Glory Player of the Year finalist Adam Guthrie, Cooper Enochs, and Julien Baker return to play both sides of the ball, but one question will have to be answered—who will replace Trey Robinette at quarterback following his graduation? Regardless of who that may be, they have a variety of talent around them that can compete for an FAC title.
Miami Trace’s non-conference schedule is very similar to last season’s, with staple games against Waverly, Wilmington, and Logan Elm to open the season. Western Brown will stay on the schedule for week five, while a new opponent enters the schedule in week four, at Batavia in Cincinnati. Week nine is the date to watch, as Miami Trace will host Jackson that week in a game that may very well decide who wins the conference title.
Washington Courthouse Blue Lions
It’s been a wacky couple of seasons for the Blue Lions, as they were first rounded in the 2023 playoffs and missed it altogether in 2024. A slow start last year plagued them, but they found a way to string together three wins in FAC play to tie for second in the conference with a 3-7 overall record.
A new, yet familiar, name comes in to take over the program once again, as Chuck Williamson returns as head coach to try and get the Blue Lions competing for the conference crown once again. Williamson coached at Washington from 2016-2022 before stepping down. Led by standout junior receiver Aden Osborne, the Blue Lions have the talent needed to potentially compete with the top dogs in the FAC. With a non-conference schedule mainly against teams outside of the 740, it’ll be interesting to see if some new faces can help the Blue Lions get back to the postseason.
Washington opens the season against Mechanicsburg at home, then travels to Circleville for week two. The Blue Lions will then return for three straight home games against Finneytown (Cincinnati), Granville, and Shroder (Cincinnati). The highlight of the Blue Lions schedule is week 10 once again, as the crosstown rivalry with Miami Trace is renewed.
Hillsboro Indians
Hillsboro’s season looked promising in 2024 after only losing five seniors after the 2023 season, a season that saw them make the playoffs for the second season in a row. The Indians put up a lot of points last season and lost many games by just a few points, which led the Indians to fall short of the playoffs after posting a 2-3 record in FAC play.
Hillsboro’s roster will get a shakeup under fourth-year head coach Nathan Horne, however, DIII All-Ohio honorable mention defensive back Zack Brown returns for his senior season.
Hillsboro’s non-conference slate looks similar to last year’s, with games against Western Brown, Goshen, Portsmouth West, and Williamsburg, respectively, to open the season. Ponitz (Dayton) will head to Hillsboro in week five ahead of FAC play. The Indians will have to be hitting midseason form at the right time, as they open conference play with Jackson and Miami Trace back-to-back. A win against either of those teams would surely help their resume as the Indians look to return to the playoffs for the third time in four years.
Chillicothe Cavaliers
There perhaps hasn’t been a bigger story surrounding the 740 than former Vinton County head coach T.J. Carper returning to the region to take over as Chillicothe’s head coach. After an abysmal 2-8 season and back-to-back seasons missing the postseason, former head coach Scott Bartholomew stepped down after six seasons at the helm. Enter Carper, who now has perhaps the most talent he’s ever had at his disposal.
Similar to Hillsboro, Chillicothe found themselves in a lot of games and only loss by a couple of points. The Cavaliers gained some momentum late in the year after upsetting Miami Trace in week nine. With talented players like sophomore Cartae Ligon returning, Chillicothe could have an explosive offense in a talented league. Carper also noted to Gridiron Glory in an interview that he has a lot of seniors this season, which will be key for laying a foundation in year one.
It won’t be an easy task righting the ship early, as the Cavaliers open the season with DIII powerhouses in Bloom-Carroll and London. Chillicothe closes the non-conference slate with games against Western Brown, Portsmouth West, and Wilmington, respectively. Watch out for the Cavaliers late in the season, as they close out the year against Jackson in week 10, which could have major implications for both teams in region 12.
McClain Tigers
After making the playoffs in a full season for the first time ever in 2023, McClain took a massive step backwards in 2024, winning just one game and going 0-5 in conference play. With all three of McClain’s all-FAC honorees graduating, it’ll be interesting to see who steps up to try and help the Tigers compete in the FAC once again.
McClain will have an identical non-conference schedule to last year’s slate, as they’ll face Adena, Northwest McDermott, Paint Valley, East Clinton, and Williamsburg, respectively, before entering FAC play. The Tigers will have the advantage of hosting three FAC games, with the odd number of games playing in their favor. This also includes a home game against rival Hillsboro in week 10, which could be a win-and-in scenario for either team, like it was in 2023, when McClain won.