Finally, YSU gets to play
Slippery Rock brings a veteran team to Stambaugh Stadium Thursday night.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock knows he has a pretty good football team this season.
But up to now the only team the Penguins have gone up against is themselves.
Thursday night YSU will open the 2006 season at 7:30 p.m. against Slippery Rock at Stambaugh Stadium.
"You feel pretty good about this group, but you still worry about where you are because you haven't played anybody but yourself," Heacock said Tuesday at the first press conference of the season at the DeBartolo Stadium Club.
"We have a lot of veteran players back and a lot of players who have played in a lot of games," he added. "We're excited about the opportunities, but we have allow ourselves to play it one game at a time."
The Penguins come into the game relatively healthy, with only one starter definitely out.
Senior fullback Regis Edgerson will miss the contest with a leg injury and sophomore Ben Lane, a Hubbard native, will start in his place.
Ison could play
Last year's starting fullback, Demetrius Ison, who missed all of the spring practice because of disciplinary action, has "paid his punishment" according to Heacock and will be available for action.
"Deke will probably be the third fullback to see action Thursday night," Heacock said.
Senior Josh Cayson, who has moved from tailback to wide receiver this year, also will not play Thursday because of an injury.
Junior quarterback Tom Zetts, who will begin his this season as the team's starter, will guide the offense, behind a veteran offensive line led by all-conference center Ryan Jewell of Warren, who was also named a team captain.
Zetts will have a pair of veteran tailbacks behind him in seniors Marcus Mason and Monquantae Gibson, who combined for over 1,500 yards a year ago.
The defense is solid at linebacker and the secondary, while the front line has some holes to fill.
Sophomore Mychal Savage returns at one line spot where he earned preseason All-Gateway honors, while senior Jim Phelan and junior Greg Jacobs will man the other two line spots.
The linebackers are led by senior Jeremiah Wright, while senior Jason Perry will head up the secondary at a cornerback spot. Both were also named captains last week.
Special teams will be key
Special teams will also play an important role again for the Penguins, who have veterans returning at both punter and placekicker.
Senior Joe Bishop was named the Gateway's preseason punter of the year and in three seasons has averaged 38.7 yards per punt. He will also handle the kickoff duties.
Sophomore placekicker Brian Palmer is coming off of a season where he made 7-of-12 field goals and was 39-of-41 on extra points.
Redshirt freshman Todd Rowan, a backup quarterback who is not expected to play in the opener with some minor injuries, will still be the holder on placement kicks.
Sophomore linebacker Mike Barlak will be both the short and long snapper.
"We are going to try and use as many young kids as we can on special teams to try and keep fresh players in the game," Heacock said.
Heacock said he is always impressed by the play of Slippery Rock.
"They are always well-coached and I don't think I've ever seen them with as many returning starters as they have this year," Heacock said.
"I know they'll come in here ready to play and we're going to have our work cut out for ourselves," he added.
mollica@vindy.com