August 21, 2025 • 15 mins
New Madison head football coach, Kobi Johnson, spoke with WMAN's Aaron Hines to preview the 2025 Rams, and learn about Kobi taking over the program. Johnson played at Madison, and was on the playoff team in 2012, along with being on the coaching staff for the last several years. He is excited to get started on Friday, as the Rams host Shelby in the season opener. You can hear the game at 7 pm from Ram Field on WMAN.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We are joined by the new head football coach at Madison.
Definitely not a new name played for Madison. He's been
on the coaching staff for many, many years. Kobe Johnson
named the new head football coach for Madison back in March.
First of all, Kobe, congratulations on the job. You know,
you're a Madison guy. You went to school there, you
(00:21):
teach there, you've been a coach for a while.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
What was it like when you got the news?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Oh, it was it was a great opportunity, man. I mean,
obviously the excitement. It's kind of like the job that
I've always wanted, kind of wanted to grow up there
and learn from the coaches that I was working under,
and those guys have kind of helped prepare me and
put me into a situation where I felt like it
was the right time to go after it and just
(00:48):
extremely excited the administration decided to go my way and
get after it now.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Kobe, for you, this dates me a little bit. Been
broadcasting twenty years, not that old, you know, into my
mid forties. You played on what the last Madison team
that made the playoffs under coach Conway back in twenty twelve, Right, so.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Twenty twelve was my senior year. They did make it
again in twenty fourteen with the guys that were a
couple of years after me, But twenty twelve was the
year that we went and played Toledo Central Catholic, who
was the eventual state champion, had Sean Kaiser and some
really good players that went on to play. Obviously, he
played for the Browns for a little bit but talented
(01:29):
team and you know we were pretty good as well.
Sean Conway, give him a little love. I'm sure he'll
be happy about that. But he had us playing a
physical brand of football and we got after it, and
I was just I was blessed to play for a
really good staff and still and connected with a lot
of those guys to this day that have kind of
helped mentor me in my coaching young coaching career. So yeah,
(01:51):
all three times.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah, I'll definitely get back to coach Conway. Here in
a moment again, we're chatting with Kobe Johnson getting ready
for High School Football Week one Friday night, Madison Rams
playing host the Shelby Whippets. Now, you have been on
the coaching staff, I think last year, maybe last few
years defensive coordinator. Talk about the roles you've played overall
with the Madison coaching staff prior to being head coach.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Now, yeah, so the last two years under Brentain Santon,
I was the defensive coordinator, and then in the years
prior to that, I was kind of in various different positions.
I coached defensive backs, I've coached receivers over that time frame.
I even had a year where I was helping with
the O line D line, And again that kind of
goes back to guys trying to prepare me knowing that
(02:34):
I wanted to be a head coach someday, putting me
into some situations where I could just truly learn football.
So I'm blessed. You know. Dave Stupko, who's our defensive coordinator,
was the head coach for some time there, and he
did a great job also kind of putting me into
situations to learn and grow as a young coach, and
I just I couldn't be more blessed to work for
(02:55):
guys like that. That kind of challenged me to do
things that maybe I wasn't necessarily comfortable with, but definitely
helped make me a better football coach. Over the last ten.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Years, or so Tobe before we get to this year's team.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
One final thing, Kobe Johnson, first year head coach at Madison,
talking with us getting ready for Shelby in the season opener.
You brought up Dave Stepka on your staff now, but
it's got to be great to be able to talk
to guys you know who have been a head coach,
including Dave and you mentioned you know Sean Conway, who
I know is the high school principal. Anytime you got
a question you need somebody to lean on, all those
guys are there for you, right.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
I mean, I have a great coaching tree of a
bunch of guys that just like obviously football is the game,
but these guys are also just quality people and they
want to mentor and help out any way they can.
And I'm blessed to have a lot of guys like
that in my corner that I've worked for. You know,
Jamie Massey's starting it off. It's who I coached under
it first, and you know, just moving throughout that time
(03:51):
frame with Coach Stepka and then even Coach Valentine was
great for me of the year I got to spend
with him. All the coaching tree is huge, great guys,
and they're all just great people.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And take a little bit from everybody as you kind
of get into your coaching philosophy. Let's talk Kobe about
the Madison Rams a year ago. I know we covered
you guys a few times. We had your win a
year ago against Worcester, great ball game two and eight,
But you know, I think about it. I mean, that
could have been a five hundred season a year ago.
