SEASON PREVIEW: New Year, Same Expectations For Tradition-Rich Badin Program
Badin High School football coach Nick Yordy makes a point July 14, 2026, during a scrimmage against visiting Fairfield at the Matandy SportsPlex in Hamilton.
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By Rick Cassano
HAMILTON – Nick Yordy isn’t sure exactly how things will turn out this season for his Badin High School football team, but a high bar is a certainty.
The Rams haven’t won less than seven games since 2017 and plan to build on their tradition in Yordy’s 10th season at the helm.
“If we’re not setting the bar high and holding our kids accountable to those expectations, then I probably don’t need to be here anymore,” said Yordy, who has an 88-22 record and the highest career winning percentage (.800) among 18 head coaches in Hamilton Catholic/Badin history. “There’s a good vibe here. We’re excited to get started.”
Badin looks to continue its streak of Greater Catholic League Coed Division championships that reached eight last year. McNicholas came to town and beat the Rams at the Matandy SportsPlex in Week 10, dropping BHS into a first-place tie with Kettering Alter.
“There’s obviously a target on our backs,” Yordy said. “When I got here and these coaches got here, it was Alter. Now I think some of those guys are looking at us and one of their goals is to knock off Badin. We accept that. We don’t harp on it, but our kids aren’t stupid. It’s good to have that chip on our shoulder.”
The Rams have also moved up to Division II this year. In terms of adjusted enrollment that includes competitive balance, Badin is Ohio’s smallest D-II program.
Yordy isn’t thrilled with the divisional bump and the reasons for it, but it’s out of his control and thus not part of his daily mind-set.
“That’s what it is,” Yordy said. “We never had a team meeting about it. We never talked about who we’re going to play in our region. We’re going to go play football.”
The spread offense and 4-4 defense continue to be staples in the Rams’ program. The emphasis is on speed and athleticism rather than bulk – there’s only a handful of players on the roster listed at 250 pounds or bigger.
Yordy switched to the spread offense early in his time at Badin because the program’s traditional smashmouth approach didn’t fit the personnel.
“We had more athletic-type guys,” Yordy said. “With the state of high school sports right now, nobody wants to line up in a full house and two tight ends. You kind of adapt to what you’ve got.”
The Rams have put up some big aerial numbers in the Yordy era, but the ground attack remains a vital piece of the puzzle.
Junior Chase Even (5-10, 195) is the new feature back after collecting 562 yards and 10 touchdowns last year while playing behind Lemuel Grayson, the program’s all-time leading rusher and scorer.
Junior Chace Blanton (5-9, 160) will also play a significant role in the backfield, with sophomore Mario Wisdom (5-11, 185) in a backup spot. Yordy said there are a number of other slotbacks and wide receivers that could carry the ball from time to time.
“Chase and Chace will be the workhorses, but we know we could throw some other guys out there and they’re capable of getting the job done,” Yordy said.
Seniors Hudson Heid (6-2, 190) and L.T. King (5-11, 170) – who are committed to Eastern Michigan and Saginaw Valley State, respectively – lead a deep receiving corps. Heid and King combined for 38 receptions for 445 yards and four touchdowns last year.
Seniors Preston Davenport (5-8, 155), Krew Brown (6-0, 175) and Reece Donges (5-10, 165) will also be in that ball-catching mix, along with sophomores Cash Brown (6-0, 170) and Andrew Gullett (6-0, 145).
Junior Davis Martin (6-2, 190) looks to have earned the No. 1 spot at quarterback, where sophomore Jimmy Gajewski (5-10, 165) is also competing. Don’t be surprised if Heid takes some snaps like he did last year, but Yordy likes the way Martin has stepped into the role and Heid is a playmaker that can cause havoc in space.
Martin was Badin’s junior varsity quarterback last year while seeing limited varsity time behind Colt Emerson.
“We’ve got to find out what we’re good at before we kind of evolve into extra stuff,” Yordy said. “Davis has gotten stronger and probably put on 15 pounds from last year. He’s a guy that can stand tall back there, and he’s strong enough to take a hit. He’s really put in the effort to learn and understand what we expect of our quarterbacks.”
Yordy believes the offensive line has the potential to be very solid, though the positions are still being sorted out.
