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Girard junior quarterback Adam Charles

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Canfield senior Dan Banna

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Mineral Ridge junior Zach Kiger

Zach Kiger, Adam Charles and Dan Banna never got to play a down this season.

By STEVE RUMAN

Vindicator Correspondent

Mineral Ridge junior Zach Kiger doesn’t consider himself a superstitious person, yet even he admits there might be something to the old adage, “Bad things happen in threes.”

“It’s like, one day I’m reading about two guys getting hurt and having their season end before it even starts, and I’m feeling really bad for them,” Kiger said. “The next day, I’m one of these guys. It’s frustrating as heck, but I can’t say that no one knows what I’m going through.”

Kiger is one of three prominent area returning lettermen whose 2008 season ended before it even began. In the Rams’ second scrimmage, Kiger broke his fibula just above the ankle while being tackled from behind on an option play.

Last year as a sophomore, Kiger helped lead Mineral Ridge to an 8-2 record. He completed 30-of-47 passes while splitting time at the quarterback position. He also was a regular in the Rams’ defensive backfield.

Girard junior quarterback Adam Charles — a starter since he was a freshman — tore his ACL August 9 during the Indians’ first scrimmage. Last year, Charles led the area with 1,941 passing yards.

“I wasn’t even touched on the play,” Charles said. “I just dropped back, and when I planted my foot the knee gave out.”

On the same day Charles was sidelined for the season, Canfield senior Dan Banna saw his high school football career come to an end with a similar injury. While running for a touchdown in the Cardinals’ first scrimmage, Banna tore his ACL.

“I never got hit. When I went down, I just sort of rubbed my knee and thought I was OK,” Banna said of the injury. “When I stood up, the knee gave out and that’s when I knew something wasn’t right.”

As a junior, Banna rushed for 970 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is also considered one of the top defensive players in the area, and is being recruited by the likes of Southern Illinois, Boise State, Ohio University and Youngstown State.

In addition to his prowess in football, Banna excels on the baseball field. He plays third base and is Canfield’s cleanup hitter. He expects to be back on the diamond next spring.

“Right now I just have to concentrate on therapy, and focus on getting myself ready for the future,” Banna said. “It’s tough from a recruiting standpoint because I won’t have any film from my senior year. However the schools that had contacted me before the injury are still showing interest.”

Kiger, Charles and Banna all say that their recoveries are moving along ahead of schedule. Still, the progress does not eliminate the emotional pain of spending a season on the sidelines. That is especially true for Banna.

“Being a senior, I figured this was going to be the most memorable season of my life,” Banna said. “There are times where I’m watching the game, and I just want to run out into the huddle.”

“We go three overtimes against Alliance, and I don’t know how many times during that game I looked out on the field and thought to myself, ‘just give me the ball and let me go up the middle.’ ”

Though sidelined from the action, all three injured players continue to attend practice regularly, and they all continue to contribute on game night. In fact, Mineral Ridge coach Dom Leone suggests that while he has lost a player, he has gained a coach.

Leone said that Kiger’s presence on the sidelines has boosted the morale of his team, while Kiger’s knowledge of the game has benefited sophomore quarterback Jesse Garland.

“When Zach went down with the injury, we gave him the option of going up to the

press box or staying on the sidelines. He wanted to be right down with the action, and the decision has paid off,” Lenoe said.

“He’s a guy who has been in the line of fire, and he has a ton of football smarts. When he talks, whether it’s to a quarterback or a lineman, players listen. He has tremendous leadership qualities.”

Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky echoed the comments made by Leone, noting that Banna “is still a very vital part of our program.” Pavlansky said that Banna’s ongoing workouts in the weight room are a great example of dedication which haven’t gone unnoticed.

“What we lost with Dan’s injury, that’s something we can’t replace,” Pavlansky said. “But he continues to lead by example. When I see him on the sidelines talking to a player, I know he’s saying all the right things and I know that the player is paying attention. Dan has earned a lot of respect from his teammates.”

Following Charles’ injury, Girard coach Bud McSuley briefly turned to standout senior running back Kyle Stadelmyer to handle the quarterback duties.

However, freshman Dan Graziano has since become the Indians’ signal-caller.

Graziano’s lack of experience at the varsity level is definitely something Charles is able to relate to.

“I was in his shoes two years ago, so I know what he is going through by being thrown in the fire like that,” Charles said. “I study the defenses during the game and I’ll point out things that I see. I try to help any way I can, but actually Dan is doing just fine. I keep finding myself getting wrapped up in what he’s doing just like the rest of the fans.”

And while Kiger, Charles and Banna are all trying to make the best of a bad situation, they are quick to point out that they are very anxious to return to the playing field.

“You know, next year we have like eight players coming back on defense and 10 on offense. I can’t wait for two-a-days to start,” Kiger said with a laugh.