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Malone looking to take next step
The Pioneers have just missed the playoffs the past two seasons.
CANTON — Each fall when college football teams report to camp in preparation for the upcoming season, it’s usually standard procedure to practice twice a day.
The two-a-days are a way of getting in as much work as possible in a short amount of time.
But at Malone College, they did things a little bit differently this fall. Working under the theory that three practices a day are better than two, coach Mike Gardner works his players a little extra.
“The more opportunities we can use to teach the mental aspects of the game without physically exhausting them, the better prepared our team will be,” said Gardner, who enters his third season at Malone.
“Some days, we’ll go pads early, then just helmets and shells the other sessions. The warm weather keeps us on our feet a lot, so we don’t go all pads all the time.”
Gardner’s approach has served the Pioneers well in his first two seasons, as Malone played in two consecutive NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) Victory Bowls, just missing the NAIA playoffs both seasons.
But while that success has been gratifying, this year’s squad is looking to take the next step. Despite a tough schedule, the playoffs could be a reality.
Malone returns eight starters from an offense that set 14 single-season records in 2007.
“Our strengths this year will come from our offensive experience,” Gardner said. “I feel confident that we’ll be able to give ourselves an opportunity to do some really nice things.”
The offense will be led by second-year quarterback Billy Bob Orsagh, who threw for 3,293 yards and 24 touchdowns last season – both school records.
The senior will have plenty of targets, led by Howland High graduate Josh Settlemire. The senior returns to the starting lineup after grabbing 43 receptions for 683 yards and one touchdown in 2007.
While Settlemire’s touchdown numbers are modest, his value to the team has been the ability to come up with big catches on third down to keep drives alive.
“Josh does the little things right,” said Gardner. “He runs good routes, has good hands and works hard. He is everything I look for in a wide receiver. He is unselfish, is competitive on every down, blocks and wants to win.”
Along with Settlemire, Derek Deardorff will line up wide for Malone. He caught 60 passes last season for 1,118 yards and 13 scores.
The offensive line is filled with veterans, including three All-MSFA (Mid-States Football Association) selections from 2007.
“Our offensive line will dictate much of the success we have this season,” Gardner said. “We have depth, we have experience and we have solid chemistry up front.”
As many as seven players will battle for a starting position in the backfield, as Malone need to replace the departed Bernard Payton, who was first team all MSFA in 2007.
Defensively, Malone will be at the mercy of how well newcomers adjust, having lost seven starters.
The four returning starters will include two in the defensive backfield and a pair of defensive lineman, including Canfield High graduate Nick Rousher.
Rousher, a junior, made a significant impact in 2007 with 32 total tackles, 5.5 for loss and two sacks. His counterpart, Ronell Lee returns after registering 82 tackles, three forced fumbles and a team-high six sacks.
Other Valley alumni expected to contribute for the Pioneers are defensive lineman Jon Roden (Girard), JR Miller (Fitch) and Eric Hart (LaBrae). Freshmen include Ryan Farr (Boardman) and Shane Golden (Warren JFK).