Seniors Chance Retherford (6-2, 215) and Evan Price (6-0, 235) return in the guard/center slots, as does junior Sawyer Arnold (5-10, 240). The big job is replacing graduated tackles Pete Pendergest and Andrew Lipp, and junior Brayden Cooper (6-3, 250) and sophomore Bentley Moyer (6-3, 220) are among the candidates. Retherford could also move to a tackle spot.
Davenport, Heid, Donges, King, Krew Brown and junior Cooper Clay (5-11, 150) are among the guys who can be threats returning kicks.
“We’re got a very athletic group of skill guys that can make plays,” Yordy said. “Our size and speed are comparable to what we’ve had in the past.”
The defensive front is stocked with experience as senior ends Logan Karwisch (6-2, 200) and Aiden Kramer (6-2, 210) return, along with inside guys Balin Wong (5-9, 195) and Cruz Fox (5-10, 250), who are both juniors.
Also in the mix on the line are Retherford, Price and sophomores Bobby Rice (6-1, 285) and Ben Rings (6-0, 285). Rice is a transfer from Madison.
“Our size may not be as big as we’ve had in past years up front,” Yordy said. “But the intensity, the fire, the knowledge, the flying around are still there.”
Senior Emmett Sackenheim (6-1, 205) is a returnee at linebacker, along with junior Jackson Turner (5-10, 170. Sackenheim is on the outside and Turner plays inside.
Also battling for starting linebacker spots are seniors Vince Otto (6-1, 185) and Tyler Drott (5-9, 165), and juniors Joey Geltz (6-0, 180), Will Franchini (5-10, 175), Jake Bucheit (6-2, 195) and Colton Pauley (5-11, 185). Pauley is a transfer from New Miami.
The Rams lost three standout linebackers to graduation in Trent Owens, Alex Pate and Alex Albrinck, so there are some big shoes to fill.
Heid returns as a free safety. The defensive backfield has a number of quality ball hawks, including Clay, Davenport, Blanton, King and Cash Brown.
“As Hudson was coming up, we could tell there was something about him, something a little special that you don’t always see in high school kids,” Yordy said. “And King is one of those guys that’s right on the verge of having a breakout season. He’s had his moments the last two years, but now he’s ready to do it for 10 weeks.”
Senior Gabe Miyahara (5-10, 155) should be a weapon as he returns to handle the place-kicking. Miyahara, Retherford, Clay and junior Cooper Pratt (5-11, 160) are competing for the punting job.
“There’s a lot of moving parts, but we’re starting to figure some things out,” Yordy said. “The defense is always a little bit ahead of the offense at this point, but we think both sides can be solid.
“We’re getting better every day. We finally got all the baseball guys back late in the summer, and things are coming together. Are they clicking? Not necessarily perfectly, but the kids know the expectations and how we go about our daily operations. Overall, I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
Badin travels to Monroe on Friday at 7 p.m. for its final scrimmage. The Rams open the season at home against Hamilton on Aug. 21.
FACTS, FIGURES & SCHEDULE
Head Coach: Nick Yordy, 10th season (88-22)
Assistant Coaches: Tony Albrinck, Tom Drennen, Joel Lauer, Steve Malone, Lavassa Martin, Tony Mattia, Doug Pate, Jeremy Rogers, Adam Schuckman, David Schweinefuss, Michael Schweinefuss, Matt Shamp, Jeff Smith Jr., Jeff Smith Sr., Tyler Smith, Kyle Stevenson, Brad Watkins
Highest-Scoring Games: 1999, Hamilton 45-13; 2025, Badin 38-20
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1981, Badin 3-0
Notes: Badin has won three of the last four meetings … Hamilton is the only Greater Miami Conference team the Rams have faced since losing to Fairfield 24-0 in the 1986 season finale … Badin has won 14 of its last 17 season openers … Big Blue finished 4-7 last year.
WEEK 2
Date: Friday, Aug. 28
Matchup: Dixie Heights (Ky.) Colonels at Badin Rams, 7 p.m.
Series: Badin leads 1-0
First Meeting: 2025, Badin 66-21
Notes: The Rams’ 66-point outburst last season in Kentucky matched the third-highest single-game total in program history. Badin beat Fairfield 76-0 in 1966, Dayton Jefferson 68-6 in 1977 and Ross 66-21 in 1987 … Hamilton Catholic/Badin is 22-4-1 against Kentucky opponents … The Colonels finished 4-7 last year.
WEEK 3
Date: Friday, Sept. 4
Matchup: Badin Rams at Edgewood Cougars, 7 p.m.
