3 things to know about Randolph before the 2024 season (2024)

A small town like Randolph, of 1,775 people, gives the high school football team an advantage this season.

It’s a tight-knit town where everyone seems to know each other, meaning the kids grow up playing with one another. That gives added motivation to work together and play for one another.

“We don’t play to have a big game,” Randolph junior Ben Paul said. “We play for everyone to enjoy the game and everyone to have fun. Everyone needs to have fun. We need to play together and play for each other.”

The Rockets went 9-3 and finished second in the Trailways Conference with a 6-1 record. The conference will look different than last year.

Fall River/Rio, Deerfield, Neenah Saint Mary Catholic and Pardeeville are all gone from last season. Dodgeland, Palmyra-Eagle, Parkview/Albany and Westfield are joining the conference.

“There will be some different playing styles,” Paul said.

Here are three things to know about Randolph for the upcoming season.

Ben Paul will step into a bigger leadership role

Paul, a running back, entered fall camp as one of the captains for the Rockets.

“Ben Paul is definitely the leader of our team,” Randolph coach Tom Chase said.

Paul stepped in as the team’s starting running back last season, rushing for 1,246 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“He’s a big part of our team,” junior Levi Kok said. “He’s a big leader. He takes control when he needs to and let’s other take control when they need to.”

The year of experience under his belt has given him confidence as he replaces last year’s leader, quarterback Karter Meredith. He’s also making sure guys keep up the hard work as they replace eights seniors.

“It’s not easy to replace a guy like him,” Paul said of Meredith. “We do what we have and work with what we’ve got.”

Levi Kok named Randolph starting quarterback

Meredith was a 5-foot-10, 157-pound playmaker running the flexbone for the Rockets last season. He rushed for 1,199 yards and 22 touchdowns last season and also threw for 419 yards and five touchdowns.

He’s going to be replaced by Kok.

“He can do just what Karter could do, if not better,” Paul said. “I’m not worried about replacing Karter, Levi’s got it.”

Last season was Kok’s first time playing quarterback but did get playing time at the end of three games. Kok followed how Meredith played the position last season and feels he can replicate the speed and be consistent with his reads this season.

“I’m more excited and a little nervous because it’s a big spot to fill,” Kok said. “I started on defense last year, so I know (the speed of the game) a little bit.”

It helps the learning curve because Kok and Paul are cousins.

“It will help a lot because our reads will be there and he knows pretty well if I need to pull the ball or give it,” Kok said. “He’ll help me out. On some of the plays, he’ll tell me to watch this guy or watch that guy.”

Two players to replace Rockets star defender Jonathon Alva

Randolph’s Jonathon Alva rarely came off the field last season. He started at right guard and middle linebacker, making 81 tackles last season.

Randolph will have senior Zander Padilla at linebacker while junior Tyler Bahr will switch from tackle to guard.

“He was a really good vocal leader,” Bahr said. “He’s always yelling and making sure everyone was in their spots. That’s something I want to try to take after him. ... I’m trying to get everyone to where they’re supposed to be.”

Bahr said it was Alva’s footwork as a guard that he wants to try to emulate. However, his intelligence of knowing all offensive line positions was critical.

“If you had questions, you could ask him,” Bahr said. “He’d help you out.”