RAVENNA RAVENS
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HEAD COACH: Brian Coman
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LAST YEAR: 3-7 (3-4 Metro Athletic Conference)
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POSTSEASON: Division IV, Region 13
Ravenna football’s returning lettermen (14)
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D’Anthony Allen, WR/DB, 5-8, 140, So.
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LaDarian Askew, WR/DB, 5-9, 140, Jr.
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Braylon Burks, TE/LB, 6-0, 145, Jr.
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Jose Carpenter, K/P, 5-7, 140, So.
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Bradley Davis, OL/LB, 6-0, 185, So.
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Hunter Dray, OL/DL, 5-10, 175, Sr.
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Jaxon Kelly, RB/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.
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Amare Marshall, RB/DB, 5-5, 150, Jr.
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Bobby Melzer, QB/DL, 6-5, 225, Sr.
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Andrew Mladek, WR/DB, 5-6, 130, So.
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Mark Miller, QB/LB, 5-6, 135, So.
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Chris Pellegrini, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, Sr.
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C.J. Ross, QB/DB, Jr.
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Bryant Thompson, WR/DB, 5-11, 150, Sr.
Ravenna football’s impact players
Bobby Melzer did it all last year, from quarterback to tight end, from punting to plenty of hard hits on defense. This year, expect Melzer (19 catches, 227 yards) to star as a tight end/wide receiver (with the ability to play quarterback as well) and as a defensive end (who impressed with 42 tackles and a couple of interceptions last year). Known for his strong hands and ability to run good routes, Melzer, said coach Brian Coman, is “always the first to arrive for workouts and the last to leave the field because he’s always working to better himself.” … Bryant Thompson was another breakout star last season, leading the Ravens in receptions (20) and receiving yards (232). Like Melzer, Thompson also shined on the track, and, said Coman, “has the speed to beat opponents deep and has good hands.” Expect Thompson to excel in Ravenna’s secondary as well. … C.J. Ross “will bring a lot to our team,” said Coman, at quarterback and defensive back, including athleticism, experience (after a strong 2023) and leadership. The nice thing for Coman is both Melzer and Ross have experience under center, and so, per Coman, “We now have two quarterbacks that we think can get the job done.” … Expect linebacker/running back Jaxon Kelly to help fill the void at running back after leading runner Austin Marshall graduated. Kelly, who ran for 99 yards on 22 carries last year, is “one of the toughest kids on the team,” Coman said.
What’s new with Ravenna football in 2024
Let’s start with the coach as Brian Coman takes over the helm of the Ravens. Coman, part of Ravenna’s Class of 1988, brings plenty of playing experience, including being part of a national championship team at Youngstown State, and coaching experience, including many years as Akron East’s offensive coordinator. … Coman will have plenty of help as he assumes his first head coaching role, including Joe Leigh, who has the second-most wins in Ravens history, a record that was only broken recently by Jim Lunardi. He’s also bringing in Brett Dubinsky, a longtime assistant under Lunardi who began coaching in the 1970s. Both are headed to the Ravenna High School Hall of Fame. … In addition to new coaches, Coman mentioned that the Ravens will be “running different offenses and defenses than the last couple of years.” … They’ll certainly be using different ball-carriers than a year ago after losing leading runners Austin Marshall (141 carries, 1,105 yards) and Ke’Shan Talbert (36 carries, 220 yards). Jaxon Kelly (22 carries, 99 yards) and Amare Marshall (23 carries, 125 yards) offer intriguing options while Bobby Melzer, C.J. Ross and Bryant Thompson are threats every time they have the ball in their hands. … Sophomore center Bradley Davis, who started as a freshman, and LaDarian Askew, who started at corner and returned kicks last year, are other potential breakout stars to watch.
Ravenna football’s outlook
There will be plenty new at Portage Community Bank Stadium this year, from coaching to running. There is no shortage of weapons on offense, however, including Bobby Melzer and Bryant Thompson, Ravenna’s leading pass-catchers from a year ago. Moreover, C.J. Ross had some big games upon taking over under center last year, including tossing three touchdown passes in a Metro Athletic Conference victory over Field. … The Ravenna defense should benefit from strong leadership at all three levels, whether it’s first team all-Metro Athletic Conference defensive lineman Bobby Melzer (42 tackles, four sacks, two INTs), second team all-MAC linebacker Jaxon Kelly (72 tackles, two INTs) or second team all-MAC defensive back Bryant Thompson (two INTs). … The Ravens are hoping to shake off back-to-back 3-7 seasons and continue the momentum developed in the middle of the 2023 season when they won three straight games following an 0-5 start.
Ravenna football schedule for 2024
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Aug. 23 at Roosevelt
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Aug. 30 MOGADORE
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Sept. 6 REVERE
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Sept. 13 NORTON*
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Sept. 20 at Woodridge*
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Sept. 27 at Cloverleaf*
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Oct. 4 SPRINGFIELD*
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Oct. 11 at Streetsboro*
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Oct. 18 at Coventry*
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Oct. 25 FIELD*
Home games in all CAPS. Conference games marked with an asterisk. All games at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio high school football, Ravenna Ravens 2024 preview
