In the leadup to the 2026 Ohio high school football season, we’re previewing all the Stark County-area teams.
Today we’ll look at the GlenOak Golden Eagles, who begin a new era after the resignation of long-time head coach Scott Garcia and the hiring of Matt Dennison.
Here are the Golden Eagles’ returning lettermen, impact players, top newcomers, schedule and other tidbits for the 2026 season.
GlenOak Golden Eagles
Watch Ohio High School Football Live on NFHS Network all year
GlenOak football’s returning lettermen (13)
GlenOak football’s impact players
Evan Crissey’s job description is expanding quite a bit under new head coach Matt Dennison. GlenOak’s starting quarterback last year, Crissey threw for 541 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions. This year, he’s going to line up all over the offense. Playing running back and wide receiver and stepping away from full-time QB opens an additional dimension for Crissey. “I think he’s a top-tier defensive player in the league,” Dennison said. “He really closes on the ball as well as anyone I’ve been around. He really adds to our secondary and is going to be a force at safety.” … The Saunders brothers — senior Caydren and junior Bradnce — will be important for GlenOak on both sides of the football. Caydren, the Federal League and Stark County high jump champion this spring, caught 22 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns last year and will factor at corner. Dennison believes Bradnce will be one of the best defensive ends in the area. He’ll also be one of the many tight ends used in Dennison’s shotgun-based, multiple offense. … Another pair of brothers — senior Chris McDaniels and junior Anthony McDaniels — return to lead GlenOak’s offensive line. Both should contribute on the defensive line as well. … Drew Delp will be an important piece for the GlenOak defense at linebacker. Dennison called him “our heartbeat.” He’ll also be another kid in the tight end/H-back rotation offensively. … Dennison expects Timarien Patterson to be one of GlenOak’s main weapons at wide receiver. The athletic Patterson, who caught 10 passes for 142 yards and a TD last year, also should prove valuable at corner. “He’s going to play a huge role,” Dennison said.
What’s new with GlenOak football in 2026
Sophomore Jamel Hall (6-0, 190) is expected to start at quarterback for the Golden Eagles. “He’s a strong kid, very athletic,” Dennison said. “He’s really smart and has picked up the offense really well. He’s a great decision maker. He’s one of those kids that’s really cool under pressure.” … Dennison expects senior RB LeLand Snell Jr. (5-7, 185) to be the “bell cow” of GlenOak’s run game. He saw limited varsity time last year. “He explodes through the hole and is a really good downhill runner,” Dennison said. … Senior Jake Anderson (6-8, 250), the son of former Ohio State and NFL defensive lineman Tim Anderson, is out for football after focusing on wrestling and lacrosse previously. “It’s awful nice when the 6-8 kid whose dad played in the NFL comes out,” Dennison said. Anderson should contribute at tight end and defensive end. … GlenOak has a lot to figure out on the offensive line. Said Dennison, “We have a group of young linemen that are going to have a say when it comes to starting positions.”
GlenOak football’s outlook
Dennison comes to GlenOak after going 39-22 in five seasons at Canton South. That included two league titles and a state semifinal appearance in 2023. Overall, Dennison is 191-83 in 25 years as a head coach at South, New Philadelphia and Claymont. He takes over a GlenOak program that is 3-17 the previous two seasons, including 0-12 in Federal League play. The Golden Eagles own one winning season in the previous nine years, during which they are 22-69 overall and 9-44 in the league. “The biggest thing we wanted to establish was the expectation of winning,” said Dennison, who was hired in December. “Expect to win and then work toward that. … They’re craving success. They haven’t balked at anything. Any challenge we’ve given them, they’ve worked harder.” … Dennison retained Mark Johnston as GlenOak’s defensive coordinator. He has no problem leaning on Johnston and linebackers coach Robb Karovic to lead the 3-4 defense. “I’ve kind of learned the defense with them,” Dennison said. “Mark is so good and I trust him. He coached for my dad for 12 years so I better trust him. We’ve made changes on defense but he’s allowed us to have a little bit of consistency.” … Dennison’s offensive coordinator also has a connection to his dad, longtime Akron and Walsh head coach Jim Dennison. Matt Dennison hired former Sandy Valley head coach Brian Gamble as his OC. Gamble was a grad assistant for Jim Dennison at Walsh.
GlenOak football schedule for 2026
Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com
On X: @jweirREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: GlenOak High School football schedule, lettermen, 2026 preview
Reporting by Josh Weir, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Josh Weir, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
