Banner season for ICL champs

South Range finished unbeaten with a 35-6 win over Lowellville.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LOWELLVILLE -- As 55 years of history drew to a close, the South Range High football team, fresh off Friday's 35-6 victory over Lowellville, gathered behind a big banner that read "2005 ICL Champs: The End of an Era."
After a few photos, a photographer asked for just the seniors to pose. Meanwhile, Raiders coach Dan Yeagley stood off to the side, unable to suppress a smile, realizing that the reason his team was able to win the final Inter-County League title in history was standing right in front of him.
"That's one of the reasons," he said, pointing to the seniors. "We've got a great group of seniors and they've been dedicated since last season to do whatever was necessary to get this done."
But Yeagley wasn't done.
"Another reason is my super coaching staff," he said. "They do an awesome job of working hard to prepare us for every game."
He still wasn't done.
"And we've got great fans," he said. "And a great school system that supports us."
High times
In case you didn't catch it, things are pretty great for South Range right now, as the Raiders (10-0, 7-0) polished off their perfect season by outscoring the Rockets 28-0 in the second half. With the win, the Raiders, who entered the game second in the Division V, Region 17 computer ratings, likely locked up a first round home playoff game.
"It's a great feeling," said senior running back Kris Davis. "We've wanted this since week one."
Davis, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound fullback who also plays linebacker, was a big reason for South Range's success on Friday, running 18 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. Most of the runs weren't pretty -- picture a bowling ball knocking down pins and you'll get the idea -- but Davis got the job done.
"He's like a bull in a china shop," said Yeagley.
"I just try to get one or two yards at a time," Davis added, smiling. "Sometimes in the open field, I run into people. I even run into my own players a lot."
Senior running back Matt Schlatter added seven carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns -- both coming on quick pitches to the sideline -- as South Range rolled up 161 yards on the ground.
Senior quarterback Mike Leskosky completed 8-of-14 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, but refused to take credit for the victory.
After all, there was plenty of praise to go around.
"First, the line just gave us great blocking all night," Leskosky said. "I had a lot of time to pass and when the running game's working, it's tough to stop. Either way, it was a total team effort."
Senior leadership
South Range leans heavily on its 18 seniors, many of whom were key players on last year's team, which went 9-1, finished second in the league to Mineral Ridge and advanced to the playoffs.
"There's a lot of team unity," Leskosky said.
And there's a lot of talent. Yeagley, who will make his eighth playoff appearance since 1996, doesn't like to compare teams, but it's clear he's enjoyed coaching this one.
"Each team does different things well," he said. "The thing about this team is, they fight hard together. You're not going to beat one guy, you'll have to beat all 11. Heck, all 68."
Senior tailback Lucas Gonzalez led the Rockets (5-5, 4-3) with 20 carries for 59 yards, finishing the season with more than 1,200 yards rushing. Sophomore quarterback Dave Minnie was 7-of-10 for 79 yards, a 1-yard rushing touchdown and three interceptions.
Following the game, the Raiders lingered at midfield with dozens of fans, enjoying the moment.
It wouldn't last. When asked what they would do to celebrate, Davis shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
"Probably watch film tomorrow," he said. "That's about it."
scalzo@vindy.com