The Olentangy Liberty Patriots open the 2026 football season Aug. 21 against the No. 1-ranked team in Ohio. Head coach John Sansbury wouldn't have it any other way.
Liberty travels to Lakewood St. Edward for the opener, a program the Patriots knocked off in the 2024 state semifinals on their way to a Division I championship. That title feels distant after the 2025 season's 8-5 campaign, but Sansbury told the Delaware Gazette on Aug. 11 that his team is built to compete again.
"We have one of the toughest schedules in Ohio, and we like that," Sansbury said. "We have to bring our best every week. Everyone on our schedule can beat us, but we also believe we can beat everyone on our schedule."
Finding an identity
The Patriots dropped their first three games in fall 2025 before winning eight of their final 10. Sansbury said the turnaround came when the coaching staff committed to a run-first, play-action offense that creates high-percentage throws for the quarterback.
That identity carries into 2026 with familiar faces. Running back Grayson Davis returns for his third year as a starter. Alex Leonard and Mason Miller are again competing for the starting quarterback job; Sansbury described both as capable runners and throwers who lead well.
Receivers Carter Nelson and Kaidan Schmelmer will anchor the passing game, while returning offensive linemen Keagan Ryan and Brock Allen provide experience up front. Eight other linemen are competing for starting spots or depth roles.
Defense has depth
The defensive line features Ben Rucker, Jackson Lane, River Graham, Vin Enriquez and Kyle Flannery. Sansbury called them "a relentless group that can run." Behind them, linebackers Chase Thornton, Max Zigo, David Anyanechi, Knox Brenning, Carter Cole and Griffin Gardner give the staff options, and the secondary includes Jayden Hawk, Cooper Kauf, Gabe Levin, Lucas Straub and Callan Flanagan.
Sansbury said the unit's depth should allow the staff to rotate fresh bodies throughout games.
The schedule
St. Edward enters the season ranked No. 1 in Ohio and No. 55 nationally in On3's preseason composite rankings. Liberty checks in at No. 17 in the state. After the opener, the Patriots face Glenville, Gahanna Lincoln, Olentangy Berlin and Olentangy in non-league play before OCC competition begins.
The regular season closes Oct. 23, when defending Division I state champion Olentangy Orange visits Powell. The Pioneers went 15-0 in 2025 and beat St. Xavier 28-14 in the title game in Canton on Dec. 5.
That home finale gives Liberty a shot at the program that currently holds what the Patriots had two years ago.
