RAIDERS LOOK TO RELOAD IN 2018- SOUTH RANGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

CANFIELD, OH-  After a very successful 2017 campaign (13-1) The South Range Raiders are back to business, and in their 50th year of existence, look to build on the foundation that has been built in years past.

As with most years, and most programs, Coach Dan Yeagley heads into his 23rd year with a list of challenges.  The difference is that Yeagley will pull his team together this year to use not only the success of last season as a step on the ladder, but will also be able to use the success of other sports at South Range to prepare for the campaign.

It’s easy to point out what the Raiders have lost from 2017.  Aniello Buzzacco (Robert Morris) had over 1000 yards on the ground, and through the air last year, as well as patrolled from the safety position on defense.  Let’s also not forget about Ohio’s Defensive Player of the Year: Peyton Remish (Slippery Rock) who had 151 tackles including 34 for loss.  Oh, and he also ran for over 1750 yards and touched paint 19 times.  Mathias Combs (YSU) tracked in 14 touchdowns and had over 1000 yards receiving to leave his mark on the South Range program.

The real question most teams will face is “How deep is South Range?”  The answer: very.

Nearly 60 Raiders will suit up for Yeagley in 2018, and will provide a ship full of eager young men to chisel their name into the record books as well.  This season the Raiders on Offense have seven returning starters. The returning linemen are Tyler Dolak, Christian Maust, and Jordan Lowery. Returning at the skill positions are running back Trent Harrold, wide receiver Josh Stear and tight ends Ryan Davenport and Jacob Gehring. Helping fill some of the spots offensively will be linemen, Anthony Czap, Rocco DeLucia, Richard Ferenchak, and Colin McCabe. At the skill positions: Isaac Allegretto at QB, Anthony DeLucia and Patrick McCabe at RB, Chris Brooks, Corey Kougher, Seth Littleton, Jacob Shood, Sean Manning and Nick Habeth at WR will be filling in the gaps. “Offensively we need to play as a TEAM. With inexperienced players at the skill positions and a couple new lineman, our Scrimmages will be very important for us to gain the experience needed and for evaluating our players.” Yeagley said.

Being Independent again for the 2018 season, the Raiders will play 5 teams they have never faced. They start the season Week 1 traveling to rival Springfield Local followed by Cleveland JFK at home. Week 3 they host another rival Crestview. “The rest of our season is filled with perennial powers Canton Central Catholic, Marlington, Louisville, and Cleveland Garfield Heights along with St. Clairsville, Brookfield and West Geauga. We must come ready to play every week and be mentally prepared to play such a tough schedule,” added Yeagley.