HOWARD — Welcome to Knox Pages’ 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.
You can find all of our high school football previews here.
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East Knox Bulldogs 2026 Preview
Division: VI
Region: 23
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Coach: Gage Steinmetz
Last year: 1-9
Playoff Appearances: 11 (2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2005, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1987)
Playoff Record: 10-11
PLAYER TO WATCH 👀
Cason Faucett: A junior receiver, Faucett is one of the fastest players in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference. Faucett caught 35 passes for 457 yards and five touchdowns last year. He qualified for the state track meet in the 400 meter dash.
BY THE NUMBERS 📊
2,024
Yards of total offense for graduated quarterback Jaxon Lester last fall. The third-team All-Ohioan threw for 1,792 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 232 yards and four TDs.
7
Years new head coach Gage Steinmetz served as an assistant. Steinmetz takes over for Andy Beatty, who stepped away after four seasons in charge. Beatty will be a member of Steinmetz’ coaching staff.
117
Combined receptions for the quartet of Cason Faucett, Logan Clark, Rush Beatty and Dakota Cooper. They accounted for 1,675 yards and 19 touchdowns. All four return this year.
81.6
Passing yards allowed per game. The Bulldogs ranked second in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference in pass defense.
2025 RESULTS
Northridge 25, East Knox 24
Wynford 28, East Knox 12
Colonel Crawford 42, East Knox 18
East Knox 27, Loudonville 12
Cardington 36, East Knox 35
Mount Gilead 39, East Knox 7
Northmor 47, East Knox 13
Fredericktown 28, East Knox 19
Centerburg 59, East Knox 6
Danville 52, East Knox 12
2026 SCHEDULE 📅
Aug. 21 — at Northridge
Aug. 28 — WYNFORD
Sept. 4 — TUSCARAWAS VAL.
Sept. 11 — at Centerburg
Sept. 18 — at Cardington
Sept. 25 — MOUNT GILEAD
Oct. 2 — NORTHMOR
Oct. 9 — at Fredericktown
Oct. 16 — at Loudonville
Oct. 23 — DANVILLE
TWO MINUTE DRILL ⏱️
The Bulldogs will look to return to their winning ways after back-to-back sub-.500 seasons. It’s the first time East Knox has had consecutive losing seasons since 2014-2015. First-year head coach Gage Steinmetz welcomes a talented core of returning skill-position players but must find a replacement for All-Ohio quarterback Jaxon Lester. The Bulldogs allowed 34.9 points a game last year. Patching a porous defense is a top priority.
Love high football? So do we! 🏈
Stay ahead of the game with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and expert analysis from veteran sports reporter Curt Conrad.
