WESTMINSTER Youngstown players among PAC leaders

The Titans have 28 players from the Valley on their roster.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NEW WILMINGTON -- Several Youngstown-area players on the Westminster College football team are ranked high in Presidents' Athletic Conference statistical categories through Oct. 16.
The Titans (3-3, 1-1 PAC), who have 28 Youngstown-area players on the roster, are at Thiel today.
Brian Ekis, a senior wide receiver and Tony Ventresco, a senior defensive tackle and co-captain who are both from Boardman High, have been two of the standouts.
Ekis has caught 23 passes for 427 yards to rank third in receiving yards per game (71.2) and eighth in receptions per game (3.83).
Ventresco has made 43 tackles to rank ninth with 7.2 per game. He also is second in tackles for losses (10.0) and fourth in sacks (5).
George Malactaris, a freshman placekicker from Campbell Memorial, is 3-for-3 in field goals and 7-for-9 in extra point kicks to rank No. 1 in field goal percentage, third in field goals per game (0.60), fourth in kick scoring per game (3.2 points) and sixth in extra-point kicking percentage (77.8).
Dusty Rhodes, a freshman punter from Niles, is averaging 29.5 yards in 31 punts to rank No. 5.
Waldron also keys defense
Don Waldron, a senior defensive end from Cortland, has bolstered the Titans' defense with 33 tackles to tie for 24th place in the PAC with 5.5 per game. He also is second in sacks (6) and fourth in tackles for losses (8.5).
Two Cardinal Mooney graduates -- Mike Kohowski and Matt Hanhold -- also have reinforced Westminster's defense. Kohowski, a senior outside linebacker, has 25 tackles to tie for 38th with 4.2 per game. He also is ninth in tackles for losses (6.5). Hanhold, a junior defensive lineman, has 22 tackles to tie for 48th with 3.7 per game. He also is third in fumbles forced (3).
Offensive starters on the depth chart are Ekis, Malactaris, Phil Frye, senior left tackle from Mineral Ridge; Brad Hochendoner, senior left guard, Ursuline; Sean Diefenderfer, senior right tackle, Austintown Fitch; Josh Bero, junior tight end, Poland; Pete Sparks, freshman wide receiver, Warren Harding, and kicker Dave Colella, freshman, New Castle.
Defensive starters on the depth chart are Waldron, Ventresco, Hanhold, Kohowski and Rhodes.
Several of Westminster's assistant coaches also have area ties. Helping coach Jerry Schmitt are Don Augustine (Cardinal Mooney) Jams Chaney (Hubbard), Tim Widdowfield (Mohawk), Pat Cuba (New Castle), Len Rich (New Castle) and Chris DiMauro (Youngstown State).
kovach@vindy.com