2025 Preview: Philip Simmons Iron Horses

From a booming junior class to a defense that on paper looks be one of the state's strongest units, Philip Simmons has to be considered one of the front runners in Class 2A.   But the Iron Horses also know they have another strength most high school programs don't.   Three tight ends.   Want to guess what former college tight end-turned Philip Simmons head coach Eric Bendig is planning to do with it?   “The defense has to answer a lot of things when you can put one, two, even possibly three tight ends out on the field,” Bendig said last week during the Prep RedZone Media Days series at Stratford. “[player_tooltip player_id='1167204' first='William' last='Hollifield'] [player_tooltip player_id='1271262' first='Alex' last='Tchoryk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592547' first='Brody' last='Tonon'] - those guys who are playing tight end and H-Back have been really good for us.”   But unlike times in the past - most recently 2023 when this squad used tight ends to mostly just block for KJ Asbury and Sharod Williams - this rendition of the multi-tight end personnel Philip Simmons is going to be put on display isn't some heavy-set run package over and over again.   All three can block and occasionally even run the ball as full backs (mostly Tonon). But all three of them can all haul in receptions.    It may be the ultimate advantage this offense will bring into a season after replacing a three-year starting quarterback, it's top two tailbacks and its two best receivers.   “We're all going to be on the field almost the whole time on offense,” Tchoryk (pictured) said. “That excites me for personal reasons. But at the same time, other teams don't have players like that so they can [work to defend] the 13 or 12 personnel. It's a surprise for the other team. We can catch the ball, or we can run the ball. We can just move up and down the field.”   Philip Simmons is so confident in this blossoming wrinkle that talking about it openly was of little concern. After all, it's not as if those three players are some type of enigma for opponents individually.    Folding their skills into the overall product the Iron Horses put on the field in 2025, the way they see it, means time to get others up to speed. Most notably is at quarterback, where Hayes Goddard and Rico Currey are still trying to earn the starting job. Whomever doesn't win the job will have packages drawn up to get both of them on the field.    And at receiver, where Ashton Kellermann and Patrick Clark (25 total receptions last fall) now become the primary traditional targets.   Some of those other questions will take time to answer, but the competition that is marking some of those position groups is also driving the Iron Horses' summer workouts.   “Everyone's fighting for the chance to be that guy. Everyone's working really hard to be that guy who is making the big play, scoring the touchdown,” Tchoryk said. “We're all in this together. We all want that big goal: The state championship.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1592627' first='Ethan' last='Chisum'] LB, 2026 - Chisum's rise last year coincided with Philip Simmons' successful run through region play and right on into the third round of the playoffs. Between October 4 and the season-ending loss to Manning (eight games), Chisum averaged 9.5 tackles per contest. He also had nine of his 10 tackles for loss during that stretch. We believe it'll kick right on into his 2025 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592547' first='Brody' last='Tonon'] LB/TE, 2026 - Mr. Everywhere on defense for the Iron Horses, Tonon has a monster football IQ that puts him exactly where he needs to be at the right time. He was among the state's leaders in tackles with 126 while also forcing fumbles, recovering more and breaking up a few passes. He's got state all-star selection written all over him.    [player_tooltip player_id='1271262' first='Alex' last='Tchoryk'] DL/TE, 2027 - In addition to his tight end duties, Tchoryk holds the honor of being the team's predominant starting defensive end. Even last year, while he was still a bit light, Tchoryk found ways to make his 78-inch wingspan count. Despite missing two games, he finished with 8.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.    [player_tooltip player_id='1582108' first='Trevor' last='Tonon'] LB, 2028 - Maybe the brightest star of the “next” crop of Iron Horses, Tonon was fourth on the team last fall with 91 total tackles. He already has the build of your stereotypical college linebacker prospect with three years of high school ball ahead of him. His chances to put up even more of the impact numbers to go along with his tackles are high.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1675500' first='Roman' last='Hood'] LB/DL, 2027 - Roman may not have the build of your traditional defensive end/outside linebacker, but he makes sure that anyone who overlooks his sheer lack of size are paying attention. He can start with his hand on the ground or standing upright, and his ability to lock down the end of the line often comes without any statistical recognition. He's aggressive in tacking on blocks and a tenacious tackler (40 stops, eight TFL last year) when he gets into range of a ball carrier.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Tavien Orellana QB - The three-year starter was a gritty embodiment of the grind-it-out-style that helped the Iron Horses' offense wear down more opponents than not the last few seasons.   Daniel Scarth LB - Scarth closed out his Philip Simmons career last fall with 103 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three pass break-ups.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1674089' first='Chase' last='Tonon'] LB/DB, 2028 - Yes, there's another one. While Chase didn't play a ton of varsity ball last season, he flashed some ability to become a 2025 standout this time around. The best evidence was his nine-tackle performance against Manning in the playoffs. He's going to play as the team's de facto fourth linebacker.    Ashton Kellermann WR, 2027 - Kellermann was verified at a shade over 5-foot-8 and a hair under 145 pounds during the Carolinas Coaches Combines this spring. But you better believe he's going to be a gnat for opposing teams who don't track his location. He's sure-handed and was third on the team in receptions (17) and yards (247) while brining in four touchdowns last year.    Mungin has spent the majority of his time with Philip Simmons getting plugged in at receiver or safety just so the Iron Horses could get him on the field.   But he's a true cornerback with some serious length finally getting an opportunity to play there. He's going to draw some tough assignment, but he's quick enough and has enough natural athleticism to navigate the lack of playing time at this position.

From a booming junior class to a defense that on paper looks be one of the state's strongest units, Philip Simmons has to be considered one of the front runners in Class 2A.