EDITOR”S NOTE: This article has been corrected to reflect that the first varsity game is 8/23 @ Harrison with and the first home game on 8/30 vs Lebanon, 7P at Tiger Stadium.
by Chris Ball
Loveland, Ohio – The search for Loveland’s next head football coach was refreshingly short, and they have absolutely found the right man for the job. On June 7 Athletic Director Jayson Bruce announced that Brian Damewood would be promoted and would be the man to lead the program to the promised land in 2024 and beyond.
The Loveland Athletic Departmentwas keen to find his replacement and they quickly named Damewood as the interim head coach. It was only a matter of time, though, before they removed the “interim” tag and made the promotion official. Coach Damewood has many years of experience coaching defensive backs and special teams for the Tigers and is an excellent choice to helm the program in the future. Continuity is important at every level of football but especially in the high school game. The many years of experience that Coach Damewood has living and breathing Loveland’s brand of football means that the team likely won’t miss a beat with him leading them this year.
Loveland finished with a 5-7 record last year, good for 6th in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, though they look ready to improve on that mark next year. The Tigers open the 2024 season with their first varsity game on 8/23 at Harrison and the first home game on 8/30 vs Lebanon at Tiger Stadium with Coach Damewood at the helm and the entire city will no doubt be behind him.
__________
Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?
Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?
Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
Loveland, Ohio – As student-athletes across Ohio are gearing up to start practicing and competing, the Loveland Tigers Football Coach, Andy Cruse, is more than excited to get his team ready for the 2020-2021 season!
Over the past several months, all contact sports in the state of Ohio were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing student-athletes to take it upon themselves to prepare for their up and coming sports seasons. Ohio coaches of course tried to impact their student-athletes as much as possible virtually, but for many high school athletes having coaches physically there motivating them through tough practices is what the athletes are saying they both want and need!
Recently OHSAA released guidelines for all Ohio High School sports programs in regards to what the protocol will be once practices and competitions begin. With that being said I decided to check in with LHS’s Head Football Coach Andy Cruse to see just how these guidelines will affect the football program, the student-athletes, the coaches, and the loyal Tiger spectators. Here is the Loveland Tiger Football 411 featuring Coach Andy Cruse!
CassieHave you started in-person practices yet with the team and coaches and if so are there any restrictions?
Coach CruseWe began workouts with restrictions on June 1st. We have done football-related activities for a while now, but just recently started having limited contact during on-field training. We officially begin our season on August 1st.
CassieHave you had fewer players come out for the team because of COVID-19 and the Pay-to-Play implementation?
Coach CruseSurprisingly, no. We have had the best attendance since I’ve been the Head Coach at Loveland. I truly believe that quarantine made our athletes appreciate football and being together more. Many of them had to be very creative in their workouts without a weight room, so being able to train in our beautiful weight room has been great for all of them.
CassieHave you named team captains and if so who are they?
Coach CruseWe have not. This is something we will do early on in August. We have many players that have really emerged as leaders since last December.
CassieHow are you and your staff handling the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions? Has it been tough or have you successfully managed the situation?
Coach CruseOur staff has handled it very well. Head Coaches did a walk thru on everything with Brian Conatser, our AD before we started workouts and then my staff and I did a walk-thru of how the workouts would go before we started back up on June 1st.My staff and I, like the rest of the athletic department, are taking every precaution necessary and are following the guidelines that the state has put out. Initially, it was very different than what we were used to. We have told our players from the beginning of quarantine that we must adjust and adapt moving forward and that is exactly what we have done.
CassieDo you have any returning Seniors or stand-out players from last year? What are your expectations for this year in regards to wins and losses?
Coach CruseWe return 9 out of 11 starters on offense and many defensive players return with varsity experience. This team is quietly gaining more and more confidence. It has been a joy to be around them since June 1st as it is very clear they enjoy working hard and being around each other. My expectations are to be competitive in every game we play and to respond to adversity that is thrown our way this season. Senior standouts include QB Calvin Cloud, OL Zach DeWitt, WR Tyler Lake, WR Aaron Morton, DE Gabe Ogdan, and TE/LB Austin Lodor. There are a number of other players we expect big things from this season too. As a whole, we are seeing a lot of competition for playing time, which is what we want.
CassieThe ECC recently added 3 more schools to the conference making the conference that much more competitive! This year who are you excited to compete against and who do you think will be challenging to compete against?
Coach CruseThe ECC is a terrific conference and will continue to be even more challenging. In our conference for football, every week is an absolute battle. There are no easy games on our schedule but we embrace that challenge and are excited about it!
CassieAre you able to hold any fundraisers for the athletes or events to help with the pay-to-play fees?