I think about the two point game with West Holmes,
(04:23):
the triple overtime thriller with Ashland at lex was a
seven point game.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Boy, you really feel you guys have been making steps.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Absolutely. I think, you know, from years prior, we kind
of last year, I would say we're the most competitive
we've been in a long time, and we do return
quite a few guys back from that team. So the
expectation is, you know, a lot of people talk about rebuild,
and we know the bear of a schedule that we
face that every single week. It's going to be a
battle weekend and week out. But that's the challenge that
(04:53):
we're ready to step up to and think, if we
play quality football, you know, and don't turn it over
and execute it a high level both sides of the ball.
We're going to be in a position to where we
should be pretty competitive again this year and see where
the scoreboard ends up at the end of the game.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Kobe, while we have you here for a few minutes,
I want to talk about who's back. You mentioned you
returned some guys. I'll throw out a few names. You know,
I remember from a year ago. Camden Moisey, I know,
really played well for you at wide receiver. Caleb Gordon's back,
Justin McCraney, he really stood out a year ago. Just
you know, talk about those guys who's back, who you're
excited about this fall?
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Absolutely so. I mean I'll start up front. We got,
you know, two guys that have really been anchors on
our offensive line over the last three years with Andrew
Parrish at center and then Jackson Stankam at offensive tackle.
And he also is a pretty good defensive interior lineman
as well. So I'm gonna lean on those guys as seniors.
(05:50):
They've played a lot of football. You know, you brought
up Caleb Gordon, which a lot of people don't realize.
With Caleb Gordon last year, like the stats that he
ended up with, I think he rushed for right around
seven hundred yards, but he was injured for a lot
of the year and was dealing with some hamstring issues
and things that kind of took him out of some games.
(06:10):
I think he was at like one hundred yards against
River Valley in Week two and then he wasn't able
to play the second half. So there's just some games
too there where you know, if we're healthy and you
talk about us being competitive, that we're hoping that he
can kind of come along and put together a solid
senior season. Extremely dynamic. You know, cam to Moisey played
receiver for US last year and he was kind of
(06:32):
involved in a little bit of a quarterback battle this
summer and has done a nice job for us there.
But he's also a big threat on the outside and
it's just a guy you need to get the ball
to his into his hands in space. So excited about him.
Justin McCraney same, He's kind of a guy that on
the outside is a big threat and can make some
plays over the top, but also a pretty solid possession receiver.
(06:55):
All the guys I've talked about will play offense and
defensive for US, so critical piece to the puzzle. For sure,
but it's an eleven on eleven game and whoever's out
there again, our focus this week is just executing against
a really good Shelby team.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Well, before we talk Shelby, Kobe Johnson, first year head
coach at Madison, what can people expect in terms of
you know, everybody you know run to pass isn't always
fifty to fifty?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Is this more of a run team, more of a
pass team?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
What?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
What do you guys feel your strengths are on offense?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
I think we got to be you know, multiple in
regards to being able to take what the defense has
given us. You know, I don't want to just sit
here and hang my hat and say, oh, we're going
to be fifty to fifty or whatever. It's To me, it's,
you know, schematically, what's going to put our guys into
the best situation to make plays in space and attack
teams where we can attack them to be as successful
(07:44):
as possible. But I think we have the ability in
the mix to be able to run the ball in
throw the ball. So I'm excited to kind of see,
you know, what we evolve into. Cam Kun was our
quarterback the last three years, so it's a new year,
and Colton Atkins will be taking over that spot as
the starting quarterback here week one, and I'm just excited
(08:06):
for him because he's just he does some things differently
than what Cam did the last few years. So it's
gonna be interesting to just kind of see what we
evolve into.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Kobe, talk about your defense.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
You know, I through Justin mccraney's name from the defensive
line a year ago. I think the Worcester game. He
had a handful of sacks in that game. Who leads
the way on defense?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Tell us a little bit about the defense.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Absolutely, so Justine, he'll play some defensive end for us,
and he's gonna go both ways. He gives us that
athletic presence on the defensive line playing d N that
you know he can really get after the quarterback, which
is going to be a huge Week one. And then
I talked about Jackson Stankam, three year starter on the interior,
and he's a guy that you know, I'm just hearing
(08:46):
from Area school. A lot of people. You know, you
don't talk a ton about interior defensive lineman, but he's
just a force in there in terms of being a
guy that's hard to move around, so I'm excited for
him in there, and really great wrestler too, hoping he
has a huge senior year in football and wrestling. Inside linebacker,
the returning guy that played a lot for US there
(09:07):
is Aiden Proctor. I'm really expecting him to have a
big year reading, you know, getting after it, being physical,
been on the outside defensive backwise, you'll see Noisey out there.
