Saint John finished the second half of the 2025 regular season strong.
The Heralds went 4-1 to finish 5-5 overall, and earn a Division VII playoff appearance.
During that span, the Heralds outscored their opponents 161-58.
St. John also limited two other opponents to 14 points or less.
It was Saint John’s first postseason trip in seven years.
Heralds coach Bob Dlwgosh is excited about the defense, especially junior Carlo Fasano and senior Jayden Hommes at end.
“Carlo is the anchor of our line,” Dlwgosh said. “Teams really have to account for him on the run or the pass. He had a great offseason, we expect him to have an even bigger presence than last year.
“Jayden Hommes really hit the weights and has gotten better. Him at the other D-end will give us a real good look off each edge.”
Fasano notched 10 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one caused fumble last season in earning All-Ohio honors.
“The defense this year has five of last year’s 11 players and even though that is a significant amount of new people, we are all putting the extra work in needed to win this year,” he said. “The coaches, especially, have helped out teaching the young guys everything they need to know.
Junior Jay Herron and first-year senior Emmett Mongell are working at defensive tackle.
Senior John Miller, juniors Akai Phillips and Akoni Phillips, sophomore Bentley Baker and sophomore Negassa DeBarr are projected to play linebacker.
The defensive backs are experienced with seniors Chase Newsome and Anthony Benedict, junior Gus Petros and sophomore Carter Beck. Seniors Andrew Miller and Carson Hill and junior Tyree Streit provide depth.
Last season, Petros posted four interceptions, with two touchdowns. Beck tallied three picks with two scores and Newsome added two interceptions and one TD.
John Miller, who converted 33 of 35 extra points and connected on a 33-yard field goal, is scheduled to kick again.
Newsome and Petros are working as returners.
Saint John starts the season with two playoff teams from a year ago — at Division IV, Region 13 playoff team Edgewood, then home against former Northeastern Athletic Conference opponent Fairport Harbor.
The Skippers, who won the conference last season, moved to the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division.
“We’re excited,” Dlwgosh said. “A lot of people have good memories playing at Edgewood, including me. We have two really tough, but exciting games to start.”
The Heralds host Jackson-Milton, a newcomer on the schedule in Week 3, then head to near Mansfield to play at Crestline.
Saint John’s last five games are against NAC teams, including Leetonia, which replaces Fairport in the conference.
“We have a lot of good teams in the NAC,” Dlwgosh said. “We believe we can contend for the NAC.”
Dlwgosh said last season’s postseason appearance was a great experience for the program.
“We’ve told them that we can’t let it be a fluke, and make the playoffs every seven years,” he said. “We want that to be the standard every year.”
The Heralds’ coaching staff will consist of Bill Lipps as offensive coordinator; Bob Frey, defensive coordinator; Doug Jones, line; Cody Shay, defensive line/linebackers and Ryan McEndree, special teams.