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The 2025 high school football season kicks off on August 21st. To get ready for the upcoming season, we’re counting down the top 10 teams in the 615 Preps coverage area. Page is our No. 9 team.
After a fourth consecutive runner-up finish, the vibes around Page’s football program could have been low entering 2025.
From the outside perspective, losing players like Brenden Anes, Eric Hazzard and William Wiebush to graduation would leave holes that seem impossible to fill.
However, Charles Rathbone’s built a program in Rudderville that only reloads and expects to compete for a gold ball every season. This year is no different.
“We’re very excited to answer all the critics saying that Page is done and that we won’t get back,” Rathbone said. “These guys have been focused working their tails off and they’re anxious to to show what kind of team they have minus (Eric) Hazard and (Brenden) Anes. Those guys were great players but they’re not the only players.
…these guys are ready to get back after it and shut up people that have been tweeting and running their mouths. Some of these people haven’t even got out the region and they want to talk so hopefully we’re going to be ready to play and get after it.”
The strength for the Patriots this season will be in the trenches. Seniors Jacob Rathbone and Jordan Curll anchor an offensive line that is regarded as one of the best in the state.
Behind them is a stable of running backs as good as any. Senior Colt Brown and rising sophomore Isaac Otey combined to rush for 1,238 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024.
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Webb-Bell Buckle transfer James Pierre also figures to mix to play a major role in the Patriots’ backfield production.
There will also be a new signal-caller for the Patriots this season. Lipscomb Academy transfer Drew Rempel and Kansas City transfer Cameron Kruse are battling for the job. Whoever wins that competition will have one of the area’s top outside threats in Cayden Auckerman to throw to.
“Drew and Cam are fighting for the position and right now, I think both will get some playing time,” Rathbone said. “We’ll ride the hot hand any Friday night.”
Defense still runs the show
Where the Patriots were at their best last year was on the defensive side of the ball. While the senior stars of that defense are gone and six straight shutouts to start the year again may be a bit of stretch, there shouldn’t be that much of a step back for the Patriots on that side of the ball.
Sean Cunningham and Air Force commitment Knight Wilson may steal the spotlight but new players could instantly come in and make an impact.
Forrest transfer Cohen Grissom appears to fit the Hazzard mold of a disruptive force off the edge. Between new faces like Grissom and up-and-coming underclassmen now getting their opportunity, Wilson
“We got a lot of guys who really stepped up in a big way over the last year,” Wilson noted. “They’ve developed a lot over the offseason. Having those guys settled in will help us a lot this year.”
Page’s 2025 Schedule
August 22: at Giles County
August 29: at Green Hill
September 5: at Hendersonville
September 12: vs. Brentwood
September 19: vs. Henry County
September 26: at Centennial
October 3: at Lawson
October 17: vs. Independence
October 24: vs. Hillsboro
October 31: vs. Nolensville
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