LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Lima Central Catholic football is starting a new chapter. After 11 years under Scott Palte, Colin Stolly — who previously served as the team's quarterback coach and offensive coordinator — takes over as head coach.

"There are so many things I learned from him but more just his leadership, philosophy and the way that you run a football program. And being able to learn from him, obviously he's one of the best in the state at small school football. Great mentor and I'm ready to take the reins. And we had a long conversation when he decided to resign he thought I was ready, I thought I was ready. So we went after it and here we are today getting ready to start football this week," Stolly said.

Stolly inherits a Thunderbird squad that went 8-4 last season, finishing third in the Northwest Conference. Eight starters return on each side of the ball, and the team is looking to lean on its toughness.

"I definitely think we learned we need to be more physical and a lot more disciplined at the point of attack. You really can't take any plays off. It takes 11 guys to make a good play, not just ten. Everyone's got to do their job," said senior Caden Falke.

Back for his second year under center is junior Brady Parker, who earned All-NWC honors last fall and now looks to build on that success.

"I think you're going to see a more mature quarterback that's got 12 games under his belt. He's not going to be freaked out by the environment. He's comfortable, a very very good football player. We expect a lot from him and he expects a lot from himself," Stolly said.

"I definitely learned how to use my legs and trust myself more in my reads. Last year, we didn't play all four quarters in every game. We learned we need to be physical every snap and fire off hard," Parker said.

The Thunderbirds open the season with two rivalry road games: Week 1 against Shawnee and Week 2 against St. John's.

"Coach Wireman at Shawnee has done a great job the last two years and they're better than ever. They beat us last year and they'll compete. And then in week two, we face Coach Schulte who has won state championships. And every week, going week by week, game by game, is important. We have to compete and be ready every single week," Stolly said.

After finishing second in their return to the NWC last season, LCC has its eyes on reclaiming the top spot. Columbus Grove handed the Thunderbirds two losses in 2024, including a season-ending defeat in the regional quarterfinals.

"It's definitely some motivation. We've focused on those games, seen where our mistakes were, and are preparing better. Last year, we came out a little unprepared and got pushed around but it's motivation to keep improving each week," Falke said.

"Definitely, in the weight room that was our motivation. Putting that score up that ended our season. But this year our main focus: start off 3-0 non-conference, beat Columbus Grove, beat Bluffton, win the NWC and then see the run that we can make in the playoffs," Parker said.

After weeks of summer preparation, the Thunderbirds say they're ready to put it all on the field.

"They've worked extremely hard for the last five weeks and I think now we always tell them from here on out, you get to play somebody at the end of the week. There's a reward at the end of the week. It's not just grinding through those two-a-day practices or camp days. And I think that they're excited about that, so I think physicality and aggression and just flying to the football is really what we're going to be and extremely disciplined," Stolly said.

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