Lowellville's new coach will have Rockets throwing

In recent seasons, one team has stood a little above the rest. This year could break that trend.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Led by quarterback Mike Palumbo, halfback Andy Peterson and linemen Andrew Mamula and Ben Bestic, the Lowellville High football team (despite their Division VI size) dominated the Inter-County League last fall.
Although those four players have graduated from last year's unbeaten team and Coach John Protopapa has moved on to East Palestine, the Rockets (11-1 overall, 7-0 in the ICL) believe they can contend for this year's crown.
That's because a competitive ICL race is expected for the first time in years.
"The league is real balanced," said Cliff Jamieson, the Rockets assistant who was promoted to head coach. "South Range and Mineral Ridge have a lot of players coming back, Jackson-Milton has a great quarterback [Zack Nicholas] and you can never count out Springfield.
Assessment
"We were loaded last year and we'll miss last year's seniors, but I think we will contend," Jamieson said. "[But] we're going to have to be able to throw the ball more than last year."
South Range coach Dan Yeagley pointed out that in recent seasons, the ICL has had one team stand a little above the rest. This year could break that trend.
"We have several teams that can beat anybody else in any given week," said Yeagley whose Raiders (7-3 in 2002) have eight returning starters on offense and seven on defense. "Our league is a lot stronger so it's going to be tough for anyone to go unbeaten.
"Mineral Ridge has everyone back, so they are high on my poll for the league," Yeagley said. "Jackson-Milton has a nice quarterback, Springfield has good size and we think Lowellville is going to be good again."
A head coach for the first time, Jamieson has plenty of experience and knows how rare a perfect slate is.
"I've coached 23 years and last year was my first undefeated [regular] season," Jamieson said. "That shows you just how hard it is to go unbeaten. And we played a couple of games where the outcome could have gone either way."
Range's ace
Leading the Raiders on offense will be senior quarterback Ryan Maxwell who last fall rushed for 728 yards on 109 carries and scored six touchdowns.
Maxwell also passed for 749 yards by completing 57 of 112 tosses including six scores. Matt McGarvey and Matt Novak each caught eight of them.
Yeagley says a benefit of having a talented rushing quarterback is that "other teams have to spend extra time with their defensive preparations. He's really another running back in our backfield."
Yeagley said a concern for the Raiders is inexperience up front. Anchoring the offensive line will be senior center Dusty Pierce and senior guard Russell Dawson, who has recovered from a broken foot he suffered last fall.
With three ICL titles in his possession in his eight years in North Lima, Yeagley is familiar with being a preseason favorite. That pressure is nothing compared to community expectations.
"Being a coach at South Range has a added pressure all by itself because the people here expect to win [every year]," Yeagley said. "This year is no different."
Last year's Rockets dominated with the rushing attack of Peterson and Palumbo. Peterson's brother, Jeff, takes over the main backfield responsibility on this year's squad.
Experience factor
Jamieson says the Raiders and Rams have the league edge for experience.
"Mineral Ridge has [its] quarterback plus all of their receivers back," Jamieson said. "They had a good junior class last year. They like to throw the ball and anything can happen when you spread the field."
Two other ICL teams have new coaches: Western Reserve with former Chaney assistant Mike Kopachy and Mineral Ridge with Shawn Brown.
The Rams (6-4), however, have all 11 starters back on offense, including senior quarterback Chris Ault. Up front will be seniors Denver Goodman (guard), Mark Randes (guard), Mike Fisher (tackle) and Tom Desmond (center).
williams@vindy.com