Olentangy Orange carries a state championship trophy and a target on its back into Saturday's season opener against Olentangy Berlin.

The Pioneers, who capped a perfect 15-0 season with a 28-14 win over Cincinnati St. Xavier in the Division I state title game on Dec. 5, 2025, open defense of that crown at Berlin on Aug. 22. It is the first game of the Wes Schroeder era with a championship pedigree to protect.

Orange is ranked No. 14 in the MaxPreps preseason poll. Berlin, chasing a fifth consecutive OCC division title, views the matchup as a measuring stick. Berlin head coach Mark Nori told the Delaware Gazette on Aug. 18 that his team's focus is on being prepared for a tough schedule that starts with the defending state champs, adding that getting off to a good start will be critical after Berlin opened 0-5 in 2025 before rallying to a fourth straight division crown.

The Pioneers dominated the series in 2025, beating Berlin 31-7 in Week 5 and 43-14 in the Region 3 quarterfinals.

New faces, familiar standard

Orange graduated more than 30 seniors from the championship roster, including 16 starters, four All-Ohio selections and Mr. Football finalist Levi Davis. Davis, who finished his career with 7,006 passing yards and 2,631 rushing yards, is now at Ohio University alongside receiver MC Walker. Running back Lucas Fickel committed to Army.

That leaves third-year head coach Schroeder rebuilding around a core of five key returners, according to 270 Gridiron: senior middle linebacker Brennan Kesler, senior receiver Jake Luling, junior offensive linemen Jake Hendon and Wes McClintock, and junior safety Colby Luling.

Kesler is the headliner. He led the 2025 team in tackles, sacks and forced fumbles, setting the program's single-game sack record with five and the single-season mark with 13. He holds offers from Bucknell and Miami University.

"Every game we have on our schedule is a winnable game," Kesler told 270 Gridiron on Aug. 5. "With the momentum we are bringing into this season, we hope to get off to a hot start in the non-conference, and keep that rolling."

Luling, a two-sport standout who committed to Toledo's baseball program in June, will be a primary target in the passing game. Senior Felix Dimpfl, a 6-foot-2 converted receiver and defensive back who did not start in 2025, is the likely starter at quarterback.

What they're replacing

The 2025 offense averaged 35 points per game and was not held below 30 until Week 8. The defense allowed just 10 points per game and posted three shutouts, including a 28-0 semifinal blanking of St. Edward in which the unit forced five turnovers.

Schedule ahead

Orange won't play at home until Week 5, when it hosts Pickerington North on Sept. 18. The schedule features a Week 3 trip to Olentangy (Braves), a Week 8 home game against Upper Arlington and a Week 10 regular-season finale at home against Olentangy Liberty on Oct. 23. That Liberty matchup pits the past two Division I state champions against each other, as we reported in our Liberty season preview.

First, though, the Pioneers face four straight road games to open the season, starting Saturday at a Berlin squad that beat them zero times in 2025.