Streaks have big shoes to fill

SANDUSKY — Sandusky is starting from scratch after winning a Division II playoff game last year. The Blue Streaks, seeded No. 11 in Region 6, upset third-seeded Oregon Clay before losing in the second round. That senior-heavy team left a postseason legacy — and plenty of holes to fill. "A lot of shoes to fill. The senior class we graduated played for three years straight," Sandusky coach Jamaris Brown said. "This year will sort of be a replica of that. A lot of young guys gotta step up in some prominent spots. "Every day is growth, not just individually but as one. I feel really good about the direction we're going in, not just this year, but for the program." Sandusky finished 7-5 after an 0-3 start and posted its second straight winning season and tasted postseason success for the first time since advancing to a regional final in 2019. Brown had a successful and satisfying first year as head coach after being named to that position last summer. "I want them resetting and laying down their own legacy," Brown said of his approach in 2025. "But as a coach, we dealt with a lot of adversity last year. To be able to win that first playoff game was huge for me personally, being able to understand we can do it here. "I try not to mention it too much. We want to make a deep playoff run and be right there competing with anybody in Division II, Region 6. We've basically started from scratch and we'll build our foundation with the right pieces." The Blue Streaks finished 3-1 in the SBC Lake last year. Among the standout seniors who graduated were quarterback Jason Henlon, receiver/cornerback Amir Aaron, linebackers Dennarius Walk and Rocco D'Amico, safety/receiver Aa'Zoriyon Bonner and running back Maky'Veon Lately. Offense The bulk of production on offense graduated, but senior quarterback Dale Johnson returns after making a few starts last year. The 6-foot-6 Johnson threw for 536 yards and three touchdowns. He'll look to improve on his 30 percent completion rate. Johnson is working with quarterbacks coach Javez Alexander, who was an All-Ohio quarterback during his playing days with the Blue Streaks. "He's been making strides this summer. He's a great leader and will get the first shot at it," Brown said of Johnson. "We've got some guys who want to compete with him. "We've been preaching efficiency, positive yards. He's been listening. With Javez there, I think it's helping him a lot. It's someone he can go to in the game. He has somebody this year and that will be a tremendous help." Junior Raymond Peake is another option at quarterback. Peake also figures into the running back rotation with juniors Omar Alejo and the speedy Daviyon Jackson. "(Alejo) took a lot of the JV and scout team reps last year," Brown said. "Kind of like lightning and thunder. Daviyon has more of the speed and Omar is more of a downhill, run-you-over type of kid." Dante Shipp Jr., a talented sophomore, leads the wide receivers. Shipp played mostly defense last year, but Brown said he can "take the take off" defenses. Junior Terrell Ruiz will start in the slot and Brown expects injured Ahmaj Wilfork to return by midseason. Peake also can play wide receiver. Sophomore Terrance Randleman gets the first look at tight end. "He's a do-it-all type of guy," Brown said. "He can run, catch and block. He's one of those guys who is willing to do the dirty work. Everyone doesn't get the glitz and glamour." There are a few new faces on the offensive line, which features four underclassmen. The line is anchored by junior center Brayden Peugeot, who started at guard as a sophomore. Peugeot also is the long snapper. Kymirr Hunter, a 6-4, 255-pound senior, will start at left tackle. "Very athletic, slimmed down a little bit," Brown said. "He's a basketball kid so he's very athletic." Blaine Costante, a 210-pound