GlenOak Golden Eagles 2024 high school football schedule, preview

josh weir, canton repository

Mon, Jul 29, 2024, 10:26 PM·5 min read

GLENOAK GOLDEN EAGLES

HEAD COACH: Scott Garcia, 16th year, 90-75
LAST YEAR: 7-5, 4-2
POSTSEASON: Division I, Region 1

GlenOak’s Adrion Burt breaks away from Jackson’s Foster Stanley, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

GlenOak football’s returning lettermen (15)

Jerome Cox, TB-DE, Sr.
Nas Corner, WR-DB, Sr.
Adrion Burt, QB-DB, Sr.
Landon Gilmore, FB-LB, Jr.
RJ Hairston, WR-DB, Jr.
Carter Hall, OL-DL, Jr.
Clayton Harvey, QB-LB, Sr.
Quincy Jones, WR-DB, Sr.
Tony Kelly, K, Jr.
Aidan Lennon, OL-DL, Sr.
Javi'ion McClendon, TB-LB, Jr.
David Potter, FB-LB, Sr.
Matt Rekstis, FB-LB, Jr.
Leo Villono, OL-DL, Sr.
Dom Wagner, TB-LB, Jr.

GlenOak’s David Potter (44) celebrates with the defense after stopping Lorain on fourth down during the fourth quarter Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

GlenOak football’s impact players

Head coach Scott Garcia is putting GlenOak's offense squarely in Adrion "Milk" Burt's hands. After missing three games due to injury and splitting time at multiple positions, Burt settled in at quarterback in the second half of last season as GlenOak won five straight games before a second-round playoff loss to eventual state champion St. Edward. A tremendous overall athlete, Burt has progressed to the point as a passer that Garcia could see him playing the position in college. "Through our early 7-on-7s and summer practices, he's been lights-out," Garcia said. "He's been a leader. He's been a positive role model for our kids. He works hard every single day. He's definitely someone we're going to build around." ... David Potter is a force at inside linebacker. As a junior, Potter totaled a team-high 92 stops, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks in earning All-Federal League first team. He also caused four fumbles. ... Burt and Potter are two of only 10 total seniors for GlenOak. Another is three-year starting center Aidan Lennon, who takes on special leadership responsibilities this season with GlenOak replacing its other four starters along the front. ... Senior Quincy Jones, an All-Federal League second teamer last year, is a safety who can hit and cover. ... Garcia sees junior Javi'ion McClendon playing a role similar to Burt's recently graduated brother, All-Ohio third teamer Avantae Burt, who could bounce between tailback and slot receiver while being a weapon in the return game. McClendon is capable of playing some outside linebacker as well.

Canton South's Rome Cox scores in the 3rd quarter at Sandy Valley. Friday, Sept. 01, 2023.

What's new with GlenOak football in 2024

Jerome Cox is back at GlenOak for his senior year after playing at Canton South last year. He rushed for 1,081 yards and 14 touchdowns in helping South to the Division IV state semifinals. Cox joins McClendon and hard-nosed junior Dom Wagner as options in the backfield after Jamar Johnson transferred to McKinley. Johnson ran for 1,315 yards and seven TDs last year for GlenOak in earning All-Ohio second team. ... Garcia is excited about what junior WRs RJ Hairston and Skylan King are capable of this season. Garcia said Hairston, the son of GlenOak boys basketball coach Rick Hairston, opened eyes in GlenOak's 7-on-7s. King finished second in the state in the long jump this past spring. ... John Hamilton was a 6-foot JV center last season. Now he's a 6-3, 210-pound tight end as a junior, and a guy Garcia believes could be a weapon. "He's out there running around like a deer," Garcia said. ... Sophomore Julian Jenkins, who also plays basketball and baseball, goes 6-4, 285 pounds and is expected to make an impact on GlenOak's defensive front.

GlenOak head coach Scott Garcia works the sidelines against Massillon at Massillon Friday, August 25, 2023.

GlenOak football’s outlook

GlenOak's 7-5 season last year was significant in many ways. It marked the program's most wins since 2015, first playoff win since 2014, first home playoff game since 2012 and longest winning streak since 2011. The five-game winning streak was highlighted by a 7-3 win at McKinley in Week 9, marking the Bulldogs' only league loss. "It took a little longer than I wanted to, but we finally won some big football games," said Garcia, who earned Federal League Coach of the Year. "We finally started playing physical again. Basically, it was learning how to win again." This is Garcia's fourth season back as GlenOak's head coach, going 14-19 during this second run, after leading the Golden Eagles to a 76-56 record from 2007-18. ... Garcia says GlenOak will have no shortage of speed all over the field. "Our big thing is we're going to have to develop up front real quick," he said. The Golden Eagles won't get a chance to ease into the season. They host Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Ohio State RB recruit Bo Jackson in Week 1, welcome defending Division II state champion Massillon to Bob Commings Field in Week 2, hit the road for Fitch in Week 3 and then open Federal League play at home against defending league champion McKinley in Week 4. ... GlenOak has added former Walsh University defensive coordinator Mark Johnston to its staff. Johnston will coach GlenOak's secondary.