YSU FOOTBALL

YSU FOOTBALL

Don’t count YSU
out of playoffs yet

Fanfare:

Don’t count YSU out. Although it may seem improbable, YSU still controls its own destiny and like Kelly Pavlik, is down but not out.

In previous years, YSU missed the playoffs with an 8-3 record due to several lower ranked teams winning their respective league championships and receiving the automatic berth with the higher ranked teams in their conferences also being invited. Also, several weaker conferences that do not have automatic berths had teams with excellent records who received bids. This year, these events look unlikely.

The third place finisher in the Gateway should get in. Thus, the winner of the YSU vs. Western Illinois game could be the determining factor.

Come out and cheer on YSU to beat Western Illinois for our chance at the playoffs. Kelly did it, so can YSU.

Tim Dove

Canfield

Time for a change
with football program

Fanfare:

We all know that after the great success Jim Tressel had at YSU that it would be hard for anyone to be as successful as he was.

But that being said, does Jon Heacock, after his now six or seven years at YSU can he even remotely be considered a success or even competent to be running the show at this once proud program?

I have been following his recruiting process the last couple of years and it seems we’re losing the recruits that Tressel seemed to pull in every year. I know a lot of this problem stems from Heacock’s record but we should still be able to pull in some talented athletes.

Also looking in on the coaching staff it seems they could do better with their offensive and defensive coordinators. All year long this season it seemed like the offense would start clicking then a completely wrong play for the situation was called, then the defense would start clicking and the wrong coverage would be called. It was most evident in the Northern Iowa game going into the fourth quarter, when most teams know how to put their opponent away, YSU looked like they were just trying to survive, that they were hoping either they wouldn’t make a mistake, ( which they made several) or Northern Iowa wouldn’t start to make plays ( again which they made several ).

It seems like YSU and the entire football sports program should start over. First by forgetting about playing these Division I programs. Yes, the money’s good, but in the long run they are a struggling Division I-AA progam and have no business playing out of their division.

 Maybe if they played another  I-AA opponent  and drop the other two small schools they play they could help themselves when they screw up a game like Northern Iowa.

Maybe they could concentrate more on the fundamentals of tackling and running plays then thinking about going down to Columbus and getting stomped on. But more importantly maybe the athletic director down there should look for a more qualified head coach and staff.

John Mirto

Hubbard

BOARDMAN YOUTH

John Ryan’s leadership
makes league a success

Fanfare:

BOARDMAN — A special thanks should go out once again this year to Mr. John Ryan, former Boardman and Pitt football standout, for another fine job in coordinating this years Boardman Youth Flag Football League.

John has developed this league over the past few years from a hand full of teams to at least 22 this year.

These kids ranging from first graders to some seventh graders compete within their age groups and make no mistake about it they enthusiastic, competitive and most of all have fun.

Kids who are not ready for contact football or have no desire for it really do learn good fundamentals of the game. They learn team work and learn a multitude of organized plays. Also the coaches of these players need a thank you for the time that is devoted to this program.

For those parents who would like to see their child possible try out some flag football in the future the Boardman Youth Flag Football League is the way to go. Surely there are some kids out there that will be looking to the future and hopefully some day playing some varsity football.

Again, all should applaud the time and energy that John Ryan has provided and for doing such a great job for the youth of the Boardman area.

Bill Savage

Boardman