Coach CruseUnfortunately we missed out on a couple of things we had planned due to COVID-19. We will be selling discount cards until July 30th around the community. Be on the lookout for our players and please help support Loveland Athletics!
CassieIn your own words, talk about your experience with the quarantine, COVID-19, and trying to be the best coach you can be during this time.
Coach CruseQuarantine was a unique time for all people for a lot of reasons. For me personally, I really enjoyed the time with my family, especially being with my daughter every single day! She is 8 months old now, so seeing how much she has changed in a few months and being with her every step of the way has been a blast. It was time I would’ve never gotten had COVID-19 not happened.
Overall, I looked at quarantine as an opportunity to get better every day. Just like we stressed with our players, I tried to have a routine every day to make sure I was productive. I am not a huge reader, but during quarantine, I quickly became one. I read about a book every 1-2 weeks and really enjoyed it. There were also a number of virtual football clinics that my staff and I attended as well.
Aside from that, we had a team meeting every week, at least one position meeting a week with players and a number of staff meetings. I grew to really look forward to these interactions with our players and coaches. When it all started, we decided as a staff that we wanted to make sure we were in constant communication with our players. We felt that checking in with them to see how things were going at home, how school was going, and then how workouts were going was going to be very important. We also took it as an opportunity to get closer as a team by getting to know each other better.
Check out the Loveland Tigers football schedule for this up and coming season!
2020-2021 Loveland Tigers Football Schedule
8/28 Sycamore 9/4 at Princeton 9/11 Turpin 9/18 West Clermont 9/25 at Milford 10/2 Little Miami 10/9 at Walnut Hills 10/16 at Kings 10/23 Anderson 10/30 at Winton Woods
For more of your latest local sports news stay tuned to the Sports 411 With Me, Cassie Mattia! Oh and by the way…GO TIGERS!
Loveland, Ohio – Summer will be here before you know it, which means football season is right around the corner! Many LHS athletes have been working hard during the Stay At Home Order so that they are prepared when competition starts up again. Coach Andy Cruse and his football players are one of the Tiger teams that have made sure that they are staying in shape for the 2020 upcoming season!
Coach Cruise told us that his players have not only been working hard but they have also been very creative with their workouts.
“One of the things we have tried to do as a football program to make sure we continue to make progress in the off-season is using the Team Buildr App. This app is great for bodyweight workouts and it also includes videos that show the proper technique for each exercise,” Cruse explained, “The app also has both dumbbell workouts and home gym workouts. We also created a 3k push-up challenge for the month of April, in which each player completes 100 push-ups a day. Many of our players are doing it with family members and often record themselves doing it to have a little fun with it. They are doing this on top of their regular workouts,” Cruse said.
Andy Cruse when he was introduced as the Tiger Head Coach in February of 2019 (File Photo)
Coach Cruse said that twice a week he is holding Zoom meetings with his players in order to get to know them better and discuss football.
“The Zoom meetings have been very positive. I think the players are really enjoying having interaction with their teammates and coaches during this time,” Cruse said, “We have encouraged our players to do position-specific drills as well. As a program, we are retweeting our players working out and spreading positivity as much as possible during this time,” Cruse added.
Due to all of the gyms being closed and of course, LHS athletes are not able to use any of the LHS facilities, Tiger athletes have been forced to get creative with how they are staying in shape. A few Tiger football players shared with us what they have been doing at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gabe Ogdan was a Captain of the 2019 team. (File Photo)
Gabe Ogdan said, “I’m lucky enough to have my own home gym, but still have had to get creative for certain things! It’s been interesting but with not as much school I’ve been able to devote more time to speed and agility training as well as weight lifting and bulking.”
Max Huddleston said, “My home gym is minimal, and for some exercises, I may not have the right equipment. For example for pull-ups, since I don’t have a pull-up bar, I’ll do them on a steel beam in my basement.”
Mason Moore said, “I don’t have a home gym and the heaviest dumbbells I have are eight pounds, so I have to do my best to get my workouts in with what I can make do. I use paper plates as ab sliders, I do pull-ups on a metal beam on my ceiling, and I do lots of cardio along with the bodyweight workouts our coaches have us do.”
My dad is a landscaper so he had some stuff I could get creative with. I used bricks and stones to do various things and made a bench out of stones and a board and used a tube and metal bars to make a bar. – Weston Manske
Zach DeWitt said, “I am thankful to have many opportunities to maintain and build upon what we have been building this offseason. The absence of a field, however, has made me turn the front yard and driveway into everything I need for speed and agility training.”
