YSU FOOTBALL Defense boasts strength, depth

The Penguins lost seven starters last year, but the cupboard is still not bare.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State lost seven defensive starters from last season's team, so coach Jon Heacock and his staff brought in 16 recruits to replace them.
Still, Heacock knew the cupboard was not bare.
All 11 starters listed on the fall depth chart have been at YSU for at least one season, most of them several years and waiting for an opportunity.
The Penguins lost all three defensive line starters in Guy Mazard, Matt Mechling and Martin Stachowicz. But backups Matt Briggs, Nate Baston and Steve Durbin have all stepped up this year to starting roles.
Durbin was moved from offense to defense in the spring and the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder added some pounds and strength in the middle. Baston, a 6-1, 265-pounder, and Briggs, a 6-4, 250-pounder, are both recuperating from injuries, but are expected to be ready before the season begins Aug. 28 against Edinboro University.
Dellarose gets fifth year
The Penguins also lost starting linebackers Jon Tekac and Russell Stuvaints, but they got a break when Justin Dellarose earned a fifth season.
Dellarose is also suffering from a hamstring injury, but will be back shortly. He's joined at linebacker by 6-1, 240-pound junior Yancey Marcum, 6-1, 204-pound sophomore Mike Andrews, and 6-1, 241-pound Brandon Brown.
The secondary is probably as strong.
Anthony Barone is the only starter who must be replaced. Senior Sherod Holmes, a pre-season All-Gateway Conference selection, returns, along with junior Mike Bracken, senior Waymann Peters and senior Scott Thiessen.
Holmes, a 5-8, 155-pound speedster, is a cornerback along with the 6-0, 190-pound Peters, who started seven games a year ago. Bracken, who was tied for the team lead in interceptions with Holmes with three, returns at strong safety, while Thiessen, the only non-starter, takes over Barone's spot at free safety.
"This is a very young group, but one that has worked very hard this spring and summer," said Heacock. "Hard work does pay off and these guys are proof of that."
New coaches added
The Penguins have also added two new faces on the defensive coaching staff.
Jerry Olsavsky, the former Chaney High, University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Steelers standout, has taken over the linebackers, while Ken Conatser, who spent 15 seasons as Jim Tressel's assistant, returned this spring to coach special teams and assist Terrell Williams with the defensive line.
While the starters are pretty much set for the Penguins defensively, there are still plenty of competition going on for the backup spots, which has always been a key to the YSU success.
The Penguins like to rotate players on defense, keeping fresh players in the game at all times.
A couple of defensive linemen who will play a lot include junior transfer Matt Porter of Yuba City Junior College and freshman Blake Halverson from Palm Harbor, Fla.
Other linebacker standouts are sophomore Joe Jubys, Justin Scholes and Ken Kraft, redshirt freshman Marty Hutchinson, junior Justin Martin and freshmen Dorian Chenault and Jeremiah Wright.
Others who will see action in the secondary are redshirt freshmen Jason Perry and Tyler Morton, juniors Jake Godec and Herb Jones, senior Steve Reynolds and freshman Bob Perez.
mollica@vindy.com