Offensive line injuries necessitate shuffling
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State head football coach Jon Heacock went into this season having to shuffle around a few players on his offensive line because of injuries.
Now in the fourth week of the season, Heacock finds that he is still shuffling players around on the line.
The Penguins suffered their second season-ending injury for a starting offensive lineman last Saturday and had a third banged up for at least a month.
Senior offensive tackle Matt Kishman suffered a broken ankle Saturday in the 42-6 victory over Stony Brook, while senior tight end Louis Irizarry suffered a broken bone in his hand and will be out at least four weeks.
Major juggling
Add those two along with senior tackle Tyler Booth, who is out for the season after reinjuring his knee, and the Penguins are suddenly juggling players all over the front line.
“We’ve been moving guys around there for most of the season and now with Matt and Louis out we’ll have to make a few more adjustments,” said Heacock.
“What we’re trying to do now is to get the best group of guys on the field at the right time,” he added.
For starters, Heacock said that starting offensive guard Brad Samsa will move over to the tackle position, while senior Leon Edwards will take Samsa’s spot at guard.
The tight end position isn’t as critical since the Penguins have junior Derrick Bush, although the 6-3, 270-pounder is nursing a slightly bruised shoulder.
Sophomore Bruce Palmer, who started with the Penguins as a tight end and then was moved to guard, will now shift back over to tight end when the Penguins go with two tight ends in the game.
“We’re taking a great guard like Brad and moving him to tackle where he doesn’t have much experience, but it’s a move we feel will help the team right now,” Heacock said.
Lock Haven coming
The Penguins (2-1) will be going up against Lock Haven University on Saturday in a 4 p.m. kickoff. The Bald Eagles, a Division II team, have lost three straight games this season and are coached by former YSU assistant coach John Klacik.
“Not only did we lose some position starters, but we lost some special teams players as well and that makes it very necessary to focus hard this week,” Heacock said. “We have to improve on everything this week.”
Heacock said that even though the Penguins are facing a Division II opponent they need to be prepared.
“Everytime we go out and compete it will be a challenge for this football team,” he said.
“Lock Haven is going to come in here fired up and ready to play and I’m sure we’re going to get their best game on Saturday,” he added.
There was some good news in the Penguins’ camp this week as sophomore quarterback Todd Rowan was cleared to play after missing the last five weeks with a stress fracture in his leg.
Rowan, who started the season as the backup quarterback, has been holding on placement kicks in the first three games, but hasn’t taken a snap from center since early in fall camp.
No offensive snaps
Now in his third season with the Penguins, the 6-3, 223 pounder from LaBrae High School has never taken an offensive snap in a regular game, although he has had two great spring game performances. He missed all of last season with a stress fracture in his other leg, but still held for placement kicks.
The Penguins also expect to get a good look at their three tailback prospects against the Bald Eagles.
Sophomore Jabari Scott is the current No. 1 tailback, while juniors Kevin Smith and Brandon Nicholson have also ran well in the last two games.
“Right now we have some great competition at the tailback position and this can only make us a better team,” added Heacock.
“The key for this football team, if we are going to become a great team, is that we have to keep our focus no matter who we are playing,” he said.