INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE AT A GLANCE

JACKSON-MILTON
Head coach: Alan Mikovich, 1st year (succeeds George Tomaino).
2000 record: 3-5, 2-5 (not eligible for ICL championship because of school strike).
Key losses: Running back Ron Petkosek (All-ICL as a junior, injured in the third game as a senior); linebacker Joel Baker (All-ICL).
Returning lettermen (8): Jeff Constantine (5-10, 215, Sr., OL/DE); Dan Hallas (5-10, 170, Sr., RB/OLB, 365 yards rushing); Vince MacLarren (5-9, 165, Sr., WR/OLB, 230 yards rushing, 170 receiving); Lee Keck (5-9, 160, Jr., WR/DB, 59 receptions, 3 interceptions); Zack Nicholas (6-1, 210, So., QB, 38-for-77 for 500 yards and 8 TDs); Tim Crytzer 6-0, 200, Sr., OL/DL); Nick Rubenstahl (5-9, 185, Jr., OL/LB); Kyle Hallas (6-2, 170, So., TE/DE, So.).
Promising newcomers: Chris Hallett (6-0, 215, Jr., OL/DL); Nate Miller (5-8, 160, So., RB/LB).
Outlook: "Players have gotten a good grasp of the offense and defense and are hoping to be in the thick of things in a very competitive league," said Mikovich. "Numbers are a problem, with only 21 varsity players, [so we] cannot afford injuries."
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Champion7:30
Aug. 31 -- Newton Falls7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Leetonia7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Springfield7:30
Sept. 21 -- Lowellville7:30
Sept. 28 -- McDonald7:30
Oct. 5 -- at Western Reserve7:30
Oct. 12 -- at Mineral Ridge7:30
Oct. 19 -- Mathews7:30
Oct. 26 -- at South Range7:30
LOWELLVILLE
Head coach: John Protopapa, 2nd season (6-4).
2000 record: 6-4, 3-4.
Key losses: Tackle/defensive end Mark Templeton (All-NEO, All-ICL, All-Ohio honorable mention); wide receiver/defensive back Ben Dorney (All-NEO, All-ICL honorable mention); fullback/defensive tackle Jason Goist; kicker Dan Mora.
Returning lettermen (11): Matt Meehan (Sr.,WR); Brian Meehan (So., WR/DB); Brian Wharry (So., FB/LB); Ty Dorney (Sr., QB/DE); Joe Nigro (Jr., RB/LB); Mike Palumbo (Jr., QB/DB); Autumn Axel (Sr., WR/DB); Jeff Peterson (So., TB,OLB); Andy Peterson (Jr., RB/DB); Anthony Donatelli (Jr., TE/LB); Dustin Socic (So., FB/LB).
Promising newcomers: Josh Pollock (Jr., OG/DT); Ryan Goist (Jr., TB/OLB); Bob Simione (Jr., TE/DE); Nick Pica (Jr., WR/LB); Dan Ricotilli (Jr., RB/LB).
Outlook: "We will be young with only six seniors. Our strength lies with our skill positions," Protopapa said.
Schedule:
Aug. 23 -- Crestview7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Southern7:30
Sept. 7 -- Pymatuning Valley7:30
Sept. 14 -- McDonald7:30
Sept. 21 -- at Jackson-Milton7:30
Sept. 28 -- at Mathews7:30
Oct. 6 -- South Range
Oct. 12 -- at Springfield7:30
Oct. 19 -- Mineral Ridge7:30
Oct. 26 -- at Western Reserve7:30
MATHEWS
Head coach: Brian Bosheff, 3rd season (3-17).
2000 record: 2-8, 1-6.
Key losses: Quarterback/defensive end Jared Pratt, lineman Jason Crist.
Returning lettermen (8): Marc Burcham 5-10, 170, Sr., QB/ILB); Brett Budd (6-0, 205, Sr., G/DT); Pay Haynie (6-2, 255, Sr., T-DT); John Mintus (6-5, 215, Jr., TE-OLB); Brian Meeker (5-11, 160, Jr., G/SS); Eric Hollister (6-2, 225, Jr., T/DE); Mike Kunkle (5-9, 180, Jr., FB/DT); Adam Hughes (5-7, 140, So., TB/C,).