You'll see Colton Mackins quarterbacks and also play defense for US.
And at corner we have Julian Washington who played quite
a bit there last year. And there's a senior own
(09:30):
Moro that didn't get a ton of time last year
due to injury, missed most of his junior year, but
had played a little bit as a sophomore. He's back healthy,
so we're excited to have him for his senior year
as well.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Before I let you go, I do want to talk
a little low sec Kobe Johnson with US first year
coach at Madison taking on Shelby in the season opener
Friday night at seven. We'll have it live on wm
AN anywhere on the iHeartRadio app. Talk about special teams,
you know, placekicker, kickoffs, you know, punting, those kind of
things even you know, punt returners, kickoff returners. Tell us
a little bit about Madison's special teams.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
You keep hearing me say, Canon Moisy, he's our he's
our kicker, our punter, he takes the pats, the field goals.
He's kind of our do it all guy. So you'll
see him all over the place offensively, and then he's
going to be punting, kicking. He does it all for us.
So he's really solid. Kid, did a nice job for
us last year as a sophomore, and we expect a
(10:26):
big year out of him as a junior. So really
excited to have him back and you know, have him
for two more years than those kicking duties hopefully.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
We saw him against Wooster and he just put on
a show and in that game did Camden moising And
you know, think about it, Kobe, you played you know,
high school football at Madison and now a coach, boy
as a sophomore to step in like he did a
year ago and have that kind of success, you guys, probably, boy,
he's just going to get better and better the next
couple of years.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Right for sure. I mean he's just a great kid,
high character kid and he wants that challenge, he wants
to help the team in any way that he can.
And last year sophomore did a really nice job in
the kicking game and was a two way starter. So
he's just truly a kid that you can rely on
to do whatever is needed. Blessed to have him. Excited
to see how his junior year goes.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
All right, I know I got to let you go,
but two quick questions. Tell me about the OECC this fall.
As you know, Mansfield Senior Madison both with a new
head coach. I don't know the last time that's happened
at the same time. But you know, Ashland was good
a year ago. They bring back a lot of guys,
Lex brings back a lot of guys. New Philly's always good.
Just give me your kind of take your thoughts. Overall,
(11:34):
ought to be a pretty good year in the league, right.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
I think the league is just it took. Like I
said earlier, our schedule is a bear and a lot
of that has to do with our league teams. A
lot of great coaches in the league too, So just
credit to all of those guys. But with Ashland, you
know you got the Bernhard kid coming back, got a
lot of talent around him, Lexington with cal Dill and
Fogel and just these guys all over the place seven now,
(11:57):
and they're just teams that are tough to match up with.
And talking about last year and how competitive we were,
obviously none of that matters now. It's about what we're
going to do this season. But it's good to, you know,
be able to look back and say, you know, against
these teams, we were able to play and get after
it with them, and that's got to be our expectation,
preparing at a high level each week to be as
(12:19):
competitive as possible when we do see those guys. But
you don't talk a ton about like New Phillyan we
played Dover as well, who will be in the league
next year. Like those are just high quality teams. So
as you look at the occ weekend and week out
for the foreseeable future, I think it's going to be
just a really competitive league and exciting for high school
(12:39):
football fans.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Yeah, and for you guys. A year ago, Lexington a
seven point game. The Ashland game I think was like
six points, triple overtime, and those two teams, you know,
Ashland want it out right, but they played for the
league title in week ten, So you have to feel
you guys played really well a year ago against that
top part of the occ Kobe Johnson, I know I
got to let you go, but just want to get
your thoughts on week one.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
It shall be.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
And you know, we've went through so many teams that
are going to be good in the area. I mean,
Shelby's got to be right up there at the top.
