By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

After 20 seasons as Columbiana’s head football coach, Bob Spaite is preparing for a big change. For the first time, the guy calling the defensive shots won’t be Spaite.

“Ryan Wolf is our new defensive coordinator; it’s a totally new defense for us,” Spaite said.

Wolf joined his staff last year and was promoted in the offseason.

“Ryan made some very lucid points,” Spaite said. “If it’s going to be his defense, he wants to call something he’s comfortable with, he doesn’t want to do a hybrid of my defense and his defense.

“It’s a big change for me and it’s a big change for us. For the first time since I’ve been a head coach, I’m not the answer man [on defense]. That’s taking me some getting used to but the kids are adjusting well to it.”

The Clippers are coming off a 4-6 season and have 31 players.

“The biggest problem is we have almost no depth, almost none,” Spaite said. “Thirty-one players is very difficult. I haven’t had this number since I was at Southern Local in the early ’80s.”

Offense

Fortunately for the Clippers, they have one of the Inter Tri-County League’s most experienced quarterbacks returning. Mitch Davidson, a junior, already owns 18 school records. He’s ready for more.

“The game is slowing down,” Davidson said of the difference from this camp and his first in 2013. “It’s a lot easier to know where I am going.

“Everything is getting easier for me to handle and to see everything I need to know. Two years ago, I was young and a little sketchy, more afraid to play. Now, since I’m playing against kids my age, it’s just normal again. It’s all good.”

Spaite brightened up at the mention of his quarterback’s experience. Only Lisbon’s Josh Liberati has more starts (26 in the past three seasons).

“Nineteen games under his belt, no question [it] makes an impact.” Spaite said of Davidson. “We’re very comfortable with Mitch as quarterback.”

Starting tailback Dylan Davin is Davidson’s backup.

“He has really had a good camp,” Spaite said. “We don’t have many places where we have a little depth, but we have a tiny bit in skill positions.”

Inexperience on the offensive line will be a challenge. Returners include guards Matt Fay and Devin Covert and tackle Keenan Green.

Defense

On defense, Spaite said linebackers Nate Armstrong and Sean Congemi are leaders.

“They were brand-new last year, they are light years from where they were, as to be expected,” Spaite said. “[Defensive end] Timmy Davis should have a great year — he started at defensive tackle last year. The secondary is very sound — we feel good about those guys.”

Armstrong said the defense needs to improve against the run.

“Run-stop is definitely our No. 1 issue,” the senior said.

Outlook

Columbiana is part of the Inter Tri-County’s new Blue Tier. The other schools are Lisbon, Wellsville, Southern and Leetonia.

Slot receiver/cornerback Dalton Miller said the Clippers have to do better against Lisbon if they hope to win a crown. Of last year’s game, Miller said, “We shut down pretty early.”