For the second time in three weeks, the "Thom McDaniels Coaching Tree" will be showcased on the same field as current Warren G. Harding head coach Matt Richardson, who served as the Raiders' Running Backs Coach under McD from 2000 thru 2006, will lead his young men into Spartans Stadium to take on Boardman, who is lead by his former coworker in head coach Daniel Dota.
Boardman junior Ryan Smith breaks off a 60-yard touchdown run during their 29-20 victory over Maple Heights on 09/13/2024.
As the Defensive Coordinator under McD two decades ago, Dota was responsible for some of the greatest defenses in Harding history. In 2001, Harding shut out five of their ten regular season opponents, which included a 55-0 victory over perennial powerhouse Archbishop Moeller (to this day, it's their worst loss ever). The following season, the Raiders blanked four opponents en route to an OHSAA Division I state runner-up finish. Dota's efforts eventually helped award him Harding's head coaching position in 2007. From then until 2010, he compiled a record of 23-17-1 while leading the Raiders' to a playoff Division I appearance in 2010.
Boardman quarterback Zach Haus connects with Ryan Smith for a 41-yard TD pass against Cardinal Mooney on 09/28/2024.
In January of 2022, Boardman administrators announced Dota as their new head football coach. After leading them to a combined record of 5-15 in his first two seasons, the Spartans are off to a solid 4-2 start in 2024. One of the biggest changes to this is their switch to the infamous "Wing-T," the same offense that's run by Harding's week 3 opponent Massillon Perry. While the style of attack is known for being run-heavy, it has opened things up for Boardman quarterback Zach Haus, who already came into this season as one of WKBN's Big 22 contenders. Versatile junior Ryan Smith has shown the ability to score from anywhere on the field.
Boardman's Zach Haus & C.J. Rice link up for an 18-yard touchdown pass against Cardinal Mooney on 09/28/2024.
The biggest indicator of the improvement within the Spartans' program is that to date, three of their four victories have come against programs that they lost to last year (Kenston, Youngstown Chaney, and Cardinal Mooney). They'll look to increase that number to "4" as last year, they left Mollenkopf Stadium with a 38-20 loss.
Warren G. Harding senior Stephen Sims runs the ball in from one yard out against Solon.
In the first matchup of McD protégés, current Ursuline head Dan Reardon led his Fighting Irish to a 35-0 victory in Warren. As a result, Richardson looked to open things up on offense to get his athletes more touches against Solon. That plan worked to perfection as Chaz Coleman (126), Airiz Coleman Bey (85), Stephen Sims (65), and James Jones (60) all had at least 60 yards worth of total offense while defensively, the Raiders kept everything in front of them as they left Solon with a 24-0 victory.
Warren G. Harding sophomore quarterback James Jones throws the first touchdown pass of his career, a 41-yarder to Chaz Coleman.
Usually, college football coaches already know if they want a certain athlete well before his senior year. However, this past Saturday, Coleman accepted an invite to Michigan State's home game against Ohio State, who he visited last Saturday. He left East Lansing with his fifth Power-4 offer last week alone as the Spartans joined Virginia Tech, Toledo, Pitt, and N.C. State as those that have extended scholarships over the last seven days. That brings his total number of offers to 12, which were all accumulated since this past summer.
Warren G. Harding sophomore kicker Jaron Edmonds successfully executes an onside kick against Solon.
The momentum regarding Coleman's college interest is a byproduct of his growth as a leader for the Raiders, who have already matched last year's regular season win total. In fact, it also matches the most victories that Harding's class of 2025 have ever won in a single (regular) season. That said, Richardson and his staff have worked tirelessly to bring the absolute best out of their talent. While the Ursuline game smacked them in the mouth, it forced them to look in the mirror and fix what they saw. While things weren't perfect against Solon, the Raiders now have a much better idea of what they're capable of.
Warren G. Harding senior linebacker Chaz Coleman executes a quick spin move to get inside and record a tackle for a loss against Solon.
One of the things that Harding now realizes that they are capable of doing is holding their opposition scoreless as their two shutouts are the most that they've had in a season since 2021. Collectively this season, they have received sacks from Coleman (3), Kenneth Byrd Jr. (3), Tyler Smith, Raylin Adams, Deshawn Wynn, and Aiden Allen while Coleman (3), Airiz Coleman Bey (2) and Adams have all hauled in interceptions. Defensively, Coleman and Coleman Bey have scored touchdowns while junior Amire Cobb recovered a Solon fumble in the end zone for the special teams unit.
Kenny Byrd Jr. records a sack against Solon. To date, his 3.0 this season is tied with fellow senior Chaz Coleman for the team lead.
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