Luca Aquilino said, “Since I only have a couple of things of workout equipment I’ve been sticking to lots of bodyweight workouts from our TeamBuildr app. I’ve had to use wooden shelving in my garage to do pull-ups and I have had to put bands around trees and around my basketball hoop to add a little bit of weight to workouts.”
Weston Manske said, “My dad got a bench this past weekend so now I can use that but before I had to get creative. My dad is a landscaper so he had some stuff I could get creative with. I used bricks and stones to do various things and made a bench out of stones and a board and used a tube and metal bars to make a bar. At my mom’s, I have resistance bands and then I found cinderblocks in my shed I use. I’ve also found basketball hoops are good for pull-ups.”
Coach Cruse believes his new captains, Liam Hamill, Austin Haas, Tyler Shelley, Nate Holman, and Gabe Ogdan will be exactly what the Tigers need to lead them to a successful season.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – As a former student-athlete, I can tell you there is no better feeling than being selected to lead your team to success. Loveland High School’s new head football coach, Andy Cruse, selected the 2019-2020 team captains for the varsity squad Friday morning. Coach Cruse believes his new captains will be exactly what the Tigers need to lead them to a successful season.
“We are so incredibly excited to have these five student-athletes represent and lead our football team as captains this year. We had a lengthy process to become a captain and all five of these young men were exceptional. This is an important group of captains as we lay the foundation for the culture of this football program,” Cruse said.
After an in-depth interview process and an intense vote by the Loveland Football players, LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV was able to catch the announcement of the 2019-2020 Loveland High school Varsity Football captains. Senior running back Liam Hamill, Senior offensive linemen Tyler Shelley, Senior linebacker Austin Haas, Senior defensive linemen Nate Holman, and Junior defensive end and offensive linebacker Gabe Ogdan were all given the captain title for the Loveland Tigers!
So what exactly goes into becoming a team captain or even getting a shot at the title? Whether your playing for your elementary school or playing in the professional leagues the captain or captains always have one quality that tends to be innate, and that quality is the ability to lead. I decided to invite Loveland’s newest captains to be a part of Loveland Magazine’s One on One series so that you the readers could really get a feel for how hard these guys work to not only lead their team but also lead in the classroom and the Loveland community.
I want to congratulate you guys on such a big accomplishment and really an all-out milestone for your football careers! Being selected as a captain is such a huge honor. How do you feel now that you have been given the captain title? Did you expect it or was it a total shock?
Liam Hamill –
Thank you that means a lot. I am very excited to help the coaches create a new culture, and turn this program back around. Growing up watching the games and being a little kid was very cool, it’s weird that I’m the one playing under the lights now for my last season. Being selected as a captain means a lot to me and I hope I can be a great example to the underclassmen and future Loveland football players. Coming into senior year I put many hours of my days working out with the team and by myself so it wasn’t a total shock to me being voted captain.
Tyler Shelley –
Well, first of all, thank you, it truly is an honor to answer these questions, to start it off it is such an honor to get the privilege to be a captain of the Loveland football team, getting new coach’s at the beginning of this season made everyone have to prove themselves all over again, so to see that I’ve been noticed by the coach’s is a true honor! To get the title of captain of the team I was expecting because I have put in the hard work and I have the dedication to the team to make a great leader, but at the same time, I was shocked because it’s an extreme privilege and not everyone gets that privilege!
Austin Haas –
I’m extremely excited and honored to be named one of the captains, I definitely did not expect to be selected. It was a total shock and it took a little bit for it to really sink in.
Nate Holman –
Being voted Captain is definitely a huge honor and I am extremely grateful to be selected. It shows that my brothers on the field trust me to lead them throughout the week and especially on Friday nights. Whether it’s on the field, in school, or out in the community; I have always tried my best to lead by example and make my reflection as a football player a positive one. Taking the field for Friday Night High School Football is something that is indescribable, you have to experience it to understand. Being chosen by my peers to lead them on the field was a completely unexpected and very humbling experience.
Gabe Ogdan –
Right now I feel extremely thankful that I was voted upon by both my peers and coaches… what an honor! I will say that this did come as a shock especially only being a junior, but welcome nonetheless!
Tell me a little about the process of being selected to be a team captain for Loveland? I heard that there was a bit of an interview process. What was that like? There was a team vote as well?
Liam Hamill –
The first thing you had to do was fill out a captain’s application with a couple of questions. Then we had an interview with the coaches and some players on the leadership council. Lastly, the coaches and players all had the chance to select four players each vote counted as 1. We had a team meeting and everyone spread out across the room and voted anonymously. The coaches Tallied up the votes and shared the results.
