Penguins still seek tailback to step up for offense

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — With the season opener now less than a week away, Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock still has some questions to be answered.

The Penguins will open the football season Saturday against nationally-ranked Ohio State at noon in Columbus.

Probably the biggest question mark that Heacock has is at tailback, where he hasn’t had a player really step forward and take over the role during fall camp.

Youngstown State lost its top three running backs to graduation in All-American Marcus Mason, standout Monquantae Gibson and No. 3 back Justin Reams.

The Penguins redshirted sophomore Jabari Scott a year ago with the hopes that he would step in an take over the starting role.

Scott, a 5-foot-10, 191-pound redshirt sophomore from San Antonio, Tex., has looked good at times during camp, but hasn’t pulled away from junior Brandon Nicholson (5-7, 200) from Springfield Kenton Ridge.

Smith has been injured

Possibly the most talented running back in camp is junior college transfer Kevin Smith from LaMesa, Calif., but he’s been battling injuries most of the camp and hasn’t had much playing time.

Heacock feels confident that Scott or Nicholson can handle the job, and he does have senior Tim Dewberry, a 6-0, 205-pound performer from Canfield, who has looked good at times this fall, and redshirt freshman Jordan Edwards, a 6-0, 195 pounder from Sandusky.

Whoever gets the start Saturday will be surrounded by experience in the backfield led by senior quarterback and fourth-year starter Tom Zetts. The fullback is junior Ben Lane, a 5-10, 260 pound bruiser from Hubbard, who started most of the games a year ago.

The offensive line has been revamped as only senior guard Josh Tanner (6-2, 305) and junior guard Brad Samsa (6-3, 280) are returning starters.

A third starter, senior tackle Tyler Booth (6-6, 300), has been cleared to play following offseason knee surgery, but probably won’t be ready for the opener.

The other starters on the line will include sophomore center Brian Mellott (6-3, 281 from Austintown), who was moved from the defensive line in the spring. He’ll be joined by senior tackle Matt Kishman (6-3, 280) and junior tackle Nhemie Theodore (6-3, 290), but neither have a lot of game experience.

Strength at tight end

The Penguins do have strength at tight end, led by 6-5, 255 senior Louis Irizarry and 6-4, 265 junior Derrick Bush. Bush has been banged up lately and his playing time is questionable for the opener.

The receiving group is led by senior Rory Berry (6-1, 185) the team’s second leading receiver last year, along with junior Da’Michael Horne (5-11, 180). Junior transfer Ferlando Williams is also expected to see considerable action at a wide spot, but he has recently been named the team’s backup quarterback which could limit his receivers time in the opener.

Williams was moved to quarterback in the last two weeks after sophomore backup Todd Rowan suffered a stress fracture on his shin. Rowan, who missed all of last season with a similar injury, will still be available to hold for placement kicks.

Defensively the Penguins appear a lot more sound, especially at linebacker and the line.

They will return three starters at linebacker in senior All-Gateway Conference James Terry (6-2, 230), senior Jeremiah Wright (5-10, 215) and senior Rashod Cotton (6-2, 235).

Cotton has a hand injury which could limit his playing time, while sophomore Rashon Simons (6-1, 223) is ready to fill in if needed.

Front-line leaders

The front line is led by All-Gateway Conference tackle Mychal Savage (6-2, 290) along with senior Blake Halverson (6-3, 240) and senior Greg Jacobs (6-3, 270).

Two other defensive line hopefuls, senior Miles Banford (6-2, 237) and redshirt freshman Chris Gammon (6-3, 278) are battling injuries and are questionable for the opener.

The secondary is sound at safety with three players with loads of experience. Senior Bob Perez (6-0, 210), senior Vince Gliatta (6-1, 210) and senior Dorian Chenault (6-1, 200) all have plenty of game experience.

Two newcomers will handle to cornerbacks spots left vacant by graduated All-Gateway Conference standouts Jason Perry and Codera Jackson.

Sophomore Lenny Wicks (5-9, 183) and junior Jarvis Richards (5-11, 195) lead the way, while junior transfer De’Angelo Wilson (5-10, 185) will also see plenty of action.

Kicking, punting games

The kicking game still has Heacock with some decisions to make, especially at placekicker where he hasn’t decided between junior Brian Palmer and redshirt freshman Stephen Blose.

Palmer has the experience as he’s been the Penguins kicker for the past two seasons.

Punting duties will probably fall to junior transfer Ben Nowicki, while freshman Erik Johnson of Boardman is an able backup.

Wilson, Horne and Wicks are all expected to be the Penguins specialists on punt and kick returns.

mollica@vindy.com