Promising newcomers: Mike Cerbus (5-7, 140, Fr., FB/SS); Steve Palac (5-8, 145, Fr., G-OLB).
Outlook: "[We have] 25 players, nine are freshmen," said Bosheff. "It will be a rebuilding year [with] inexperience at most all positions. Most players will go both ways. Our goal is to build a foundation for the future with eight sophomores and nine freshmen."
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Ledgemont7:30
Sept. 1 -- at Ashtabula Sts. John & amp; Paul7:30
Sept. 7 -- Fairport Harbor7:30
Sept. 14 -- Western Reserve7:30
Sept. 21 -- at Springfield7:30
Sept. 28 -- Lowellville7:30
Oct. 5 -- at McDonald7:30
Oct. 12 -- South Range7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Jackson-Milton7:30
Oct. 26 -- Mineral Ridge7:30
MCDONALD
Head coach: Dan Williams, 2nd season.
2000 record: 9-3, 5-2. McDonald made the playoffs and beat Gibsonburg, 28-10, before bowing to Mogadore, 18-6.
Key losses: Center/defensive tackle Mike Dunn, running back/linebacker Adam Lewis, running back/safety Ryan Witkoski, tight end/defensive end Charles Cooper; quarterback Todd Cope; linebacker Tom Bianco.
Returning lettermen (8): Returning starters: Jeff Ashton (6-2, 226, Sr., FB/DE, All-County); John Wetzl (6-0, 230, Sr., LB, All-County, three-year starter); James Herdman (6-2, 300, OT, All-County); Kurtis Golden (6-3, 145, Sr., SE); Bob Parro (6-3, 180, Sr., LB/TE); Jason Joynes (5-4, 170, Sr., QB); Greg Gustovich (5-10, 185, Jr., LB/RB); Todd Crown (6-2, 225, Jr., OT/DT).
Promising newcomers: Mark Brown 5-9, 155, Jr., RB/LB); Justin Cornelius (5-9, 220, Jr., OT/DT); Mike Friend (6-1, 230, Jr., OT/D,); Jeff Lott (5-7, 125, Jr., SE/DB).Outlook: Probable strengths are good team size, good numbers, good attitude, work ethic and tradition. Probable weaknesses are depth at certain positions and inexperience (only three returning starters).
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Leetonia7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Windham7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Liberty7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Lowellville7:30
Sept. 21 -- Mineral Ridge7:30
Sept. 28 -- at Jackson-Milton7:30
Oct. 5 -- Mathews7:30
Oct. 12 -- Western Reserve7:30
Oct. 19 -- at South Range7:30
Oct. 26 -- Springfield7:30
MINERAL RIDGE
Head coach: Joe Stevens, 1st season, succeeding Jim Pappada.
2000 record: 5-5, 4-3.
Key losses: Running back/linebacker Jake McCombs; wide receiver/defensive back Kendall Kokoski; tight end/defensive end Bill Rhinehart; tackle Derrick Cunningham; lineman Phil Frye.
Returning lettermen (14): Erik Besoiu (5-9, 165, Sr., RB/LB); Bobby Burgess (6-2, 200, TE/DE); Chris Stark (5-10, 170, Sr., WR/DB); Nate Zimmernan (5-10, 185, Sr., QB/DB); Steve Osborn (6-1, 175, Sr., RB/DB); Bill Polmaskitch (5-10, 185, Sr., RB/LB); Chris Milliron (5-10, 160, Sr., WR/DB); John Marstellar (6-0, 190, Sr., OL/DL); Matt Davis (5-11, 245, Sr., OL/DL); Alex White (6-1, 250, Sr., OL/DL); Shawn Buskirk (5-11, 165, Jr., RB/DR); John Habeger (6-1, 200, Jr., OL/DL); Mike Herrera (5-9, 155, Jr., WR/DB); Brian Palmer (5-9, 165, Sp., kicker).