Tyler Shelley –
Well, the process was lengthy, but we got through it! The coaches have selected a few players from each class of players to be on what’s called the “Leadership council” I was selected along with senior Nate Holman to sit through every single captain application interview, during this captain application interview players who would be asked questions by not only the council but by coach cruse and coach holland who were also present during the application process, then yes there was a team vote, we sat down in the auditorium and coach cruse presented the names in front of us, coach cruse made it very clear to every player that it wasn’t a popularity contest, it wasn’t a vote for your best friend, it was a player that would represent your team in a great manor!
Austin Haas –
The first thing we had to do was fill out an application to be considered. From there we were brought into an interview with coaches and select players. They asked us questions about leadership and how we would lead the team, and what we could do to bring this team above and beyond.
Nate Holman –
The process was incredibly thorough and extremely rigorous. It was more than we had ever done in the past. Coach Cruse established a Leadership Council made up of the Coaching Staff and 2-3 players from the Junior and Senior classes. 14 potential Captains met with the Leadership Council to answer questions about why they felt they should be Captain. All 14 guys had great submissions and reasons why they could be chosen for Captain. After that, we had a team meeting to review what a Captain should be, and the whole team selected 5 Captains out of the 14 deserving candidates.
Gabe Ogdan –
The interview process was surprisingly nerve-wracking. I usually am fairly confident, especially around friends and people that I’ve been around since middle school or longer, but the interview process was a necessary step and I’m extremely happy that it panned out the way that it did. I honestly didn’t know what to expect coming from the team vote, but I’m flattered to be named not only as a captain but sub-sequentially as a leader as well.
Assuming all of you have leadership backgrounds, tell me what other leadership positions you have held or are currently holding. What do you think holding these leadership positions will do for your future? What have you learned from the positions?
Liam Hamill –
I personally believe I have always played a huge role on the football team, being very vocal and excelling on the field. I want to try and play college football with that being said, I think being selected as captain will look very good in the eyes of college coaches. Growing up into the young man I am today, I have learned so much about life from football. The game truly is very emotional and not an easy sport whatsoever, that’s why not everyone does it. Facing adversity, being coached, pushing myself to extreme limits, are things that are going to help me later on in life.
Tyler Shelley –
Well, my first responsibility was when I was being put on the leadership council, which is not only an honor but a privilege as well as being a captain! I believe these will help me in my future by giving me strong leadership qualities, helping me be a strong vocal leader, helping me be a better student, son, and father down the road! By these responsibilities having to be earned I have learned that you have to work your hardest to achieve the greatest, you must go through the “process” to achieve your end goal and that is “greatness!”
Austin Haas –
This is my first official leadership position, but I believe that following behind and watching other great leaders has given me the tools to truly help lead this team.
Nate Holman –
I have led my youth group at church, and 5th graders at Camp Kern as a Counselor. Whether the groups I led were younger, or my peers, I have learned to be patient, positive, and promote others through encouragement. I believe these experiences will help shape my future by exposing me to opportunities for what I would like to do after college.
Gabe Ogdan –
Starting varsity as a freshman exposed me early on to the level of maturity and expectations held by my teammates, and set me up for success in leadership areas around my teammates and peers. One highlight of my school year was being invited to the first annual ECC leadership summit held at Kings High School, this taught me many valuable lessons about leadership and how to help prepare others to respond to adversity.
Let’s talk football! The season is right around the corner, what are you most excited for? Any particular teams you look forward to competing against? What would you say are Loveland’s biggest strengths this year? If you were to predict this season’s results, where would you say Loveland will fall in the league or post-season play?
Liam Hamill –
I’ve never been more excited, and sad for something at the same time. Playing football under the lights at Loveland is something special, the support from the community is amazing and it really is an honor to play Loveland football. The team has put so much work in this offseason and I’m ready to see what we can do. I’m also sad that it’s my last year because high school flies by and I didn’t really acknowledge it until now. I still can’t believe that I’m a senior and I preach to the underclassmen that they should cherish every moment they get. I look forward to playing every team this year because it’s a blessing to play the game and never know when it’s your last game or play. Are biggest strength is our offense. I have a mentality that I would never go into something thinking I’m gonna lose so I think the Loveland tigers will win the league this year!
Tyler Shelley –
The season is around the corner makes the energy so much stronger, but what I’m personally excited for is for week one, playing against sycamore in their stadium, ready for revenge, and striving for greatness! Loveland is a completely different team from the past few years, the energy these coaches have brought to this program is insane! So our biggest strength in my eyes would be the energy! I would say at the end of this season it will be a winning season and going to playoffs, obviously everyone’s goal to win state but for now, it’s week one!
