By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

One of the trademarks of Dan Yeagley’s South Range High School football teams has been experience up front.

This season is an exception. The Raiders return five starters on offense from their 6-4 2015 campaign, but they are all skill players.

“It hasn’t been this way for a long time,” said Yeagley, who is beginning his 22nd season as the Raiders’ head coach. “We’re going to have to rely on our defense to get us out of [tough] situations.

“Luckily, we had a good defense last year.”

OFFENSE

Quarterback Seth Morrow and running backs Nathan Daniszewski (905 yards) and Ethan Dominguez — all seniors — return focused on winning a league title and earning a bonus week of football.

“I’m, for sure, glad we’re playing in the last year, trying to get that last title of the ITCL,” Morrow said of the league that will disband next spring. “That would be pretty cool.”

Lineman Chris Herubin, who will be an offensive tackle and nose guard, agreed.

“It’s kind of cool that I’m in the group of seniors who are the last to play in the ITCL,” Herubin said.

The team’s top challenge is to get five inexperienced linemen ready for the challenge of an impressive schedule that includes Western Reserve and Akron Manchester.

“Traveling to Akron Manchester will be a tough task,” Daniszewski said.

Yeagley said: “We’ve got skill kids coming back which is very good, but replacing that offensive line is going to be tough because we have to rely on them.”

Among the contenders are Brian Robinson, Levi Taylor, Matt Brooks, Tyler Dolak, Ray Janecko, Bailey Peachcock and Jordan Lowery.

Herubin said the most important thing is to create chemistry.

“And I think we’re doing a pretty good job and I think it will come together by the time the season starts,” Herubin said. “We’ve [still] got to work out some things.”

“I’m decent. On some of the one-on-one blocks, I think I’m going to have to get a little bit better.”

Herubin graded himself as “decent.”

DEFENSE

The Raiders return seven starters on defense.

“Having a lot of our secondary kids back and a couple of linebackers and D-linemen, it’s a good start,” Yeagley said. “We had a really good defensive team last year.”

Herubin will join Daniszewski and Janecko on the line. Dominguez, David Pecchia and Aniello Buzzacco return to the defensive backfield. Taymer Graham and Peyton Remish are the returning linebackers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Taylor returns as the Raiders’ placekicker. Soccer player Brandon Youngs will be the punter.

“It makes a huge difference,” Yeagley said of Youngs’ powerful leg. “We’re real fortunate to get Brandon out.”

OUTLOOK

The Raiders are hoping for one more title in the final year of the ITCL.

“It would be cool to be the last team to win it,” said Daniszewski of the Red Tier.

Dominguez has another goal.

“[A league crown] would be nice but our goal is to make the playoffs,” he said.

The Raiders have missed the playoffs the past two seasons.

“It would be awesome,” Herubin said. ”It’s always been a goal and [we] want to get back as bad as anyone else that’s playing.”