DIVISION V FOOTBALL South Range at its best heading against Dalton

The Raiders have been in playoff mode since losing to Mineral Ridge.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NORTH LIMA -- If you play the common opponent game -- and let's be honest, everyone does -- you might look at Dalton and say, "Well, Dalton beat Mineral Ridge last week, and Mineral Ridge beat South Range, so that must mean Dalton will beat South Range this week."
There's just one problem.
"Ridge was really banged up last week," said Raiders coach Dan Yeagley. "They didn't have Micah [Hall], they were missing another lineman and another lineman was in his first week back."
So?
"I really believe Ridge is the superior team," he said. "Ridge is a great team and [Ridge] coach [Shawn] Brown even said they played good enough to win and didn't win."
That doesn't mean Dalton isn't a good team. And it doesn't mean the Raiders will win. But they could.
Must convince team
As Yeagley knows, you've got to convince your team that it can win before it can win.
And this might be one way to do it.
"That loss to Mineral Ridge was a wake-up call for us," said senior quarterback-defensive back John Less. "We've been working a lot harder since then."
The Raiders (10-1) have basically been playing playoff games since that loss to the Rams in their eighth game, realizing they had to win out to make it into the postseason.
After routing Western Reserve 45-7, South Range beat Springfield (34-10) and Rootstown (27-21) to set up Saturday's Division V regional semifinal at Canton Central Catholic's Lowell Klinefelter Field.
"We've been playing our best football since that loss," Yeagley said. "Everyone's been hungry."
Raiders healthy
And healthy. Unlike many teams, the Raiders aren't missing any players because of injury and they're actually healthier than they've been at any point this year.
"At this point, you've either got to have good depth or good luck," Yeagley said.
Senior running backs Ben Johnston (219 carries, 1,215 yards, 18 TDs) and Tony Darkadakis (61 carries, 458 yards) get most of the attention, but junior Matt Schlatter (65 carries, 648 yards) has seen more time lately. Schlatter had 11 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns against Rootstown.
"To win, we've got to get our run game going, because that opens up the play-action pass," said Less, "and it's really important for our line to come ready."
Less, who occasionally splits time with junior Mike Leskosky, has completed 52-of-113 passes for 833 yards, seven TDs and four interceptions. He's added 189 yards on the ground. He also plays safety on defense and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Less was also a starter on defense last year when the Raiders lost to Warren JFK in the regional semifinals.
"Every team is good at this stage, so you've always got to be ready to play," Less said. "Every game could be your last."
In his 10 years, Yeagley has led South Range to seven of its eight playoff appearances in school history, compiling an 85-25 record.
"He knows what it takes to win at this level," Less said of Yeagley. "Our goal at the beginning of the year was to make it past regionals and then make it to the state championship.
"This is the next step."
It's not an easy one. On offense, the Bulldogs (9-2) look to establish their run first behind running backs Shawn Gerber and Ryan Sullivan. Quarterback Jason Koontz is a threat to run or throw.
When Dalton is on defense, well, good luck. The Bulldogs are giving up less than nine points per game.
"That's the main part of their team -- their defense," said Yeagley. "Their defense is very good and they're a very well-coached team. Coach [Bob] Ramsay has done a super job."
So has Yeagley. The Raiders have just nine seniors on the roster and South Range's coaching staff has done a good job developing the younger players throughout the season.
And the postseason.
"When you get into the playoffs, the atmosphere and the excitement just turn up a notch," Yeagley said. "It's hard to describe. The players work harder. The community supports you just a little more.
"We're thrilled to be a part of it."