Penguins’ 19 seniors in final game on Saturday

Youngstown State will play host to Western Illinois in a 1 p.m. kickoff.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Saturday will mark the final time that Youngstown State’s 19 football seniors will take the field in their college careers. Nobody hates to see it happen any more than coach Jon Heacock.

Heacock always has been devoted to his senior players.

“Everything we do is based on the needs of our senior players,” Heacock said.

Saturday, the Penguins (6-4, 2-3 Gateway) will close out their 2007 season when they play host to Western Illinois (6-4, 3-2) with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Penguins still have a lot to play for against the Leathernecks, but first and foremost it will be the final game for the senior class.

Of the group of 19, 12 of them started school together in August 2003: Rory Berry, Dorian Chenault, Tim Dewberry, Leon Edwards Blake Halverson, Dustin Helle, Matt Kishman, Tony Lawrence, Joe Nicholson, Bob Perez, Jeremiah Wright and Tom Zetts.

Vince Gliatta came aboard in January 2004 while James Terry and Josh Tanner, who never redshirted, came to the Penguins later that year.

Myles Banford and Rashod Cotton joined the program from the junior college ranks last year while Louis Irizarry and Maurice Smith transferred in January 2005.

That group has posted a 25-10 record the past three years, winning Gateway Conference championships in 2005 and 2006 and posting two playoff wins a year ago.

“Every thing that this group does this week will be for the final time as a Penguin,” Heacock said. “On Friday, they get their final hits and take their final lap, then Saturday morning they will have their pregame meal with their parents here on campus.”

“Every group that I’ve had has been different,” Heacock said. “They come in different ways, but they’ll all leave the same way. Saturday will be their opportunity to finish what they started here.”

Heacock expects a tough game Saturday.

“Herb Donaldson is the key to Western Illinois,” Heacock said. “He’s the best back we’ll face since Ohio State and Beanie Wells.”

“There are two keys to Saturday’s game and they are to stop Western’s running game and to win the turnover margin,” Heacock said.

“We’ve spent all year long getting ready for 11 opportunities to play,” Heacock said. “This is the last of those opportunities. Our seniors don’t have another day to look forward to. Some of them will probably never play the game again.”

With a win, the Penguins can clinch a third-place tie with the Leathernecks in the Gateway Conference. This will be the 23rd meeting between the teams, with the Penguins holding a 12-10 edge thanks to a three-game winning streak going into the contest.

mollica@vindy.com