They bring back to Veto, you know, mister football candidate
kind of thing. Just give me your take on Shelby
here in week one.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Yeah, I've talked a lot about de Vito, you know,
in some interviews already, and he's just an extremely special player,
hard to defend, hard to prepare for. Just with his
ability to you can cover stuff up really well, and
then with his legs he's able to move around to
make plays and extend plays. So you got to definitely
be prepared to cover on the back end for a
long time, and your defensive line and linebacker's got to
(13:38):
pursue like crazy when he starts moving around. He just
does a lot of things really well in the run game,
throwing the ball. So it's a task and our goal
is to be as prepared as possible. Understand that they're
going to make some plays, but I got to force
them to drive the field and be perfect. That's got
to be our goal defensively. But they're a really good
(13:58):
team on both sides of the ball. A lot of guys,
So just a ton of respect for the Whippets and
for coach Mahaney and his staff. I think they do
a really nice job. But again, we're going to go
out and compete at a high level to the best
that we can, and whatever happens, the goal is to
be proud of that, you know, play with Everybody talks
about Ram pride, like, we got to go out there
(14:19):
and lay it on the line and the result will
be the result.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Kobe, I'll end with this, what's it going to be
like Friday night? You're the head coach? You know, Ram
Field opening night, fans in the stands, just that first game,
but you being the head coach, I'm sure you'll have chills, emotions,
whatever you'd like to call. That'll be a really really
special moment for you, right, It'll.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Be special for sure. You know, my family is pretty
much a born and raised Madison family. I went to
elementary school all the way up through so I've been
to a lot of Madison Shelby Week one games throughout
my lifespan, and it'll be a different feeling to be
walking out there in the role. But again, it's when
it comes down to it. We got to go out
(15:02):
and I just want our kids to go out and
execute at a high level and play physical football and
all the other stuff. I mean, it's a great moment,
it'll be great, but we got to get out there
and execute. That's got to be the focus for everybody.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Kobe, good luck this season, and thank you so much
for being with us tonight.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Thank you, Aaron. I appreciate it.
We are joined by the new head football coach at Madison.
Definitely not a new name played for Madison. He's been
on the coaching staff for many, many years. Kobe Johnson
named the new head football coach for Madison back in March.
First of all, Kobe, congratulations on the job. You know,
you're a Madison guy. You went to school there, you
(00:21):
teach there, you've been a coach for a while.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
What was it like when you got the news?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Oh, it was it was a great opportunity, man. I mean,
obviously the excitement. It's kind of like the job that
I've always wanted, kind of wanted to grow up there
and learn from the coaches that I was working under,
and those guys have kind of helped prepare me and
put me into a situation where I felt like it
was the right time to go after it and just
(00:48):
extremely excited the administration decided to go my way and
get after it now.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Kobe, for you, this dates me a little bit. Been
broadcasting twenty years, not that old, you know, into my
mid forties. You played on what the last Madison team
that made the playoffs under coach Conway back in twenty twelve, Right, so.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Twenty twelve was my senior year. They did make it
again in twenty fourteen with the guys that were a
couple of years after me, But twenty twelve was the
year that we went and played Toledo Central Catholic, who
was the eventual state champion, had Sean Kaiser and some
really good players that went on to play. Obviously, he
played for the Browns for a little bit but talented
(01:29):
team and you know we were pretty good as well.
Sean Conway, give him a little love. I'm sure he'll
be happy about that. But he had us playing a
physical brand of football and we got after it, and
I was just I was blessed to play for a
really good staff and still and connected with a lot
of those guys to this day that have kind of
helped mentor me in my coaching young coaching career. So yeah,
(01:51):
all three times.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah, I'll definitely get back to coach Conway. Here in
a moment again, we're chatting with Kobe Johnson getting ready
for High School Football Week one Friday night, Madison Rams
playing host the Shelby Whippets. Now, you have been on
the coaching staff, I think last year, maybe last few
years defensive coordinator. Talk about the roles you've played overall
with the Madison coaching staff prior to being head coach.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Now, yeah, so the last two years under Brentain Santon,
I was the defensive coordinator, and then in the years
prior to that, I was kind of in various different positions.
