Ledgemont Redskins: 2014 Team Preview

August 29, 2014 by Jamie Ward

Joe LaRosa is a players’ coach.

In his 11th season at Ledgemont, sixth as head coach, he sometimes uses popsicles as a reward at practice. He’s been called in the middle of the night for a tow.

When his sons, Justin, Danny and Kyle, all graduated, the last in 2013, many thought he would leave. But he never considered it.

After last season’s 1-9 finish, his wife would ask him after tough games: “Are you OK? How are you feeling?”

He always said he was fine. Whether 10-0 or 1-9, he knows he’s dealing with Ledgemont’s young men, not numbers in a box score.

LaRosa’s famed conditioning program has changed from four corners to three due to roster numbers.

There were just 18 players at an early August practice. Just four seasons ago there were 32. Underclassmen will again be a big part of this team’s success, with just three seniors on the team.

LaRosa still expected a few more players to trickle in, once the hardest two-a-day practices were over. But the team’s core has been in the weight room since February. And it only takes 11 to win on Friday nights.

OFFENSE

The offense will change under new coordinator Tino Jones, converting from a no-huddle to a clock-controlling, run-based Pro formation, matching the team’s new pro-style uniforms. The previous jerseys were 12 years old.

Excitement will come from RB Jarett Young, who returns as a junior with two years varsity experience. Young ran for 1,200 yards last year, second best in the county. He also scored 12 TDs.

“He’s going to be our big thing,” Jones said. “He’s got to be.”

“I’m prepared for this season,” said Young, breathing hard after climbing hills during drills. Conditioning is a big part of a LaRosa-coached team. Ledgemont finishes every practice with a mile at the track.

Young caught his breath.

“All we have to do is work hard and we can have a good season.”

“We’re honestly one of the most conditioned teams out there,” said senior Derek Melendez, who will play WR and DB. “Because of our smaller numbers, we have to go deep in the game.”

Young will be the workhorse; Mike Risko will be the fullback opening holes for Young’s speed.

Early 7-on-7 camps have been fruitful, with wins against Twinsburg and Bedford at Hiram.

Joe Hauser, a sophomore, is the team’s starting QB, having thrown 482 yards after stepping in during Week 3 last season.

“I’m glad I get to start the whole season,” said Hauser, who admitted he’s learned just how difficult varsity football can be.

Owen Young, Melendez and Dylan Carson, the team’s backup QB, will be three of the go-to receivers, a group that excites Hauser.

“We have a good group of kids with a lot of speed,” LaRosa said of his skilled players.

Melendez missed half of last season due to injury. “I’ve been waiting for this time forever,” he said. “It’s my time to shine.”

Augustus Ciresi is a new player who lives in the district but attends a private school without football. Ciresi, at 6-0 and 188 pounds, will play tight end.

The offensive line is young, and so coaches were waiting until scrimmages to make an assessment on how good they might be.

Ledgemont linemen tend to be strong and lean, not wide.

“You see flashes of potential, but then again you see youngness, too,” Jones said. “One play they are excellent, the next play maybe not. Hopefully by game two we are good.”

Logan Leichtman, a senior, admitted last season was tough, but with experience he sees improvement.

“The younger guys can handle themselves and are able to make good decisions,” he said.

As the most experienced returning lineman, his 2014 goal is simple. It involves the quarterback.

“I need to protect mine and get to theirs,” he said

Isaac Bryant, a sophomore, will play offensive guard. Pauly Mitrovic is the team’s center.

DEFENSE

At Ledgemont, players don’t play two ways — they play three, counting special teams.

Most of the offensive players mentioned will also see most of the defensive snaps, except maybe Hauser, the starting QB.

“It’s a lot harder playing both ways,” Melendez said.

Tucker Witt will play MLB and DE. Tyler Offacher is a junior defensive tackle.

Chris Perrotti, formerly of Newbury and West Geauga, will take over the defense. LaRosa was glad Perrotti, 26, was available to improve his coaching staff.

With the closing of Ledgemont High School, players are now closer to their practice facility on Burrows Road, where the middle school is located.

Rumors of a possible Cardinal merger aren’t good for Ledgemont players, LaRosa said, who know hard work pays off with playing time.

Getting back to 10-0 form isn’t easy, LaRosa admitted. And winning at small schools is often cyclical.

Carson, a freshman the last time Ledgemont made the playoffs, does not want to compare this team to the past.

“I’m just focused on today, scoring touchdowns,” Carson said. “The past doesn’t really matter.”

SCHEDULE

Ledgemont will try to regain its footing in the Northeastern Athletic Conference.

After winning the NAC in 2010 and 2011, the Redskins have gone 1-9 the past two years.

Rival Newbury joins the conference, and Ledgemont and Newbury are like siblings in low roster numbers, failed levies and talks of merging with other districts. Geauga County’s two smallest districts will play in Week 10, Ledgemont’s senior night.

New Day Academy, a boarding school in Euclid, has been added to the schedule. Conneaut, Edgewood and Trinity (Garfield Hts.) are non-conference opponents.

Six home games will be an advantage for the team. Cardinal, an annual rival, has been removed from the schedule.

Being a part of Ledgemont’s tradition is important for former players, too, like Sam Grabinski, Ryan Burzanko, John Bryant and Kyle Dennis, all alumni who have been working out with the team this summer.

LaRosa is just one win away from becoming the school’s all-time winningest coach, surpassing Jack Corlew, who had 34 wins from 1990-98.

“That’s what it’s about,” LaRosa said. “There’s a lot of history here at this school. I’m always here for all of these guys.”