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2025 GREENVILLE TROJANS PREVIEW

GREENVILLE – If preseason camp is an indicator of a team's in-season success, it could be a very exciting and successful 2025 for the Greenville Trojans.

Coming off a Region 2 title, 11 total wins and a berth in the District 10 Class 1A title game, expectations are high for the Trojans. According to third-year head coach Mike Menold, Greenville has gotten off on the right foot in preseason exercises.

"We had a great camp," Menold said. "The kids worked really hard. They pushed themselves. I was impressed. They've done a good job of coming together as a team. It was a very positive camp. I'm impressed with how the kids have come together and bought into the idea that it takes all of us to do this."

Offensively, the Trojans return five linemen with starting experience. Juniors Cameron Reimold and All-Region pick Jaden Schuver return at the tackle spots. Senior All-Region selection Horatio Calvin returns at left guard. Junior Blaine Swartz has the inside track at right guard and senior Adam Terry is expected to start at center.

"Those five all had varsity starts last year. It helps to have those five guys up front that know how to work together and are communicating," Menold said. "So, we're excited about the group up front."

That quintet will protect a new full-time starting quarterback this year as junior Cael Thurber takes over behind center. Thurber played in all 13 games last season at wide receiver, catching 18 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns. The Region 2 coaches honored Thurber as First Team All-Region as an all-purpose player.

He also served as the backup to the graduated Nick Solderich (2,244 total offensive yards) and completed 8 of 17 passes for 159 yards and three scores.

"We're super impressed with the work that he's put in and the growth that he's made," Menold said. "He's definitely taken over the offense and we're really proud of him."

Senior running back Rudy Gentile returns after rushing for 1,087 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. He earned First Team All-Region honors. Junior Kaysom Mataria will compete for time in the backfield after missing the 2024 season.

Sophomore Swayze Walker is penciled in as the starting fullback. Walker ran for 226 yards while averaging a team-leading 9.8 yards per carry as a rookie.

The wide receiving corps features two All-Region selections in junior Justin Schell and classmate Keith Covert. Schell caught a team-leading 40 passes for 863 yards and 15 touchdowns. He led Mercer County in receiving yards and touchdown receptions.

Covert snared 11 passes for 156 yards. Senior Zach Copeland will also have a prominent role in the passing attack after catching eight passes in 2024. Menold also cited junior Hunter Cox as another candidate for the wide receiver position.

"Our wide receivers have grown as well," Menold said. "We're excited about the kids we have at receiver."

Senior Jackson Leskovac returns at tight end, although an off-season injury has sidelined him. Sophomores Brayden Straw and Kallen Weiland are contenders at tight end.

"We need to be consistent and efficient in the passing game," Menold said. "Not just splash plays, but we have to be consistently be able to throw the ball as well as run it."

Defensively, the Trojans have adjusted their 4-2-5 to more of a 4-3 look this fall. Cox and Calvin are likely starters at end with Reimold and Schuver at the tackle spots.

All-Region honoree Gentile and Walker are the leading contenders at inside linebacker. Converted defensive back Straw will also compete for time at inside linebacker. Second Team All-Region selection Swartz will man the outside linebacker post.

Schell led Mercer County with 11 interceptions last year from his cornerback spot. He will start at one cornerback spot. Covert, Mataria and junior Kyle McGirr are battling for the other cornerback spot, as well as at strong safety. Thurber will play free safety. He picked off four passes in 2024 and earned Second Team All-Region laurels.

Covert will punt. Senior soccer player Logan Campbell will handle the kicking duties.

Greenville opens the season by hosting Wilmington in a rematch of the 2024 District 10 Class 1A title game. In Week Two, the Trojans visit Sharpsville in the renewal of a series that dates back 120 years. Greenville then faces Cambridge Springs in the Region 2 opener in the season's third week.

"We get it rolling right out of the gate," Menold said. "We'll figure out where we stand."