2025 Football Preview: Green Bobcats

FRANKLIN FURNACE — Russell Wilson calls himself Mr. Unlimited. Does that mean Green Bobcats’ first-year head coach Shane Colvin is Mr. Limited?

With only 18 players on the roster from a 2-7 team last year, Colvin is facing plenty of limitations with how to run practice, trying to figure out who plays where if there’s an injury, and how to rest players during games.

Colvin — who previously served as an assistant coach for Green — has had a positive attitude as he tastes the bitter with the sweet.

“It’s been a lot of fun. A learning experience. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. You couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Colvin who was a first team all-district and honorable mention All-Ohio end for Ironton.

The experience of coaching the players has been good, but Colvin would probably like to coach even more players.

“It’s tough. You have to practice with a half line, or no line. It’s tough to get them up to game speed,” said Colvin. “It’s hard to get them what to look for on offense and defense. Basically, you’re using dummies out there in practice.”

One positive factor for Colvin has been the team attitude which has been good for the most part.

“The attitude of the team is getting better every day. The mentality changed and they’re starting to get more aggressive, physical. I’ve said it from the beginning you’ve got to take it one day at a time. Baby steps,” said Colvin.

Colvin plans to run various offenses depending on the opponent to create mismatches. Defensively, the new Green coach will adjust his defenses according to the opposition’s offense.

QUARTERBACK

Starter: freshman Elijah Evans, senior Mason Neal.

Backup: senior Caleb Lewis

Colvin: “I’ve got three guys I can use out there. Evans is young but he’s learning.”

RUNNING BACKS

Starters: senior Braydon Boza, senior Conner Blanton

Colvin: “The backfield is very fast, very strong.  They’ve been in the weight room every day since January, They’re inexperienced and that’s a problem right there, but they’re picking up quickly.”

WIDE RECEIVERS

Starters: Neal and Lewis, junior Luke Kimbler

Backups: freshmen Kaiden Parsons, Kaleb Mutters, Blanton

Colvin: “Blanton is a small guy, but he’s fast and strong and quick, has good hands and is really shifty. Neal is very athletic and he has good speed. It’s really a good group.”

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Bobcats will mix and match with their offensive linemen as they try to keep them healthy and fresh.

Center: senior Senior Troy Stapleton

Guards: junior Alex Hagen, freshman Collin Hagans, freshman Hunter Ward

Tackles: senior Ralph Klaiber, junior Alex Spangenberg, senior Olivia Blevins

Colvin: “I feel really good about the offense right now. We’re spreading it out and this is the first year we did a 7-on-7. Of course, with a 7-on-7 you’re not looking to run the ball and the defense is dropping back in coverage. I’m anxious to see how we do in a game with 11 on 11. We have a lot of fast guys and it’s my job to get them one-on-one opportunities. I feel if we can do that, we’ll be successful.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

Colvin said the Bobcats will play with a 3- or 4-man front defending on the opposition.

Inside: Klaiber, junior Carson Lavey,

Ends: Lewis, freshman Leland Blevins, Lavey

Colvin: “We young, we’re small. You can get by with that on offense. When you have a freshman go to tackle a senior it’s tough  We have several guys we can put on the line.”

LINEBACKERS

Inside: Hagen, Stapleton, Lewis

Outside: Boza, Lavey

Colvin: “Boza can play both inside and outside and Lewis can play some defensive end.”

SECONDARY

Cornerback: Kimbler, Parsons, Evans, Mutters

Safety: Blanton, Neal

Colvin:”We’re young. We’ll need to communicate a lot and Mason Neal is a four-year starter so he kind of gets everybody where they need to be which makes it a lot easier for the younger guys to learn it.”

KICKING GAME

Punters: Neal

Placekicker: Blanton

Colvin: “Neal does a good job. Blanton hasn’t done this before so he’s working hard at it.”

SOC-1

Colvin: “It’s going to be competitive. There might be one or two teams who stick out, but this might be the most balanced other than maybe two teams.”

Green Bobcats 2025 Football Roster

No. Player Pos. Gr.

  1 Mason Neal QB-WR-DB Sr.

  2 Braydon Boza RB-OLB Sr.

  5 Kaleb Mutters WR-DB Fr.

  6 Kaiden Parsons WR-CB Fr.

  8 Caleb Lewis WR-DE Sr.

11 Luke Kimbler WR-DB Jr.

12 Elijah Evans QB-DB Fr.

15 Leland Blevins WR-OLB Fr.

22 Carson Lavey WR-DB Jr.

23 Conner Blanton RB-DB Sr.

50 Alex Hagen OL-DL Jr.

52 Hunter Moore OL-DL Fr.

53 Collin Hagans OL-DL Fr.

61 Troy Stapleton C-DL Sr.

62 Kamdyn Henderson OL-DL Fr.

64 Olivia Blevins OL-DL Sr.

71 Alex Spangenberg OL-DL Jr.

79 Ralph Klaiber OL-DL Sr.

Head coach: Shane Colvin

Assistant coaches: James McGuire, Christian Moore, Cody Stapleton

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 at Federal Hocking L 26-58

Aug. 29 SOUTHEASTERN cancelled

Sept. 5 MANCHESTER 7:00PM

Sept. 12 at Racine Southern 7:00PM

Sept. 19 at Belpre 7:00PM

Sept. 26 at Symmes Valley# 7:00PM

Oct. 3 NOTRE DAME# 7:00PM

Oct. 10 SOUTH GALLIA# 7:00PM

Oct. 17 at Sciotoville East# 7:00PM

Oct. 24 BEAVER EASTERN# 7:00PM

#- Denotes SCO 1 game