YSU FOOTBALL Penguins' captains ready to lead way

Seniors Yancey Marcum and Mike Bracken set the pace on and off the field.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Yancey Marcum and Mike Bracken have their work cut out this season as captains of the Youngstown State football team.
Marcum and Bracken were the choice of their teammates when the team voted this past Sunday. The other two captains positions will be rotated each game this season between the other 13 seniors.
"When you're elected captain by a vote of your peers it's a great honor for those two and it's always been a vote of the players to decide the captains," said coach Jon Heacock said.
"As far as what is expected of all them, well they're all going to have to shoulder the load," he said. "The thing about this group is that you can't pick out one and say he's just a senior because they are all leaders on this team."
A little surprised
Marcum, the 6-1, 250 pound linebacker from Nicholasville, Ky., was a little surprised, but proud to be a captain.
"It's a great honor," he said. "I was a little bit surprised because I've been hurt most of the fall practice, but it was a pleasant surprise."
Marcum, who started all 12 games last season and led the team in total tackles with 114, injured himself during summer conditioning when he tore his pectoral muscle while bench pressing in the weight room.
He hasn't seen much contact yet this fall, but he says he'll be ready for the season.
"I expect to be playing," he added. "I worked out good yesterday. There was some pain, but I've just got to play through it."
Marcum said that key to this year's team will be to continue the things they've been doing all fall.
Play with emotion
"We've just got to keep working hard and doing what we've been doing. We've got to play with as much emotion as we can get."
Bracken, the 6-0, 210 pound strong safety from Imperial, Pa., has played in every game for the Penguins since his freshman year and has started every game the past two seasons.
Last year he was tied for second on the team in tackles with 86 and led the team in tackles for losses with 10, while also recovering two fumbles and had four pass breakups.
"This is a great honor," Bracken said. "There is no feeling like the one that comes when your name is called out there."
Bracken said he and Yancey must continue to lead if the Penguins are to get back in the playoff hunt.
Lead by example
"We've got to be leaders out on the field and not just by word of mouth," he said. "We've got to lead by example and show the younger kids what we have to do."
The other 13 seniors will rotate in the other two positions, with at least one offensive senior manning one of the positions each week.
"I think it will be a great asset to this team," Heacock said. "I'm sure there isn't one senior out there who doesn't want to be a captain and I know they are all great leaders."
The Penguins worked out in full pads on Tuesday and were a little thin at the tailback position.
Junior Josh Cayson was the only tailback to take part in the drills as both sophomore transfers Monquantae Gibson and Regis Edgerson spent the session on the stationary bikes on the field. Both have minor injuries and are on a day-to-day basis.