HIGH SCHOOL Football coaches optimistic about 2004 season

Ursuline expects to show off fine team speed.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Although practice doesn't officially start until Aug. 9, 23 area football coaches already are excited about the coming season.
They spoke about their teams prospects Sunday at the WFMJ Channel 21/Arby's Coaches Huddle Sunday at the DeBartolo Stadium Club at Youngstown State University.
Chaney High coach Ron Berdis says the number of players that will be out this year are in the low 40s, and that's low.
Berdis said Chaney has some good linemen coming back, but on defense, there will be a new secondary.
"Our schedule will be difficult," Berdis said. "I don't see any one opponent where we can say we'll win that game.
"Our numbers in the ninth grade are low, and that concerns us," Berdis said. "We need to get more freshmen to come out."
Wilson High's new coach is Brian Marrow and the Redmen have just two seniors.
"We are working with 40 kids," Marrow said. "Because of last year's 0-10 record, it's been a struggle trying to change the team's losing attitude."
Fitch coach Neal Kopp said, "Two years in a row, we've knocked on the playoff door only to lose to Warren Harding in week 10 of the season.
"We have more kids coming back up front on the line, so we need to go from where we were last year and add to that," Kopp said
Dan Reardon, Ursuline's new coach, said, "We have a group of kids, 17 lettermen, who are full-effort guys."
Reardon said the Irish will have four veterans back on each side of the ball and that he has a good senior class and good team speed.
In the Tri-County League, Art Altomare (32 years coaching) says his kids and the community are excited because Leetonia High will be celebrating its 100th year of football.
The Bears also will be playing in Leetonia's new stadium, when they host Sebring on Sept. 18.
Leetonia has 17 lettermen coming back, five on offense and five defense.
Coach Joe Lee's hard-working preparation is starting to make a lot of steps toward improving the program at Sebring High.
"We have a lot of kids coming back with two-three years of experience and hope to better then last year's 1-9 record," Lee said.
Jeff Whitaker, Liberty's coach, said, "We'll be young this year, but we have some quality skilled athletes back."
"We play in the strong TAC [Trumbull Athletic Conference] where every week is a tough game."
Struthers coach Pete Pirone Jr. says the numbers are up with 52 out for the team, including 14 lettermen. Two are starting linemen and five are defensive starters.
Doug Phillips of Salem (5-5) said the Quakers had six last-play games were they went 2-4 last season.
"We hope we can play 48 minutes every game this year and do the little things right," Phillips said.
Dan Yeagley, South Range's coach, said, "We have 10 seniors back, six offense and four defense that are working hard conditioning this month."
Springfield coach John Smith said he was disappointed with last season's 6-4 record.
"We have 18 seniors on the team, including state shot put/discus champion Nick Panezich, who will do the kicking for us," Smith said.
He has eight offensive and seven defensive starters back and hopes the experience pans out, so the Tigers can contend for the Inter-County League title.
Alan Mikovich of Jackson-Milton said, "We'll try to compete with 10 seniors who have a lot of experience at the skilled positions and hope that carries us through the season."