Promising newcomers: Steve Velte (5-8, 140, So., WR/DB); Denver Goodman (5-7, 220, So., OL/DL).
Outlook: A new stadium and a new head coach means a new attitude, Stevens said. Strengths are "great senior leaders, team unity, enthusiasm, hard work" while weakness is depth. Stevens wants the team to be competitive weekly and show constant improvement as the year progresses.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- at Columbiana7:30
Aug. 31 -- Grand Valley7:30
Sept. 7 -- United7:30
Sept. 14 -- South Range7:30
Sept. 21 -- at McDonald7:30
Sept. 28 -- at Western Reserve7:30
Oct. 5 -- Springfield7:30
Oct. 12 -- Jackson-Milton7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Lowellville7:30
Oct. 26 -- at Mathews7:30
SOUTH RANGE
Head coach: Dan Yeagley, 7th season (45-15).
2000 record: 8-3, 6-1. South Range made the playoffs, losing the first game to Massillon Tuslaw, 37-28.
Key losses: Adam Spitz, Phillip Shuback, C.J. Brink, Justin Handwork.
Returning lettermen (12): Jimmy Sanders (5-11, 170, Sr., QB/DB); Jeff Johnston (6-1, 180, Sr., FB/LB); Brad Johnson, (6-1,180, Sr., HB/DB); Jason King (5-11, 170, Sr., WB/DB); Tom Kimmel (6-0, 170, Sr,SE/DB); Ryan Maxwell (6-1, 175, So., SE/DB); Brad Vizi (6-4, 240, Sr., TE/DE); Ryan Zwingler (5-10, 225, Sr., C); Chad Manchester (5-9, 205, Sr., G/LB; Brian Novak (5-8, 165, Jr., DB); Justin Coburn (6-1, 265, Sr., DB, Lee Everett, (6-3, 255, Sr., DL).
Promising newcomers: Cody White(6-0, 225, Jr., (G/LB); Gary Snyder (6-0, 250, Jr., T/DL); Jed Chismar (5-9, 165, Jr., FB/LB); Brandon Kappler (6-1, 250, Jr., T/DL); Ryan McGarvey, 5-10, 230, Jr., TE/DE,); Hogie Walle (5-8, 155, Jr., SE/DB); Nick Darkadakis (5-8, 170, Jr., G/DL);Andy Grantz (6-0, 225, So., G); Gary Ball (6-0, 175, So., WB); Greg Rohan (5-10, 170, So., , TE).
Outlook: "This year's Raider team with nine returning offensive starters will be very solid," said Yeagley, who returns 12 lettermen, including 10 seniors, and lost only four seniors to graduation. "With Sanders returning at QB with receivers King, Kimmel, Maxwell, Novak and Vizi along with the leading rushers Johnston and Johnson returning in the backfield, look for a well-balanced attack mixing the run and the pass. The offensive line will be the question needing to replace three losses to graduation. Junior returnee Jon Styer was 26-of-37 in extra point attempts and 3-of-6 on field goal attempts. Sophomore Gary Bell returns as punter after averaging 32.7 yards."
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- East Palestine7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Crestview7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Columbiana7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Mineral Ridge7:30
Sept. 21 -- Western Reserve7:30
Sept. 28 -- Springfield7:30
Oct. 6 -- at Lowellville1
Oct. 12 -- at Mathews7:30
Oct. 19 -- McDonald7:30
Oct. 26 -- Jackson-Milton7:30
SPRINGFIELD
Head coach: John Smith, 1st year, succeeding Doug Phillips.
2000 record: 12-1, 7-0. Springfield went undefeated over the regular season and won its first two playoff games (49-20 over Windham and 28-21 over Massillon Tuslaw) before bowing to Chanel in a state semifinal, 25-13. The Tigers scored 430 points -- 33.1 a game -- while allowing 151 (11.6 a game).
Key losses: "[We] lost a lot of quality seniors, about 22-23 [to graduation]. There are some very big shoes to fill," Smith said.
