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2024 GREENVILLE TROJANS PREVIEW

GREENVILLE – Forty-six years ago, rock band REO Speedwagon released the song “Roll with the Changes” as a single. While it’s highly unlikely that tune will be blaring anytime soon in the locker room, the Greenville Trojans football squad could certainly adopt it as the 2024 team theme.

Greenville’s enrollment now places the Trojans in Class 1A after competing in Class 2A and, prior to six-class expansion, Class AA for two decades. Greenville has also been placed in a Crawford County-centric conference with Cambridge Springs, Cochranton, Lakeview, Maplewood and Saegertown.

All time, Greenville has played those five schools a total of 12 times.

“We’re excited, but there are so many unknowns,” second-year head coach Mike Menold said. “But that’s part of the excitement. We’re going to miss playing some of the teams that we’ve traditionally played, but we’re interested to see how it all turns out.”

Greenville does not have an unknown at quarterback, however, as senior Nick Solderich returns for his third year as the Trojans’ starter. He threw for 751 yards last year while also leading the team with six rushing touchdowns. Solderich threw for 683 yards as a sophomore and will again lead Greenville’s multiple-formation attack.

“Nick is a super kid, first off,” Menold said. “He’s not only a great athlete, but an amazing leader and student. He’s everything you’re looking for in a quarterback.”

Junior halfback Rudy Gentile returns after leading the Trojans with 610 yards last season. Gentile, a two-year letterman, averaged 5.5 yards per attempt last season.

Sophomore Logan Bromley is also expected to see time at halfback while seniors Teage Calvin and Javon Mack will compete for the starting nod at fullback. Calvin returns to the lineup after missing the 2023 season.

Sophomores Keith Covert, Justin Schell and Cael Thurber are expected to start at wide receiver. Schell caught 11 passes as a rookie last year while Thurber, also a quarterback, had six catches in 2023.

Junior Jackson Leskovac has the inside track to start at tight end. “He had a tremendous offseason,” Menold noted.

In 2023, Greenville primarily used one-back offensive sets in the first part of the season before incorporating more two-back formations in the second half of the campaign. Menold hopes that the Trojans’ depth in the backfield and on the perimeter will allow the Trojans to be harder to prepare for in 2024. “We always hope to be balanced but sometimes, that doesn’t work out as well as you would like. We’re optimistic that we can be very balanced and give teams different looks this year.”

Sophomore Jaden Schuver will start at tackle after playing all five offensive line positions as a freshman. Junior guard Horatio Calvin is Greenville’s other returning starter on the offensive line. Sophomore Cameron Reimold, sophomore Blaine Swartz, senior Blake Hedglin and senior Shane Myers are the leading contenders to fill the other three vacancies.

“It’s certainly Greenville ‘coach speak,’ but it all starts up front,” Menold said. “Those kids have worked really hard.”

Defensively, Greenville will use an odd front alignment. Mack looks to start at one end spot, with Horatio Calvin, Myers, Reimold and Schuver all contending for the other positions.

Teage Calvin, Gentile, Swartz and senior Kenny Mellott are competing for the starting linebacker spots.

Schell and Thurber will start at cornerback, with Covert, junior Zach Copeland and sophomore Kyle McGirr battling for time in the secondary. All-Region pick Solderich returns at free safety. Bromley has the inside track to start at strong safety.

Solderich will punt. Senior soccer player Tristan Saylor will handle placekicking chores.

Greenville visits Wilmington in a non-conference game to open the season August 23. The following Friday, Greenville hosts Sharpsville, renewing a series that dates back to 1905.