Austin Haas –
I am most excited to be able to go out there and play for Loveland every Friday and give this community and team everything I have. I have some ties in sycamore, so I am always looking forward to that game, but every time I get to play is a blessing. Our biggest strength is the fact that we are an underdog, and we are hungry and looking to make a statement.
Nate Holman –
I am very proud of how much mentally and physically stronger we have become as an entire team. The culture is completely different. There is something about the energy that is just infectious! I know countless people have said this before, but this year is going to be different. We are not where we want to be, but every day we are working our tails off to get closer to it! I live and breath this sport, and the way we have turned things around for this season is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to play Sycamore for the Season opener because it’s my 18th birthday and I couldn’t have asked for a bigger party or a better game to play with all my friends. I just can’t wait for this community to come out and see how hard we have worked to make this program a success. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win this year and make a run for the ECC Title!
Gabe Ogdan –
I am most excited about the development of the new culture this season. Recently we were shown a video that was focused on emphasizing the PROCESS over the PRODUCT. This team has already taken tremendous strides and I can’t wait to see what comes in the future. As for who I want to compete against, everyone. I eat up the competition!
I can definitely say I know exactly what you guys are growing through in regards to preparation for the season as my Dad has been a football coach for 20 plus years! Tell me about your practices and what kind of workouts you have been doing in order to get prepared for the first game. How long do you prepare for the season? Do any of you do things on your own in order to better your skillset? What are your favorite workouts/practices and what are your least favorite?
Liam Hamill –
We have been lifting since about two weeks after last season ended because my senior class was really focused on winning games this year. There were many different guys on the team including myself, that I know worked out and did things on there own. My favorite workouts are when we do a lot of in-game scenarios. My least favorite workouts would probably be lifting, and then working out on the field after.
Tyler Shelley –
Our workouts and practices I could throw in the same category and that are challenging! Every practice and lift is a fast pace, there is never a dull moment! To practice for our first game is basically running a bunch of plays and getting repetition, to understand the little things to focus on the big things! The preparation for this season began way back in January with offseason lifts and conditioning! I’ve done the small things by myself, being the center having to snap the ball, getting my dad our back and snapping to him to get reps, it’s the little things that help! Definitely being a lineman the number one thing I hate is the running part of practices… that sucks!
Austin Haas –
I love all of every practice, I only have so much time left, and I am happy as long as I get to play. We have really never stopped working and grinding for the next season. I watch many hours of film and study our playbook. My favorite practice is the team because we are competing all the time. I do not have a least favorite.
Nate Holman –
We have been working really hard as a team and it shows. We are all in the best mental and physical shape of our lives. The culture of high energy and high expectations is really setting in. That process started earlier this year when Coach Cruse set a tone of excellence and learning how to compete. Our practices have an entirely different feel to them. While we have workouts every day like we always have, what I love about this coaching staff is that we haven’t been just reviewing film and X’s and O’s; we’ve been learning HOW to watch film and more behind the WHY of the X’s and O’s. We have had motivation speakers every week, some have been in person, while others have been YouTube videos. Practices are high energy with a high tempo. There is no standing around, and before you know it, time is up and we have accomplished something great that day…one more step toward our goals. I do a lot on my own. I spend an extra 30 minutes before every practice working on my defensive footwork and moves to make a greater impact on my team. I spend several hours a week on film at school and at home with my dad, who has taught me about this game.
Gabe Ogdan –
Being injured I haven’t been able to participate this year, but I still feel as if I am right there with the team in everything that they do. That being said I am also taking this time off to gain weight, gain upper-body strength, and better my football IQ as a whole.
I would love to know more about you guys! How long have you been playing football? Was football a newfound passion for you growing up or were your parents or siblings heavily involved with football, therefore, you became passionate about the game? What were your family and friends’ reactions to your captain’s title?
Liam Hamill –
I have been playing football since the first grade. I’m the youngest in the family and both my brothers played football when I was little, my dad also played in college. I grew up on a street with all older kids which I got beat up on all the time, which made me a very physical kid. The first time I played and actual football I game I fell in love with the game. There truly isn’t anything like it, you can physically hurt people and not get in trouble for it. Not saying that’s a good thing, but there are lots of kids who have built up anger in them who can result in football. My family and friends were very proud of me and look forward to what the team does this year.
Tyler Shelley –
I have been playing football since first grade so this will be my 12th year of playing! Football was definitely a passion growing up always watching pros and college athletes, and wanting to be them one day! My family is a big football family, my dad played, my brother played and my mom loves watching it, everyone gets involved one way or another! My family and friend’s reactions were as expected and that was supportive, they were all happy for me!
