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Tough schedule will challenge Youngstown Christian
By Curtis Pulliam
Youngstown
Youngstown Christian did not have the record it wanted last season, but head coach Brian Marrow believes the Eagles were not that bad.
“If we would have won one more game at 3-6 we would have been in the playoffs,” Marrow said. “If we would have been 4-5, we could have had a home playoff game.”
Marrow, who is entering his eighth season as head coach, wants to make sure there in no debate of whether or not his team should be in the playoffs for the time since back-to-back appearances in 2011 and ’12.
“From myself and the staff on down, we got a little spoiled from making it two years in a row,” Marrow said. “The schedule got tougher and we just let it get away from us. And then we had some key injuries. It was just a combination of a lot of things.”
The Eagles lose some important players to graduation including Paris Bennett, Tymere DuBose and Darien Townsend. DuBose is now at Kentucky and Townsend is at Youngstown State.
Youngstown Christian lost 16 seniors overall.
Offense
The Eagles return just two starters on offense, but should have some stability at quarterback. Senior Ryan Houston and sophomore Seth Morrow are in a battle for the starting spot, Marrow said.
“Ryan Houston [injured last season] is doing a good job right now,” Marrow said.
The Eagles will run multiple sets and Houston is excited for the season.
“Just move the ball,” Houston said. “We are looking to get the ball out quick and just march down the field.”
Hector Colon returns as a junior after being injured last year.
Wide receivers Andraous Cheirs and Braylon Paige will see playing time. Shawn Staples. Kylin Hart and JaQuan Green will play at tight end.
On the offensive line, captain Steve Olesky will start at center and Josh Abell at left tackle.
“The key will be sticking together as a team,” Olesky said. “We also have to execute the game plan well and that our attitudes are in the right place.”
Defense
Three starters come back to a defense that allowed 330 points (36.7 points per game) last season.
Green will be a mainstay on the defensive line while Colin Wilkins will lead the linebackers. Staples is going to contribute to the defensive backs along with Morrow and Cheirs.
“Our secondary is going to be really young,” Marrow said. “I’m looking forward to see how it goes.”
Special Teams
The Eagles have battles at plenty of positions but the one for the kicking job might be the most intriguing. It’s Payton Schnabl, a girl, against freshman Marcus Roman in a battle of the sexes.
“We’ll see how that comes out,” Marrow said.
Returne specialists include Emmanuel Padilla, Kimonie Bryant and Paige.
Outlook
The Division VII Eagles have another tough schedule this season, opening at LaBrae, and will see several teams that made the playoffs in 2013.
“LaBrae is a Division V school,” Marrow said. “They have always been tough.”
Marrow likes to schedule bigger schools
“It gets tougher and tougher,” he said. “I guess it comes with the territory when you have a little success. Teams will drop off your schedule and we have to play up. We just have to be ready for it.”
Houston says the team awaits the challenge.
“We’re going to go through some adversity,” he said.
Roster
1Kylin HartTE-DEJr.
2Seth MorrowQB-DBSo.
3Hector ColonRB-LBJr.
4Andraous CheirsWR-DBSo.
5Kemonie BryantWR-DBJr.
6JaQuan GreenTE-DEJr.
7Zack CookRB-LBSo.
8Emmanuel PadillaWR-DBSo.
9Braylon PaigeRB-DBSo.
10Ryan HoustonQB-DBSr.
11Marcus RomanQB-DBFr.
12Brandon KingWR-DBJr.
13Jaqwon DowWR-DBFr.
14Shawn StaplesWR-DBSr.
15Jacob RomanRB-LBJr.
16Dezmond TateWR-DBSo.
17Isaac WoodwardTE-DESo.
18Jarice SheltonWR-DBFr.
19David HuntWR-DBSo.
20Willie HarrisRB-LBFr.
21Terrelle JonesRB-LBSr.
22Josh SuszczynskiRB-LBSo.
24Addison RichardsWR-DBSr.
25Berchindle FosterRB-LBJr.
28Alex GomezRB-DBSo.
33Charles PickardRB-LBFr.
43Nathaniel HarrisWR-DBSr.
50Fred HicksOL-LBSo.
51Collin WilkinsOL-DLSr.
55Arthur FordOL-DLSo.
56Ronald StaufferOL-DLSo.
57Nick CornellOL-LBSo.
58Josh AbellOL-DLSr.
59Steve OleskyOL-DLSr.
68David HatfieldOL-DLFr.
72Shawn MurrayOL-DLSo.
75Christian CarsonOL-DLSo.
76Tavares HodgeOL-DLFr.
81Antonio Hernandez-CruzWR-DBFr.
92Payton SchnablKSr.