By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
ATHENS — Athens returns an abundance of talent from a nine-win season, and coach Shawn Bradley expects more of the same in 2026, but wants to see more from the Wildcats with "championships on the line.
"We have a lot of kids who have played a lot of football," said Bradley. "Quite a few of our seniors have been starters since their freshman year; that's not necessarily how you want things to be, but that's our reality.
"We feel we are starting to see more depth in our program in general - meaning larger graduating classes each season," noted Bradley. "With that experience and depth comes the yearly expectation of winning.
"Nine wins last season was a good achievement, but we were 0-2 with championships on the line," said Bradley. "This group of seniors is also 0-3 in the district playoffs. So, while I agree 9-2 can be looked at as a good season, if you walk off the field the last game with the scoreboard reading 73-14 - your feelings toward the season are somewhat skewed.
"Our kids are putting in the hard work throughout the offseason and during the season," added Bradley. "We are doing the things to takes to win big games. The last step is to expect to win those big games and then do it."
The Wildcats averaged 48.4 points per game last season during its 9-1 season, led by senior QB Connor Davidson, who threw for 22 TDs and ran for 11 more.
Connor Davidson returns at QB, but younger brother Shea Davidson, who completed 56 percent of his 112 pass attempts last season, will also see time at QB.
Seniors Brendan Cooke and Lucas Persun are returning in the backfield, and it's likely Connor Davidson will also see some time there.
Sophomore newcomers Devin Maxfield and Graham Steinfelt could also see some carries.
"We have the potential to be an explosive offense if our kids continue to work hard," said Bradley. "We have some experienced athletes returning at key positions, but we also lost some very good football players to graduation.
"We are hoping some of our younger kids develop quickly and we can continue to improve offensively," added Bradley. "We need to be tougher and more consistent in order to compete with Troy and the solid programs in District 4, Class 3A."
Senior Dom Robbins returns at tight end, while senior Gage Marmor returns in the slot, and junior Kade Rowe returns at wideout. Connor Davidson could also see time in the slot.
Senior Landon Landon Layman returns at center, and senior Brady Flynn will man one of the guard spots, while sophomore newcomer Brayden Judah will play the other guard spot.
Senior newcomer Trig Noel and junior newcomer Judah Nelson, who could play anywhere along the offensive line, will start at the tackles. Sophomore Blake Bowman could also see time up front.
"I wouldn’t say we are extremely young up front offensively, but we are not overly experienced in that group," said Bradley.
"Coach Tony Robbins does a great job with these kids and we know that we will only go as far as they can take us," he noted. "They are a great group of kids who are working hard every week to improve.
"I feel good about the opportunities they will give us as we move forward this season," added Bradley.
Defensively, Layman returns at defensive tackle, while Robbins is back at defensive end.
Noel and fellow senior newcomer Jess Oldroyd will vie for time at defensive tackle.
Flynn and Cooke return to anchor the linebacking corps, where Mayfield and Steinfelt will also see playing time.
Connor Davidson will start at free safety or Rover, while junior Nolan Raupers will start at strong safety, and Persun and sophomore Cy Yeager will start at cornerback.
"Discipline, consistency, and toughness," said Bradley.
"We need to be tougher and more disciplined to prevent the big plays that have plagued us against better teams," he noted. "That being said, this group does have the ability to fly to the football and create some havoc on the defensive side of the ball if they so choose.
"I am excited to see what the identity of our defense becomes," Bradley added.
Senior Zach Fisher returns his third season as the Wildcats kicker and punter.
"He is an invaluable asset with his extra point / field goal consistency and his ability to put us in positive field position in many different ways," said Bradley.
Persun is the Wildcat long-snapper, and Shea Davidson holds on kicks.
"Lucas Persun and Shea Davidson also give us very reliable assets in our special teams group," said Bradley.
Bradley said the biggest strength of this Wildcat team is the fact it's a "team."
"Our biggest strength this season is our 'team,' he said. "I think we have coaches who are very committed to our kids and our program.
"I think we have players who are leaders within our program, and we have experienced players who have been there before," noted Bradley. "And, we have younger kids who are very talented and want to play great football.
"It’s a matter of getting those parts to work well together and improve together on a daily basis," Bradley added.
Bradley notes that strength can be a concern.
"My biggest concern is the same answer - 'team,' he said.
"The sum of the parts with this team has so much potential," noted Bradley. "Getting everyone to buy in, forget about yourself, worry about 'your' job, and 'expect' to do great things together."
AROUND THE NTL
Bradley keeps it simple when speaking on the NTL Large School Division.
"Troy is the team to beat until someone steps up to their level."
Athens opens the season Friday at Wyalusing.
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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Connor Davidson.
