Walsh has 11 from area on roster

Michael Seibert from Poland High and Lou Ward from East Liverpool High will be starters for the Walsh University football team Saturday, when the Cavaliers open their 14th season at Trinity International in Deerfield, Ill., at 2 p.m.

Seibert, a sophomore right offensive tackle who won his first letter at tackle and guard last year, and Ward, a senior fullback who played some linebacker last year, are among 11 Youngstown-area players on the Walsh roster.

Coach Jim Dennison said Seibert and Ward have become key players for the Cavaliers, who are seeking to bounce back from their first losing record (5-6, 2-4 in the Mid-States Football Association Mideast).

One of the losses was to MSFA-Mideast rival Malone College of Canton, 42-35. The two teams will meet Oct. 18 at Walsh at noon.

“[Seibert] had a good spring and is one of our leaders up front. He is tough and moves well,” said Dennison, who has led Walsh since it started football in 1994. “[Ward] is a good blocker and pass receiver. He has the toughness to be an excellent I fullback.”

Dennison, a former University of Akron coach, is in his 27th year coaching collegiate football with a 93-48 record.

Walsh actually began its turnabout last season after losing five straight games by winning its final two contests to enter this year with momentum.

Transfers Reed, Cotton reinforce Walsh defense

The Cavaliers also have been reinforced by two transfers with area ties — defensive linemen Tony Reed and Sian Cotton — who are expected to be important backups for the experienced defensive front wall that returns six starters.

Reed, from Warren Harding, is a sophomore who transferred from the College of Southern Maryland, while Cotton, a senior from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, is a transfer from Youngstown State but hasn’t played the last two seasons. Cotton played for Ohio State as a freshman.

Other area backups are freshman center Michael Paul Jenkins (Ursuline), freshman punter J.C. Willison (South Range), sophomore tight end Brad Schrecengost (Lakeview), redshirt freshman linebacker Lou Salerno (Cardinal Mooney) and sophomore free safety Mike Welce (Columbiana).

In addition, sophomore Dominique Adams (Austintown Fitch), is the No. 3 offensive right tackle, while sophomore Tyler Pierce (Salem) is the No. 3 wide receiver.

Defensive lineman Ken Von Bergen (Champion) will be in a reserve role.

Settlemire, Rousher are standouts for Malone

Malone’s football team lists seven area players on the roster, including starting standouts Josh Settlemire, a senior wide receiver from Howland High, and Nick Rousher, a junior defensive lineman from Canfield.

Malone, which was 15-8 over the last two seasons under coach Mike Gardner, including 8-4 last season and No. 25 in final NAIA poll, will open the season Sept. 6 at Apprentice, Va., at 1 p.m.

The other area players are senior defensive lineman Jon Roden (Girard), junior fullback J.R. Miller (Austintown Fitch), sophomore defensive back Eric Hart (LaBrae), freshman wide receivers Ryan Farr (Boardman) and Shane Golden (Warren JFK).

“We are expecting all [seven players] to contribute,” said Gardner, entering his third season. “Settlemire, Rousher and Hart played a lot last season The others have showed a lot of promise.”

Settlemire caught 43 passes for 683 yards and two TDs last season from quarterback Bobby Orsagh of Eastland, Tex., who also returns to bolster the squad. Orsagh was 242-for-373 (64.9 percent) for 3,293 yards and 24 TDs.

Rousher is one of four returning starters on defense. Last year, he had 32 tackles, 5.5 for losses, and two sacks.

X John Kovach covers colleges for The Vindicator. Write him at kovach@vindy.com.