By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

For decades, South Range has been a member of either the Inter-County League or the Inter-Tri County League. But with the latter league now disbanded, South Range is an independent for the next two seasons.

With no league title to pursue, head coach Dan Yeagley admits he has changed his approach.

“It’s totally different. Before, our [primary] goal was always to win the league title,” said Yeagley, who is in his 22nd season as head coach. “If you win the league title, everything else falls into place.

“Now, being independent, everything is new,” said Yeagley, adding that his staff is focusing on “a game-by-game situation. “Now our [primary] goal is to win the next game.

“We have to attack each game as if it is a playoff game.”

Senior Levi Taylor, a guard on offense and an end on defense, said “it’s a little different, but we’re excited about it.

“We’re going to be playing tougher teams and we feel that is going to prepare us for the playoffs. Bigger schools — it’s going to be fun.”

The Raiders, 9-2 in 2016, will be facing plenty of new opponents — they’ll be playing six opponents for the first time (Zanesville, Brookfield, Sharon, Kenmore, St. Clairsville and Sharpsville).

“I’m looking forward to play Sharon,” said Brennan Toy, a senior wide receiver and defensive back. “When I was little, we use to play them in basketball. It will be a good matchup, I hope.”

Yeagley said the team is “excited, we’ve been talking about this [change] all winter. “It’s a challenge, it’s exciting to play new teams.”

OFFENSE

Sparking optimism is the return of four starting linemen: guards Taylor and Matt Brooks, center Brian Robinson and tackle Tyler Dolak.

“That’s a good start,” Yeagley said.

Brooks said the team is ”really happy with what we have coming back. Up front, we have real good continuity since we’ve played together.

“We’re getting all the guys together to be dominant this year,” Brooks said. “We know we win the game in the pits, and that’s where we really want to take over games, really show our force.”

Also returning are Aniello Buzzacco at quarterback, Mathias Combs at wide receiver and Peyton Remish at running back.

The Raiders run the spread offense.

DEFENSE

Four starters are back for their 4-3 scheme: Remish and Robinson at linebacker, Buzzacco at defensive back and Taylor at defensive end.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Soccer player Brandon Youngs will return as punter and kicker. Taylor also has experience kicking extra points.

OUTLOOK

The Raiders are looking forward to Saturday’s opener against archrival Springfield in their new stadium on state Route 46 across the road from the school.

Taylor calls it “a little bit of a revenge game.” He was referring to last year’s loss to the Tigers.

“New field, Saturday night [game] — we’re excited,” Taylor said.

Brooks called the new stadium “gorgeous, I love it.

“It’s kind of cool to be the first senior class to ever play in that new stadium [and] to see the stadium being built while we’re practicing,” Brooks said. “Not many teams get to see that happen.”