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Whittaker excited about Mineral Ridge chances
By Curtis Pulliam
Mineral Ridge
Another year, another coach for the Mineral Ridge Rams.
After going 5-5 last season, Rams head coach Doug Velasquez stepped down after one year.
But Mineral Ridge graduate and veteran Northeast Ohio head coach Jeff Whittaker has taken over the program.
Whittaker, who had spent a couple years away from the game after coaching stints at Conneaut and Liberty, is excited to be a head coach again.
“It’s good to be back in it,” Whittaker said. “I miss the challenge of getting a team together for the season.”
Whittaker felt like this was the right job for him.
“It’s a special place,” Whittaker said of the Youngstown area and its love for football. “I don’t think people actually realize how special the quality of football is.”
Offense
Speaking of quality, Mineral Ridge lost some key seniors from last year’s squad, including running backs Josh Goss and Mike Eaton, receivers Corey Phillips and Ethan Dukes. Quarterback Jonathan Baker also graduated.
Although the Rams lost plenty from last season, Whittaker likes what he will be putting out on the field this fall.
“Right now, we’re working on a spread offense,” Whittaker said. “Some of the players are returning [two-year] veterans.”
Running back Sam Kooyman will look to carry the load this season for an offense that scored 246 points last year.
“He’s an excellent runner,” Whittaker said. “We hope to have a nice balance [of run and pass].”
Under center, junior Mac White has seen time and will contribute this season.
Senior Nick Ferguson looks to be Mr. Everything as he will play wide receiver and running back. Darren Colon will look to contribute at receiver too.
“Speed is going to be key,” Colon said.
Junior Zane Rummell and senior Andrew Garris looks to lead the Rams up front.
Defense
The Rams also will miss Goss on the defensive side of the ball. He was the leading tackler last fall on a defense that allowed 20 points per game. Whittaker hopes his Rams can fly to the football this season.
“We’re a 40 front defensively,” he said. “We’re looking to bring a lot of pressure both inside and off the perimeter. We are excited about our players on the defensive side.”
Rummell will have double duty on the line. Kooyman will double as a defensive back. Tracy Cross also will help out at cornerback.
Johnn Bourgei, Christian Herbert and Ferguson will lead the Rams from the linebacker position.
“They’re doing a really good job,” Whittaker said.
Herbert knows sticking to basics is important.
“We got to make the tackles,” Herbert said.
Special teams
Cross will handle the field goals and kickoffs while White will take care of the punting. Devin Richie also will help with the kicking game. Kooyman and Taite Rummel will be return specialists.
Outlook
Whittaker looks to bring stability and tradition back to his alma mater.
“The No. 1 goal is to become a unified team,” Whittaker said. “We need to create a really strong family-type atmosphere. This year we celebrate the anniversary of the 1964 [Inter-County League] championship team. We are reaching back and touching some of those traditions from that era.”
Another focus for Whittaker this year is the schedule (Inter Tri-County League Tier One) and one opponent in particular.
“Our archrival is McDonald,” Whittaker said. “It’s one of the longest rivalries in the area. It’s a week where you don’t have to motivate. The kids are motivated on their own.”