Austin Haas –
I have always loved football, most of my family are baseball people, but I have always loved football. My mother was extremely happy for me, my dad as well
Nate Holman –
My friends and family were extremely proud of me earning the title of Captain. They know me the best and know how hard I have worked throughout my life. I grew up playing football in “Friday Night Lights” in West Texas. I started in Kindergarten playing flag football and progressed through the Pop Warner program after that. We moved to Loveland in the middle of my 5th-grade year and that’s when I started playing for Loveland in the youth program in 6th grade. My dad has taught me a lot about football, and how it translates into everyday life. My dad and I share a bond through football that has made me love the sport even more.
Gabe Ogdan –
I have been playing football since 5th grade, but I have been a football fan since I was born. The thing I heard most after being chosen as a captain was “proud”, and that makes me feel so proud of myself and thankful for the wonderful community around me.
Alright, now it’s time to brag about yourselves! Tell me about some of your accolades! What honors or awards have you been given in your football careers? Do you have any favorite football moments or memories you would like to share? Are you planning on playing football at the collegiate level, if so, where?
Liam Hamill –
I was first-team all-conference, and Southwest all-district last year as a junior. I have so many memories from football, but if I had to pick one it would have to be when I returned a 95-yard kick return last year against walnut hills. I plan on playing football at the next level, but I’m not sure where I am going to play yet.
Tyler Shelley –
Well to start off freshman year I got brought up to varsity and got JV reps, then sophomore year got varsity reps as well as my junior year, during my junior year I also got named second-team all ECC! Those were some of my highlights, but last year was my best knowing that I could keep up with two, four-star recruits going division one! I am open to going to college but I haven’t truly made up my mind on where though!
Austin Haas –
I, unfortunately, do not have very many accolades. My favorite moment was last year at the walnut hills JV game, seeing us come together and feed off of each other to beat them was a great moment.
Nate Holman –
Some of the most memorable moments in my high school football career have been being elected the Freshman team captain, filling in as the fullback my sophomore year against Kings and being handed the ball 10 times in a row for an 85 yard quarter-long Touchdown Drive, my first varsity start last year as a junior, playing against my cousin who was the quarterback at West Clermont, and many others last year that went on to play football at very high levels in college. I am excited for a great season of football and the opportunity to play in college after high school.
Gabe Ogdan –
High Honors academics both freshman and sophomore years, heart and hustle award sophomore year football. My favorite football memory is simply every moment around my guys, these teammates are my brothers and we would do anything for each other. My dream is to play college football at the University of Wisconsin.
Loveland City Schools were just ranked among the top 10 schools in Cincinnati, which I think is pretty awesome considering there are so many great schools in this area. Tell me about your experience attending Loveland City Schools. What has made the experience so great? Do you think because you go to Loveland you will have advantages in college or even after college because of everything the school has offered you? What has it been like participating in sports at Loveland? Do you have any favorite coaches, teachers or classes you want to mention?
Liam Hamill –
Loveland has great teachers and coaches. My experience at Loveland has been awesome. Meeting new people and making friends along the way had made high school more enjoyable. I believe Loveland does the best the can do to help you exceed at the next level. The Loveland community is the best out there, they come to support every sport, and definitely now how to pack a stadium or gym. Coach Cranford because he helped become the young man I am today.
Tyler Shelley –
Loveland is a great school they have great programs and great teachers! The teachers have definitely made my school experience the greatest, all the teachers I’ve had have helped me in any way possible if I’d ask they would help! I believe going to Loveland will help me out of school because they help with skills out of school that you need to learn to go through life! The sports at Loveland are definitely an amazing thing, there is some type of feeling you get walking out on that field on a Friday night in front of your community and representing your community! I would hate to say a favorite because they all have made a major impact on my life, in my eyes, they all are my favorite!
Austin Haas –
The people around the town made Loveland great to be in, it gave me the skills to handle stress and look to the future. Loveland sports are very fun and give us a great team-building environment.
Nate Holman –
I have had some great teachers since I have gone to Loveland, but the 2 who stand out the most to me are Mrs. Viox and Mrs. Rose. What I think sets us apart from other schools is the impact the community has on the school and the school has on the community. Loveland is full of traditions and is just all-around fun to be a part of, and having the opportunity to represent Loveland on and off the field for the community is just something else.
Gabe Ogdan –
Everything good that Loveland has to offer can be accredited to the wonderful community we have here. I truly believe that there is no other community like the one in Loveland and I am forever grateful for the awesome people of this city. Shoutout to Dad, Coach Hart, and Coach McClain, you guys are all like family to me and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Now for the fun questions! This is just a random selection of questions that I like to throw out there so our readers can learn a little bit more about you and your interests! Here we go…
What’s your favorite food?
What’s your favorite hobby other than football?
