Staff photo / Greg Macafee Warren G. Harding senior lineman Nehemiah Alexander, black jersey on right, takes out a Harding running back during a practice earlier this month.

WARREN — When Steve Arnold sat down in the offseason to review film of games from 2022, there was a familiar theme with many of Warren G. Harding’s losses.

“There were so many times we had a lead late in the second quarter, middle of the third quarter, and we relinquished that lead,” Arnold said.

The biggest issue he saw?

A lack of experience and depth.

“So many kids had to play both ways last year,” Arnold said. “We didn’t get a chance to coach them (during games) on either side of the ball when the offense had the ball and vice versa. And kids can only play so many plays before they start wearing down with the schedule that we play. So consequently, the number of lettermen we have returning last year as opposed to this year is night and day. Our young men went through the fire last year, and they all came back ready to go. (It was a) great offseason, so we’re all excited.”

The Raiders return 16 letterwinners from a season ago, and have 68 players on roster.

Arnold and Co. hope that returning experience will pay off sooner than later, as the Raiders dive right into a challenging schedule out of the gates.

Harding opens its season at home against Canton McKinley before traveling to Akron Buchtel in Week 2. The Raiders then return home to take on Farrell (Pa.) in Week 3 before back-to-back road games to St. Vincent-St. Mary and Ursuline.

The back half of the schedule begins with home games against Chaney and Boardman, then road games to Cardinal Mooney and Massillon. Harding finishes the regular season at home against Austintown Fitch.

OFFENSE

Drew McKowan and Chaz Coleman are QBs 1 and 2, respectively. McKowan was Harding’s backup last season, and saw meaningful playing time when 2022 starter Dalys Jett was out with various injuries.

“With the experience that Drew had last year as Dalys’ back-up, he didn’t play badly when he came in,” Arnold said. “He made some youthful mistakes, but that’s what you expect. He’s grown. He’s one of the hardest workers we have on the team. I want him to become a little bit more vocal. I tell my quarterbacks, ‘You’re an extension of me. And I need you to do the right thing all the time.’ He exhibits that.”

Of Coleman, he added, “Your backup always has to be ready. As an example, Dalys’ helmet comes off, he gets concussed and Drew has to play the rest of the game against Buchtel and then start next week against Hudson. So your No. 2 always has to be ready to go.”

Perhaps the strongest — and most versatile — piece of the Raiders’ offense is its running backs room. Ryan Powell, a powerful runner, returns from 2022, and Harding added Warren JFK transfer Antonio Smith, who features breakaway speed.

Javonte Jones, BJ Coleman and Israel Reynolds also are vying for playing time at the position, creating a five-player dynamic for the Raiders.

“Our running back room is very, very, very good,” Arnold said. “And they’re all different. … We told them in the spring, ‘You’re going to compete for touches’ and they’ve all competed every day. One of the things I stress to them is the one way you won’t play is if you put the ball on the ground, so secure the football. So our running back room is very good, and they’re all different styles of runners.”

Arnold has a similar confidence in his receiving room, which brings back Khamari Adams after the senior was forced to sit for nearly all of the 2022 campaign due to eligibility issues that were out of his control — issues that Arnold didn’t shy away from criticizing — and couldn’t play until Week 10. Still, Adams will factor largely into what Harding tries to do offensively.

“The state cost that young man a scholarship last year, and luckily he’s back because he would have had offers,” Arnold said, adding that Adams will be the lead receiver.

Joining him on the edges are Naujeat Jones, Bryan Powell, Airiz Coleman-Bey, Raylin Adams, Marcus Crum, Devin Morgan and Donovan McCoy.

“We feel that our running back room is good, and we feel our receiving room is very good as well,” Arnold said.

Up front, Richard May and Nehemiah “Nemo” Alexander will serve as the anchors, while Arnold is looking to Rod Johnson, Dan Greathouse, Anthony Simpson, Juan Wade and Dailon Curry to fill in and provide meaningful snaps, as well.

“Those guys have to put it all together. It all starts up front,” Arnold said.

Staff photo / Greg Macafee
Warren G. Harding junior defensive back Airiz Coleman-Bey matches up on an offensive player during a recent practice at Warren G. Harding High School. Coleman-Bey will figure into the secondary for the Raiders this season.

DEFENSE

For Harding’s defensive line, it starts with Alexander, who was a bright spot for the Raiders a season ago.

“He just plays with such tenacity, play hard every single play,” Arnold said.

After Alexander, Arnold is looking for several of the aforementioned players to step forward and round out the trenches.

“Other guys have to fill in, step up and be ready to go,” he said.

Ryan Powell and Bryan Powell, BJ Coleman and Chaz Coleman all will see time at linebacker, as will Javonte Jones.

“We have some depth there as well,” Arnold said. “I may have some guys playing offense and defense, but you have backups there now. You don’t have to play so many downs on offense, so many downs on defense where you don’t get a breather.”

The secondary is in a similar position. Khamari Adams, Coleman-Bey, Morgan, Crum, McCoy, Raylin Adams and DeAndre Thomas all will figure to see time defensively, but with such depth and so many options, there won’t be as much attrition.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Arnold said.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jake Daugherty is back as an option at placekicker and punter.

“I’m expecting a marked improvement from Jake,” Arnold said. “He played OK last year, but has got to get better with being a senior.”

In addition, junior Mason Bitner and freshman Jaron Edmonds join Daugherty at those spots.

On kickoff returns, Smith, Coleman-Bey, Raylin Adams, Thomas and Javonte Jones will mix in, while at punt returner, Naujeat Jones, Crum and LeMarcus Provitt are competing.

“Guys that are versatile,” Arnold said. “We want the ball in those guys’ hands.”

2023 Schedule

Aug. 18 Canton McKinley 7 p.m.

Aug. 26 at Buchtel 1 p.m.

Sept. 1 Farrell 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 at St. Vincent-St. Mary 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Ursuline 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 Chaney 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 Boardman 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Cardinal Mooney 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Massillon 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 Fitch 7 p.m.

2022 Results (2-8)

at Medina L 33-10

Buchtel W 14-7

Hudson L 21-7

at Massillon L 41-12

Ursuline L 28-14

St. Vincent-St. Mary L 27-12

at Boardman W 24-21

Cardinal Mooney L 26-17

at Chaney L 21-14

at Fitch L 59-28

Coaching staff

Head coach: Steve Arnold, 12th season, 64-53 overall

Staff: Tony Reed, Chris Kosiorek, Derico Murray, Tim Calhoun, Jim Keagy, Paris Bruner, Rashawn Shannon, Anthony Elias, Colin Smedi, Joe Threats IV, Mickey Sikora, Nate Bodnar, Greg Lazzari, Dante Campbell, Doug Sangregorio, Rich Palumbo

Team facts

Division II, Region 5

Players on Roster: 68

Returning letterwinners (16): Bryan Powell, Javonte Jones, Khamari Adams, Antonio Smith, Jake Daugherty, Naujeat Jones, Donovan McCoy, Drew McKowan, Raylin Adams, Devon Morgan, Braylin Dyson, Ryan Powell, Nehemiah Alexander, Kenny Byrd, Devonte Ellis, Richard May

2022 season: Harding went 2-8, but only three of those losses were by more than two scores. The Raiders secured wins over Buchtel and Boardman, before falling to Cardinal Mooney, Chaney and Austintown Fitch in the final three weeks of the season. In large part, the Raiders struggled offensively, scoring more than 20 points just twice all season.