By Steve Wilaj

sports@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

After starting 0-7 last year — including a few close losses — Boardman head coach Joe Ignazio realized it would have been easy for the Spartans to pack it in.

But they regrouped instead, winning two of three to close the 2014 season.

“The biggest thing was that the kids developed a little bit of a mental toughness and attitude,” said Ignazio, 3-17 entering his third season with Boardman. “They stuck with us and that’s what we’re the most proud about. It would have been easy at 0-7 to give up, so we’re building off of that.”

The Spartans — with a number of returning starters — will take that momentum into their new on-campus stadium. Meanwhile, 2015 also marks Boardman’s first season away from the Federal League and as a part of the new AAC Gold division with Fitch, Warren Harding and Lakeside.

“All eyes are going to be on us with the new stadium,” Ignazio said. “It puts a little bit of a bull’s-eye on our back.”

Offense

Senior running back Mario Graziani — who led the team in rushing a year ago — returns to carry the load for a Boardman offense that is looking to improve after averaging just 8.1 points per game in 2014.

“He’s tough as nails — a throwback,” Ignazio said. “He has great vision as a back. He’s not overly fast, but if you get him the ball in the open space, he’s pretty special.”

The Spartans will have a new quarterback in junior J.R. Ryan. Last year’s starter, sophomore Sean Birchfield, moved from the area, which allows Ryan to take over after manning the quarterback spot for the junior varsity team in 2014.

He’ll take snaps from returning starting center Wes Thompson, the only senior on the Spartans’ offensive line. Also, a couple key playmakers will be returning starters Travis Koontz at receiver and Alex Duda at tight end.

Defense

The Boardman defense allowed 20.8 points per game last season and returns quite a few from that unit.

While the Spartans lost four key starters to graduation, all of their starting linebackers are back — Graziani, Erick Ritz, Duda and Gavin Dill — as is Gavin Strines in the secondary and Wes Thompson and Alex Birchfield up front. Ritz led Boardman in tackles last season.

“Our defense revolves around our linebackers and we’re all back,” Graziani said. “So I feel we should get the job done on defense.”

Special teams

Adam Deeley, a converted soccer player, returns to handle the kicking duties after a solid 2014 campaign. Noah Falleti will be the punter.

Outlook

Even with its exit from the Federal League, Boardman will have its hands full, as usual, with a tough schedule. In addition to a matchup with Cardinal Mooney in Week 2, the Spartans face tough local opponents throughout October, when they’ll play Canfield, Harding, Ursuline and Austintown Fitch.

Along with those good vibes from the end of 2014, Boardman will need a lot from Graziani to help its inexperienced quarterback — as well as another strong season from its veteran defense — to improve upon last season.

“We were in some games last year where it was a play here or there,” Ignazio said. “Our guys believe that if we can continue to make plays throughout the four quarters of a game in all three phases, then eventually the games are going to tilt our way.”