The Olentangy Orange football team had its share of highlights last season.

The Pioneers picked up impressive wins over rivals Olentangy (47-17) and Olentangy Liberty (23-7), but struggled to stay consistent over the course of the season, particularly during a four-game skid to start OCC-Central play.

This year, consistency is a major focus heading into the season, which Orange is slated to get underway Friday against host West Clermont.

“I think our kids are hungry,” Pioneer coach Zebb Schroeder said. “We had flashes of being the program we want to be, but we certainly were not consistent week in and week out. So, consistency is huge.”

Some of that inconsistency had to do with inexperience at key spots and injuries — and while injuries are an unavoidable part of the game, Schroeder said his guys did a great job of building up their bodies over the course of the offseason.

“Our offseason was really solid,” he said. “We know there can be some unlucky things that happen, but our guys also know how important the weight room is to add that body armor … and continue to develop their speed, power and balance to keep them on the field.”

As for the guys who will be on the field, the Pioneers have several key returners back on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Levi Davis returns behind center after starting the bulk of last season as a freshman.

Running backs Colin Stringer and Cohen Weaver will look to carry the ground game while Davis, who can also run, has some big targets to throw to when the Pioneers go to the air in Terryn Thomas (6-foot-6), Beckett Miller (6-foot-3) and Junior Maalaelu (6-foot-4), a two-way starter and three-sport athlete who transferred into the district from just outside of Houston, Texas.

Offensive linemen Owen Klein, Owen Wildermuth, Lucas Frye and Nick Liberati, who all started last year, are back and expected to contribute, as are receivers Kobe Sharpe, Treyton Schroeder, Will Musgrove, Zane Konczak and Jack Funk.

“Levi’s experience and composure will be a strength for us, as well as his ability to extend plays with his legs,” Schroeder said. “I also really like our combination of length and speed at the receiver position … we have some big fellas who can run.

“We also really like our offensive line culture. We will be one of the smallest groups in our league, but our guys up front are really smart and savvy, and enjoy competing in the trenches.”

Defensively, key cogs include Justin Murray (defensive end), Alex Deschene (linebacker), Brock Fisher (linebacker), Jackson Basnett (linebacker), Musgrove (safety), Maalaelu (safety) and Jrake McCauley (defensive line).

“Our biggest strength is returning so many second-level players,” Schroeder said. “Our linebackers and safeties all played a considerable amount of football last season … and Junior will be a big addition to the defense, as well.

“I really like our athleticism and ability to run to the football in the back seven.”

After West Clermont, Orange will smooth out the non-league portion of the schedule against Olentangy Berlin, Hilliard Bradley, Olentangy and Newark. Then, its a five-game grind to the finish line in the always loaded OCC Central.

“As always, our league schedule is going to be a meat grinder week in and week out,” Schroeder said. “Everyone in the league has good players coming back and really solid coaching staffs … at the end of the day, those games come down to six to eight plays on offense, defense and special teams that can decide the game.”

2022 Results

(4-7, 1-4 OCC Central)

Aug. 19 — vs. Hilliard Darby, W, 22-21

Aug. 26 — @ Olentangy Berlin, L, 17-0

Sept. 2 — @ Toledo Central Catholic, L, 40-10

Sept. 9 — vs. Olentangy, W, 47-17

Sept. 16 — @ Newark, W, 43-7

Sept. 23 — vs. Hilliard Davidson, L, 14-7

Sept. 30 — @ Dublin Coffman, L, 35-7

Oct. 7 — vs. Upper Arlington, L, 41-10

Oct. 14 — @ Hilliard Bradley, L, 27-20

Oct. 21 — vs. Olentangy Liberty, W, 23-7

Oct. 28 — @ Springfield, L, 35-7 (OHSAA Division I playoffs)

2023 Schedule

Aug. 18 — @ West Clermont, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 — vs. Olentangy Berlin, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 — vs. Hilliard Darby, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 — @ Olentangy, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 — vs. Newark, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 — @ Hilliard Davidson, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 — vs. Dublin Coffman, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 — @ Upper Arlington, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 — vs. Hilliard Bradley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 — @ Olentangy Liberty, 7 p.m.