Prep Preview: Football

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 CHANEY vs. FITCH When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Where: Fitch Falcon Stadium TV/Radio: Fox 17-62 (tape delay); WKBN-AM (570) Scouting report: The teams have split their past six meetings, but the Falcons haven't lost since Neal Kopp became coach in 2003. The Falcons return eight starters on defense, including three in the secondary: Safety Doug Hurdley, Brian Weidenthal and cornerback Keane Boyd. Five of seven returnees in the front are: Defensive ends Donnie Olson and Brett Gabrick; tackles Josh Smail and Shane Price, and LB J.J. Pankewicz. The five back on offense are TE Olson and Gregg McGlynn, guard Matt Kudy, tackle Smail and FB Pankewicz, who gained 791 yards rushing and nine TDs on 132 carries. QB Josh Stockman, a junior, will be making his first varsity start. Chaney returns 13 starters — seven on offense — from a team that finished 5-4. QB Vick Toney (5-10, 175) and a talented and experienced group of RBs (Terrelle Tomlin, Torrey Johnson, Lou Franklin, Ed Franklin and Joe Morales are all seniors) will be the focal point of the attack. HOWLAND at ASHTABULA LAKESIDE Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Lakeside High School. Last meeting: Lakeside won 20-14 in OT last season. Notebook: Lakeside pulled off the upset in the first week last year. It was a rough start to a disappointing 4-6 season for Howland and there's no question the Tigers will want to reverse that result. Senior tailback Bob Mangiarelli is one of four tailbacks that could see time this season, helping replace the loss of Lance Smith (Wisconsin) to graduation. The Tigers, who have 27 returning lettermen, return three starters on the offensive line. The defense is young and must develop quickly, especially after losing the whole secondary to graduation. Lakeside, which has a new stadium, lost standout WR Nick Presciano for at least half the season with a broken fibula. That will put more pressure on RB Jamarro Spikes to carry the load in the Lakeside offense. LISBON at LEETONIA Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Leetonia High School Radio: WSOM-AM 600 Last meeting: Lisbon won the "Spaghetti Bowl" 33-14 last season. Notebook: Led by standout LB/TE Vince Brown (Northwestern recruit) and QB Steve Tsilimos Lisbon looks to be one of the top teams in the ITCL. The big concern is developing an offensive line. If the Blue Devils can do that, a league title and a playoff berth aren't out of the question. Leetonia also has good talent at the skill positions with QB Corey Raushenbach, FB Jon Williams (696 yards rushing) and RB Jake Kruegel (538 yards rushing). Speed is also a strength, but like Lisbon, the Bears need to develop a good line. LABRAE at CRESTVIEW Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Crestview High School Last meeting: Crestview won 37-7 last season. Notebook: After two straight playoff appearances, Crestview lost many of its top players to graduation but returns 10 starters for this year's team, led by three-year lettermen Shayn Danks (team-high 98 tackles last season), Zech Parker (508 yards receiving) and Coty Bilsky (88 tackles). The Vikings have 15 returning starters and should be strong in the trenches. They must find a replacement for QB Dan Hartman and WR Kyle Rowan, among others, but LaBrae could be a league contender if the pieces fall into place. LOWELLVILLE at MINERAL RIDGE Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Mineral Ridge High School Last meeting: Mineral Ridge won 21-6 last season. Notebook: The Rams lost a lot to graduation, especially key skill position players John Hack, Micah Hall and Vance Keirsey. With just five returning starters and a new coach (Dominic Leone), they'll be hard-pressed to repeat their success of the past two years. Lowellville, meanwhile, looks to be a league-title contender. Running back Jon Calderone, a three-year letterwinner, has gained 1,000 yards in his career and will look to replace the production of all-Ohioan Lucas Gonzalez. But with just six seniors, the Rockets will need to grow up quickly.