S. Range reloads for 5-0 launch

Key league games with McDonald, Springfield and Mineral Ridge loom.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
After going undefeated in the regular season last year, the South Range High football team lost 12 players to graduation and had just nine seniors returning.
Many wondered if the Raiders were looking at a rebuilding year.
Guess not.
"We had both our running backs coming back in Ben Johnston and Tony Darkadakis and we had a young offensive line that has really come together," South Range coach Dan Yeagley said. "We've got good senior leadership, the defense has been playing well and we've really come together as a team.
"We've been fortunate in that we've played really well the last couple games."
No kidding.
Over the past three weeks, the South Range High football team has outscored its opponents 151-6. Throw in an opening win over East Palestine and a big 28-21 win over Tri-County League power Crestview, and the Raiders (5-0, 1-0) are right where they want to be heading into the heart of their schedule.
Leadership experience
"Well, it all comes down to players," Yeagley said. "We've had great players year in and year out and we've had great senior leadership every year. They teach each other what it takes to win."
And they get a little help from the Raiders' veteran coaching staff.
"It's one of the best around," Yeagley said. "They've all been with me awhile and we don't have to coach our coaches. We all have faith in each other and it comes down to kids teaching each other and building tradition from one year to the next."
Although the Raiders went to the playoffs in six of Yeagley's first nine years, he's only won back-to-back league titles once -- in 1996-97.
They have five league games ahead -- four of them on the road -- starting at McDonald (4-1, 1-0) on Friday. Both McDonald and South Range still have to play league powers Springfield and Mineral Ridge.
"I've got a lot of respect for their program," Yeagley said of McDonald. "They do things the right way. Tyler Stanley is a great running back and he's one of many weapons on their team.
"I know it's going to be a tough battle and a good game."
Key contest
Undefeated Fitch (5-0, 2-0) will be tested again on Friday when it plays host to Massillon Jackson (4-1, 1-1) in a key Federal League game. This is the sixth-straight year the teams have played, with Jackson winning four of five.
"This is going to be probably our biggest home game in 10 or 12 years," Fitch coach Neal Kopp said. "They're a little like us in that they like to run the ball, but they do it out of a spread formation."
The Falcons, who are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 1992, lost to the Polar Bears 30-27 in double overtime last year.
"It's important for us to continue to prepare and not get caught up in all the hype," said Kopp.
Rebounding
Warren Harding will travel to play Ursuline at Stambaugh Stadium on Friday, looking to wrap up its fourth straight outright Steel Valley Conference title.
No team has ever won four straight outright SVC titles. Mooney won five of six outright from 1976-81, sharing the title with Warren Western Reserve in 1979.
The Raiders are coming off a 45-12 loss to Lakewood St. Edward. It was their first home loss since falling to Cincinnati Moeller 42-0 in the 2000 season.
"It's not something we're used to," Harding coach Thom McDaniels said of the loss. "We're going to call upon the good experiences we've had in the last 4 1/2 years and we're going to handle it like men."
Talk about good experiences. The Rayen School is 4-1 at the midpoint of the season after defeating Canton Timken in the City Series opener. The Tigers go back on the road this week against East Liverpool.
"Every year I've been here, I've seen the kids buy into our system," Rayen coach Brian Shaner said. "They get better every year with more discipline."