Do you have a “football” role model?
What’s your favorite movie?
What’s your pre-game routine? Any superstitions?
Nike or UnderArmour?
If you could trade places with anyone who would it be?
Who is your favorite college football team? NFL team?
What do you plan on doing as a career after college?
How would you describe Coach Cruse using one word?
If you had to select the most effective leader on Loveland’s Football team who would it be and why?
Liam Hamill –
Steak. Hanging out with friends. DeAndre Hopkins. The Other Guys. Listen to 50 Cent and get in my zone. Nike. Nobody, I love myself! Bengals. I’m not sure yet. Passionate. Me, because I can make big plays in big-time situations.
Tyler Shelley –
My favorite food is definitely steak and a baked potato, nothing beats that! My favorite hobby is playing video games with friends, or hanging out with friends and having fun! My football role model is Barry Saunders, he’s just a dude! My favorite movie is benchwarmers! The pre-game routine is just getting dressed and hyping everyone up! I love Nike! My favorite college team is UC! After college, I would love to be a police officer and move on after that to a maximum goal of CIA or FBI! Describing coach cruse in one word would be “ hard-working” I know that’s two words but he’s a truly a great man, and he has achieved most of his goals and he is still pushing and I admire that! The most effective leader in my eyes would be Coach cruse because he knows how to bring the energy, and he’s a great man!
Austin Haas –
Steak, playing with my puppy, ray lewis, top gun, I pray before every game, Under Armour, Ray Lewis, Bengals, LSU, I am joining the air force after high school, energetic, Gabe Ogdan, he is a natural leader that is hungry to play and will bring everyone to there best.
Nate Holman –
Chinese. Fishing. My dad. Roadhouse. No superstitions, just music that gets my heart pumping, my blood flowing, and my headbanging! That’s a tough one! I like them both, but if I have to choose, Nike wins with a slight edge. Peter Pan, so I can never grow up, and play football for the rest of my life! Clemson Tigers and Cincinnati Bengals. Either some form of Business or Education. Energetic. This may be breaking the rules a bit but the coaching staff as a whole are the most effective leaders. They have come in and turned things around and I can not wait for Loveland to see it on full display on August 30th. GO TIGERS!
Gabe Ogdan –
Wings, lifting, Julian Edelman or JJ Watt, Varsity blues or the Program, Listen to music and get in the zone, Under Armour, JJ Watt, Wisconsin Badgers, and Cincinnati Bengals, Doctor of Physical Therapy, FEARLESS, Austin Haas, the most uplifting and positive kid I’ve ever met.
We are so excited to see what the Loveland Football team accomplishes this year and couldn’t be more impressed with the leadership Andy Cruse has instilled in his 5 new captains! The season is quickly approaching so we encourage all of the Loveland community to take a look at the Tiger’s football schedule below so you can plan when you will be sporting your Tiger stripes! If you would like to follow more in-depth on what exactly the Loveland football team is up to you can visit lovelandtigers.org or follow @Loveland_FB on twitter.
Watch this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video as Head Coach Andy Cruse introduces the captains, how and why they were chosen, and watch each captain talk to the team.
Congrats to Jessie Gibbins who was the top HS girl finisher in the 37th Annual Newtown 5k Run with a time of 19:57
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Tiger fans gather around as August 1st marked the first official day of Loveland High School Fall sports! With scrimmages, practices and pre-season tournaments in full swing, the Tigers have been really working hard to get prepared for the first competition of the 2019-2020 season and Loveland Magazine plans on being there every step of the way! Each week we will be releasing a summary informing our readers about what has been going in the world of Loveland High School sports. There is nothing more important than the future of our community and our children so by releasing the Loveland Sports 411 each week we believe this will get the community and the children the recognition they deserve!
Last Thursday Loveland High School welcomed Tiger fans to the 2019-2020 Meet the Team Night. The scene was set in the Loveland High School gym where the marching band kicked off the night with a performance followed by the Tiger Cheerleaders putting on quite the show! The following teams and coaches were introduced on Thursday night to their friends, families and die-hard Tiger fans, Girls Volleyball coached by Brain Baugh, Girls Soccer coached by Todd Kelly, Boys Soccer coached by Mike Dunlap, Girls Tennis coached by Dara Hudson, Girls Golf coached by Barb Orsinelli, Boys Golf coached by David Allan, Cheer Team coached by Emily Christman, Boys and Girls Cross Country coached by Steve Nester and Football coached by Andy Cruse.
Fall Sports 2019 Meet the Team Video with music by the marching band:
Introducing the LHS Cheer Teams led by Head Coach Emily Christman!
