EAST (Div. II)

EAST (Div. II)

Head Coach: Brian Shaner (first year at East, 22-19 in four years at Rayen)

Coaching Staff: Dennis Parise, Bill Burton, Gary Thornton, Nick Horvath, Andy Hake, Russ Hake, Ronald Lampkin, Dana Friendly, John Willingham, Darrel Harrison, Corey Mazel, Jimmy Davis.

Offensive/defensive Formations: Spread offense/3-5 defense

Outlook: The Tigers return 13 starters from last year’s team, which finished 7-3 and just missed making the playoffs. Shaner's challenge this year is integrating some new faces from the merger between Rayen and Wilson and overcoming the loss of several top players to graduation, including Cincinnati recruit Tomaz Hilton and Akron recruit Marquin Davis. Quarterback Sal Battles (who had 1,700 total yards and 23 TDs in 2006) and running back Gary Thornton (950 yards rushing, 10 TDs) lead the backfield, while three-year letter winners Jeff Purdie and Ray Catley are the main wideout threats. There’s lots of experience up front with seniors Maurice Smith, Charles Johnson and Luis Chariez (all two-year letter winners) returning. Maurice Harris and Ray Catley will help solidify a defense that returns six starters. Shaner was on the verge of the postseason the last three years at Rayen; will this be the year he makes the next step?

Returning Lettermen: West, Purdie, Battles, Williams, Thornton, Robinson, Clardy, Chiarrez, Harris, Johnson, McMillan, Hilton, Purdie, Catley.

Roster:

2-Sal Battles QB/DB SR 210 5-11

3-Gary Thornton RB/LB SR 190 5-9

4-Jamayle Roland WR/DB SR 180 6-0

5-Anthony Robinson RB/DB JR 170 5-11

6-Melvin McMillan RB/LB SR 175 5-7

7-Roncarlos Hilton WR/DB JR 175 6-0

7-Jeff Purdie WR/DB SR 175 6-0

9-Ray Catley RB/LB SR 180 5-8

10-Anthony West WR/DB SR 140 5-8

11-Tito Toles WR/LB SR 200 6-0

12-Darrick Ball WR/DB SR 145 5-6

13-Josh Purdie WR/DB SR 145 5-5

15-Maurice Kelley WR/DB JR 155 5-8

17-Anthony Fultz WR/DB SR 140 5-7

20-Mike Williams WR/LB SR 200 6-0

21-Brandon King WR/LB SR 160 5-10

22-Chauncey Higgs WR/DB SR 135 5-5

23-Mose Fleetion WR/LB SO 175 5-10

24-Ra'mond Sims WR/DB JR 135 5-8

25-Cory Clinkscale WR/DB SO 135 5-6

27-Chris West WR/DB JR 170 6-1

28-Hanibol Minor WR/DB SR 150 5-8

29-Dwan Dennis WR/DB SR 150 5-9

30-Jontae Belcher WR/LB SR 180 6-1

32-Brett Banks RB/LB SO 190 5-8

33-Jaron Greer RB/LB SO 170 5-8

34-Kendall Peterson RB/LB JR 175 5-7

50-Greg Clardy OL/LB SR 250 6-1

51-Luis Chiarrez OL/DL SR 255 6-3

53-Harold Schuler OL/DL SR 225 6-1

54-Maurice Harris OL/DL SR 285 6-5

59-Charles Johnson OL/DL SR 270 5-10

75-Dwaylin Green OL/DL SR 310 6-0

77-Aaron Straughter OL/DL SR 270 6-3

Schedule

Aug. 23 — at Canfield, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 — at Fitch, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 7 — Cleveland John Adams (at Fitch), 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14 — at Eastlake North, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 — Cleveland Heights (at Boardman), 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 — Akron East (at Fitch) 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5 — at Beaver Local, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 — Canton Central Catholic (at Mollenkopf Stadium), 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 — at Warren Harding, 7 p.m

Oct. 25 — Chaney (at YSU), 7 p.m.