Green vs. Tallmadge: Everything You Need to Know
High Stakes, High Tempo: Green Faces Tallmadge Test on Friday at Green Memorial Stadium.
As Green prepares to face Tallmadge, they’ll need to be ready for one of the most physical and fast-paced teams in the Suburban League. Tallmadge's high-tempo offense is known for quick scoring, often catching opponents off guard and building substantial leads early in the game.
Green’s challenge will be to counter Tallmadge’s physicality and match their intensity on both sides of the ball. With momentum from their recent win over Riverside and a reworked defensive strategy, the Bulldogs are aiming to disrupt Tallmadge’s rhythym.
Here’s everything you need to know before Friday’s game.
Tallmadge's Tactical Edge: A High-Octane Offense
Tallmadge’s defense is what gets them into rhythm, and their offense wins games. The high tempo offense enables quick scoring, which could result in a large lead if opposing teams aren’t careful. The Blue Devils are coming off of a 49-0 shutout against Ellet, aided by sixth-year head coach Mike Hay’s fast-paced and physical gameplan.
They also house one of the largest kids in the Suburban League American conference, most of whom also happen to be returning members of last year’s lineup. Senior Toledo football commit Ameer Yasin, who towers over trench opponents at 6’6”, 295 lbs, is back blocking for another veteran. senior QB Ryan Loveless.
Tallmadge's defense is anchored by standout senior DE Noah Robinson, who was a dominant force last season with 24 sacks and 37 tackles for loss, earning him All-Ohio first team honors.
The Blue Devils aren’t afraid to take hits for themselves or for others. They’ll match any team’s physicality, no matter who it might be. That’s what sets them apart from most teams in Ohio, and that’s what could give them a slight edge on any Friday.
Head Coach: Mike Hay (6th year, 28-26 record)
Last year: 5-5 overall, 4-3 in conference
Postseason: Division III, Region 9
Returning Lettermen:
Ameer Yasin OL/DL, 6'6", 295 lbs, Senior
Noah Robinson DE/TE, 6'3", 210 lbs, Senior
Caleb Reifsnyder WR/DB, 5'8", 140 lbs, Senior
Ryan Loveless QB, 6'3", 175 lbs, Senior
Ricky Maclean RB/LB, 6'0", 205 lbs, Senior
Brady Headrick WR/DB, 5'10", 175 lbs, Senior
Talan Natcher TE/DL, 6'4", 245 lbs, Senior
Roman Rinaldi OL/DL, 6'3", 255 lbs, Senior
Tyler Nicolino OL/DL, 6'0", 255 lbs, Senior
Bryan Rearick OL/DL, 6'0", 255 lbs, Senior
Sean Rorar OL/DL, 5'11", 220 lbs, Senior
Mike Sprouse OL/LB, 5'9", 215 lbs, Senior
JD Kanatzer RB/LB, 5'9", 170 lbs, Senior
Pat Marcu LB, 5'11", 210 lbs, Senior
Nate Hunt-Heller TE/DL, 6'4", 235 lbs, Junior
Tracey Franklin WR/LB, 5'11", 170 lbs, Junior
Robbie Reid WR/DB, 5'11", 155 lbs, Junior
Quenton Johns WR/DB, 5'10", 155 lbs, Junior
Caleb Kendrick WR/DB, 5'8", 160 lbs, Junior
Santino Cuva RB/LB, 5'11", 175 lbs, Junior
Preston Shrock OL/DL, 6'0", 220 lbs, Junior
Bulldogs Eye Momentum After Riverside Win
Green hosted Riverside (Painesville) at home last Friday and secured a 17-10 victory. Junior QB Tyson Hunka completed 18 of 24 passes for 216 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a game that featured a slower tempo with explosive plays sprinkled in. Hunka added 54 yards on the ground.
Mark Geis’s Bulldogs struggled more on the defensive side of things in the first half, and says most of the credit goes to Riverside for making that happen.
“They were, at times in the first half, having some success. Our defensive coaches made some subtle adjustments…allowing us to play some more simple base defense in the second half, and that’s where our focus has really gone in practice." Geis said.
Look out for a moderately reworked defense on Friday.
Evan Reed, a junior finding his own place in the Bulldogs’ gameplan, ran for a 24 yard touchdown to level his team out 10-10 in the third quarter. Junior RB/S Anthony McMichael III settled in his newfound offensive play, having an 85-yard touchdown reception that tipped the tie into Green’s favor late in the game; McMichael’s defensive prowess also shined through late, as he intercepted a Riverside pass to secure the win.
“Those are two guys we knew had a lot of ability. Even going back into last year we thought, ‘We’re gonna have some guys that have [the] ability to be explosive offensively,’ and they’ve had their moments doing that…We have guys offensively that just have maybe not been in that role yet in their careers, it’s still new [but] they had that ability. It’s just the feeling out process from coaches and players standpoint, and figuring out what everyone does best…” Geis said.
This new comfortable duo, which combined for 179 rushing/receiving yards, will only benefit the Bulldogs as they navigate a gameplan without All-Ohio senior Antonio Martin.
The Bulldogs still have plenty of cards to play, though. Senior receivers Kaden Gregory, Brock Kuznik, Anthony Fortunato, and Rhon Bruce have been consistent targets for Hunka; expect to see them set the scene against Tallmadge.
If Green can stop Tallmadge’s aggressive style of play, maintain high energy, and match their opponents’ physicality, they’ll have more than enough in the tank to come out with a win.
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