GREENVILLE — The Little Brown Jug offered a reminder of what Greenville football can accomplish. The players recognized at the Green Wave’s 2026 awards program gave head coach Steve Channell another reason to look ahead with optimism.
With parents and players gathered to celebrate the season, Channell and his staff honored individual achievements, recognized all-league selections, and outlined a path toward building on a 2-8 finish.
The next step, Channell said, will require more players, a stronger commitment to the weight room, and a belief that Greenville can compete throughout its schedule.
“The numbers have to increase, the strength level has to increase, and the confidence level has to be increased,” Channell said. “And that’s what it’s going to take.”
The evening began with recognition of the athletes who put in the work this fall. Coaches introduced each player individually, beginning with the freshman class and continuing through the seniors, offering remarks about each athlete’s contributions.
Gage Denham received Offensive Player of the Year, while Isaac Kerg was named Defensive Player of the Year. Adrian Escobar earned JV Player of the Year honors, Graham Holzapfel received the Holzapfel, and Jonathon Floyd received the Coaches Award.
Seven Green Wave players also earned Miami Valley League recognition. Denham was a first-team selection at running back, and Anthony Gutierrez earned first-team honors on the offensive line. Kerg was a second-team selection at linebacker.
Logan Inman, Jonathon Floyd, Ethan Zimmer and Tristan Bey-Russell received honorable mention.
For Channell, the awards signaled the program is moving forward, even as the record leaves room for improvement. Greenville has won five games over the past two seasons, he said, and this year’s team was close to adding three more victories.
“This was a tough year. This was a very difficult year, but it was a very successful year,” Channell said.
The clearest example of the possibilities came during Greenville’s homecoming victory over Sidney, a game that returned the Little Brown Jug to Greenville and brought an emotional celebration to the field.
Channell recalled the Green Wave answering Sidney repeatedly, coming from behind six times before winning on the final play. The response from players, families, and fans provided a glimpse of the atmosphere he wants to make a regular part of Greenville football.
“Our players had great confidence that night, and they kept coming back,” he said.
Channell wants Greenville to carry that resilience into every matchup. He told parents and players that building confidence is a responsibility he shares with them.
“I have to do a better job of instilling confidence, instilling belief that if you really want to do something, that you can do it,” Channell said.
His vision includes a packed home stadium for a playoff game. Getting there, he said, starts with the daily decisions players make long before the next season begins.
Physical development will be a major part of that effort. Channell emphasized consistent participation in offseason strength training, saying stronger players can become more confident players.
He acknowledged the demands on athletes who participate in other sports, noting that he played three sports in high school. His challenge was for players and families to find ways to make continued strength development part of their schedules.
“It takes commitment. It takes time. It takes confidence,” he said.
Channell also made clear that the Green Wave needs more students in uniform. He asked returning players to help recruit classmates and friends, making program growth a shared effort.
He challenged the 17-member junior class to grow into the 20s next season. With only eight sophomores, he called on that group to roughly double its numbers. He also urged the freshman class to bring more classmates into the program.
A larger roster would help Greenville meet the demands of competing against league opponents with substantially more players, Channell said. He encouraged athletes to keep reaching out to students who have considered playing.
“We’re going to keep making the effort,” he said.
The message extended beyond wins, workouts and roster size. Channell described bringing a player’s grandmother into the locker room at halftime of the final game to help illustrate the people each athlete represents.
Parents, grandparents, siblings, neighbors and former players all have a connection to the Green Wave, he told the team. Helping players understand that connection is another part of building the program.
Channell asked parents at the awards program to stand as a show of belief in their sons and Greenville’s ability to win. He also stressed that turning that belief into results will require a greater commitment from everyone involved.
“Hard work is a plan. Attendance is a plan. Belief in yourself is a plan,” he said.
As Greenville celebrated its award winners and the efforts of every player, Channell left the Green Wave with a clear goal: build on the excitement already created and put in the work needed to experience more of it.
“We can, and we will,” he said.
