MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College football 2025 season arrives tonight after a very successful run last year, including an eight-game winning streak, a bowl game appearance, and near victory over long time conference foe, Mount Union. Turning the page to the new season, the Pioneers will see a great number of new faces in the lineup as many of last year's starters finished their careers in the Navy Blue and White.
 
Another notable new face will be the one in the head coaching position as Tom Kaufman begins his first year with the Pioneers. Kaufman replaces Andy Waddle, who not only produced two consecutive eight-win seasons, but helped bring a winning tradition back to Marietta during his tenure. Although this is his first collegiate head coaching job, Kaufman is no stranger to winning tradition. From his playing days at John Carrol University to his coaching stints at several Division I schools, Kaufman has produced, both in winning records and setting a standard in forming high quality programs. Programs that emphasize success in the classroom as well as on the field. Faced with the notion that this year's squad, when it comes to starters, will be nearly as new as him, Kaufman stands undaunted and ready for the challenge.
 
"We do not want to compare ourselves to any other teams," said Kaufman. "We are going to take things one day at a time and find out what we can do against some really great opponents.
We are breaking in a number of players at several key positions, including quarterback, interior offensive line, defensive line, and defensive secondary. Our biggest challenge will be to find the right combinations and find a way to gel right away. But, no question, we have the guys that can do that right now."
 
The list of notable returners begins with a pair D3football.com preseason All-American candidates in Harley Hopkins (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum) and Brady McManaway (Pleasant City, Ohio/Meadowbrook). Hopkins, the reigning OAC Gene Slaughter Linebacker of the Year, placed second in the conference with 8.9 tackles per game. He was also fourth with 5.5 tackles for loss and seventh with 5.5 sacks per game. McManaway was a first time All-Region selection after last season. He averaged nearly five tackles per game and was highly ranked with 5.5 tackles for loss from his linebacker position.
 
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, the Pioneers return cornerback Tanner Bills, who led the team with three interceptions, and safety Lukas Ratliff (New Lexington, Ohio/New Lexington), who had 29 tackles, one interception, and three forced fumbles in 2024.
 
The defensive line will feature a number of players that have been non-starters in the past.  Look for seniors Mason Vawter (Springfield, Ohio/Greenon) and Isaiah McCartney (Steubenville, Ohio/Steubenville), junior Bryant Young (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North), and sophomore Harper Scott (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) to be the front runners for a starting role. Vawter and Young both registered 1.5 sacks last year. Although McCartney did not play last year due to injury, he has much experience at defensive tackle from the prior three years. Scott showed enough in the preseason to get the call at defensive end in game one.
 
Taison Starr (Barnesville, Ohio/Barnesville), Jaylen Tinsley (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central), and Drew Neal (Massillon, Ohio/Canton Central Catholic) will likely round out the probable opening day defensive starters. Starr was awarded the Freshman of the year on the team last year after appearing in every game and making seven tackles on the season. He will round out the linebacking corps. Tinsley will likely get the nod as opening starter at cornerback and Neal at safety.
 
On offense, Marietta welcomes back a pair of running backs, Vonte' Hodges and Zion Jackson-Wilborn (Whitehall, Ohio/Reynoldsburg), that will be keys to the offense. Hodges, an All-OAC selection, slashed his way to 727 yard on 98 carries (7.4 yards per rush) and 10 touchdowns. Jackson-Wilborn averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns last year.
 
The most asked question for the offense is who will take over at the quarterback position, and currently, it appears to be a four-man race. The one entering with the most Pioneer game experience is junior Antwon Johnson (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley). Johnson appeared in four games last year, completing four passes for 41 yards and running for another 36 yards and two touchdowns. Another contender would be junior Amare Jenkins (Sunbury, Ohio/Dublin Scioto), who transferred in from Hocking College.  Sophomore Joe Tenta (Palm Bay, Fla./Heritage) and freshman Michael Corocran are also in contention to win that job.
 
The receiving group will be anchored by senior John Sierputowski (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor), who began the season last year on the injured list but returned for the final four games and caught five balls for 48 yards and a touchdown. Senior Evan Gandee (Vincent, Ohio/Warren) is back after making 29 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns last fall. Sophomores Louis Goodnow (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown) and Kenyon Franklin (Gallipolis, Ohio/Gallia Academy) will be given the chance to shine in this offense this year after playing brief amounts of minutes last year.  Junior Gavin Blind (Dover, Ohio/Dover) and sophomore Matthew Krutowskis (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) are the front runners at tight end.
 
The Pioneers welcome back two starters from last year's starting offensive line. Senior left tackle Brayden Adams (Fresno, Ohio/Garaway) returns after a season where he was named All-OAC first team. Senior Brady Shildwachter (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake) will return to man the other tackle position. Juniors Nate Curry (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) and Stephen Rhodes III are the front runners for the starting guard positions, having gained much experience last year. Gunner Fox (New Concord, Ohio/John Glenn) earned a varsity letter last year and will likely win the job of starting center this season.
 
The kicking game welcomes back one of two starters from last year. Senior punter Aiden Bailey is back for his final year. Bailey averaged 37 yards per punt and dropped nine kicks inside the 20-yard line. Junior Nathaniel Demuth (New Philadelphia, Ohio/New Philadelphia) is the front runner at kicker this year. He was 10-of-12 in PAT attempts last season.
 
"We have demanded a ton out of our players since we arrived, and they have responded every step of the way," concluded Kaufman. "They have worked very hard in the weight room and have spent a ton of time learning the new schemes in all three phases. We have also spent a lot of time teaching culture, and why that is so important to what we want to do. We have a football team that is connected, and ready to face all challenges that will inevitably come when you play in a competitive conference such as the OAC. We have to hit the ground running as we face a tremendous challenge right out of the gate, competing against a team that defeated us last year."
 
Marietta opens the season at Westminster College for a special Thursday (Sept. 4) night contest. The Pioneers will have a chance to avenge the loss they suffered against the Titans in the Extra Points Bowl late last November. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. at Memorial Field inside Harold Burry Stadium in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. The Pioneers' home opener is Saturday, September 13 when Otterbein visits Don Drumm Stadium for a battle under the lights. Kickoff against the Cardinals is set for 7 p.m.
 
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.