2025 Football Preview: Wheelersburg Pirates

WHEELERSBURG — The Wheelersburg Pirates have had a very successful program. But this season, Pirates head coach Rob Woodward has a team that is, well, unique.

After going 9-5 last season and winning the Southern Ohio Conference, Woodward sees a team that is different from some of his previous squads.

“We have 15 seniors and what’s unique about these seniors is they had to be called upon since their sophomore season,” said Woodward. “It’s the first group we brought in as a full freshman class all the way through practice with us.

“Typically, we kept our freshmen separate after our general camp. But this class, because we knew we were going to need them as sophomores, they got that freshman time with us and played as sophomores.”

Braylon Rucker, Kenyon Evans, Landon McGraw, Ryan Meeker, Elijah Brown among others have been contributors since they were sophomores. Woodward said during that growing period the players began to find their way to what they could contribute.

“This year, having a third year it’s not that typical to have that many guys that have that much experience. It’s been nice in practice because we know what to expect from different guys and utilize that,” said Woodward.

The Pirates boast speed, strength and depth, but Woodward said the experience factor will be crucial.

“We got some you guys who have stepped up,” said Woodward. “They all have little pieces that are going to be nice. They’re good contributors to spot play at different times and also help us out on special teams.

“We have a lot of depth at the skill positions.”

QUARTERBACK

Senior Brylon Rucker (6-0, 160) will be the first three-year starter for Wheelersburg at the quarterback position since the mid-1990s.

“He’s got a lot of experience, but we just need him to manage the offense. He’s going to be a vital part of it. Our best offense has always been to utilize the quarterback in the run game,” said Woodward.

“He’s always been a talented runner. He has a very versatile arm. He can throw the ball when need be down the field. We’re looking for him to recognize some of those intermittent passes, play action.”

Sophomore Jack Doerr (6-0, 150) will be the backup.

“We feel he can go in at any time and do a good job,” said Woodward.

RUNNING BACK

Senior Elijah Brown (5-10, 180) and junior Stephen Hall (5-8, 180) are all expected to be utilized in the backfield. Brown was the Pirates leading rusher last season.

“Elijah Brown catches the ball well out of the backfield.

RECEIVERS

Leading the wide receiver corps will be senior Kenyon Evans (6-2, 175) who is another three-year starter. He will be joined by juniors Xavier Miller (5-11, 160) and Bryson Montavon (6-2, 165).

“We have a lot of different weapons that Braylon will go to,” said Woodward.

Senior Brady Doss (6-1, 210) will be back at tight end and Woodward said, “Brady Doss came on and had a tremendous year.”

Senior Landon McGraw (6-2, 200) has added weight and will figure in at the tight end spot to help with the blocking game.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Senior Ryan Meeker (6-3, 265) has been a three-year starter at center and will anchor the line. Meeker played guard last season but moved back to his normal position with seniors Ison Emnett (5-10, 210) and Caden Estep (6-5, 220) expected to be the guards.

Also in the guard position battle will be junior Luke Kouns (6-1, 220) and señor Kaleb Shepherd (5-11, 210).

Freshman Case Emnett (6-2, 240) could also see some time on the offensive line.

“Whether it’s the offensive or defensive line, (Ison Emnett) is just a beast,” Woodward said with a smile.

The tackles are huge with senior Alex Richey (6-6, 315) and junior Mason Baker (6-4, 275).

“We have seven or eight guys we’re going to lean on for that offensive line,” said Woodward.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Ison Emnett — the SOC Defensive Player of the Year last season — will anchor the defensive line. He will be joined by several players who will be part of a rotation including Meeker, Doss, Kouns

“We use our athletes and these guys are well-conditioned so they can go both ways as much as needed,” said Woodward.

LINEBACKERS

Brown is back after leading the team in tackles last season. Doss and Kouns are both back and Hall also figures to be in the rotation.

SECONDARY

Evans was the team’s second leading tackler out of the secondary and he will be part of an experienced group that include Miller and Montavon at the cornerbacks spots with senior Brycen Longfellow another candidate who has shown a lot of promise.

“Evans figures in the pass game, run game, special teams, just a little bit of everything. He draws a lot of eyes,” said Woodward. “The strength of our defense is going to be in the secondary.”

The safeties senior Hunter Bivens (5-8, 170) and senior Hunter Henderson (6-3, 170) are both returning starters.

“Henderson can jump out of the gym and will hit you with everything he’s got,” said Woodward. “Pound for pound, he’s one of the strongest guys we’ve got and he plays really fast. This team is, pound for pound, strength and speed.”

KICKING GAME

Listed as one of the top kickers in the nation with Division 1 offers, senior Cooper Heimbach (6-1, 165) will handle the punting and the placements. Heimach has a national 5-star ranking as a punter and 4.5-star rating as a kicker.

“Cooper has just been exceptional. He’s had an offer from Ohio University. I expect him to be playing college football next year, I just don’t know where he’s going to land with that,” said Woodward, noting the kicker had a pair of 46-yard field goals last season.

Heimbach is averaging more than 50 yards a punt with excellent hang time.

SOC

Woodward said he has heard that several of the teams have lower rosters numbers while the Pirates have 65 including their freshmen.

