Ohio’s Warrenville Heights After playing linebacker for the New England Patriots for three seasons, Bernard Russ returned to Northeast Ohio to lead multiple schools with his defense skills.
Up until now, he had not been in charge of his own program.
Russ recalled that Tuesday after practice was the first time being a head coach truly struck him. I’m spending roughly an hour and a half, two hours on defense, and viewing a DVD about one of our next opponents. “Oh my god, I got to watch the offensive side of the ball,” I exclaimed. I had the opportunity to observe special teams play. At that point, it truly struck me.
Russ, who previously served as an assistant at Cleveland Heights and Nordonia, takes over for the Tigers, who are coming off a 1-9 season. The young players on his new squad include defensive end Artez Williams, a 2028 Division I college prospect who can also play tight end and offensive line.
Raynell Cooper, a freshman, is already showing promise as a wide receiver, while Amere Harris, a sophomore, is filling in at quarterback.
They already know what Russ expects from them.
“There have undoubtedly been some difficult times,” Williams remarked. Despite his toughness, he is a coach who will help you improve.
After the Lake Erie League disbanded at the end of the previous school year, Warrensville Heights will be an independent, but it still has a potential to be among Northeast Ohio’s most improved teams.
Watch the cleveland.com football camp tour video above for additional coverage of the Tigers leading up to the 2025 football season. Below is a list of their schedule and players to watch:
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Warrensville Heights Tigers
Record for 2024: 1–9
Coach: (first season) Bernard Russ
League: Self-sufficient
Players to observe
Quarterback Amere Harris, 6-3, 185, so.
Mitchell, Geordan, RB, 5-11, 190, Jr.
WR/DB Jayvon Johnson, 5-10, 175, sr.
Cooper, Raynell, TE, 6-4, 190, fr.
DE/OT/TE Artez Williams, 6-3, 210, Jr.
Monte Chancellor, 5-11, 205, Jr., DE/OT.
Williams, Simon, LB, 6-0, 210, senior.
155, Jr.; Dorian Jones, S/WR, 5-10.
S/WR Jaymarr Luke, 5-10, 160, senior.
Williams, R.J., S/WR, Jr.
Timetable
Alliance Marlington, August 22
vs. Cleveland JFK on August 29
September 5 against Westlake
Cleveland Central Catholic on September 12
Lutheran East on September 19
Maple Heights, September 26
Brush vs. October 3
At Garfield Heights on October 10
Oct. 17 vs Shaw
24 October at Bedford
Your opinions are important.
Which football team do you believe will have the biggest breakthrough in Northeast Ohio?
