By Ryan Buck

sports@vindy.com

CORTLAND

Lakeview football coach Tom Pavlansky has been around long enough. He knows the drill. Each offseason sees its unique challenges. But 2015 will see four new starters on the ever-important offensive line.

“We really enjoy watching the kids learn, and get it, and get better,” said Pavlansky, whose brother, Mike, leads the Canfield football program. The family name is synonymous with coaching success in the Mahoning Valley.

“I mean learn how to work and do the right work, so it’s definitely one of the hidden awards from a coaching point of view,” Pavlansky said.

Lakeview will miss leading rusher Michael Mannella and leading receiver Ryan Pishotti, but quarterback Angelo Marino returns along with most of the rest of the statistical leaders on offense and the core of the defense.

As much as Marino’s talent drives Lakeview, it is his development as a leader that may be even more critical.

“Lead by example,” said Marino, who had his team in the state playoffs as a sophomore in 2013. “If someone does something wrong, teach them well, don’t yell or get in their face. That’s how I work.”

Offense

The Bulldogs will have to replace graduated talent and experience on the offensive line, but Pavlansky has Marino back under center and a host of talent at the skill positions.

“We’ve got a senior quarterback, a senior running back, two senior wide receivers,” said Pavlansky, “and we like what we have at the skill positions obviously. Those guys have got to help out the younger kids the best they can and what it’s going to take to perform at a high level on Friday nights.”

Lakeview averaged more than 24 points per game last season.

“We’ve got to lead these kids to a good season,” Marino said. “We’ve got to make sure they’re doing everything right.”

Says Pavlansky: “From an offensive standpoint, we’ve got a lot of new faces. We lost a lot of good seniors who played some quality football for us for two or three years each. We’re talking three three-year starters. We’ve got to get them ready for Week 1.”

Defense

“Defensively, hopefully it’s going to be our strength,” Pavlansky said. “We’ve got eight kids back with starting experience and we’ve got a real strong nucleus there. We’ve got some young kids coming up who we’re high on.”

Tackle Mitchell Franco and linebacker John King will be relied upon for stability in the middle of the defense.

Special Teams

Two-way starters Nick Boldt (receiver) and John Estlack (running back) will share punting duties.

Sophomore Noah Busefink, a soccer player as well, looks to handle place kicking.

Outlook

The Bulldogs will always be in playoff contention as long as Pavlansky is in charge. A Week 10 defeat to Liberty may have kept them out of the Division IV tourney last season.

Marino’s steady hand, a variety of options to carry and catch the football, and a veteran defense will need to produce while the young offensive line gains experience before conference play begins.