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Taft was 12-3 last season and reached the OHSAA Division IV state semifinals. They are focusing on one day at a time this summer.

Winning a state championship is a process.

The Taft football team advanced to its first Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV state semifinals last season, marking the first time a Cincinnati Public School district program had won a regional championship in 32 years.

The players have a lot of confidence from making it that far in the playoffs, but they know they have to work to get back.

“I feel like our team is growing more, as a whole, individually and as a team,” junior quarterback Monsanna Torbert said. “Our guys are more dedicated. We’re trying not to rely on last year, (we have) to earn our own success. Our motto is ‘Earned, never given,’ so we go get everything. We work hard for everything that we achieve. We work harder than any team in the state, so I feel like with our work ethic and the talent that we got that we can go far. The sky is the limit.”

Taft head coach Tyler Williams (black shirt) talks to the team during Taft High School football practice July 23, 2025.

The Senators had some key graduation losses from last year but return nine starters who played one or both sides of the ball, and several others with a lot of varsity snaps. They have that Final Four experience.

“It gives us a lot of boost, but the things that we want to focus on is building that brotherhood,” Taft head coach Tyler Williams said. “Pushing this team to come together even more. What I continue to talk to the kids about, it wasn't really so much about the talent. It was more toughness. So we are trying to put our kids in some of the toughest positions and make sure they don't fold, make sure they don't turn on each other. And that's the biggest step right now. I'm not concerned about the talent or the schemes or who we're playing. None of that really matters to me. We're taking it one day at a time, building the younger guys up that didn't get the experience this last year and just making sure we are mentally tough.”

In addition to toughness, Taft will use its athleticism and team speed.

"It's a fast team right now,” junior defensive back JoJo Pouncy said. “Our defense is fast. Our offense is running fast. Everything about it is fast, physical and relentless.”

The Taft Senators will rely on Monsanna Torbert

Taft QB Monsanna Torbert (white jersey, 1) hands off during Taft High School football practice July 23, 2025.

Torbert threw for 1,885 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore. He will also play some defense. Torbert, also a track star for the school, put on about 20 pounds of muscle since last year.

“He's elite with the ball in his hand,” Williams said. “His vision is top level, top notch. He'll be very exciting to watch this year. Great motor. He’ll be playing three or four different positions this year just because he's so vital. You want the ball in his hand. You want him on defense. You want him making plays.”

Said Torbert: “I’ve been working on having better reads and being more of a leader from being a sophomore and a junior now. So I’m working on leading a team, keeping everybody in high spirits, keeping all our guys together. Make sure we can get the job done day in and day out.”

Taft two-way star Monsanna Torbert during Taft High School football practice July 23, 2025.

Who are the other offensive leaders for Taft football?

Taft has a deep receiving corps, led by sophomore Lorenzo McMullen and junior Eddie Holloway. McMullen, who had 34 catches for 623 yards and 10 touchdowns, grew physically from last year and has a lot of speed and route-running ability. Holloway had 46 grabs for 856 yards and 10 TDs, and he has a lot of speed and route-running ability, and he has put on muscle, too.

Sophomore Marley Godfrey and senior Nijia Hill return as running backs from last year. Godfrey, who had 250 rushing yards in limited playing time, put on 20 pounds from last year. Hill was the second-leading rusher with 717 yards and also caught 15 passes. Williams has high hopes for both of them.

“He’s a load for us,” Williams said of Godfrey. “Great vision, great knowledge of the game. And I'm definitely expecting big things out of him. (Hill) is a young man that I say is the ‘X’ factor. He can play running back, receiver, quarterback, whatever you need him (to do). One of the hardest runners that I've seen in a long time. He catches everything and he'll be a spark to our offense this year.”

Who will lead the defense for the Taft Senators football team?

The defense graduated top college prospects Drayden Pavey, Aaron Dowdell and Jahvion Jarmon, but has plenty of talent coming back.

Taft's JoJo Pouncy during Taft High School football practice July 23, 2025.

Returning co-captain and defensive lineman Adam Kirtley, a 200-pound senior committed to Cincinnati, returns. Chayse Mack, a 280-pound force, anchors both lines. Bryce Brewster, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior can play end or linebacker, and is a “freak athlete,” according to Williams. He had 114 total tackles (54 solo) and 19 tackles for loss last year.

“We lost some dogs, but we got a lot of guys coming in,” Mack said. “We’re just building up our young guys. We got plenty who are ready to step up on defense and help.”

Kavontae Whipple, a senior Kent State commit, and sophomore Key’Sean Torbert lead the secondary. Torbert also backs up his brother at quarterback and threw 13 TD passes in limited action last season there.

Although Dowdell and Pavey are key losses, Taft returns four of the top six tacklers from last year, including Kirtley, Whipple, Brewster and Mack. Brewster had the most sacks (20) on the team last season.

Mack said the defense is ready to build on last year’s Final Four run.

“It just gives us motivation,” Mack said. “We know that we can. We did it once and our team's not that different. There’s really no drop off, so that's a standard now.”