In the lead-up to the 2026 Ohio high school football season, we’re previewing all the Summit County-area teams.
Today we’ll look at St. Vincent-St. Mary, which has 14 lettermen back and a familiar face returning for his second stint as the program’s head coach.
Here are head coach Marcus Wattley’s returning lettermen, impact players, top newcomers, schedule and other tidbits for the 2026 season.
St. Vincent-St. Mary Irish
STVM football’s returning lettermen (14)
STVM football’s impact players
Wattley said sophomore WR-DB Tyler Wharton, sophomore WR-DB Quinn Hurley, junior CB-WR Nehemiah Moten, sophomore LB-RB Gabe Goshe and junior RB-WR-LB Ja’Neal Baker are players to watch. … Moten is a transfer who previously played at Field. … “Being so young, I think it is going to be one of those things where everybody is going to be a wait and see,” Wattley said. “I think they all possess the ability to impact the game in one play. When we need plays, we are going to look to those kinds of guys to make plays for us.”
What’s new with STVM football in 2026
Wattley returns to STVM to serve as the head coach, defensive coordinator and Director of Retention & Academic Success. Wattley was STVM’s football head coach in 2016 and 2017 after being an assistant on Dan Boarman’s staff for 12 seasons (three at Copley from 2004-06 and nine at STVM from 2007-15). Wattley was the STVM defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013 when the Irish won Division III state titles and for the 2014 state semifinalist team. As head coach, Wattley led STVM to a Division III state semifinal appearance in 2017. … STVM is trying to rebuild after going a combined 1-17 the last two seasons. … “The history of what has happened prior to me coming back, the kids are hungry,” Wattley said. “You are starting to get the old St. V feel back where the kids are just willing to roll their sleeves up and work. We have a new strength and conditioning coach [David Brown], and I think he has been doing an excellent job with our kids and our development in strength and conditioning.” Wattley said the players have embraced the challenges. “They have welcomed everything that we have thrown at them,” he said. “They know what is in front of them because they know what is behind them. We are ready to ‘make a new tradition’ is what we are calling it back at St. V. I think they have embraced it. We are not the oldest team out there, but we are not making excuses either. We are going to go out there and play. We are going to compete.” … Clayton Uecker is the offensive coordinator. Uecker was the starting QB on STVM’s 2012 state title team. … Rob Brown and Dom Davis are returning as assistant coaches from Doran Grant’s staff. … STVM welcomes two notable transfers: Moten from Field and sophomore LB-TE Arrington Holmes from CVCA. … WR Levi Harris, RB-LB Maverick Clegg, OL King Fitzgerald and CB-WR Jermaine Randall are intriguing freshmen.
STVM football’s outlook
Will Adamson and Cayden Dahs are vying for the starting quarterback spot. … Wattley said STVM will rely on its junior and sophomore classes, with the roster featuring only one senior — Meyer. … “We are going to ride the guys who have had game experiences,” Wattley said. “We are talking about a [varsity] team where nobody has started a [varsity] game and won.” … “My outlook for the team is to be as good as we can possibly be,” Wattley said. “I know a lot of people doubt us and will think, ‘What has changed? You are going to have to come Friday, Aug. 21, and find out. We are preparing ourselves to be successful. Our success is not going to be anybody else’s success. We have our own goals and we have our own idea of what we see success is for us and we keep that private.”
STVM football schedule for 2026
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: St. Vincent-St. Mary High School football schedule, lettermen, 2026 preview
Reporting by Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
