YSU FOOTBALL Elon game could be final at home for 21

Youngstown State's seniors have a lot riding on this week's game.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State will entertain Elon University Saturday at 1 p.m. in the final regular season home game for 21 seniors.
The Penguins (7-2, 5-2 Gateway Conference) are in a must-win situation for the remainder of the season. YSU can finish no better than a tie for second place in the conference.
They have a Nov. 24 date at Marshall. If the Penguins win both remaining games they will probably play at home in the opening round of the I-AA playoffs.
A win against Elon (2-8) this week is a must. A loss to Marshall would put the Penguins at 8-3 and on the bubble for a playoff berth and almost certainly on the road if it happens.
So the 21 YSU seniors have a lot riding on this week's game against the Phoenix.
Breakdown: Thirteen of those seniors are starters and seven of the other eight have all contributed to the team's success.
Only offensive lineman Dave Hong, who has been injured all season, has not played this year.
Leading this senior class is four-year starter and co-captain Jeff Ryan, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback from Boardman. Ryan has started 40 of 47 games since his freshman season.
The other four captains are linebacker Bob Sivik, center David Tesniarz and defensive backs Bruce Hightower and LeVar Greene.
The other senior starters are wide receivers Sean Guerriero of Poland and Eugene Mintze, fullback Jerry Johnson, defensive back Antulio Aroche, offensive linemen Lavelle Hawkes, Ryan Smith and Pat Crummey and linebacker Mike Thomas.
Also playing key roles this year are defensive backs Charles Mister, Andre Coleman and Carlos Pearson, defensive lineman Todd Blackwell, linebacker Marcus Green, wide receiver Steve Valley and fullback Greg Giannios.
"Our seniors have provided great leadership for this team all season long," said coach Jon Heacock. "We also expect all of them to really step up these next two weeks if we are to continue beyond the regular season."
Beside Hong, Greene is the only senior still questionable for Saturday's contest. He didn't play against Southern Illinois because of a shoulder injury.
All of the seniors and their parents will be introduced prior to Saturday's kickoff against the Phoenix.
mollica@vindy.com