Football Preview 2018

Depth a Concern for Daley, Steubenville Catholic

By ED LOOMAN STEUBENVILLE — Steve Daley isn’t exactly stuck between a rock and a hard place as he gets his Steubenville Catholic Central football team ready for the 2018 season, but he is pretty darn close. With a boatload of starters back on both sides of the ball, the veteran coach is optimistic about the upcoming campaign. Given the program’s ongoing issues with numbers and depth, however, Daley also realizes he and his staff “have to be smart and keep our fingers crossed.” “We have 30 players on the roster and not much depth in certain areas,” said Daley, who is ...

Team Chemistry Strong as Magnolia Eyes Playoffs

By CODY TOMER NEW MARTINSVILLE—As Magnolia football coach Dave Chapman watches his team practice in the early going of the 2018 season, he notices three things. Team chemistry, speed and a group of seniors itching to finish their careers the way they started—with a state championship. Following a 4-6 showing last year, Chapman and the Blue Eagles’ ultimate goal is to reach the postseason. “There are always short-term and long-term goals in a season,” Chapman said. “Our long-term goal around here is to be playing on that second Friday in November. “We missed the ...

Expectations High Around Bellaire Program

By SETH STASKEY BELLAIRE — Mark Spigarelli is certainly aware of the expectations that surround the Bellaire football program. After all, other than a handful of seasons that he spent coaching at West Liberty, Spigarelli has been a part of the Big Reds program since his playing in the mid 80s. But, even if he had only been in Bellaire for one season, he understands and appreciates that 3-7 seasons aren’t going to cut it. Unfortunately, that’s the exact season the Big Reds were dealt in 2017 as they broke in several new, young faces just a season after qualifying to play host ...

Martins Ferry Begins the Chas Yoder Era

By KIM NORTH MARTINS FERRY — Chas Yoder played football at Martins Ferry where he was an all-stater and Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year following the 2004 season. After a stellar career at Mount Union and several years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, he is now the head coach. Yoder takes over for long-time Martins Ferry head coach Dave Bruney, who retired in May. He was 275-134 as the Purple Riders leader for 40 seasons. “It’s exciting, but also a little different. Coach Dave is still around to give me help or any advice that I may need. He’s helped ...

Herbert Optimistic About Buckeye

By RICK DELUCA CONNORVILLE — Roger Herbert came to Buckeye Local last fall set on re-building the football program. He endured a winless season as the school’s third coach in three years. Talking to Herbert, it takes just a minute of the conversation to see that he is a coach that looks ahead and doesn’t waste his time looking back. He is optimistic about the approaching 2018 season, which opens Thursday at home against rival Martins Ferry, but he is realistic in his thinking. He works on the moment while building for the future. “I think the second year in the program, our ...

Ray Next in Line to Try to Revive Bridgeport

By KIM NORTH BRIDGEPORT — The head coaching carousel at Bridgeport continues in 2018 as Martins Ferry native Fred Ray takes over the helm. The 37-year-old follows in the footsteps of another Martins Ferry alum, Gary Krol, who led Bridgeport to a 3-7 mark in his lone season. Krol took over for Zack Melton who lasted two seasons. “I think the kids are doing the best they can considering all they’ve been through over the past several seasons,” Ray said. “There has been so much transition over the past few years, but the kids have done well so far. They just have to learn what ...