Photo

Photo by: William D. Lewis

Youngstown Christian School players join in prayer before practice at Ipe Field.

Team

Valley Christian

Record	Div.	Conf.
5/6	Div. VII	Portage Trail Conference (Metro)

THE MARROW FILE

Graduated in 1980 from South High School, where he earned three varsity letters in football. The Warriors went 25-5-1 during Marrow’s three varsity seasons. He led the team in interceptions as a sophomore and in touchdown receptions as a junior. During his senior season, the Warriors went 10-0. He was a two-time All-City selection.

Played in the North-South All Star Classic, and his play on both sides of the field helped propel North to a victory.

Earned a full scholarship to Wisconsin, where he was a three-year starter for the Badgers. In 1983 he served as a tri-captain and earned All Big Ten Honorable Mention. He capped his career by being invited to play in the Blue-Gray Classic.

Signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 1984. In 1985, he joined the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he started as a defensive back for two years.

Coached at Woodrow Wilson for three years before the school closed its doors in the spring of 2007. Later that year, he was named the second head coach at Youngstown Christian. Now in his sixth season, he owns a 35-21 record at the school.

The Eagles’ coach, Brian Marrow, helps his team look at the game of life

By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Brian Marrow readily admits it took him a while to feel comfortable in his role as a head football coach.

He was first coaxed into the profession by members of his church, who persuaded him to take over the congregation’s peewee team. Then it was an administrator at Woodrow Wilson High School who convinced Marrow to guide the Redmen for three years before the school closed its doors in 2007.

Just when Marrow thought his head coaching days were over, he received a call from Youngstown Christian School president Mike Pecchia. The Eagles’ coach had just resigned and moved to Florida. School administrators believed Marrow was the man to take over the reins of a program that had been in existence for just three years.

“I was more into football as a way of connecting to the youth of our community,” Marrow said. “I wasn’t sure my ideals would work for a program that was just getting off the ground. I thought they might want someone who would come in there and be all football, all the time. You know, someone who would do everything in their power to bring instant success.”

Marrow hesitantly accepted the job at Youngstown Christian, then proceeded to produce four straight winning seasons.

Still, it wasn’t until YCS finished with a 1-9 record in the fall of 2010 that Marrow felt completely at ease with his decision to remain in the coaching ranks.

“Here I am, with one win and wondering if I still have a job,” Marrow said. “I go and see our athletic director and principal, and they both tell me the same thing. ‘If you win games, that’s great, but that’s not what you’re here for.’ That’s when I knew this was where I belonged.”

Like he did before that 1-9 season, Marrow is once again proving that he can simultaneously teach life lessons off the field, while producing a winner on the field. The Eagles last year went 10-2, advancing to the postseason and winning a playoff game for the first time in school history.

This year, the Eagles are off to the best start in the program’s history. At 5-0, they are fourth in the Division VI, Region 21 computer ratings. They are ranked 11th in the Associated Press statewide poll.

“My top priority is to mold young men into good citizens,” Marrow said. “Sure, we want them to be competitive on the field, just like we want them to strive to do their best in everything they do in life. We want them to play for Christ.

“I believe winning will fall into place if you do all the right things in practice and in life. And I can tell you that I have 40 of the most decent and dedicated players you’ll ever find.”

Winning has come to YCS with relative ease as of late. The Eagles have won 13 consecutive regular-season games dating back to last year. In their five wins this season, they have outscored opponents 198-22.

“Back in August, we really didn’t know what to expect,” Marrow said. “We lost our top two linemen on offense. On defense, we had to replace seven guys, including the entire secondary.”

Filling the void on the offensive line are the likes of Melvin Gregory, Jairus Pettis and Bobby Houston. They have paved the way for an offense which is averaging 356 yards.

Gregory, who is referred to by Marrow as “our offensive leader and our coach on the field” is in line to receive offers from colleges because of his academic success.

“Melvin is a great example of the type of kids we have on this team,” Marrow said. “His name doesn’t appear in the boxscores, but he’s a true leader in every sense. And he is never concerned that he makes plays and other guys receive the credit. He’s all about team success.”

Senior running back Ryan Grier (68 carries, 706 yards, four touchdowns) leads a potent rushing game, while senior quarterback Emmett Underwood has completed 47 of 75 passes for 640 yards and nine touchdowns.

“I’m surrounded by a great line and by some talented skilled players,” Underwood said. “They make my job easy, whether I’m running or throwing. I just kind of follow their lead.”

Underwood’s favorite targets include Darien Townsend (19 receptions, 305 yards, 6 TDs) and Ryan Coyier (14 receptions, 143 yards, 2 TDs).

Defensively, the Eagles are led by John Grizzard (34 tackles, three sacks), Drevon Green (33 tackles, five sacks) and Kaevon Green (27 tackles, 71/2 sacks).

“We have multiple weapons which allow us to run pretty much any type of offense we want,” Marrow said. “That really keeps the opposition on its heels. Defensively, we have play makers. Our guys know their assignments and they fly to the ball.

“It’s a total team effort. Every week, it’s someone different stepping up and making the big plays.”

YCS opened the season with a 13-7 win over Lowellville. A week later, the Eagles logged what Marrow referred to as “a defining win” in a 40-3 victory over Springfield. It was the first victory for YCS over the Tigers in five years, and it avenged last year’s only regular-season loss.

“We had a really good team last year,” Marrow said. “I think these kids want Youngstown Christian to be known as a solid, good program. They knew that if we succeeded this year, fans would start to respect the program. I think we gained some respect with the win over Springfield.”

Gregory said the team continues to ride the momentum of that victory.

“It was the TV game of the week and it was our chance to make an impression on the rest of the area,” Gregory said. “Even though we went to the playoffs last year, a lot of people still don’t know we even exist.”

Gregory attended Youngstown Chaney for two years before the school stopped playing football in the spring of 2011. After some debate, he opted to finish out his high school career at YCS.

“I was hesitant at first, wondering if I would fit in,” Gregory said. “I look back now, and believe that God had a plan for me. I couldn’t be at a better place. I’ve learned so much about myself and about life. And a lot of it I learn from football. Coach (Marrow) is more concerned about us as people than he is about us as players.”

The Eagles’ unbeaten streak will be put to the test during the second half of the season. Tonight, they travel to Garaway, which is 5-0 and ranked third in Division V, Region 17. After hosting Pittburgh’s Imani Christian Academy on Oct. 6, they face Sandy Valley (4-1, fifth in Division IV, Region 13) and Brookfield (5-0, first in Division I, Region 13) in back-to-back weeks.

Underwood is not willing to predict how the season will play out, but he does expect a strong finish and another run at the playoffs. He says he can promise 100-percent effort from a group of teammates he now calls family.

“Coach always preaches about taking one game at a time and about giving everything you got, and letting the wins and losses take care of themselves,” Underwood said. “We don’t put a ton of pressure on ourselves to win. The pressure is to give it everything you got. The wins will come if you do that.”

As for the future beyond this year? Marrow sees no reason why YCS cannot continue down a path of success.

“Look, there is a wealth of talent in Youngstown,” he said. “I mean loads of talented and dedicated kids. There are only four high schools in the city. I don’t see any reason why all four can’t have successful programs.”

For the time being, at least, Youngstown Christian is living up to its end of the bargain.