FEDERAL LEAGUE Fitch, Spartans won't compete for league title

Because of a schedule logjam the two teams don't play everybody this season.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Boardman and Austintown Fitch are stuck in league limbo.
Due to a scheduling logjam, the two teams will join the Federal League in every sport this season except one -- football.
No league means no league title.
But it doesn't mean no motivation.
"We can't win a league crown, but we can send a message," Fitch coach Neal Kopp said. "More than anything else, we're looking to win."
Fitch will play every Federal League school except Canton McKinley and Uniontown Lake. Boardman plays every team but McKinley and Massillon Perry.
"It's going to be a tough situation if you're not winning," Boardman coach Garry Smith said. "If you're winning, you have a state playoff berth at stake, but if you're losing there's nothing to shoot for. That's the hardest part."
Building rivalries
Both teams also play Cardinal Mooney and Warren Harding this season, which will allow them to maintain a few local rivalries.
"The Federal League will be a hard-hitting league, but there's still no substitute for the local rivalries," Kopp said.
"The rivalries [in the Federal] will develop, but it's going to take time."
Smith agreed.
"Familiarity breeds rivalries," Smith said. "We don't know much about most of those teams. But we still have Harding and Mooney and Fitch will always be Fitch. I think those games are the ones that will carry us through."
Boardman and Fitch will play a full Federal League football slate in 2004. And while neither can win a league title this season, the players can still earn all-league honors.
The biggest adjustment may be in travel.
Most of the Federal League schools are more than an hour away, which, combined with a full day of classes, makes for a long Friday.
"The game might not start until 7:30, but we could be leaving at 2:30 or 3," Kopp said. "Most of the kids aren't used to that."
Tough schedules
Fitch has an edge in that respect. The Falcons play seven home games and only two of their away games are in Stark County: Massillon Jackson and Massillon Perry.
"We're excited about that," Kopp said. "Traditionally, we've played very well at home.
"The biggest thing about the Federal League is that any school can beat any other school. The best teams are gonna be the ones who can win on the road."
Boardman's schedule is more difficult. The Spartans play five away games -- all out of the county -- and start the season with back-to-back road games against Uniontown Lake and Cleveland St. Ignatius.
"Our kids always get up for Ignatius," Smith said.
"That's become a good rivalry, especially because of the name recognition. But we don't know anything about Lake or GlenOak. It's going to take some time to develop those rivalries."
Until that happens, both coaches will preach patience and positive thinking.
"It hasn't really caused any resentment among the players or the coaches," Kopp said. "The kids are fully aware of the situation. It's a tougher challenge, but we're staying upbeat."
scalzo@vindy.com