CINCINNATI, Ohio — Friday night at Miami Valley Christian Academy will be about more than football.
The Lions will honor 11 seniors, welcome families and supporters for the inaugural MVCA Athletic Boosters Fall Tailgate and host a Pink Out as New Miami visits MVCA All-Weather Field for the final game of the 2026 regular season.
The evening begins with the Fall Tailgate from 5–6:30 p.m., featuring free City BBQ and an opportunity for the MVCA community to gather before kickoff. Donations will be accepted to benefit MVCA Athletics.
Senior Night festivities will recognize 11 members of the Class of 2027 who have contributed to the Lions' football program, helping guide MVCA to a 6-3 record and a share of the Miami Valley Conference White Division championship.
Kickoff against New Miami is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the Lions seeking their seventh victory and the outright conference title.
First Annual MVCA Athletic Boosters Fall Tailgate
The MVCA Athletic Boosters invite the entire school community to celebrate the Lions' final regular-season home game with the first annual Fall Tailgate.
Beginning at 5 p.m., families, students, alumni and supporters can gather for an evening of food and fellowship before heading into the stadium for Senior Night and kickoff.
The event will feature free City BBQ, with donations accepted to support MVCA Athletics.
Tailgate Details
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy the tailgate and stay to support the Lions as they celebrate their seniors and compete for an outright conference championship.
Senior Night: Lions to Honor 11 Members of the Class of 2027
Friday's regular-season finale will provide an opportunity to recognize 11 seniors for their dedication, commitment and contributions to MVCA football.
The senior class has helped lead the Lions through a memorable 2026 campaign, highlighted by six victories, a share of the MVC White Division championship and an opportunity to return to the OHSAA playoffs.
The group includes multiple All-Ohio honorees, several All-MVC selections, four-year varsity contributors and players who have made an impact in more recent seasons.
Meet the Seniors
Listed alphabetically by last name.
#8 Anthony-Jack (AJ) Ardizzone | RB/DB
A 2025 Second-Team All-MVC selection, Anthony-Jack Ardizzone has been a consistent offensive contributor for the Lions during his three varsity seasons.
In 26 recorded games, Ardizzone has rushed for 1,109 yards and seven touchdowns on 213 carries, while adding 23 receptions for 234 yards and two receiving scores.
His 1,343 career yards from scrimmage and nine offensive touchdowns highlight his impact on the MVCA offense.
Ardizzone delivered a key performance in the Lions' 17-16 victory over Summit Country Day, rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
A 2025 First-Team All-MVC selection, Jonah Criste has established himself as one of MVCA's most productive defensive players during his three varsity seasons.
Criste has recorded 184 career tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one sack and six tackles for loss.
His senior campaign has included 74 tackles and a standout 19-tackle performance against St. Bernard-Elmwood Place.
Criste has also contributed offensively, recording both a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown during the 2026 season.
A four-year varsity contributor, two-time First-Team All-MVC selection (2024 and 2025) and 2025 Division VII Second-Team All-Ohio honoree at defensive back, Jeremiah DesJardins has been one of MVCA's most versatile players throughout his career.
DesJardins has recorded 266 career tackles, 10 interceptions, 24 pass breakups and two sacks while making significant contributions offensively.
During his senior season, he has accounted for 1,211 combined passing, rushing and receiving yards. He has scored 11 touchdowns and thrown for five more, accounting for 16 offensive touchdowns.
DesJardins delivered one of the defining moments of the Lions' season with the game-winning touchdown run in MVCA's 6-3 double-overtime victory over St. Bernard-Elmwood Place.
Senior Adam Dooley has contributed to the Lions' defense during the 2026 season.
In five recorded appearances, Dooley has totaled nine tackles and two pass breakups, including three-tackle performances against Clermont Northeastern and Summit Country Day.
Dooley will be recognized for his commitment to the MVCA football program and his contributions to the Lions' senior class.
A four-year varsity contributor, 2024 All-MVC Honorable Mention, 2025 First-Team All-MVC selection and 2025 Division VII Second-Team All-Ohio honoree at linebacker, Hans Erickson has been a cornerstone of the Lions' defense while making an impact on offense and special teams.
Erickson has recorded 241 career tackles, 6.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and an interception.
Offensively, he has totaled 45 receptions for 531 yards and four touchdowns.
Erickson has also contributed 21 made extra points and a field goal during his career, including the game-winning 33-yard kick in MVCA's 17-16 victory over Summit Country Day on October 9.
A three-year varsity contributor, Aidan Frisby has emerged as one of MVCA's top defensive playmakers during his senior season.
Frisby has recorded five interceptions in 2026, including one returned for a touchdown against Clermont Northeastern.
He delivered a standout performance in the Lions' 42-8 victory over Fayetteville-Perry on September 25, intercepting three passes and breaking up two more.
Across his varsity career, Frisby has recorded 20 tackles, five interceptions and five pass breakups while also contributing at quarterback, completing 30 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.
A four-year varsity contributor and 2025 First-Team All-MVC selection, Zach Holland has been a consistent presence along the Lions' offensive and defensive lines.
