Sports
Frontier Athletic Conference – Conference Preview
By: Joshua Jacob
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Jackson
2025-26 Record: 9-3 (5-0)
The Jackson Ironmen continued their legacy of dominance, staying undefeated in the FAC for the fifth consecutive year since 2020 while bringing home another banner. They ended the year with a regional semi-final appearance against London, which came down to the wire.
Now, for the first time in three years, Jackson will have a new quarterback running the show, CJ Crabtree. Crabtree started two games at QB last year while former QB Bodhi Wolford was injured.
The group with the most continuity will be the offensive line with four of their six starters returning, led by Jace Sturgill and Seth Taylor.
Defensively the eyes will be on the Ironmen’s secondary where they are returning their two All-State Cornerbacks, Christian Gillum and Dayton Kallner.
Since the team is only returning five seniors that played last year, the team has heard all the talk about how it will be a down year for Jackson, and Head Coach Andy Hall had one message for anyone who might say that.
“Here in Jackson, we don’t have down years. The expectations the same every year. It just takes the young kids to learn how to grow up pretty quickly… We have no excuses.”
Jackson will start the season against Unioto on Aug. 20.
Miami Trace
2025-26 Record: 10-2 (4-1)
Miami Trace came off a strong season, only losing one game in the regular season, that being against Jackson. In the playoffs, it was those same Ironmen who knocked the Panthers out in a 24-21 nailbiter.
Despite the ending, the 2025-26 season was a masterclass in running the football from Miami Trace.
Julian Baker, the junior running back, ended the season with 2,182 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns, averaging 9.3 yards a carry.
Cleaning up the rest was senior Cooper Enochs, who averaged another 40 yards a game on 8.5 yards a carry and finished with 11 touchdowns.
A big reason for all the success running the football is the stout O-line the Panthers built, which was anchored by 6’7, 295-lb. senior tackle, Adam Guthrie.
Coming into this year, Miami Trace didn’t lose much in numbers but lost two of their key contributors, Enochs and Guthrie.
Head Coach Jerry Williams said, “We have had a strong commitment from our upperclassmen and expect a large group of freshmen this season.”
Panthers face Waverly week one on the road.
Chillicothe
2025-26 Record: 6-5 (3-2)
The Chillicothe Cavaliers ended last year with lots to build on.
Their sophomore running back, Cartae Ligon, proved he was an elite talent, averaging 205 yards a game with a little over eight yards a carry and ending the season with 29 touchdowns.
Coming into this season, the biggest advantage is continuity with many of their playmakers returning. Head Coach, TJ Carper talked about how the returners give them competition.
“There’s that competition, and competition is always a struggle, but it makes you better, you know, at the same time, so it’s like a positive struggle. If those young guys can come in and see Cartae or Andrew or Connor, battling it out and going through the grind, you know. It just makes it better for them to see how it’s done the correct way.”
With the returners, the Cavaliers added 6’5, 275 lbs. tackle Garret Rosenburg to beef up the O-line and truly make the unit elite. With a solid line and Ligon gearing up for a strong junior campaign, this could be just what this team needs for a shot at the FAC crown.
Chillicothe opens their season at home against Circleville.
Washington Court House
2025-26 Record: 6-6 (2-3)
The Blue Lions’ record last year is one that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Washington Court House had a lethal air attack led by QB Sam Pfeiffer and WR Aden Osborne. A sophomore at the time, Pfeiffer almost threw for 3,000 yards, ending the season with 2,946 passing yards and 39 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions.
Osborne, as the favorite target, ended with 1,304 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 15.3 yards a catch.
Coming into this year, this team is returning not only its two biggest offensive weapons, but seven of its offensive starters and six of its defensive starters.
Head Coach Chuck Williamson, talked about the defensive unit being young and how that comes with its own set of hurdles, but it also means that there is plenty of room to grow as the season continues.
The Blue Lions will start their year on the road against Mechanicsburg.
Hillsboro
2025-26 Record: 5-6 (1-4)
Hillsboro might not have had the season they wanted last year, but like many others in the conference, they have the exciting advantage of returning the majority of their team.
They will be led by junior quarterback Hudson Lovett, who ended last season with 1,440 yards passing, 839 yards rushing, and 29 total TD’s.
They also return their lead wide receiver, Leland Bond, who led the WRs with seven touchdowns.
Head Coach Keith Penwell talked about this year and what he wants to see.
“I am really excited to see the growth another year will make in the weight room and in maturity.”
Hillsboro will face Western Brown on the road week one.
McClain
2025-26 Record: 3-7 (0-5)
McClain is still chasing the success they found in 2023 after making the playoffs for the first time in school history.
After losing all their conference games last year, the McClain Tigers will have to readjust if they want a chance at fighting in this strong conference.
Jackson Head Coach, Andy Hall and Chillicothe Head Coach, TJ Carper both talked about how the tigers are always a challenge because of the varied looks they can give. If McClain is able to continue this strategy, they are more than capable of starting to gain some momentum back.
On week one, McClain will travel to Frankfort, Ohio to face Adena.