I coached defensive backs, I've coached receivers over that time frame.
I even had a year where I was helping with
the O line D line, And again that kind of
goes back to guys trying to prepare me knowing that
(02:34):
I wanted to be a head coach someday, putting me
into some situations where I could just truly learn football.
So I'm blessed. You know. Dave Stupko, who's our defensive coordinator,
was the head coach for some time there, and he
did a great job also kind of putting me into
situations to learn and grow as a young coach, and
I just I couldn't be more blessed to work for
(02:55):
guys like that. That kind of challenged me to do
things that maybe I wasn't necessarily comfortable with, but definitely
helped make me a better football coach. Over the last ten.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Years, or so Tobe before we get to this year's team.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
One final thing, Kobe Johnson, first year head coach at Madison,
talking with us getting ready for Shelby in the season opener.
You brought up Dave Stepka on your staff now, but
it's got to be great to be able to talk
to guys you know who have been a head coach,
including Dave and you mentioned you know Sean Conway, who
I know is the high school principal. Anytime you got
a question you need somebody to lean on, all those
guys are there for you, right.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
I mean, I have a great coaching tree of a
bunch of guys that just like obviously football is the game,
but these guys are also just quality people and they
want to mentor and help out any way they can.
And I'm blessed to have a lot of guys like
that in my corner that I've worked for. You know,
Jamie Massey's starting it off. It's who I coached under
it first, and you know, just moving throughout that time
(03:51):
frame with Coach Stepka and then even Coach Valentine was
great for me of the year I got to spend
with him. All the coaching tree is huge, great guys,
and they're all just great people.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And take a little bit from everybody as you kind
of get into your coaching philosophy. Let's talk Kobe about
the Madison Rams a year ago. I know we covered
you guys a few times. We had your win a
year ago against Worcester, great ball game two and eight,
But you know, I think about it. I mean, that
could have been a five hundred season a year ago.
I think about the two point game with West Holmes,
(04:23):
the triple overtime thriller with Ashland at lex was a
seven point game.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Boy, you really feel you guys have been making steps.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Absolutely. I think, you know, from years prior, we kind
of last year, I would say we're the most competitive
we've been in a long time, and we do return
quite a few guys back from that team. So the
expectation is, you know, a lot of people talk about rebuild,
and we know the bear of a schedule that we
face that every single week. It's going to be a
battle weekend and week out. But that's the challenge that
(04:53):
we're ready to step up to and think, if we
play quality football, you know, and don't turn it over
and execute it a high level both sides of the ball.
We're going to be in a position to where we
should be pretty competitive again this year and see where
the scoreboard ends up at the end of the game.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Kobe, while we have you here for a few minutes,
I want to talk about who's back. You mentioned you
returned some guys. I'll throw out a few names. You know,
I remember from a year ago. Camden Moisey, I know,
really played well for you at wide receiver. Caleb Gordon's back,
Justin McCraney, he really stood out a year ago. Just
you know, talk about those guys who's back, who you're
excited about this fall?
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Absolutely so. I mean I'll start up front. We got,
you know, two guys that have really been anchors on
our offensive line over the last three years with Andrew
Parrish at center and then Jackson Stankam at offensive tackle.
And he also is a pretty good defensive interior lineman
as well. So I'm gonna lean on those guys as seniors.
(05:50):
They've played a lot of football. You know, you brought
up Caleb Gordon, which a lot of people don't realize.
With Caleb Gordon last year, like the stats that he
ended up with, I think he rushed for right around
seven hundred yards, but he was injured for a lot
of the year and was dealing with some hamstring issues
and things that kind of took him out of some games.
(06:10):
I think he was at like one hundred yards against
River Valley in Week two and then he wasn't able
to play the second half. So there's just some games
too there where you know, if we're healthy and you
talk about us being competitive, that we're hoping that he
can kind of come along and put together a solid
senior season. Extremely dynamic. You know, cam to Moisey played
receiver for US last year and he was kind of
(06:32):
involved in a little bit of a quarterback battle this
summer and has done a nice job for us there.
