Second season: Playoffs begin for 17

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

Two of the 17 area football teams in the post-season — Campbell and Boardman — are seeded No. 8, while No. 5 Salem is a first-time qualifier with a first-year coach.

Campbell’s playoff fortunes came to fruition via many avenues, but one — Derek Carter’s fumble recovery-turned-tie-breaking touchdown against Struthers — can’t be overstated.

“We said all week that we wanted to make sure we weren’t the reason we didn’t make the playoffs,” coach Jeff Bayuk said of avoiding self-destruction. “If we didn’t, we didn’t want it to be because we didn’t take care of business on Friday night against Struthers. Had we not won, we wouldn’t have had an opportunity to make the playoffs.”

The win over Newton Falls in week 9 was another rung reached in the playoff race, but Saturday’s scenario played out in Campbell’s favor, too.

That’s when LaBrae beat Steubenville Catholic Central and Cleveland Central Catholic lost, 28-22, to Elyria Catholic in the final seconds.

Although the developments helped put the Red Devils over the top, Campbell’s qualification wasn’t official until the OHSAA released its standings.

But Campbell’s players couldn’t contain their jubilation.

“It was a circus,” Bayuk said of text messages and nonstop phone calls that fueled the excitement late Saturday. “They kept asking, ‘Are we in? Are we in?’ ”

Campbell squeaked in by Belmont Union by three-hundreths of a point (12.350 to 12.347).

Campbell’s opponent, Chagrin Falls, has 25 seniors among its roster of 58.

The Red Devils have 12 seniors on a roster of 40.

“But this is a real big thing just to be there,” Bayuk said of the reaction around Campbell. “A lot of people are not just happy to be there; they’re there to win it all. We’re very happy to be there because we’re not where we’re used to being.”

After his stint at Hubbard, Bayuk took the helm at Campbell where the Red Devils posted records of 1-9 in 2007, 3-7 in 2008 and 7-3 this year.

Nineteen of Boardman’s 23 seniors were players when the Spartans were in the playoffs in 2007.

“They’re only the second class in school history to make the playoffs twice in their careers, so it’s an honor and they’re excited,” said D.J. Ogilvie. “They got a taste of it two years ago and we talked during the offseason of leaving a legacy and getting back to that feeling of accomplishing something really great.”

One current senior who saw significant playing time as a sophomore during that 2007 season was J.T. Moore. At the time, Moore, was a defensive end and still plays the position. .

Moore (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) has committed to Ohio State. He’s Boardman’s leader in tackles-for-loss and the third-leading tackler. “For a defensive lineman, that’s pretty impressive,” said Ogilvie.

In 2007, Boardman beat Euclid then lost to Cleveland Glenville.

Boardman also played St. Ignatius in 2007 during the regular season. Ignatius won, 38-7.

Rather than attribute Salem’s first-ever playoff appearance to his miracle-working, Mike Kopachy deferred to “good kids and a great staff” as reasons for the Quakers’ one-year turnaround — 0-10 to 8-2.

“Staying healthy for the most part and having the ball bounce our way a couple times were also factors,” Kopachy said of his first year at Salem after leaving Western Reserve.

The foundation laid by Kopachy upon his arrival also played a big role in the success of 2009.

“Believing in the system we implemented had a lot to do with it. When you have a lot of kids believing in it, you have a chance.”

Kopachy installed a spread offense that ushered out the one-man show.

“A lot of guys get to touch the ball and it’s a system where you’ve got to be disciplined and limit turnovers.”

Tackling was an issue that needed addressed, too.

“We were poor defensively last year, so we had to learn how to tackle. So, we preached 11 people to the football — tackling and pursuit.”

Before leaving Western Reserve, Kopachy said he researched the Salem job.

“It was a tough decision to make because we [Western Reserve] had such a good team coming back and the administration took care of me. But Salem seemed to have kids who fit my system of offense and defense. Plus, there were a lot of resources to help the program without any agendas.”

Proximity to his home also helped.

“I’m three minutes from home instead of one-half hour, so that played a part.”

Salem quarterback Trent Toothman has over 1,600 yards passing and 14 TDs and 950 yards rushing and 12 rushing TDs. The blocking of fullback Josh Knox has paved the way for Eric Bailey and Austin Noel.

Receiver Ben Eisel has nearly 1,000 yards and nine TDs, sophomore Zach Pennick has made significant contributions the last three weeks and Dillon Rhodes and Justin Adams also have over a dozen catches each.

Defensively, Mike King has 15 tackles for minus 60 yards and Matt Taylor has been solid at left tackle. Taylor is also middle linebacker.

Travis Leyman’s play has been phenomenal. The 6-0, 235 junior played as a freshman, then didn’t come out last season. “We got him out and he’s been critical to our success on defense,” Kopachy said of the player who has 13 tackles-for-loss.

Eisel averages 40 yards per punt, has 35 PATs and four field goals and has returned kicks for touchdowns four times.

The line is rounded out by Matt Taylor, Chad Bash, James Norkus, Steve Manypenny and Steve Navarra. Norkus replaced injured Anthony Fast the last three weeks. King plays tight end as well.

bassetti@vindy.com