“We’ve got numbers, but you’ve got to have consistent solid players in your junior and senior classes and that’s where we’ve ed in the last couple of years,” said Woodward.

“We’ve got 37 conference championships. This would be our 38th. I’m going to treat it like it’s the one. I told this senior class they will be remembered by how they play and their performance,” said Woodward.

“They want to be conference champions. They want to hit the playoffs, have a home playoff game. That’s tough to do with this schedule.”

Wheelersburg Pirates 2025 Footbal Roster

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

1 Brady Doss TE-LB 6-01 210 Sr.

2 Kenyon Evans WR-DB 6-02 175 Sr.

3 Brycen Longfellow WR-DB 5-07 140 Sr.

4 Braylon Rucker QB-DB 6-00 160 Sr.

5 Hunter Bivens WR-DB 5-08 170 Sr.

6 Landon McGraw WR-DB 6-02 200 Sr.

7 Jay King WR-DB 5-07 150 So.

8 Bryson Montavon WR-DB 6-02 165 Jr.

9 Cam Chamberlin WR-DB 6-03 165 Jr.

10 Graer Woodward QB-DB 6-02 150 Fr.

12 Xavier Miller WR-DB 5-11 160 Jr.

13 Jonah Collier WR-DB 5-09 140 So.

14 Hayden Henderson WR-DB 5-08 130 So.

15 Jack Doerr QB-DB 6-00 150 So.

16 Lane Williams WR-DB 5-06 120 Fr.

17 Keegan Hollar WR-DB 5-06 120 Fr.

18 Cameron Conn WR-DB 5-10 155 Jr.

19 Lane Chamberlin WR-DB 5-09 125 Fr.

20 Brew Hanzel TE-LB 6-02 180 So.

21 Austin Pettigrew WR-DB 5-07 130 Jr.

22 Stephen Hall RB-LB 5-08 180 Jr.

23 Graham Hanes WR-DB 6-00 150 Fr.

24 Canaan Arthur RB-DB 5-08 145 So.

25 Nelson Arden RB-LB 5-07 165 Fr.

26 Elijah Brown RB-DB 5-10 180 Sr.

27 Hunter Henderson WR-DB 6-04 170 Sr.

28 Gabe Vaughters RB-DL 5-11 150 Sr.

29 Logan Whitt RB-DB 5-09 150 Fr.

31 Bransyn Russell TE-LB 5-09 160 So.

32 Gabe Campbell TE-LB 6-00 205 Jr.

33 Wyatt Jones RB-DL 5-09 160 Jr.

34 Owen Wilburn RB-DB 5-08 160 So.

37 Wyatt Porter WR-DB 5-08 130 Fr.

38 Joey Conley TE-DL 5-10 140 Fr.

39 Blake Lawson WR-DB 5-07 135 Fr.

42 Brady Music RB-DB 5-09 155 Jr.

47 Kayden Fisher TE-LB 5-07 150 Fr.

50 Luke Brumfield OL-DL 5-11 215 So.

51 Donavon Ehrhart OL-DL 6-00 215 Jr.

52 Caden Estep OL-DL 6-05 220 Sr.

53 Case Emnett OL-DL 6-02 240 Fr.

54 Ison Emnett OL-DL 5-11 235 Sr.

55 Kaleb Shepherd OL-DL 5-11 210 Sr.

57 Owen Gambill OL-DL 6-00 180 Jr.

58 Luke Kouns OL-LB 6-01 220 Jr.

59 Wyatt Neff OL-DL 6-01 200 So.

60 Braxton Cooper OL-DL 5-11 235 So.

61 Carsen Blagg OL-DL 5-07 150 Fr.

62 Mason Spradlin OL-DL 5-09 160 Fr.

63 Hunter Snyder OL-DL 5-05 160 Fr.

64 Ryan Meeker OL-DL 6-03 265 Sr.

65 Rayce Hoover OL-DL 5-11 155 Fr.

66 Aiden Sullivan OL-DL 6-01 135 Fr.

67 Hunter Lawson OL-DL 6-05 310 Jr.

68 Ethan Hamilton OL-DL 5-06 160 Jr.

70 Kalob Greenhill OL-DL 5-10 165 Fr.

71 Ahmire Little OL-DL 6-00 193 Fr.

72 Behrett Sammons OL-DL 5-08 205 Fr.

73 Alex Flake OL-DL 5-10 285 So.

74 Mason Baker OL-DL 6-04 275 Jr.

75 Cameron Smith OL-DL 6-03 235 So.

77 Grant Stevenson OL-DL 6-00 230 Fr.

79 Alex Richey OL-DL 6-06 315 Sr.

80 Cooper Heimbach PK 6-01 165 Sr.

2025 Football Schedule

Aug. 22 at KIPP Columbus 7:00PM

Aug. 29 Cin. MCNICHOLAS 7:00PM

Sept. 5 at Jackson 7:00PM

Sept. 13 NORTHWEST# 7:00PM

Sept. 20 at Lucasville Valley# 7:00PM

Sept. 26 IRONTON 7:00PM

Oct. 3 at Oak Hill# 7:00PM

Oct. 10 WAVERLY# 7:00PM

Oct. 17 at Minford# 7:00PM

Oct. 24 PORTSMOUTH WEST# 7:00PM

#- Denotes an SOC 2 game