But he's also a big threat on the outside and
it's just a guy you need to get the ball
to his into his hands in space. So excited about him.
Justin McCraney same, He's kind of a guy that on
the outside is a big threat and can make some
plays over the top, but also a pretty solid possession receiver.
(06:55):
All the guys I've talked about will play offense and
defensive for US, so critical piece to the puzzle. For sure,
but it's an eleven on eleven game and whoever's out
there again, our focus this week is just executing against
a really good Shelby team.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Well, before we talk Shelby, Kobe Johnson, first year head
coach at Madison, what can people expect in terms of
you know, everybody you know run to pass isn't always
fifty to fifty?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Is this more of a run team, more of a
pass team?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
What?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
What do you guys feel your strengths are on offense?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
I think we got to be you know, multiple in
regards to being able to take what the defense has
given us. You know, I don't want to just sit
here and hang my hat and say, oh, we're going
to be fifty to fifty or whatever. It's To me, it's,
you know, schematically, what's going to put our guys into
the best situation to make plays in space and attack
teams where we can attack them to be as successful
(07:44):
as possible. But I think we have the ability in
the mix to be able to run the ball in
throw the ball. So I'm excited to kind of see,
you know, what we evolve into. Cam Kun was our
quarterback the last three years, so it's a new year,
and Colton Atkins will be taking over that spot as
the starting quarterback here week one, and I'm just excited
(08:06):
for him because he's just he does some things differently
than what Cam did the last few years. So it's
gonna be interesting to just kind of see what we
evolve into.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Kobe, talk about your defense.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
You know, I through Justin mccraney's name from the defensive
line a year ago. I think the Worcester game. He
had a handful of sacks in that game. Who leads
the way on defense?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Tell us a little bit about the defense.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Absolutely, so Justine, he'll play some defensive end for us,
and he's gonna go both ways. He gives us that
athletic presence on the defensive line playing d N that
you know he can really get after the quarterback, which
is going to be a huge Week one. And then
I talked about Jackson Stankam, three year starter on the interior,
and he's a guy that you know, I'm just hearing
(08:46):
from Area school. A lot of people. You know, you
don't talk a ton about interior defensive lineman, but he's
just a force in there in terms of being a
guy that's hard to move around, so I'm excited for
him in there, and really great wrestler too, hoping he
has a huge senior year in football and wrestling. Inside linebacker,
the returning guy that played a lot for US there
(09:07):
is Aiden Proctor. I'm really expecting him to have a
big year reading, you know, getting after it, being physical,
been on the outside defensive backwise, you'll see Noisey out there.
You'll see Colton Mackins quarterbacks and also play defense for US.
And at corner we have Julian Washington who played quite
a bit there last year. And there's a senior own
(09:30):
Moro that didn't get a ton of time last year
due to injury, missed most of his junior year, but
had played a little bit as a sophomore. He's back healthy,
so we're excited to have him for his senior year
as well.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Before I let you go, I do want to talk
a little low sec Kobe Johnson with US first year
coach at Madison taking on Shelby in the season opener
Friday night at seven. We'll have it live on wm
AN anywhere on the iHeartRadio app. Talk about special teams,
you know, placekicker, kickoffs, you know, punting, those kind of
things even you know, punt returners, kickoff returners. Tell us
a little bit about Madison's special teams.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
You keep hearing me say, Canon Moisy, he's our he's
our kicker, our punter, he takes the pats, the field goals.
He's kind of our do it all guy. So you'll
see him all over the place offensively, and then he's
going to be punting, kicking. He does it all for us.
So he's really solid. Kid, did a nice job for
us last year as a sophomore, and we expect a
(10:26):
big year out of him as a junior. So really
excited to have him back and you know, have him
for two more years than those kicking duties hopefully.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
We saw him against Wooster and he just put on
a show and in that game did Camden moising And
you know, think about it, Kobe, you played you know,
high school football at Madison and now a coach, boy
as a sophomore to step in like he did a
year ago and have that kind of success, you guys, probably, boy,
he's just going to get better and better the next
couple of years.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Right for sure. I mean he's just a great kid,
high character kid and he wants that challenge, he wants
to help the team in any way that he can.