Returning lettermen (5): Pat Birch (6-1, 161, Sr., QB/DB); Dan Zitkovic (6-0, 160, Sr., RB/LB) ; Tim Kawecki (6-3, 257, Jr., OL/DL); Ryan Jones (5-9, 153; Sr., WR/DB); Jim McLaughlin (5-11, 167, Sr., WR/LB).
Promising newcomers: "We have a lot of very talented underclassmen," Smith said.
Outlook: "The strength of our team [is] the skilled positions. We have four quality seniors leading the way. I would say that our weakness would be the youth of the lines [with] only one senior." -- Smith.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- at Poland7:30
Sept. 1 -- Columbiana7:30
Sept. 7 -- at East Palestine7:30
Sept. 14 -- Jackson-Milton7:30
Sept. 21 -- Mathews7:30
Sept. 28 -- at South Range7:30
Oct. 5 -- at Mineral Ridge7:30
Oct. 12 -- Lowellville7:30
Oct. 19 -- Western Reserve7:30
Oct. 26 -- at McDonald7:30
WESTERN RESERVE
Head coach: Mark Morris, 3rd season, 1-19 record.
2000 record: 1-9, 0-7.
Key losses: Eight lettermen.
Returning lettermen (16): Paul Myers (5-9,160, Sr., SE/DB); Mark Adair (6-1, 175, Jr., OT/LB); Cliff James (5-8, 175, Jr., HB/DB); Jordan Lukanec (6-2, 215, Jr., HB/DB); John McDougal (5-6, 170, Jr., , FB/DE); Doug Shirley (6-2, 170, Jr., SE/DB); John Yarab (5-8, 220, Jr., G/DT); Lou Srock (6-0, 185, So, , FB/ILB); Billy DeCola (6-1, 185, Jr., FB/OLB); Alex Gedra (5-7, 180, Jr., , G/ILB); Kyle Trimble (5-9, 175, Jr., QB/OLB); Adam McDougal (6-0, 185, Jr., HB/DE); James Sheridan (5-8, 190, jr., G/ILB); Joe Smith (6-1, 210, Jr. T/DT); Cody Reese (5-8, 160, So., SE/DB); Corey Sinn (5-11, 180, Jr., C/DE).
Promising newcomers: Ian Spellman (5-7, 155, Sr., HB/OLB); Aaron Mayne (6-1, 180, Jr., , HB/OLB); Nick Markijohn (6-1, 210, So., (OT/LB); Adam Myers (So., K/HB/LB); Ryan Bissett (So., HB/LB); Ryan Trimble (5-6, 180, So., G/LB); Bill Greier (6-2, 160, Sr., SE/DB); Chris Mountain (6-2, 155, Jr., SE/DB); Jake Zatchok (6-1, 160, So., QB/DB); Tommy Procick (5-8, 180, So., C/DE) Steven Gatewood (6-1, 180, So., OT/DT).
Outlook: "We possess a great deal of athleticism and quickness at our skilled positions. Our backfield will be quicker than we have been in the past, as well as we have a few players that can catch the ball very well. We will also be a very experienced team since the freshmen and sophomores that we have played the past two seasons will now be juniors and seniors, said Morris. "Juniors Kyle Trimble at quarterback and Cliff James at halfback will lead the backfield. Both were starters last season. Complimenting those two will be senior Ian Spellman at halfback as well as Aaron Mayne and Adam McDougal also at the halfback position. We will also have three fullbacks [who] shared playing time last season [returning:] John McDougal, Billy DeCola and Luke Srock. The offensive line will be returning two starters from last season: junior John Yarab at guard and junior Corey Sinn at center. Weakness: "The offensive and defensive lines are the big question. We feel that we have quality kids to fill those positions, but we lack depth. For the third year in a row, we will be relying on sophomores to fill various positions as well as to play the back-up positions. Although most of our linemen have had varsity experience, only two have had 10 games worth of experience."
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Malvern7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Leetonia7:30
Sept. 7 -- Sebring7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Mathews7:30
Sept. 21 -- at South Range7:30
Sept. 28 -- Mineral Ridge7:30
Oct. 5 -- Jackson-Milton7:30
Oct. 12 -- at McDonald7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Springfield7:30
Oct. 26 -- Lowellville7:30