"There are some holes to fill, but it's going pretty well so far." Bryant Kennedy
Predictions of Tigers' down year have been coming for years — but losses never arrive. Expect new faces to take the final #CVC title, again.
“We are in a state of flux,” said head coach Mark Iammarino, as his Tigers stretched on the field in front of him.
For five seasons, the Tigers rivals and CVC opponents have waited for the program to slip.
And for five seasons Chagrin Falls has won at least a share of the CVC and reached the playoffs, always advancing past the first round, at the very least.
Players graduate, but Iammarino’s system and the Tigers tradition continues.
When Iammarino says “flux” don’t expect that to mean losses.
But the Tigers will have a few changes, including a different depth chart.
“In the past we’ve had the luxury of playing players one way or one-and-a-half ways,” the coach said. “We always try to do that, but as we get down to it, we may not have that luxury.”
Injuries have also been a concern early on in camp.
But the Tigers have two things going for them. This year’s seniors were freshman when the team advanced to the state semi-finals. And the team advanced to the regional finals their sophomore year.
Those extra weeks of varsity practice for younger players is valuable.
Given the program’s success, there are 30 Tigers freshmen out, a high number that coaches are excited about.
Expect the winning to continue in the last year of the CVC.
OFFENSE
Michael Brigeman threw for 1,227 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore, starting the Tigers’ last eight games, winning seven of them.
Brigeman is stronger after a strong off-season weight room regime. And while Iammarino admits he was asked to be a game-manager last season, meaning don’t make mistakes, he will be more of an offensive threat.
“This year he’ll have to mak eplays with both his arm and his feet,” Brigeman said.
Sean Mackin returns as RB, rushing for 567 yards last season and nine TDs.
His coach heaps praise on him any chance he gets.
“He’s a smart football player, extremely aggressive and could have been a Big 10 linebacker,” Iammarino said.
Junior Corey Tull had limited duty last season at RB and expects to have a bigger role.
Cam Orzen has been banged up with some knee issues, but should be ready for Week 1 after missing most of the summer workouts. He caught 16 passes for 209 yeards last season.
Tom Vandertill, a junior, is also a returning starter who has looked good early in camp. Bill Lingenfelter? played junior varsity last season but has shown promise.
The offensive line returns only senior Bryant Kennedy at center.
Iammarino said the rest of the line is an open competition, but Bryant’s twin brother Tyler is likely to be in the mix.
“There are some holes to fill, but it’s going pretty well so far,” Bryant said. “We are young, but we’re going to go work hard and try to make big strides this year.”
DEFENSE
The defense was the Tigers strength last season, and with Mackin, CVC Chagrin Player of the Year as a junior, Chagrin Falls should be solid in its front 7.
A Harvard-recuit, Mackin had 109 tackles, 11 of which were behind the line of scrimmage.
“I’m lucky to have the experience of being part of a great program,” Mackin said. He’s played weak-side LB since his sophomore year. “It’s a position I know well. We have high expctaions this year.”
The rest of the linebackers are also solid. Tull and Tyler Kennedy will also return.
On the defensive line, Desmond Maddox, Jason Driscoll, James Sferra and Bryant Kennedy are a strong group.
Tyler Zaluski will be a major contributor on the OL and DL.
Maddox knows the defense still needs work but is excited about his senior year. “I think we can carry on the tradition,” he said.
Sferra looks for the younger Tigers to contribute immediately.
The secondary has some question marks, with open competition amongst players during summer camp.
Bradley Hollis, a senior, and Ernie DeFoye played some last year. Both could see some time at RB, as well.
Aside from that experience, Vandertill and Austin Lucas have been competing in early 7-on-7s.
Ideally, Iammarino said, the pass rush and guys up front will make the cover-guys job easier.
“Our defensee is predicated on what guys do up front,” he said. “If (the other team) gets four seconds every snap, we’re going to be in trouble.”
SCHEDULE
The Tigers add Woodrige to its Week 3 non-conference schedule, a playoff rival the Tigers beat in 2009 and 2012.
Adding to that storyline is former Chagrin Falls defensive coordinator Jeff Decker, who is now the Bulldogs head coach.
Madison and NDCL remain on the non-conference schedule. And the competition in the CVC Chagrin, especially against Aurora and Kenston, is always high.
It’s the last year of the CVC, though. Iammarino said there have been talks with Kenston about adding them to the non-conference schedule in the future, keeping the Old 422 rivalry alive.
Chagrin Falls has kept a seven-year winning streak against West Geauga in tact, but last year the Wolverines were just one play away from sending that game to overtime.
“We’ll play 10 games and nine of them will be against schools that are bigger than us,” Iammarino said, adding the team is just eight boys away from becoming a Div. V school.
It will be the first time in six seasons Iammarino coaches without a son on the team, as former quarterback Tommy (2013) and Matt (2014) are both graduated.
Chagrin Falls spends considerable time watching film and thinking about the mental aspect of football.
Well-coached and disciplined, the Tigers have more than just physical abilities going for them on Friday nights.
“You have to not only fill in the group,” the coach said, “but you have to find the depth there. And that’s what the summer about.”
