Friday night, the Tippecanoe football team opens their 2024 season with a home game against a tough non-conference matchup against Bellbrook as the new season kicks off around Ohio. Here is a look at the opponents you will see on Friday nights (and one Thursday night):

Game 1- Bellbrook: last season the Eagles won the season opener against Tipp 21-7. Quarterback Luke Benetis graduated after a season where he threw for 16 touchdowns. Tanner Stewart returns at running back after a 1,000-yard season while Preston Pettit returns as their top defensive player at linebacker. Gavin McConnell is also back in the defensive backfield with five interceptions.

Game 2- Fairborn: Jayden Kidd returns at running back for the Skyhawks coming off a season with nearly 900 yards and six touchdowns. Last season, Tipp earned a 27-6 road victory over Fairborn. Junior Almari Byrd anchors their defense with a team-leading 74 tackles.

Game 3- @ Greenville: Greenville will be playing their home games in an alternate setting after a tornado destroyed their home football field. Tipp grad Sean Ford is their new head coach, Junior Gabe Rammel is their top returning runner. Their passing game only accounted for just over 400 passing yards last season.

Game 4- Piqua: The Indians struggled last season and looks to rebound. Senior Jericho Burns returns as their leading offensive threat. This will be Tipp’s Homecoming game.

Game 5- @ Troy: This rivalry will take place on the new turf field at Troy. The Trojans shared the MVL title last season with Tipp and Butler. Junior Aiden Kirkpatrick will be under center for Troy, and while they lost their top runner, they do return senior Dakota Manson in the backfield.

Game 6- Butler: The rivals will play this game on a Thursday night due to the Mum Festival. Butler returns several components from last season’s shared league title. A new quarterback will be under center, joined by returning key players Kaiden Bates, Joey Love and Israel Cunningham along with a solid wide receiving corp.

Game 7- @ Sidney: The Yellow Jackets bring back some solid athletes including running back Isaiah Foster with five touchdowns and nearly 600 yards rushing. Ethan New is an outstanding athlete who not only can contribute from the wide receiver spot and is also able to play the quarterback spot. Tank Fleming also returns making their offense a threat.

Game 8- @ West Carrollton: Tipp earned a 42-6 win last season against the Pirates. West Carrollton struggled on the offensive side of the ball last season and looks to improve this season. Defensively they return four players named all-conference as they are ready to make positive strides.

Game 9- Stebbins: Tipp handled the Indians 46-0 last season on a Thursday night, but Stebbins returns some solid younger talent. Quarterback Devin McCormick is only a sophomore but had a strong freshman season. Senior Deshawn Cunningham is back at the receiver spot.

Game 10- @ Xenia: Another stadium with some good renovations, this game wraps up the regular season. Gavin McManus returns at quarterback while on the defensive side, Ronnie Butler, and Trimond Henry both return.