43
Early school start disrupts Lakeview’s routine
Lakeview hopes to rebound from a rare losing season
By DANA SULONEN
CORTLAND
On Aug. 15, many Mahoning Valley football teams were still in the midst of their summer practice schedule. No worries about school, or homework, or how to combine that with the demands of football practice.
Lakeview didn’t have that luxury.
Being the first school in the Valley to begin the academic year, while still having to start practices on Aug. 1 as the Ohio High School Athletic Association mandates, has meant a different summer schedule for veteran football coach Tom Pavlansky.
“We haven’t been in school this early ever, and we’re missing some practices because camp would normally go another five days,” Pavlansky said. “So we’re missing out a little in practice times. But the attitude has been good.”
Pavlansky and his staff are counting on hard work and good attitudes to make sure the Bulldogs don’t suffer a second-straight losing season, which would be a rarity in the Lakeview football program.
In 2018, a rash of injuries contributed to not a normal Lakeview football year as the team finished at 4-6. Until last season, the Bulldogs hadn’t had a losing mark since 2002. Now, the 2019 team is doing its all to make sure it doesn’t suffer its first back-to-back losing seasons since 2001-02.
“We’re just trying to get better than we were yesterday,” Pavlansky said.
OFFENSE
One of the biggest challenges for Pavlansky and Co. is replacing the production of Dakota Whitt and Tony Crish, who combined for 1,280 yards last year. Currently, there is not one player on this team who rushed for more than 100 yards last season.
“They were a majority of our offense and points, we have to find a way to replace them,” the 21-year head coach said. “It’s not going to be easy. Those two guys played a lot of good football for us.
“But we have seven seniors who are all eager to have the opportunity to have career-best years to wrap up their careers.”
Some of those names include Isaac Russo, Gabe Senkowitz, Matt Palumbo and Grayson Zinni at running back; Matt McRoberts at wide receiver; and James Rea and Sebastian Nutter anchoring the offensive line.
“Those seven seniors have done a good job of leading the team,” Pavlansky said. “They are excited about it. They are working hard to put forth a good showing.”
Because of the rash of injuries in 2018, quarterback Stephen Pavlansky was one of the many underclassmen who were thrown into the fire. He started seven games for the Bulldogs last year as a sophomore.
DEFENSE
Another anomaly for Lakeview this season is a small roster.
“We have 37 kids grades nine through 12, it’s the smallest its ever been,” Pavlansky said. “All those guys are going to play a lot of football.”
Rea will be anchoring the defensive line along with Kyle Roberts, who Pavlansky said has impressed so far in camp.
At linebacker, Jake Wilms, Russo and Senkowitz return with experience and Zinni is the most experienced in the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
One area Pavlansky doesn’t need to worry about is special teams. Brendon Kilpatrick will handle all kicking duties.
“He’s a big, strong athletic kid,” Pavlansky said. “He was all-league punter last year. He’s has one of the strongest legs we’ve had, if not the strongest. He’s going to be a weapon for us.”
OUTLOOK
Competing in the Northeast 8 doesn’t allow for an easy schedule, as the Bulldogs open league play against Girard on Sept. 20. The Bulldogs start the season against powerhouse Division VI powerhouse Kirtland.
“The way the conference is made up, there’s no breather,” Pavlansky said. “It’s going to be a bear. So right now we’re just trying to work on our habits and build our habits. If you don’t have those, it’s going to be a struggle. The conference is going to be really competitive, and whoever is still standing at the end is going to earn it for sure.”