Chardon>>Hilltoppers

Just the facts

Conference: WRC

OHSAA: Division III, Region 9

Coach: Mitch Hewitt, 11th year (82-31) 2020: 12-0

Twitter: @topperfb

Home field: Chardon Memorial Field

Outlook

Anyone who thinks the Hilltoppers are going to fall off this year after winning the state title last season are going to be disappointed. This team has a slew of talent back, including 19letterwinners. The line is big and physical, as always, and there’s a deep stable of running backs for the run-oriented offense. Zoran Vujaklija and Alex Henry are in the mix at QB, though it was Henry who started in the scrimmage against Mentor. The defense has has two returning starters — Nathanael Sulka and Trey Liebhardt — but the preseason has seen this unit playing with a ferocity that is the linchpin of Chardon defenses. Kicker Nathan Tager is one of the area’s best weapons in special teams.

Player to watch

TE-DE Alex McDonald and S-WR Nathanael Sulka are both committed to Youngstown State. They’re big-time playmakers on both sides of the ball, big, physical players who always win the 1-on-1battles with players on the other side. Underclassman to watch: Trey Liebhardt was a lockdown corner as a sophomore. He’ll fill that same role this year, and probably carry the ball some as well.

Bottom line

IF: The Hilltoppers can continue to play with an edge and physically dominate; THEN: You can expect another conference championship race and deep playoff run.

— John Kampf

Liebhardt

Sulka