2011Feature-LowerTierEarlyPreview

                                       JACKSON-MILTON BLUE JAYS
Good News: The Jays return a 1-2-3 punch in QB Brennen Morrison, RB's John Gherardi and Chuckie Anderson, and WR Cody Vaughn. Also throw in returning linemen Dakota Mohan and kicker Josh Kramer, and the Jays have the potential to put points on the board.
Bad News: The Blue Jays were last in the league in offensive production last year, and only scored 8.40 points per game. Both the rushing and passing were seventh in the league in production, with Morrison only completing 38% of his passes. The Jays will need to play better fundamental football in '11 if they hope to be more competitive.

                                                                LEETONIA BEARS
Good News: The Bears will return the majority of their starters from the end of the 2010 season. Included in those numbers are QB Ian Sevenich, WR Cody Stokes, DB R.J. Pacella, and linemen Tom Cruz. With all the injuries the Bears suffred last year, the underclassmen got valuable experience even if it meant being overmatched against a couple of leagues top teams.
Bad News: The Bears loss the 2010 Lower Tier leading rusher in Devan Miller, and the Bears second leading ball carrier in Seth McNally. With Sevenich pushed into duty early last year, the southpaw struggled, forcing the Bears to cut back the play book. Sevenich will have to be able to be more consistant passing the ball for the Bears, especially with the loss of their top two rushers, if they hope to be successful in 2011.

                                                          LOWELLVILLE ROCKETS
Good News: The Rockets return talented players in QB's Evan Fillip and Randy Pavlicko, FB Nick Sharpe, and linemen Bryan Schiraldi and William Lightner. With new coach Jeff D'Altorio promising to open up the offense, the Rockets have the potential to put points up on the scoreboard.
Bad News: A new coach, a new system, and it may take awhile for the Rockets to be firing on all cylinders. Adding to the dilema is that the Rockets passing offense was virtually non-existant last year, making them one-dimential, and an easy prey for talented ITCL opponents. D'Altorio will need to get both his QB's and receivers working together quickly if they hope to rack up ITCL wins.

                                                          McDONALD BLUE DEVILS
Good News: Dan Williams is still the coach, and he has developed a program that typlically re-loads its talent. In addition, the extended playoff run last year gave the Devils coaching staff a few more weeks to work with the younger players. They also return All-ITCL linemen Nick Puntel and Jimmie Billock, plus RB PJ Mansky.
Bad News: Gone are 24 seniors and all the experience that those players take away with them.   Although a number of juniors and sophomores received mop up experience last year, it isn't the same as starting at the varsity level. The Devils will need to develop quickly if they wish to capture yet another ITCL crown.

                                                                  SEBRING TROJANS
Good News: QB Cory Baia, and QB/athlete Dakota Wagner both return to lead the Trojan offense, while they also return All-ITCL linemen Lee Thomas. The Trojans improved greatly last year by scoring 18 points per game while only giving up 20. The once down program, now is starting to believe in themselves, making them not just a basketball school anymore.
Bad News: Gone is head coach Jay Brophy, and 11 seniors that showed that they had the talent and the work ethic to start the turnaround. Now coach Springer will need to keep the momentum going. With the majority of the line graduated, it will be vital for the Trojans to get the new starters up to speed quickly.

                                                                  SOUTHERN INDIANS
Good News: Last year's playoff run pumped a lot of energy and enthusiasm into the program. The Indians also return a few key players with experience in QB Luke Griffith, RB Dylan Puckett, and linemen Matt Chase and Kyle Exline. They also return All-ITCL kicker Steve Treadway. The Indians may not be quite as big upfront this year, but that may benefit them in team speed.
Bad News: With so many players graduating, only one other player beside Puckett saw the endzone last year. Griffith started two years ago, and played some last year, but he will be expected to step up into a much bigger role this year. How he develops, along with rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines will be a real key for the Indians.

                                                                     WELLSVILLE TIGERS
Good News: With 14 freshmen on the roster last year, the future of the Tigers is bright. In addition, they have linemen/linebackers Marcus Mick and Rick Brightwell returning along with QB Jake Reed, and standout freshmen RB/DB Marcus Moxley. Winning the last three games of the 2010 season should give the Tigers a lot of momentum going into this year.
Bad News: The loss of all-everything Chad Elliott is a big blow to the Tigers both offensively and defensively. Elliott led the Tigers in scoring, and rushing, while also one of the team leaders in passing, receiving and in tackles. The offense was the second least productive in the league with only a 15 points per game average. They also committed the second most turnovers in the league. Both trends will need to be corrected in 2010 in order to be successful.

                                                            WESTERN RESERVE BLUE DEVILS
Good News: The Devils return arguably the most talented QB in the league with Jeff Clegg.   But they also return RB Donnie Bolton, WR Thomas Benyo, linemen Micah Marra, LB Tommy Marlowe, and linemen Tyler Powell. With the Devils losing in the first round of the playoffs to rival McDonald, Reserve has some unfinished bussiness they feel they need to take care of in 2011.
Bad News: Losing Sheptock, Crump, and Newhouse will be big shoes that need to be filled this year. Although the offense was the best passing unit in the league, the Devils led the ITCL in penalties, which ironically may have cost them that playoff game against McDonald. The Devils will have to show a little more disclipine in key situations if they are to capture that elusive second ITCL title.

It may only be March, but we are already starting to think ahead to the 2011 high school football season. Obviously there could be some significant changes due to coaching changes. injuries, starters not returning , etc., but we have taken a quick look at the teams in the ITCL Lower Tier and tried to evaluate what are the positives and negatives for each squad going into the 2011 season.