Kickoff: 7 p.m. Eastern.
     Setting the scene: The Panthers open the 2023 regular season at home on Friday night when they host the Mt. Healthy High School Owls at LMHS Panther Stadium. Friday will mark Little Miami's first action since Round 2 of the OHSAA playoffs at Anderson on Nov. 4. The Panthers fell short to the Raptors, 34-20, in their fifth straight appearance in the postseason, but they enter the 2023 campaign with much of the same young core still intact for another potential postseason run.
     Leading the Panthers' spread offense is a newcomer at QB in junior Case Miller (6-2, 200). In 2023, Miller will be tasked with calling the signals under the direction of fifth-year head coach Caleb Jones. Last season, Little Miami's spread offense was mostly comprised of 10 and 20 personnel groupings, which featured both zone and gap scheme plays in the run game, and vertical stretch pass scenarios through the air.
     "The offseason has been very productive for Case," Jones said. "We have confidence in his ability to lead this group. He's done a great job learning Coach Begley's offense, and now he's getting the chance to showcase his abilities under the Friday night lights."
     When throwing the ball, expect Miller to be looking for senior WR Elisha Jones. Jones is a two-sport star for the Panthers and had 11 catches for 54 yards in 2022. On the ground, the Panthers will look to senior RBs Issac Kiger and Will Rom to carry the bulk of the production. In 2022, Kiger logged 64 carries for 239 (3.7 avg) and 2 TDs. Rom added 44 attempts for 130 yards (3.0) and a TD.
     Defensively, it's going to take production from all three levels for Little Miami to slow down opponents in the rugged Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
     Entering the 2023 campaign, junior LB Eli Schoellman was slowed by an injury, but Little Miami is expecting a speedy return and an immediate impact. Schoellman has great vision when reading keys, and can be found making athletic plays all over the field. Schoellman was named honorable mention All-ECC following last season.
     In the defensive backfield, the Panthers will look to senior DB TJ Blackburn when shutting an opponent's air attack. In 2022, Blackburn led the team with 4 INTs. Two of which we returned for TDs and accumulated 153 return yards.
    On special teams, the Panthers kicking game has a truly dynamic threat when the offense gets into range. Last season as a freshman, K Gunnar Hoffman finished ranked No. 5 in the ECC after going 19-for-20 (95.0) when kicking extra points and was 8-for-12 (66.7) attempting FGs and had a long of 36-yards. Additionally, Hoffman is highly productive when under pressure. He netted a 23-yard FG to lift Little Miami past Mt. Health 16-14 in Week 1 last season, and added kicks of 20 and 22-yards in overtime as Little Miami knocked off then No. 1 Xenia in Round 1 of the 2022 OHSAA postseason.
     Hall of Fame Weekend: On Saturday at 1:30 PM in the LMHS New Learning Area, Little Miami Schools will celebrate the induction of their fifth athletic HOF class. The Class of 2023 features five incredible athletes, one amazing team, and one great coach. This year's inductees include Melissa (Beerse) Hemphill (2006), Paul Books (1993), Jason Davidson (1994), Nathan Huffman (1992), Kevin Schulz (1992), Tim Martin (Coach), and the 2006 varsity girls basketball team.
     Weather: Mostly sunny with a daytime high of 85.
     Photo Gallery: Check out the latest LMHS football photo gallery taken by athletic department contractor Alex Smith of Smith Photography on Friday, August 11 at the preseason scrimmage with Bishop Fenwick!
2023 LMHS Football: Week 1 Gameday Guide
2023 Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend Information
2023 LMHS Football and Cheer Roster
2023 MHHS Football and Cheer Roster
Football Game and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets
Gameday Media and Facility Access Policy