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RICHMOND -- Edison's dream season came to a disappointing end last year, but the ending does not take away from everything the Wildcats did accomplish in their magical campaign.
Edison finished the regular season a perfect 10-0, the Wildcats won the OVAC Class 4A title and the Silver-and-Black qualified for the playoffs for the third straight season. The program has made the playoffs four times.
The Wildcats were the No. 4 seed in the Ohio Division V Region 17 playoffs, however, No. 13 seed Cardinal Mooney defeated Edison, 45-14, at the Edison Unified Sports Complex to bring the Wildcats season to a close at 10-1.
"Every coach and every player knows the type of work we have to put in to do what we want to do," Edison head coach Mike Collopy said about last season. "Every team wants to win every game and wants to make a run in the postseason. It takes a lot of hard work to do that. Nothing is easy. Hard work is required if you want to be successful."
The Wildcats lost eight seniors from last year's team.
"We have had a good offseason and a good winter," Collopy said. "The kids who competed in a spring sport whether it was baseball or track competed well. We have had a good summer camp. We just want to keep getting better. We need to continue to do the things we are doing, and we need to continue to get better. Good teams are consistent. The more consistent you are, the better you'll be."
Coach Mike Collopy on the upcoming season
Edison's roster size has grown every year Collopy has been the head coach. This season, the Wildcats have 63 players on their roster.
"We had 54 last year, and 48 the year before that," Collopy said. "We have six returning starters on offense and seven returning starters on defense. We have 17 returning lettermen."
Last year's senior class played a vital role in the success of the team, however, the cupboard is far from empty. The Wildcats have developed a winning formula in the past couple of seasons.
"Offensively, we want to mix it up," Collopy said. "We want to be balanced. We want to take what the defense gives us.
"Defensively, we want to be fundamentally sound. We want to be aggressive, we want to be good tacklers and we want to be assignment-sound."
Last season, Edison was led offensively by standout quarterback Gage Cline, who signed to play football at Jacksonville State under former West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez.
This season, sophomore JD Henderson will be the team's signal caller. Henderson has big shoes to fill. Henderson saw some action last season.
"I know that is the biggest question," Collopy said. "We have questions we have to answer. Every year, you face adversity in sports and in life. Kids graduate every year, and you have to replace the positions but not the players. You can't replace the players. Each player is unique. As coaches, we have to put the kids in the best possible position to utilize their strength so they can do well.
Henderson will be backed up by senior Dawson Jones and freshman Kayden Russell.
The Wildcats have a talented group of running backs. The running backs will play a vital role in the success of this year's team.
Senior standout Talan McClurg returns to lead the way at running back. Returner Mason Eisnaugle, who is also a senior, will also get carries, while sophomore Hayden Russell, and freshmen Ricky Sinsel and Kelsey Hedrick are battling for time.
Lane Waggoner -- a senior -- leads the way at fullback, while sophomore Matt Evans and freshman Isaiah Rangel are also in the mix.
The team has a good group of receivers.
Seniors Deacon Rawson and Avante' Hayes will be the team's starting receivers.
Senior Ian Reed is slated to start at tight end, while sophomore Evan Kimmerlee, Evans and Connor Watson, who is also a sophomore, are also in the mix.
The Wildcats had a lot of success offensively last season, and a lot of that was due to the guys up front on the offensive line. Edison looks to have another good group this season.
Senior James Behnke will serve as the team's right tackle. Junior Gabe Glenn gets the nod at right guard. Junior Hunter Thompson gets the start at center. Senior Joey Simpson gets the start at left guard. Junior Zac Kuntz is the starter at left tackle.
Defensively, Edison has a good group up front once again this season. The right defensive end is Waggoner, and he will be backed up by McClurg and Watson. Simpson is the right defensive tackle. He will be backed up by Thompson. Mattern is the left defensive tackle, and he is backed up by sophomore Eddie Mcallister. The left defensive end is Kuntz, and his backup is Kimmerlee.
The team's linebackers do a good job of getting to the ball. Mason Eisanugle is the right outside linebacker, and he is backed up by Pittman. Evans is the middle linebacker, and he is backed up by Reed. McClurg will start at left outside linebacker, and he will be backed up by sophomore Hayden Russell.
There is also plenty of talent in the secondary. Trevor Eisnaugle and Rawson will start at cornerback with Freeman and Willoughby backing them up. Jones is the starting strong safety. He is backed up by sophomore Nolan Haught. Hayes is the free safety, and he is backed up by Watson.
As good as last season was for the boys from Jefferson County was, the time has come to turn the page and to focus on this season.
"Last season is over and done with," Collopy said. "We have motivation. We did not win in the postseason. This is a new season. The kids are motivated. They want to take that next step. Our kids do not shy away from hard work. The team wants to answer the challenges that we will face. Everyone is motivated. The coaches and the players are motivated to do their best."