Boardman looks to build and keep momentum

August 20, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

BOARDMAN

If Boardman wins any big games in 2017, the Spartans have to forget about it and move on.

Boardman opened last season 2-0, which included a come-from-behind win for the ages against Cardinal Mooney, the team’s first win against the Cardinals since 2002. Instead of building on that victory, The Spartans went on a five-game losing streak and finished the year 4-6.

“We got a little too high and a little too confident,” senior center Bob Toth said. “We learned that you can’t look back at the past and keep moving forward no matter what happened the previous week.”

The 2016 campaign was a step backward from 2015’s playoff appearance and the Spartans have their task ahead of them.

“We’re trying to win some games,” Toth said. “We fell off last year and now we have to start well and keep it moving.”

OFFENSE

The Spartans failed to reach 20 points in half of their games and they’ve lost their leading rusher and receiver from last year. Tight end Travis Koontz and Koby Adu-Poku are plying their trades at Bowling Green and Walsh, respectively.

Boardman coach Joe Ignazio calls junior Alex Huzica “Koontz-esque” and he has the build for it at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds. Senior wideouts Mike Melewski, JuJaun Forte and Keshawn Coleman return at wideout.

Junior Mike O’Horo returns at quarterback for the Spartans.

“He was only a sophomore last year and he learned a lot and you can see he’s been getting a lot better with the mental game this year,” Melewski said.

Ignazio has three players vying for the starting running back job. Seniors Justice Jama and Domonhic Jennings, along with junior Joe Ieraci are in the mix. Jennings is a transfer from Valley Christian, where he was the Eagles’ starting quarterback. He could also play wideout.

“He can be utilized anywhere on the football field,” Ignazio said.

Toth is a three-year starter on the offensive line. Junior Tino Arcuri returns at tackle and senior Evan Walton lines up at guard.

“I’m trying to emerge as a leader on the line and pick some guys up when they’re doing something wrong,” Toth said. “We need a lot of guys to step up and they’re willing to do that.”

DEFENSE

Walton, Arcuri and senior Steven Amstutz will man the defensive line.

Kareem Hamdan and Ieraci return at linebacker. Melewski is the lone returning starter in the secondary. Huzica, Jennings, O’Horo and East transfer Maurice Pickard will also patrol the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior Noah Falleti will handle the punting duties and sophomore Tommy Fryda returns as the kicker.

OUTLOOK

Boardman’s defense kept the Spartans in games in 2016, but the offense just wasn’t there.

The team exceeded 20 points twice in all of 2016. Boardman has to do better.

How will the offense improve without its returning leading rusher or leading receiver? The answer appears to be by committee with three seniors at wideout and three players taking the tailback role.

The 2017 slate begins with a mix of tough tests in East, Howland, Massillon Jackson and Steubenville.