And last year sophomore did a really nice job in
the kicking game and was a two way starter. So
he's just truly a kid that you can rely on
to do whatever is needed. Blessed to have him. Excited
to see how his junior year goes.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
All right, I know I got to let you go,
but two quick questions. Tell me about the OECC this fall.
As you know, Mansfield Senior Madison both with a new
head coach. I don't know the last time that's happened
at the same time. But you know, Ashland was good
a year ago. They bring back a lot of guys,
Lex brings back a lot of guys. New Philly's always good.
Just give me your kind of take your thoughts. Overall,
(11:34):
ought to be a pretty good year in the league, right.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
I think the league is just it took. Like I
said earlier, our schedule is a bear and a lot
of that has to do with our league teams. A
lot of great coaches in the league too, So just
credit to all of those guys. But with Ashland, you
know you got the Bernhard kid coming back, got a
lot of talent around him, Lexington with cal Dill and
Fogel and just these guys all over the place seven now,
(11:57):
and they're just teams that are tough to match up with.
And talking about last year and how competitive we were,
obviously none of that matters now. It's about what we're
going to do this season. But it's good to, you know,
be able to look back and say, you know, against
these teams, we were able to play and get after
it with them, and that's got to be our expectation,
preparing at a high level each week to be as
(12:19):
competitive as possible when we do see those guys. But
you don't talk a ton about like New Phillyan we
played Dover as well, who will be in the league
next year. Like those are just high quality teams. So
as you look at the occ weekend and week out
for the foreseeable future, I think it's going to be
just a really competitive league and exciting for high school
(12:39):
football fans.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Yeah, and for you guys. A year ago, Lexington a
seven point game. The Ashland game I think was like
six points, triple overtime, and those two teams, you know,
Ashland want it out right, but they played for the
league title in week ten, So you have to feel
you guys played really well a year ago against that
top part of the occ Kobe Johnson, I know I
got to let you go, but just want to get
your thoughts on week one.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
It shall be.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
And you know, we've went through so many teams that
are going to be good in the area. I mean,
Shelby's got to be right up there at the top.
They bring back to Veto, you know, mister football candidate
kind of thing. Just give me your take on Shelby
here in week one.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Yeah, I've talked a lot about de Vito, you know,
in some interviews already, and he's just an extremely special player,
hard to defend, hard to prepare for. Just with his
ability to you can cover stuff up really well, and
then with his legs he's able to move around to
make plays and extend plays. So you got to definitely
be prepared to cover on the back end for a
long time, and your defensive line and linebacker's got to
(13:38):
pursue like crazy when he starts moving around. He just
does a lot of things really well in the run game,
throwing the ball. So it's a task and our goal
is to be as prepared as possible. Understand that they're
going to make some plays, but I got to force
them to drive the field and be perfect. That's got
to be our goal defensively. But they're a really good
(13:58):
team on both sides of the ball. A lot of guys,
So just a ton of respect for the Whippets and
for coach Mahaney and his staff. I think they do
a really nice job. But again, we're going to go
out and compete at a high level to the best
that we can, and whatever happens, the goal is to
be proud of that, you know, play with Everybody talks
about Ram pride, like, we got to go out there
(14:19):
and lay it on the line and the result will
be the result.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Kobe, I'll end with this, what's it going to be
like Friday night? You're the head coach? You know, Ram
Field opening night, fans in the stands, just that first game,
but you being the head coach, I'm sure you'll have chills, emotions,
whatever you'd like to call. That'll be a really really
special moment for you, right, It'll.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Be special for sure. You know, my family is pretty
much a born and raised Madison family. I went to
elementary school all the way up through so I've been
to a lot of Madison Shelby Week one games throughout
my lifespan, and it'll be a different feeling to be
walking out there in the role. But again, it's when
it comes down to it. We got to go out
(15:02):
and I just want our kids to go out and
execute at a high level and play physical football and
all the other stuff. I mean, it's a great moment,
it'll be great, but we got to get out there
and execute. That's got to be the focus for everybody.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Kobe, good luck this season, and thank you so much
for being with us tonight.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Thank you, Aaron. I appreciate it.
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