WELCH WILDCATS
Coach: RYAN GLEAVES
3-7
Welch looks to 2026 as a chance to reset after an injury-plagued 3-7 season that forced many underclassmen into key roles earlier than expected. Head coach Ryan Gleaves, in his 16th year with the Wildcats, believes that adversity produced valuable experience that should pay off this fall. Several seniors who have started multiple years will be counted on to stabilize the group and help a deeper roster “get back on track” in district play.
The Wildcats return five offensive starters and will again feature a multiple, spread-the-field system that uses various formations to stress defenses while keeping things simple for their own players. Senior running back Colton Moss (5-10, 170) is a key piece after battling injuries since his sophomore year; he is also the president of the FFA chapter, and coaches are eager to see what he can do with a healthy senior campaign. Senior quarterback Joseph Clinton (6-0, 155) is praised as the same outstanding young man on the field, in the classroom and at his local church, and his leadership and work ethic set the tone offensively. Senior center Thomas Ashworth (6-1, 230) anchors the line and is the Top 100 nominee, a four-year starter in the trenches who plays with passion and competitiveness and has been a staple of the program’s recent success. Senior receiver Hunter Marlow (6-0, 155) adds another experienced target, and the Wildcats will look to mix the run and pass while using formation variety to create favorable matchups.
Defensively, Welch also returns five starters and will base out of a 3-2 front with a philosophy built on sound, responsibility-driven football. Ashworth shifts inside to nose guard, where his strength and experience are vital to controlling the line of scrimmage. Moss contributes at linebacker, and Clinton moves to cornerback, giving the Wildcats senior leadership at all three levels. Sophomore cornerback Emery Schaper (6-2, 150) stepped into the lineup when injuries hit last season and handled the jump well, earning coaches’ trust with his work ethic and steady play. Gleaves wants this unit to be fundamentally solid, communicate well and avoid breakdowns that turn small gains into big plays. With Ashworth’s four-year presence up front, Clinton’s all-around leadership, Moss’ versatility and Schaper’s upside, Welch sees 2026 as an opportunity to pair a healthier roster with a more battle-tested core.
8-28 – vs. Cornerstone
9-4 – at Claremore Christian
9-11 – vs. Bluejacket
9-18 – vs. New Heights
9-25 – at Foyil
10-9 – at Cave Springs
10-15 – vs. Depew
10-23 – at Pond Creek-Hunter
10-30 – at Wesleyan Christian
11-6 – vs. Copan
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