The Prep Report

by: Jamie DeMoney
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Quick Takes: Voices & views from the top prep coaches across America

“Nobody in Indiana has ever won four state championships in a row, so it might as well be us. We’re going to embrace it.” – Steve Tutsie, head coach at Warren Central (Indianapolis), on the upcoming season.

Tutsie, the Warriors’ defensive coordinator the last five seasons, was elevated after Kevin Wright became head coach at Tulsa (Okla.) Union. The Warriors have won three consecutive Class 5A titles and averaged more than 400 rushing yards per game in that period, and ultra-productive running back Darren Evans (6-1, 212) is one of 15 starters who return this fall. But look for more passing with first-year starting quarterback Matt Upshaw (5-10, 175), who Tutsie predicts will be the school’s first player to both throw and run for 1,000 yards in one season.

“With the (Warren Central) program in such good shape, I just felt it was a good time for me to leave. We were ready for a change. That being said, it had to be a great opportunity.” – Kevin Wright, head coach, Tulsa (Okla.) Union

Wright inherits a program in even better shape that the one he left at Warren Central (Indianapolis). The Redskins won three of the last four Class 6A championships under Bill Blankenship, who stepped down to pursue other opportunities. Union plays in 12,000-seat Tuttle Stadium (where the Redskins have won 51 straight) and is supported by not one but two active booster clubs. A triple-option practitioner at Warren Central, Wright says he plans to integrate a passing package modeled after Urban Meyer’s spread option.

“This is a football town and the community really backs football here. We plan to carry on the tradition.” – Kevin Johnson, head coach, Springdale (Ark.)

Johnson, formerly the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator, inherits only the shell of what was the No. 3-ranked team in the country last season. Former head coach Gus Malzahn is now offensive coordinator at Arkansas, where national player of the year QB Mitch Mustain and receivers Damian Williams and Andrew Norman also landed. Notre Dame and Florida are the destinations of two others from the 16 starters and 37 seniors who graduated. Even last year’s offensive coordinator Chris Wood has left to become head coach at Har-Ber, the newly opened high school across town.



The Prep Report continues its nationwide tour to spotlight the top coaches, programs and rivalries in high school football. This month we take a look at Ohio, birthplace of many of America’s great coaches, players and high school football traditions.

The Winners: The five winningest programs in Ohio since 2000
1. Coldwater (73-10): Coach John Reed
2. Cincinnati Colerain (72-7): Coach Kerry Coombs
3. Marion Pleasant (69-8): Coach Chris Kubbs
4. Newark Licking Valley (69-9): Coach Randy Baughman
5. Center Grove (66-11): Coaches Jerry Cooper (00-04) and Scott Palte

The Champions: Most state titles since 1980
1. Cleveland St. Ignatius (9)
2. Newark Catholic and Versailles (6)
3. Cleveland Benedictine and St. Henry (5)

The 300 club: Ohio coaches with at least 300 career wins
•    Terry Malone (360-117-8) – Hamilton Badin (1956-2003)
•     Bob Lutz (341-76-5) – Ironton, St. Joe (1969-2005)
•     Al Hetrick (334-101-4) – Versailles (1968-2005)
•     Pat Mancuso (323-100-14) – Leetonia, Cincinnati Princeton
    (1955-96)
•     Dick Haines (320-126-12) – Adena, Cadiz, Dover, Triadelphia             (WV), Vista (CA) (1952-94)
•     August Bossu (310-130-20) – Cleveland Bendictine, Cathedral             Latin, Mineola (N.Y.) (1955-93)
•     Bill Gutbrod (310-135-17) – Cleveland St. Joe, Gilmour                       Academy (1950-97)
•     Don Bucci (306-89-5) – Mount Carmel, Youngstown Cardinal             Mooney (1955-60, 1966-99)
(Sources: National High School Sports Record Book, Ohio High School Athletic Association)

Young Guns: Seven elite Ohio coaches under age 45
Kerry Coombs – Cincinnati Colerain
Doug Ramsey – Cincinnati Elder
Doug Pearson – Toledo St. John’s
Steve Specht – Cincinnati St. Xavier
Todd Schulte – Delphos St. John’s
Tim Goodwin – Marian Stein Marion Local
P.J. Fecko – Youngstown Cardinal Mooney

The Rivals: 13 of the state’s top rivalries
Canton McKinley vs. Massillon Washington
Cleveland St. Ignatius vs. Lakewood St. Edward
Monroeville vs. Norwalk St. Paul
Strongsville vs. Brunswick
Amherst Steele vs. Avon Lake
Akron Buchtel vs. Akron Garfield
Kettering Alter vs. Dayton Chaminade-Julienne
Cincinnati Moeller vs. Cincinnati Princeton
Bellaire vs. Martins Ferry
Piqua vs. Troy
Jackson vs. Wellston
Sandusky vs. Fremont Ross
Columbus DeSales vs. Columbus Watterson

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