CINCINNATI – The Taft High School team represents the hometown of senior defender Ronald Cutts.
“It’s always been brotherly love,” Cutts said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s love down here.”
That brotherhood at school, across the street at Stargel Stadium, and in the community has been strengthened since Tyler Williams was appointed Senators head coach in February 2021.
Taft (9-3) Division V regional semi-final champion last season and Senators are hungry for an opportunity in Canton in December.
“We have a chip on our shoulder; a big chip on our shoulder because we felt like we should have won the state,” Cutts said. “That’s our ultimate goal. But we’re going to play game by game to get there.”
Taft, which opened the season at Roger Bacon August 18, has moved up to Division IV this season, according to the Ohio High School Athletes Association. parts breakdown.
There’s plenty of anticipation for the Senators, who have a number of scholarship recipients including 2024 defensive late Elias Rudolph, who is rated Ohio’s #6 player overall in his class. Sports 247.
“Last year was a year of more learning for us,” said Williams, the former Colerain star who was named Coach of the Year at the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference. “Now our boys are doing the same attack, the same defense – the boys are catching it fast and playing fast. They’re definitely pushing each other this season.”
The relationship between players and coaches has been strengthened before this season compared to the summer of 2021 when the players are not on the same page when they are tired.
Taft sporting director Romell Salone said the team worked hard to hold each player accountable this season.
Williams and the assistant coaches noticed fewer pre-season disagreements from a year ago and are more open to coaching.
“With the takeover of this program, these kids really need to see that someone really cares, not just football,” Williams said. “It’s bigger than football. After practice, I’ll stay an hour or two later with the kids to talk to them about what’s going on in their lives. I’ll check with their parents. to see how things are going at their home.”
Taft’s competitiveness was on display during Wednesday afternoon practice at Stargel Stadium. Salone said there is a lot of energy and confidence about the players.
The college recruiting spotlight continues to grow.
However, the Senators have also kept the recognition in view.
Cutts said: “Without work, talent is nothing. “You always have to perfect your skills.”
Williams said the players understood that the scholarship provided was a reward for the work they had achieved during the year.
The Taft football program transcends both wins and losses. It’s about student-athletes becoming better young men, Williams said. The team emphasized that throughout the summer.
During the weekend of 4/7, Taft players and coaches held a barbecue with water balloons to create a fun atmosphere as a team.
Coaches have created group chats to check with players about meals, clothing, transportation or if they simply want to chat about life.
Cutts said he and his teammates know how much the coaches care about the program and the school. That’s part of the reason why Taft is poised for another very successful season in the hope of repeating the men’s basketball team’s achievements. state championship journey.
“It was always brotherly love,” Cutts said. “I’ve been playing with these guys since I was four, five, six years old. It’s always good to play with the same guys. This is where I grew up. I played for the Little Senators when I was a kid. it’s always been a part of me.”
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