By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

MINERAL RIDGE

Rams head coach Jeff Whittaker fully understands that having a system in place is half the battle heading into a season.

After 19 years at Liberty, Whittaker heads into his second season with Mineral Ridge knowing full well that both players and coaches alike will be better off with a system that he’s now been able to establish.

“Last season we learned how difficult it can be when you have to start over. When a system is in place and already established from seventh through 12th grades, players recognize and relate to the terminology and language,” Whittaker said. “This group has been asked to start all over three of the last four years and as they learned from us a season ago, so did we as a staff from them.”

OFFENSE

The Rams are a Multiple-I team with tri-captain Mac White and Jarred Miller the quarterback hopefuls.

Mike McLean and Tait Rummell are the running backs with Miller and Travis Rose targets for White.

The line is led by center Tom Pepe and Micah Hawout and Zane Rummell are the tackles. Christian Herbert is a guard, and Joey Austin and Antonio Tedesco in a battle for the other starting guard assignment.

Austin Reese is the tight end.

DEFENSE

Their “40” defense starts with ends Devin Ritchie, Pepe and Reese while the line includes Zack Miller, Zane Rummell and Dillan Keeley.

Dimetrius Lopez, DeCosta Bapriste and Daren Jordonek are the outside linebackers with McLean and Herbert the inside duo.

Miller, Tait Rummell, Travis Rose Justin Cox and Alex Kooyman will split time roaming the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

White will be called upon to do the punting while Ritchie is the kicker.

Replacing the graduated Sam Kooyman on return teams was one of the team’s preseason priorities.

OUTLOOK

Whittaker notes that “we need to develop and establish confidence in our game in order to succeed. Embracing our tradition will help to develop that confidence and unity. It will also help us understand that we’re a good football team that can enjoy success in any arena in which we play.”

The staff has also used the preseason looking for players willing to step up and take charge.

Crisp hitting on both sides of the ball has highlighted preseason drills.

“We have a positive attitude and hope to improve while our strength is the experience that we have returning,” Whittaker said. “A weakness is overall team depth, which is true in many small school situations.”

A brutal schedule awaits the Rams’ 16 returning lettermen with non-conference foes Salem and Newton Falls two of their first three opponents, and eight Inter-Tri County League members the focus in remaining weeks.

“Our traditional rivals are very good once again and everyone on the schedule is strong,” Whittaker said. “The established programs in our conference have excellent players and great traditions so there is no off week. Mineral Ridge has a great football tradition as well, but changing of the guard in recent years has been tough to handle. We preach to our players that it’s week by week.”