A lot of area fans may have thought that the Clippers were going to have a down season in 2007 when they lost their opening game 22-29 to Malvern. However, coach Spaite, and his Clipper’s went on to have yet another great year in Columbiana, posting a 7-3 regular season mark, and a playoff appearance. So what can be expected of the Clippers in 2008?
That will, without question, be up to how quickly the “new” faces in the starting line-up develop. Gone are standout players QB Zach Williams (1,006 yards rushing, 10 TD’s, 834 yards passing, 7 TD’s), RB/LB Josh Hertel (1315 yards rushing, 17 TD’s, 195 tackles, NEO-D6 Defensive Player of the Year), OL/DL Kurt Huston (Colgate signee), OL/DL Ben Gerlach (NEO & ITCL 1st Team Offense). They also lose RB Corey Kissel, WR/DE T.J. Hiznay, C/DT Adam McIntyre, and LB Mike Morganstern. Despite these key losses, the Clips return numerous senior and junior replacements. Among these returnees are seniors: RB/DT Brian Warchol, WR/CB Troy Brown, WR/FS Tyler DeJong, WR/CB/K Josh Harold, OT Jonathan Welsh, and juniors: WR/LB Jon Ritchey, C/LB Mike McMaster, and OT Josh Batcha. With DeJong and Ritchey battling for the QB job, and Warchol as the new feature back, it will be critical for the Clips to develop these two positions in order to be successful.
To describe the Clippers non-conference schedule in one word, it would be “brutal”. They open up with a trip to state power Steubenville Central Catholic (8/23), then host rival Leetonia (8/29), and All-American Conference foe Struthers (9/05). Once league play begins, they travel to arch-nemesis Crestview (9/12), followed by a trip to United (9/19). They must also make the short bus trip to North Lima to face South Range (10/17). The Clippers will host league games against Springfield (9/26), Mineral Ridge (10/03), and East Palestine (10/24). If Spaite can find quality replacements for Williams and Hertel, the Clippers win have yet another winning season and playoff appearance.
08/24 Malvern L 22-29
08/31 Leetonia W 24-21 ot
09/07 Western Reserve W 56-27
09/14 United W 15-6
09/21 Springfield W 24-10
09/28 Mineral Ridge W 28-20
10/05 Lisbon W 43-0
10/12 South Range L 14-34
10/19 East Palestine W 21-7
10/26 Crestview L 29-33
11/03 Mogadore L 14-25
08/23 Steubenville C.C. (A)
08/29 Leetonia (H)
09/05 Struthers (H)
09/12 Crestview (A)
09/19 United (A)
09/26 Springfield (H)
10/03 Mineral Ridge ((H)
10/10 Lisbon (A)
10/17 South Range (A)
10/24 East Palestine (H)
For the first time in three years the Rebels did not qualify for the OHSAA playoffs in 2007. But that was not due to a disappointing season as the Rebs went 7-3, and could have easily been 8-2 or 10-0 had they gotten a few more breaks. Against South Range the Rebels were turned away on a potential go-ahead score in a crucial second half goal line stand. Then they had a lead slip away to Mineral Ridge in a heartbreaking 13-14 lost. With a number of returnees in 2008, the Rebels don’t expect to be home again in week #11.
Several key players will not be returning in All-ITCL stars QB Tony Britton (1,156 yards rushing, 12 TD’s, 1,063 passing, 8 TD’s), RB Keith Drewnoski (478 yards), DL Brian Peppel, and LB Shane Dilling. Other key losses include: Josh Orr, Dan Netwick, Nick Oliver, Samire Radman, Mike Cervone, and Mitch Minerd. The Rebels have also lost WR George Gutierrez due to moving out of the district. On the plus side, the Rebels will return several All-ITCL stars in SB Corey Hill (730 yards rushing, 457 receiving, 385 return yards), OG/DT Ian Lanney, WR/DB Jakob Leon, OT/DE Jacob Richards, and SB/ILB Nick Robinson. Other talented returnees will be FL/DB Cameron Reynolds, OT/DE J.D. Harris, OT/DT T.J. Rankin, and TE/OLB David Drinnon. The big key to the Rebels 2008 campaign may be determined by how the quarterback position develops. Junior signal caller Adam Briitton may be the heir-apparent to take over for brother Tony. However, as of this writing sophomore Carter Hill may have the inside track to be the starter.
One of the big challenges that the Rebels will face is a schedule that will see them on the road for four of their first five games. In fact they will only play at home four times this year. The Rebels open at Monroe Central (8/22), at Brookfield (8/29), and at Oak Glen WV (9/5), before they host archrival Columbiana (9/12). They will also host South Range (9/26), Lisbon (10/3), and United (10/24). They must also travel to East Palestine (9/26), Mineral Ridge (10/10), and Springfield (10/17). Once again, the South Range game will be a pivotal game in the Rebels title hopes. They must also snap a two-game losing streak to Mineral Ridge if they hope to win a league title outright. By winning one or both of these games, they should qualify for the playoffs once again after a one-year hiatus.
08/24 LaBrae W 43-7
08/31 Marlington L 14-28
09/07 Southern W 26-13
09/14 East Palestine W 34-14
09/21 South Range L 6-21
09/28 Lisbon W 28-7
10/05 Mineral Ridge L 13-14
10/12 Springfield W 28-14
10/19 United W 26-21
10/26 Columbiana W 33-29
08/22 Monroe Central (A)
08/29 Brookfield (A)
09/05 Oak Glen WV (A)
09/12 Columbiana (H)
09/19 East Palestine (A)
09/26 South Range (H)
10/03 Lisbon (H)
10/10 Mineral Ridge (A)
10/17 Springfield (A)
10/24 United (H)
