DELPHOS, Ohio (WLIO) — For the second year in a row, Jefferson finished 1-9 overall and last in the Northwest Conference. But for second-year head coach Allan Pohlman, the record doesn't tell the full story, as the 2025 Wildcats continue to work toward something bigger.

"I think the biggest thing we're learning is that we're building something pretty special here," Pohlman said. "We use the word brotherhood a lot for our program and with our guys and building that just sense of a team spirit and coming together for one common goal rather than as individuals. We're one group moving forward together. I think we started that last year and that's really starting to pick up momentum moving into this year."

The Wildcats return eight starters on both offense and defense, anchored by a small but determined group of five seniors who are leading the charge.

"A lot of those kids are back and they're really starting to take on that leadership role," Pohlman said. "We're really seeing that and the kids following behind that. And again, that goes back to that sense of that brotherhood we got."

Senior Lucas Millmine said the team's work ethic is setting the tone.

"I think if you ask anybody on our team, they're going to say we're one of the hardest working teams in the NWC," Millmine said. "So it just comes down to working hard in practice. And if you don't work hard, then we can't succeed.

One of those seniors, Luke Rode, will continue his play-calling duties as he enters another year under center.

"I mean, I made a lot of mistakes my first two years. Even the first scrimmage, I made a couple mistakes, but I just got to keep growing and learning from them," Rode said. "During defensive practices, I worked quarterback drills, just footwork and drilling mechanics and shoulder stuff to get ready."

Pohlman said Rode's football IQ and leadership stand out.

"He's a student of the game and that really can make a difference, especially in high school football," Pohlman said. "When you got a kid like that that not only has the athletic ability, but also understands the game on a different level."

In the last three seasons, Jefferson has only won nine games. While that number could be discouraging, the Wildcats are using it as motivation.

"That's obviously a really small amount of wins for three years, but I think that we shouldn't be down on that," senior Jace Lindeman said. "We should use that as fuel to push us, maybe get close to that many wins this year, and we'll see what happens."

Millmine agreed.

"This year, we'll see what happens. It just motivates us to just beat everybody," he said. "It's just something that you don't forget. And when you lose so much, it just puts something into you that nobody really understands."

Jefferson's non-conference schedule will feature Evergreen, Parkway and Paulding before opening NWC play against two of the league's top teams from 2024 — Bluffton in Week 4 and Columbus Grove in Week 5.

"Oh, we're going to go in there with confidence," Rode said. "We're going to try and play our hardest. Two best teams in the conference probably. They've always been top dogs, but we're going to go out there and fight."

Pohlman said preparation is the focus no matter who's on the other sideline.

"We're going to approach them the same way we do Week 1, 2 and 3," Pohlman said. "It's really focused on the process and we believe that if you prepare and do the right things, the results take care of themselves."

With heart and pride as their foundation, the Wildcats are embracing the challenge ahead. For Jefferson, the goal is clear — rewrite the story and prove they can compete.

"These kids have worked so hard in the offseason and they've paid their dues and it's time to get paid on that," Pohlman said. "I think you're going to see them coming out with a little more confidence. And I think that's going to result well for us on the field."

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