2008 Results:
08/23 Catholic Ctrl W  27-13 
08/29 Leetonia L  6-19 
09/05 Struthers W  14-7 
09/12 Crestview W  42-36 2 ot
09/19 United W  14-3 
09/26 Springfield L  24-27 
10/3 Mineral Ridge W  14-0 
10/10 Lisbon W  57-6 
10/17 South Range L  30-34 
10/24 East Palestine W  39-13
10/31 Hopewell-Loudon L 14-41
2009 Schedule:
08/28  Catholic Central (H)
09/04  Leetonia (A)
09/11  Struthers (H)
09/18  East Palestine (A)
09/25  Crestview (H)
10/02  United (H)
10/09  Springfield (A)
10/16  Mineral Ridge (A)
10/23  Lisbon (H)
10/30  South Range (H)		 2008 Results:
08/22 Monroe Cntrl W 20-19 ot
08/29 Brookfield W  42-0 
09/05 Oak Glen (WV) W 55-20 
09/12 Columbiana L 36-42 2 ot
09/19 East Palestine W  34-28 
09/26 South Range W  31-28 
10/03 Lisbon W  55-0 
10/10 Mineral Ridge W  35-0 
10/17 Springfield W  41-7 
10/24 United W  44-35
11/01 Waynedale W 41-12
11/08 Kirtland L 13-41		 2009 Schedule:
08/28  Oak Glenn (H)
09/04  Brookfield (H)
09/11  Tuscarawas Vlly (A)
09/18  United (A)
09/25  Columbiana (A)
10/02  East Palestine (H)
10/09  South Range (A)
10/16  Lisbon (A)
10/23  Mineral Ridge (H)
10/30  Springfield (H)
   The Clippers came within seven points, and a few short minutes of winning their first ITCL championship in 2008. A last minute touchdown, onside kick, and winning TD pass propelled Springfield to a heartbreaking 27-24 loss.  Then, three weeks later, the Clippers let a 30-20 lead with just over two minutes remaining slip away against South Range in a 34-30 defeat.  As coach Spaite enters his 16th season with the Clippers program, he will try to prevent any last minute collapses from capturing that elusive title.  One favorable thing coach Spaite will have on his side is a number of experienced players who will not want to repeat those heartbreaks.
   The Clippers may have lost some key players from they’re 2008 squad, but they will return numerous starters that will challenge for the league title once again in 2009.  Gone are outstanding All-ITCL performers in Brian Warchol (1,326 rushing, 14 TD’s), Josh Harold (2-50 yard FG), Tyler DeJong, John Welsh, Clay Stone, and Tony Colella.  They also lose seniors Steve Weber, Cale Armstrong, Tom Geer, John Boswell, and Josh Batcha.  The reason the Clips will be successful in 2009 is the talented returnees in All-ITCL stars C/LB Mike McMaster, OG Matt Douglas, OG/DE Nate Good, and HB/FS Grant Crider.  Other key returning players include, QB Jon Ritchey (432 rushing, 7 TD’s, 423 passing), FB/ILB Nick Racone (389 yards rushing), OT/DT Rex Smith, QB/HB/FS Brian Fay (recovering from broken leg in 2008), and RB/LB Jeff Davidson.  Coach Spaite has always thrived on a stingy defense and the ’08 squad exemplified that by giving up less than 20 points per game.  One key to the Clips 2009 season will be to develop quality cornerbacks and linebackers to give they’re talented offense a chance to dominate opponents.
    The Rebels did some amazing things in 2008.  They were able to finally get the South Range game monkey off they’re back, win a ITCL championship, advance to the second round of the OHSAA playoffs, have one of the most powerful offenses in the Mahoning Valley, and have a running back set school, and Columbiana County rushing records.  To repeat such a great year again in 2009 will be difficult, however, don’t be surprised if the Rebs reload for yet another league title run and playoff appearance.  The key to that hope will uncountable fall on coach Cusick, entering his 11th season, replacing numerous outstanding performers.
     Those talented seniors include All-ITCL stars Corey Hill (1,802 yards rushing, 23 TD’s), lineman Ian Lanney, lineman Nick Robinson, receiver Jakob Leon (28 receptions, 9 TD’s), lineman Jacob Richards, lineman J.D. Harris, and receiver/kicker Cameron Reynolds.  They also depart with seniors C.J. Oliver, T.J. Rankin, and David Drinnon.  On the bright side Cusick will have returnees in All-ITCL players RB/LB Jesse Dew, QB/LB Carter Hill (531 rushing, 11 TD’s, 51/96 passing, 855 yards, 11TD’s), TE/LB Gary Cervone, and HB/FS Adam Britton.  Other key returnees include RB/DB Adam Coppock, RB/LB Andrew Mayer, HB/LB Kody Simpson, SE/DB Tristan Reynolds, OT/DE Aaron Bussard, OG/DT Payton Elwonger, OT/DT Cory Cusick, OT/DT Nick Marnejohn, and C/DT Jeff Bing.  With Carter Hill taking the reins of the offense from his big brother Corey, leadership will not be an issue, however coach Cusick will have to quickly develop a surrounding cast of offensive weapons to help Carter out.  How they develop may determine if the Rebels can resemble their 2008 success.
     The Rebels 2009 non-conference schedule opens with two consecutive home games against Oak Glen (WV) (8/28), and Brookfield (9/4).  Then they travel to Tuscarawas Valley (9/11).  League play kicks off with two rugged road test as they travel to United (9/18), and then face arch-rival Columbiana (9/25).  The schedule doesn’t get any easier as they will then host East Palestine (10/2), before traveling to South Range (10/9) for what should be another showdown between these rivals.  The schedule concludes with contest at Lisbon (10/16), before hosting Mineral Ridge (10/23) and Springfield (10/30).  How well the Rebels develop in their non-conference games may go a long way in how successful they will be in ’09.  The key to the Rebels 2009 schedule will be how they fare in the four games stretch of United, Columbiana, East Palestine and South Range.  If they win three of four watch for them to challenge for a second league title and a return playoff appearance.
    As far as the Clippers 2009 schedule goes, they will once again face one of the most demanding skids in the league.  They will kick the season off by hosting state powerhouse Steubenville Central Catholic (8/28), then travel to rival Leetonia (9/4) and AAC foe Struthers (9/11).  When league play starts, the Clippers will face back-to-back league favorites by traveling to East Palestine (9/18), and hosting Crestview (9/25).  The Clippers will also host United (10/2), Lisbon (10/23), and South Range (10/30).  They will travel to Springfield (10/9), and Mineral Ridge (10/16).  How the Clippers fare in the first five games of the 2009 season will indicate how successful the 2009 campaign will be.  The key games for the Clippers may be the East Palestine and Crestview games in consecutive weeks if they are to win their first league crown.  Don’t be surprised if they push for a title and they should qualify for the OHSAA playoffs again in 2009.
Coach Cusick Preview
Coach Spaite Preview