This week several Loveland High School teams participated in competitions where many of the Tiger athletes already started making a name for themselves!
Introducing the Girls Volleyball Team, led by Head Coach Brian Baugh! Go Tigers!Follow Loveland Girls Volleyball at https://twitter.com/lovelandtigersv
The Girls Volleyball team competed in a scrimmage against former state champions, Ursuline, on Friday night. The Tigers made a strong showing on Friday that got many fans on twitter excited for the season!
The Girls Volleyball Teams have a couple of games this week, one that will take place on August 13th at 9:30 PM against Lakota East at LHS and another that will take place on August 17th at Fairfield High school at Noon.
Introducing the Girls Soccer Teams, led by Head Coach Todd Kelly!Introducing the Boys Soccer teams, led by Head Coach Mike Dunlap!
The Boys and Girls Soccer Team participated in some hard-fought scrimmage battles this week in preparation for their first games of the season. The Girls Soccer Team faced Lakota East on Wednesday at LHS while the Boys Soccer Team faced Indian Hill on Tuesday at Indian Hill High School and Elder on Thursday at Elder High School. The Girls Soccer Team will be back in action this week for a scrimmage at LHS against Seton on Monday at 7 PM and then again on Tuesday at Seton High School at 7 PM. The Boys Soccer Team will be kicking there way to Carrol High School for a scrimmage Tuesday at 7 PM.
Introducing the Girls Tennis teams, led by Head Coach Dara Hudson!
The Girls Tennis team has been working hard in practice preparing for their first matches, which will be on Monday, August 12th at Beavercreek at 4 PM and Wednesday, August 14th at Wyoming at 4 PM.
Introducing the Boys Golf team, led by Head Coach David Allan!
The Girls and Boys Golf Teams had several successful swings at the ECC Preseason Tournament this week. The ECC Preseason Tournament for the Boys Golf Team was held on August 7th at Glenview Golf Course, where the Tigers finished at the top making them the official ECC Preseason Tournament Champions. The Tigers won with 302 strokes nearly eight strokes ahead of Anderson. Loveland’s very own Tyler Vallee was the top medalist with 70 strokes for the Tigers. The ECC Preview for the Girls Golf Team was held on August 8th at Walden Ponds Golf Course. The Tigers rallied together and finished 5th with 392 strokes. Allison Rountree was the top lady Tiger finisher, placing 9th overall with 83 strokes.
Both Loveland High School and many proud parents took photos from the preseason tournament. Check them out on Instagram and Twitter.
The Girls Golf Team will be back in action at Turpin on the Terrace Park CC on August 12th at 3 PM and then again on August 13th against Anderson at Reeves at 3:25 PM. The Boys Golf Team will compete on August 15th at Hickory Woods Golf Course against Anderson at 4 PM.
Introducing the Boys Cross-Country program, led by Head Coach Steve Nester!Congrats to Jessie Gibbins who was the top HS girl finisher in the 37th Annual Newtown 5k Run with a time of 19:57
Although the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams haven’t competed in any ECC meets yet, as they will first compete at Moeller on August 23rd for the Primetime Invitational, both teams got a little preseason competition on Saturday at the 37th Annual Newtown 5k Run. Photos of the big run were captured by many of the runner’s families and friends on Saturday! Check them out on Twitter, and here on Twitter.
Introducing the Football Teams, led by Head Coach Andy Cruse!
The Loveland Tigers Football Team has been putting in a lot of preseason hard work with their new head coach, Andy Cruse! The Tigers put their preseason hard work to use this week as they participated in a scrimmage Friday at home against New Richmond in preparation for their first official game, which takes place on August 30th at Sycamore at 7 PM. The team will travel to scrimmage Fairmont High school Friday, August 16th at 7 PM and then Loveland High School will host a jamboree against Northwest High School Friday, August 23rd at 7 PM for their last pre-season game.
….and that’s the weekly Loveland Sports 411 with Cassie Mattia.
Columnist Cassie Mattia lives in Historic Downtown Loveland.
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Magazine would like to officially welcome Head Football Coach Andy Cruse to the Loveland High School football program. Andy visited the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV studio last Thursday to talk about why he’s so passionate about football, coaching, and making sure the Loveland football team are true student athletes.
Jarvis Global is an investment advisory firm in Symmes Township, Ohio which offers private portfolio management and retirement services to high net worth individuals.
by Chris Ball
, who took a job with the Miami Redhawks to assume the role of tight ends coach.
Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
Be sure to tune in to 
Liam Hamill –
Tyler Shelley –
Austin Haas –
Nate Holman –
![[VIDEO INTERVIEW] With new Head Coach Andy Cruse](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/maxresdefault.jpg)
