NANKIN — Welcome to Ashland Source’s 2026 high school football preview. Each preview features this season’s schedule, last season’s performance, statistics, a player to watch and what fans can expect under the Friday night lights.
Today, we preview the Mapleton Mounties. You can find all of our high school football previews here.
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Mapleton Mounties 2026 Preview
Division: VII
Region: 25
Conference: Firelands Conference
Coach: Mitchell Young
Last year: 2-8
Playoff Appearances: 8 (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2014, 2013, 1991)
Playoff Record: 2-8
PLAYER TO WATCH 👀
Landon Jenkins: A junior running back, Jenkins rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns last fall. He has started in Mapleton’s backfield since his freshman year.
BY THE NUMBERS 📊
35
Years since Mapleton’s first and only Firelands Conference championship. The Mounties won the crown and advanced to the playoffs for the first time in program history in the fall of 1991. Mapleton was 1-6 in the FC last year.
11
Tackles for loss by junior Lukus Jenkins last season. Jenkins spent most of his time at defensive tackle, but his athleticism allows him to line up as a defensive end. He made 38 stops with three sacks and forced three fumbles last year.
6
Touchdown passes for sophomore quarterback Keith Donley last year. He was forced into service as a freshman when Mapleton’s starting QB went down with an injury. Donley threw for 750 yards.
5
Sacks for junior nose tackle Mason Spring. The blue-collar Spring made 37 tackles, including nine tackles for loss.
2025 RESULTS
Loudonville 60, Mapleton 0
Wellington 28, Mapleton 12
Mapleton 34, Crestline 28
Western Reserve 43, Mapleton 2
Mapleton 30, Plymouth 28
South Central 38, Mapleton 20
Monroeville 56, Mapleton 8
New London 6, Mapleton 4
St. Paul 50, Mapleton 6
Crestview 50, Mapleton 8
2026 SCHEDULE 📅
Aug. 21 — LOUDONVILLE
Aug. 28 — WELLINGTON
Sept. 4 — at Crestline
Sept. 11 —WESTERN RESERVE
Sept. 18 — PLYMOUTH
Sept. 25 — at South Central
Oct. 2 — MONROEVILLE
Oct. 9 — at New London
Oct. 16 — at St. Paul
Oct. 23 — at Crestview
TWO MINUTE DRILL ⏱️
Mitch Young, the son of former Black River coach Al Young, returns for his third season. He is 6-14 in two seasons. The Mounties dropped to Division VII this year after competing in Division VI last year. Mapleton slotted into Region 25. The return of senior running back and receiver Cameron Nichols should help boost an offense that averaged 12.4 points a game last year. Nichols broke his collarbone last year and missed significant time. He’s one to watch when he has the ball in his hands. Young likes what he sees in sophomore Ethan Bowles, a rangy defensive back who broke up eight passes last year. Mapleton will look to join Firelands Conference heavyweights in the top half of the league.
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