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Ohio defense figures to be critical in Stateline Classic
By Curtis Pulliam
Springfield head football coach Sean Guerriero loves the way his Ohio defense looks leading into the 35th annual Quad County Football Coaches Association Ohio-Pennsylvania Stateline Classic.
“The defense has been running around all week,” Guerriero said. “Hopefully our defense can challenge their offense.”
Poland’s Zach Bader, who is part of the Ohio team’s defense, believes although limited by the rules of the contest, the unit will be just fine.
“We have to play a five-man front and we are not allowed to blitz,” Bader said. “We are at a disadvantage, but our defense has come together well, flying to the ball and making plays.”
Guerriero, whose Springfield team went 7-3 in 2013, says it’s great to be the coach for the Ohio side.
“It’s an honor,” Guerriero said. “It’s a great opportunity for me and my staff. We have a great group of kids out here.”
The kids are from all over the area and Guerriero says it been a pleasure getting to coach them.
“The practices have been upbeat,” he said. “We have been rotating kids in and out, trying to motivate them to earn playing time. We are just trying to get better.”
Two local players, Bader, a 6-foot, 265 pound defensive lineman, and Sam Steininger (6-3, 252) from Western Reserve (13-1) also received the Quad-County football coaches scholarship for this season. The coaches association passed out six scholarships worth $500 each.
“It means a lot,” said Bader, who will play at Youngstown State in the fall. “I am thankful that I got picked for the award It’s a good organization.”
In practice, Bader’s performance on the front line defensively has impressed Guerriero.
“Zach has been great to watch,” Guerriero said. “He has been challenging the offensive line all week. He always seems to have a smile on his face.”
Steininger, who is going to Heidelberg University to play on the defensive line, has made his impact offensively, according to Guerriero.
“We had Sam at a couple different spots, including guard and tackle,” he said. “Both those guys have been great on both sides of the ball. They are great character guys and have shown leadership on both sides.”
Steininger doesn’t mind playing on the opposite side of the ball for one game.
“It’s a little different learning a new position,” he said.
With the team looking good in practice, Guerriero is aware of the lack of success for the Ohio squad in the annual game. Pennsylvania holds a 24-10 lead in the series.
“We obviously want to win,” Bader said. “At the same time, we’ve lost the last couple years. We are going to have to come in with a chip on our shoulder.”
Steininger feels this year’s team can come out with a win.
“If everybody plays together we can win,” he said. “We got to see them at media day and they look about the same size as us. We just have to come out fast.”
The last win for the Ohio side came in 2012 with a 19-7 victory. That game was also played at Springfield high school’s Community Field, where this year’s match will take place. The team has been practicing at Columbiana’s Firestone Park.
“I want the players to go out and have fun,” Guerriero said. “It will be something they always remember. It should be a great experience. I still want to win the game. We will be pumped up and ready to go Friday.”
The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the gate.