Holland has recorded 74 career tackles, 13.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
He totaled 44 tackles, six sacks and eight tackles for loss during the 2025 season before adding 20 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a senior.
Holland's production along the defensive front has helped anchor the Lions throughout their conference championship campaign.
A 2025 First-Team All-MVC selection and Division VII All-Ohio Honorable Mention on the offensive line, Blake Longstreth has made an impact on both sides of the football during his two varsity seasons with the Lions.
Longstreth earned conference and statewide recognition as a junior for his performance along the offensive line, helping anchor MVCA's offense during the 2025 campaign.
Defensively, Longstreth has recorded 16 career tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in eight recorded varsity appearances.
During his senior season, he has totaled 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks, including a four-tackle performance and a forced fumble against St. Bernard-Elmwood Place.
Longstreth will be recognized Friday night for his contributions to the Lions' offensive and defensive lines as MVCA celebrates Senior Night.
A four-year member of the MVCA football program, Aydin Sistrunk has developed into an explosive offensive contributor after beginning his varsity career on defense and special teams.
Sistrunk has accumulated 593 career all-purpose yards, including 480 rushing yards, 32 receiving yards and 81 kickoff return yards.
He opened his senior season with six rushing touchdowns across MVCA's first two games, scoring three times against East Clinton before rushing for a career-high 242 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries against Clermont Northeastern.
Sistrunk has recorded nine rushing touchdowns across his varsity career.
#76 Tyler Symonette | OL/DL
Senior Tyler Symonette joined the MVCA football program for the 2026 season, contributing to the Lions' offensive and defensive line units.
In his first season with the program, Symonette has been part of a team that has earned six victories and secured at least a share of the MVC White Division championship.
Symonette will be recognized Friday night for his commitment to the Lions as MVCA celebrates Senior Night against New Miami.
A 2025 Second-Team All-MVC selection, Santiago Vides has contributed to the MVCA football program as a kicker and defensive back.
During the 2025 season, Vides connected on three of four extra-point attempts in the Lions' 35-6 road victory over New Miami, accounting for three points in the regular-season finale.
Vides will be recognized for his contributions to the program as MVCA prepares to face the Vikings once again.
Pink Out: Lions Invite Fans to Wear Pink
In addition to Senior Night and the Fall Tailgate, Friday's game will feature a Pink Out.
Students, families and supporters are encouraged to wear pink as the Lions take the field for their final regular-season home game.
The theme adds another opportunity for the MVCA community to come together and create an exciting atmosphere as the program celebrates its seniors.
Lions Look to Cap Memorable Regular Season
While Friday's festivities will highlight the evening, the game itself carries significant implications for MVCA.
The Lions enter the matchup with a 6-3 record, having won consecutive games over Summit Country Day and St. Bernard-Elmwood Place.
On October 9, MVCA defeated Summit Country Day, 17-16, behind a late game-winning 33-yard field goal from Hans Erickson and a game-sealing interception by Jeremiah DesJardins.
The Lions followed that victory with a 6-3 double-overtime win at St. Bernard-Elmwood Place on October 17.
DesJardins scored the game's decisive touchdown in the second overtime, helping MVCA secure at least a share of the MVC White Division championship.
With a victory over New Miami, the Lions would finish the regular season 7-3 and capture the outright conference title.
Conference Championship and Playoff Implications
MVCA enters Friday's regular-season finale with an opportunity to accomplish two significant goals.
First, a victory would secure the outright MVC White Division championship.
Second, the Lions are competing for a spot in the OHSAA Division VII, Region 24 playoffs.
MVCA entered the final week unofficially ranked No. 10 in the region, with the top 12 teams advancing to the postseason.
A victory over New Miami would strengthen the Lions' position ahead of the final computer rankings and potential first-round playoff pairings.
The Lions are seeking to finish the regular season with seven victories for the first time since 2018.
Scouting New Miami
New Miami returns to the Lions' schedule after MVCA earned a 35-6 road victory over the Vikings in the 2025 regular-season finale.
Friday's meeting will mark another season-ending matchup between the programs, this time with an outright conference championship and playoff positioning at stake for MVCA.
The Lions will look to build on their recent defensive performances while generating offensive momentum heading into the potential postseason.
Game Information
Matchup: New Miami at Miami Valley Christian Academy
Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Location: MVCA All-Weather Field
Special Events: Senior Night | Pink Out | First Annual MVCA Athletic Boosters Fall Tailgate
Tailgate: 5–6:30 p.m.
Food: Free City BBQ; donations benefiting MVCA Athletics accepted
What's at Stake: Outright MVC White Division championship and OHSAA Division VII, Region 24 playoff positioning
Friday will be an opportunity to celebrate the seniors who have helped shape the MVCA football program, gather as a school community and support the Lions as they pursue an outright conference championship.
From the first annual Fall Tailgate to the Senior Night recognition and the final whistle, the evening promises to be a memorable conclusion to the regular season.
Come early. Wear pink. Celebrate our seniors. Cheer on the Lions.
