While the Newcastle Racers 2025 offense returns a lot of talent and promises, the defense may be more of a question mark.
This is not because they don’t have a lot of talent, but instead because the Racers lost several key senior defensive players from last year’s State qualifying team.
The Racers were undefeated in Conference play last year going 6-0. They had a 9-4 overall record, finishing with a 35-30 loss to Guthrie in the State Semifinals.
Newcastle still returns 12 seniors, and they return 16 starting players when counting both offense and defense.
Head Coach Jeff Brickman said his returning starters include running back TJ Bradford, receivers Kaden Longman, Santorrio Boykins, and Alec Shumard. On the offensive line, Newcastle returns Jace Ledoux, Blake Allen, Garrett Pratt, and Cody Nix.
Defensively, the Racers return cornerbacks Longman and Shumard, linebackers Preston Scagnetti and Tucker Brown, and defensive linemen Allen, Nix, Jaden Fletcher and Thomas Barbee.
Other promising newcomers or returners include Ashton Shumard, a junior who Brickman said had a great spring and summer at quarterback. Junior Harmon Warmuth, who is 6’5” and 230 pounds, is a transfer from Norman who Brickman said has also worked hard and fits in with the team. Brickman said his dad played professionally for the Detroit Lions.
Brickman said Blake Creswell has transferred from Dibble, where he was the starting quarterback.
Another transfer expected to help the team is senior Aaron Jeffries from Westmoore High School. Brickman said he did well in summer football.
Moving in to the Newcastle School District is Cayden Davis. He comes from Maysville where he was Conference Player of the Year at linebacker and running back.
He’s 6’2” and 210 pounds, and also did well in summer football.
Ben Rogers returns. He is an athlete who saw limited playing time in the past, but will play again this year as a running back and kick returner.
Senior Baylor Blakey had some health problems in the past, but also returns to the team at his position of lineman.
Freshmen expected to help include linebacker and possibly defensive end Chason Burnside, quarterback Deacon Lyles, and lineman Stockton Herring.
