QUINCY — With the graduation of several impact players from last year’s team, the Quincy Notre Dame Raiders will turn to a new group of seniors as it heads toward the 2025 season.

Needless to say, the cupboard is not bare despite graduating standouts like linebacker Taylin Scott, safety Wyatt Mueller and running back Ivan Hun.

Having players such as wide receiver/free safety Gavin Doellman and running back/outside linebacker Oliver Triplett helps fill that leadership void on all three phases of the game.

“It’s hard to replace those guys, but it’s got to happen,” said Doellman. “We have guys that can step up and do it.”

Triplett will take over as QND’s main running back after rushing for 730 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

“I’ve been ready for a long time and now that I finally have the opportunity, I’m going to take full advantage of it,” said Triplett.”

On defense, Triplett made 38 tackles, had two interceptions and a fumble recovery last year.

“Oliver competes with a tremendous passion,” said Cornell. “He’s a fan favorite among the coaches because we know what we got in him. He’s got a lot of toughness, he plays the game the right way and he’s very physical. He’s got good vision at the tailback spot and just somebody we know we can really lean on in tough times.”

Doellman was QND’s leading receiver last year after catching 35 passes for 467 yards and five touchdowns.

In his free safety position, Doellman made five interceptions and had 48 tackles. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns.

“I think Gavin Doellman is a really special football player, special human being and a guy that makes our job as coaches fun to find creative ways to get him the ball,” said QND head coach Jack Cornell. “Then watching him on defense do his thing is special, he’s just an overall weapon.”

Doellman feels like he can have an even better season in 2025 with junior John Venvertloh taking over as starting quarterback.

“I really believe we can be even better this year,” said Doellman. “Even though we lost our starting quarterback, John really needs to step up and we have a really good offensive line that can help push the team to be an even better team.”

Venvertloh’s father, Kyle Venvertloh is a 2000 QND graduate, who was a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Raiders.

“John is born for this,” said Cornell. “He’s guy who has a lot of good athletic components. We can run him if we need him to, but he can also stand back in the pocket with confidence and throw the ball down the field. He’s been working well with the recievers this offseason, trying to get on the same page.”

Besides having Doellman and Triplett as weapons, Venvertloh will players such as running back Cale Hilbing and wideout Jace Allensworth to turn to.

Venvertloh has acclimated himself with the team over the summer, as he moves up from JV.

“John’s a great quarterback,” said Triplett. “He’s really smart and knows how to take charge and take the lead. So we’ve got full confidence in him.”

QND graduated left guard Ryan Darnell and center Carter Rhodes, but return left tackle Viktor Harsell, right guard Ethan Peterson and right tackle Caleb Reagan.

“Caleb Zook is now coming into his own at left guard and starting to figure out football,” said Cornell. “Dawson Stafford’s a guy that’s grown up around the game, to see him take command of the group as center is great. With what John brings to the table from the quarterback spot, with Dawson, John and him growing up together, it’s been fun to see the chemistry being built.”

After graduating many key contributors on defense, the Raiders are counting on the next group to step up.

“Our defense can be really good,” said Doellman. “We got some young guys that really got to learn what they’re doing on the defensive side because almost our whole defense was seniors last year. So there’s definitely going to be some change there, but they’ll get the hang of it.”

QND has a mix of defensive linemen that Cornell is excited about.

“Caleb Reagan has done a really great job of being a leader this offseason and getting guys doing what they are supposed to be doing. Also by handling his business the right way. Good to see Grayson Haugh getting healthy again and getting back out there. Ethan Peterson is a guy who goes about his business in a quiet way, but really understands what it takes to get better. Gavin Flesner didn’t get to play last year due to injuries, but he’s worked himself back into the lineup and put himself in a position to be a dominant football player.”

Hilbing will be taking over Scott’s spot at linebacker after earning second team All-Central State 8 honors last year.

“Cale Hilbing is a returning All-Conference linebacker for us,” said Cornell. “Really, a guy that we need to be a voice on that side of the ball. He’s really the replacement for Taylin Scott in a lot of ways.”

QND also has Allensworth at outside linebacker, who had three interceptions and 10 tackles for a loss last year.

“It’s been good to see Jace kind of coming into his own on offense,” said Cornell. “There’s a guy that we know what we have in on defense. He was probably one of our most underrated players last year on a really talented defense. To see him come in as a senior leader on that side of the ball is going to be big.”