junior, will be the left guard with 265-pound junior Q'Marion Hunter at right guard. Connor Moffitt, a 230-pound sophomore, is the right tackle. Tyler Weaver, a 265-pound sophomore, also figures to get time on the line. "They're just young right now," Brown said. "They need to get into some games and handle adversity." Defense The Streaks' top three tacklers graduated from a unit that pitched two shutouts during a five-game winning streak in weeks 4-8. Shipp was No. 4 on tackles chart with 66 stops from his safety position. He'll be joined on the back end by Ruiz. Seniors Trae' Mori Watson and Keylan Howell are two of the top cornerbacks. Freshman Louis Johnson also will figure into the mix at corner and running back. "They might be young but they're very athletic," Brown said. "It's gonna be a pretty good defense." The three-man line will rely on Donovan Gant, Kymirr Hunter, Q'Marion Hunter and Costante. Gant, a 6-4, 245-pound senior, made 42 tackles and three quarterback sacks last year. Brown said he should be good to go after bouncing back from an offseason knee injury. Randleman, sophomore Denarea Swain, Aleyo and Jackson are the top linebackers. Gant was the Streaks' punter last year, but Shipp will fill in at the start of the season. Sophomore Kayli Gundlach will be the placekicker. 2025 schedule Aug. 22: at Amherst (at Avon Lake), 7 p.m. Aug. 29: Fremont Ross, 7 p.m. Sept. 5: Lorain, 7 p.m. Sept. 12: at Parma Padua, 7 p.m. Sept. 19: at Vermilion, 7 p.m. Sept. 26: Tiffin Columbian, 7 p.m. Oct. 3: Perkins, 7 p.m. Oct. 10: at Clyde, 7 p.m. Oct. 17: at Norwalk, 7 p.m. Oct. 24: Port Clinton, 7 p.m. 2024 results (7-5) Oregon Clay 38, Sandusky 21 Fremont Ross 21, Sandusky 14 Lorain 8, Sandusky 0 Sandusky 28, Parma Padua 0 Sandusky 36, Vermilion 20 Sandusky 41, Tiffin Columbian 13 Sandusky 42, Norwalk 0 Sandusky 22, Clyde 21 Perkins 37, Sandusky 0 Sandusky 28, Port Clinton 19 Playoffs Sandusky 35, Oregon Clay 28 Anthony Wayne 35, Sandusky 14 2025 roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 2 Dante Shipp Jr. WR/DB 6-0 190 10 3 Terrell Ruiz WR/DB 5-9 164 11 5 Ahmaj Wilfork WR/DB 6-3 185 11 6 Omar Alejo RB/DB 5-10 165 11 7 Trae'Mori Watson WR/DB 5-7 160 12 8 Dale Johnson QB 6-6 205 12 9 Hunter Straub WR/DB 6-1 175 12 11 Raymond Peake QB/DB 5-9 170 11 12 Keylan Howell WR/DB 6-0 165 12 14 Terrance Randleman TE/DE 6-2 190 10 15 Brylen Minniefield QB/LB 6-3 210 10 16 Jarvis Lang WR/DB 5-9 160 12 17 Issaih Johnson RB/LB 5-11 170 11 18 Amahn McDaniel-Monegan RB/LB 5-8 186 12 21 Logan VanScoy WR/DB 5-10 160 12 22 Donovan Gant TE/LB 6-4 245 12 23 TJ Edwards RB/LB 5-8 160 11 24 Daviyon Jackson RB/LB 5-9 185 11 25 Jamarion Terrell RB/LB 6-0 175 10 28 Dereon Scott WR/DB 5-7 144 12 32 Alakai Mack WR/DB 6-0 175 10 34 Mykell Ott WR/DB 5-9 165 12 37 Brycin Jenkins WR/DB 5-8 145 10 38 Brayden Wimer TE/LB 5-10 170 10 40 Da'Sean Lyles WR/DB 5-6 135 10 41 Sir Williams&emsp;TE/LB&emsp;5-10&emsp;180&emsp;12 42 Jaidon Durr&emsp;TE/LB&emsp;5-7&emsp;185&emsp;10 44 Denarea Swain&emsp;TE/LB&emsp;5-11&emsp;190&emsp;10 45 Kayli Gundlach&emsp;K/P&emsp;5-5&emsp;140&emsp;10 48 Liam Richards&emsp;TE/LB&emsp;6-0&emsp;145&emsp;10 50 Q'Marion Hunter OL/DL 6-1 265 11 51 Blaine Costante OL/DL 6-0 210 11 55 Kamron Purcell OL/DL 6-2 230 12 56 Rhyder Sibley OL/DL 5-8 200 10 57 Lazarus Young OL/DL 5-10 210 11 58 Braden Peugeot OL/DL 5-10 190 11 60 Alex Ortolani OL/DL 5-11 205 10 63 Dawan Coy OL/DL 5-10 225 11 64 Kymirr Hunter OL/DL 6-4 255 12 65 Bronz Sandridge OL/DL 6-2 295 10 70 Tyler Weaver OL/DL 6-5 265 10 71 Tokoma Nicholson OL/DL 5-11 165 10 72 Kendrick Blaking OL/DL 6-1 185 10 74 Connor Moffitt OL/DL 6-3 230 10 76 Tristen Richards OL/DL 6-1 254 12 81 DeShaunte Randleman WR/LB 6-2 200 10 83 Todd Chetham WR/DB 5-9 160 10 84 Bryson Fleming TE/DL 6-6 235 12 85 Julias Henson WR/DB 5-9 150 10 95 Jacob Brushaber K 6-2 215 12