Series: Badin leads 19-7
First Meeting: 1973, Badin 38-6
Last Meeting: 2025, Badin 32-18
Highest-Scoring Game: 1992, Badin 56-6
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1974, Edgewood 3-0
Notes: Badin has won the last four meetings by a combined score of 118-39 … Last season’s game was the first football contest in the Rams’ new Matandy SportsPlex … The Cougars finished 4-6 last year and have a new head coach in 2026, former EHS quarterback Matt Root.
WEEK 4
Date: Friday, Sept. 11
Matchup: Badin Rams at Columbus Hartley Hawks, 7 p.m.
Series: Badin leads 7-2
First Meeting: 1982, Badin 35-16
Last Meeting: 2025, Badin 42-24
Highest-Scoring Game: 2025, Badin 42-24
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1988, Badin 14-0
Notes: Badin owns a four-game winning streak in the series and hasn’t lost to Hartley since 1986 (21-14) … The Hawks finished 5-5 last year.
WEEK 5
Date: Friday, Sept. 18
Matchup: La Salle Lancers at Badin Rams, 7 p.m.
Series: Tied 2-2
First Meeting: 1964, Hamilton Catholic 14-0
Last Meeting: 1992, La Salle 20-7
Highest-Scoring Game: 1991, La Salle 21-7
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1964, Hamilton Catholic 14-0
Notes: La Salle has won the last two meetings. Badin hasn’t beaten the Lancers since BHS opened in the fall of 1966 … The Rams are 6-27 against current Greater Catholic League South Division members Elder (0-9 from 1926 to 1943), St. Xavier (3-15 from 1927 to 1957), Moeller (1-1 in 1962-63) and La Salle … The Lancers finished 9-4 last year.
WEEK 6
Date: Friday, Sept. 25
Matchup: Dayton Chaminade Julienne Eagles at Badin Rams, 7 p.m.
Series: CJ leads 30-28-2
First Meeting: 1927, Hamilton Catholic 21-12
Last Meeting: 2025, Badin 45-14
Highest-Scoring Game: 2014, Badin 55-49
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1928, 0-0 tie
Notes: Badin has won the last six and 11 of the last 14 meetings … The Rams’ 55-49 win in 2014 is the highest-scoring game in program history … The Eagles finished 1-9 last year.
Notes: Badin has been victorious in the last six meetings by a combined score of 194-41 … The Falcons haven’t scored more than 13 points against the Rams since winning 21-9 in 2018 … Fenwick finished 6-5 last year.
WEEK 8
Date: Friday, Oct. 9
Matchup: Dayton Carroll Patriots at Badin Rams, 7 p.m.
Series: Badin leads 29-7-1
First Meeting: 1964, Hamilton Catholic 12-6
Last Meeting: 2025, Badin 55-6
Highest-Scoring Game: 2006, Carroll 52-33
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1968, 6-6 tie
Notes: This will be Badin’s homecoming … The Rams have won the last nine and 14 of the last 15 meetings. The lone Carroll victory during that stretch was a 21-17 decision in 2016 … The Patriots finished 1-9 last year.
WEEK 9
Date: Friday, Oct. 16
Matchup: Badin Rams vs. Kettering Alter Knights at Bellbrook, 7 p.m.
Series: Alter leads 27-19
First Meeting: 1965, Hamilton Catholic 20-6
Last Meeting: 2025, Badin 35-28 (Division III playoffs)
Highest-Scoring Game: 2007, Alter 63-14
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1994, Badin 7-3
Notes: Badin has won the last six and nine of the last 10 meetings. Before that, Alter had a 22-game winning streak in the series … The two teams shared the Greater Catholic League Coed Division championship last season … The Knights finished 8-4 in 2025.
WEEK 10
Date: Friday, Oct. 23
Matchup: McNicholas Rockets at Badin Rams, 7 p.m.
Series: Badin leads 41-18-1
First Meeting: 1960, McNicholas 44-36
Last Meeting: 2025, McNicholas 17-10
Highest-Scoring Game: 1960, McNicholas 44-36
Lowest-Scoring Game: 1983, 0-0 tie
Notes: Badin had a seven-game winning streak in the series before McNick’s win last season. The Rams had won 31 straight Greater Catholic League Coed Division games up to that point … The teams’ last three meetings have been decided by a total of 14 points … The Rockets finished 7-5 last year.
