By Ryan Buck

sports@vindy.com

LOWELLVILLE

In 2013, third-year Lowellville coach Jeff D’Altorio guided the Rockets to their first playoff appearance since 2002. One season later, D’Altorio’s standards and expectations have grown.

“Definitely making the playoffs last year, having a winning season and all those things and getting a lot of guys back at some key positions, that’s leading us into this season,” said D’Altorio, whose team fell to Danville in the first round of the Division VII playoffs last October. “The guys are excited about the opportunity that’s going to be out there for us.”

In Ohio, the difference between a postseason appearance and the dreaded trip to the weight room for early winter sports conditioning is razor-thin.

D’Altorio is glad the Rockets have that invaluable experience to build on, but he wants his program to prepare and play as if beginning anew.

“One thing I always stress,” D’Altorio says, “is that it’s a new year. Nobody cares what you did last year. Our kids know it’s a whole new season and a whole new start. It’s about taking that one day, one week at a time and completing our goal, which is to get back to the playoffs.”

Quaterback Alex Harklerode took it a step farther.

“We want to win this time,” he said.

Offense

Aside from head coach, only one other member of a football team is measured by wins and losses. And that is the quarterback. Fortunately for Lowellville, the senior Harklerode returns behind center.

A dual threat who can run and pass, D’Altorio is confident the two-and-a-half-year starter will guide a more wide-open offense this fall.

“That’s something that we want,” D’Altorio said. “We want to put points on the board. We’ll be up-tempo and we want to open it up.

“Last year was really the first year that we were able to throw it the way I wanted to and you’ll probably see a little more of that even this year.”

Harklerode welcomes the adjustment.

“Last year I had a lot of rushing yards,” he said, “but now defenses can’t key on me. With the pass it will open up a lot of run fakes and we’ll complement that with the run game.”

Even so, D’Altorio won’t pass up the chance to do what he knows will win games.

“To win football games, you’ve got to be able to run the football. That’s something that we’ve done very well is run and we’ll have a nice mix of both.”

D’Altorio expects Phil Ginnis, Van Vanover, Eric Grow, Evan Stevens and Myron Anderson to lead an experienced group around Harklerode.

DEFENSE

“We definitely have speed and aggressiveness on defense,” D’Altorio said, pointing out that a few missed big plays cost them at times last season. “We want to fly to the football.”

As is common with schools in the lowest divisions, many players will take the field for both sides. Will injuries and depth become issues?

SPECIAL TEAMS

Three-year starter Jake Maszczak returns to handle the ever-important kicking duties. In two years, he’s converted more than 50 extra points, his coach said.

OUTLOOK

With Harklerode and a host of experience returning on offense, the Rockets should challenge for an Inter Tri-County League crown, but they will have to match wits with ITCL kingpins Western Reserve and McDonald to get there.

Fine-tuning a playmaking, yet risk-taking defense may be the key to taking the Lowellville program to new heights in 2014.

Lowellville Roster

3Steve RuozzoQB-DB5-9165So.

5Nick GriffithRB-DB6-0160Jr.

6Liam BoydRB-DB5-2105Fr.

7Phil GinnisRB-DB5-10175Sr.

10Van VanoverWR-DB5-10150Sr.

11Eric GrowRB-LB6-1185Sr.

12Myron AndersonWR-DB6-1170Jr.

16Alex HarklerodeQB-DB6-0185Sr.

18Nick ContiTE-DB5-11160So.

22Evan StevensRB-LB5-8170So.

24Cole BeattyTE-DL6-5190Jr.

25Slade BowerWR-DB5-8150Jr.

27Jake MaszczakTE-DL6-0210Jr.

32Dom LaykoRB-LB5-6150Fr.

36Dom McLaughlinRB-LB5-9160So.

42A.J. D’AltorioRB-LB6-1205So.

50Vincenzo D’AmatoOL-DL5-10215Jr.

52Joe MiccoOL-LB5-8185Jr.

53Anthony FelletiOL-DL5-8185Sr.

54Marc OlversonOL-LB5-11215Sr.

55Austin FitchOL-DL6-2240Jr.

56Chris InskeepOL-DL5-10230Sr.

58Joe CzapOL-DL5-7260So.

59Mike OlversonOL-DL5-7275Sr.

60Tyler StellmarOL-DL5-11190So.

61Cristian MontanezOL-DL5-10215Jr.

63Adam DanzoOL-DL5-6200Fr.

64Mike KacirOL-DL5-10205Sr.

66Brandon FitzgeraldOL-DL5-7160So.

72Carl LaRosaOL-DL6-0230Fr.

73Kyle BairdOL-DL5-4180Fr.

74Zack SchenkOL-DL6-2185Fr.

77Brandon PazelOL-DL5-6200Fr