Wildcats look to break into win column

VANLUE – For Vanlue football coach John Kloepfer, the goal is a simple one. "We just want to win a game. Last year, we didn't win," he said. "We just want to win that first game and see where we go from there. I think we've got some teams on our schedule that we can be competitive with." The Wildcats last victory came on Aug. 25, 2023, against Millersport. Vanlue will open the 2025 campaign Thursday at home against Leetonia, a school 15 miles south of Youngstown. Like Vanlue, the Bears were winless last season. Vanlue will try to defeat Leetonia – and the other teams on its schedule – with low numbers. The Wildcats have 14 players on their roster this season. It makes things difficult, but for Kloepfer and the Wildcats, it's what they have. "Fourteen, for us, I think, is pretty good," Kloepfer said. "Low numbers again, but I think that's just to be expected." With the small numbers, Kloepfer said his team's offensive approach will be simple. "Just try to run the ball. That's probably our best bet, is to try to run it," he said. "Throwing the ball, I think we'll try to mix it in, but if we can run the ball successfully." Brady Hamilton, who was Vanlue's quarterback last season as a freshman, returns to the spot again this season. The coach said the running back position is "up in the air," but the team is in a good spot on the offensive line. "That's probably our best spot," Kloepfer said. "Landon Shulaw, Brandon Desgranges, Micah Williams, Leon Rock, those are the four solid linemen. We're trying to find the other one. So, it's a combination of a lot of different kids." Some of those lineman figure to play a role up front on defense, where Kloepfer said Vanlue will use three linemen and five linebackers. Rock, Williams and Jonas are expected to fill some of the linebacker spots, while all three of the defensive backs from a season ago – Trey Miller, Hamilton and Landon Tong all return. Hamilton and Tong will play the corner spots, while Miller will play safety. Vanlue's schedule features only four road games, but there will be plenty of travel, as has been the case since the program became an independent. Kloepfer admitted he's unfamiliar with most of the squads on the Wildcats' schedule. "I don't know anything about these teams," Kloepfer said. "We're playing teams that I haven't really heard of, or anything about. A lot of travel. But, if it's teams we can be competitive with, I'm all for that."