43
Warren JFK hopes to extend postseason streak to five
By STEVE RUMAN
WARREN
For decades, the Warren JFK High School football program has been a model of success.
The Eagles have more playoff appearances (23), playoff wins (35) and state final appearances (five) than any other school in Trumbull County. The program also owns a pair of state championships.
With such a decorated history, expectations are always high at JFK. This year is no exception.
The Eagles will be looking for their fifth straight postseason appearance. Their streak features a 9-3 record and a Division VII state title in 2016.
“JFK has been in the playoffs 23 times, so that’s kind of an expectation around here,” JFK coach Jeff Bayuk said. “We talk about those things. We don’t shy away from things like that. We don’t shy away from the teams on our schedule, but those teams help us get ready.”
A year ago, JFK suffered a 1-4 start. However, the Eagles flipped things around in the second half, going 4-1 and finishing seventh in Region 24.
Playoff wins over Windham and Mapleton followed before the Eagles fell to Cuyahoga Heights in a regional title game.
OFFENSE
The JFK offense returns plenty of weapons, led by senior quarterback Christian Marantis. Last year, Marantis threw for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns. Also back is Marantis’ favorite target, junior Cameron Hollobaugh.
As a sophomore, Hollobaugh pulled in a team-high 36 receptions, nine for touchdowns.
Jesse Likens, Jordan Edmondson and Nick Fordeley should also provide plenty of firepower, as will senior Savone Williamson. Last year, Williamson hauled in 10 passes in the Eagles’ first two games, including a game-winning catch as time expired against Champion.
In Week 3, he suffered a season-ending injury.
Seniors Earl Hill (6-foot-4, 280) and Scott Mintus will anchor the offensive line.
“Having your quarterback returning is always a plus,” Bayuk said. “We have experience in some areas, and in other spots we’re young.
“Hopefully we can get that to all mesh before the season starts.”
DEFENSE
It was a tale of two seasons for the JFK defense a year ago.
The Eagles surrendered 228 points in the first five games but in weeks six through 10, the Eagles gave up a total of 36 points. They pitched a pair of shutouts. There is reason to believe the second-half trend could carry over to the upcoming season.
Hollobaugh and Likens will provide the defense with plenty of experience. Both are three-year starters.
Hollobaugh, a linebacker, led the Eagles in tackles last year.
Likens will spearhead a defensive backfield which includes Fordeley, Williamson and Edmondson.
“We have Dominic Prologo back as our defensive coordinator, and we’re going to go back to doing things defensively like we did a few years back when we first got here,” Bayuk said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Warren JFK returns its kicker (Armand Nannicola) and punter (Marantis). The Eagles’ kickoff and punt return teams will be bolstered by many of the offensive playmakers.
OUTLOOK
With a strong nucleus returning after playing deep into November, playoff expectations are again high at JFK.
The Eagles’ roster included just five seniors a year ago, and Bayuk is hopeful that some of the younger players can fill the few voids created from graduation.
“We’re excited about some of our prospects, we hope to be competitive,” Bayuk said. “As always, it’s extremely important to stay healthy.
“At the Div. VII level, you count on everybody. When injuries occur there is a pretty big dropoff, and one injury usually affects two or three positions. It’s vital that we remain injury-free.”
The Eagles’ schedule will look quite different than it did a year ago. LaBrae, Crestview, Steubenville Catholic Central and Garfield Heights Trinity are off the schedule. They have been replaced with Campbell, Valley Christian, Garrettsville Garfield and Cardinal Stritch.