[coldshoulder]

Looks like the previous thread vanished...into JJ heaven...so I'll start one up again.

Girard's 2012 schedule:

Thurs. 8/23 @ Niles
Fri. 8/31 Hubbard
Fri. 9/7 Warren JFK
Fri. 9/14 @ Newton Falls
Fri. 9/21 Cortland Lakeview
Fri. 9/28 Champion (Homecoming)
Fri. 10/5 @Youngstown Liberty
Fri. 10/12 @ LaBrae
Fri. 10/19 Jefferson
Fri. 10/26 @ Campbell Memorial

A young and inexperienced Girard team will have the advantage of playing four of its first six games at home, although playing Niles, Hubbard, JFK, and Lakeview in their first five games will no doubt be a tough test, and should allow for some growing pains to hopefully solidify the Indians for a strong second half showing.

Head coach Nick Cochran enters his third year leading Girard, but minus 20+ seniors who graduated, including his top QB, RB, and WR, along with four OL starters; and on defense, his top three LBers, depth in the secondary, and a pretty good place-kicker are also missing.

Who will fill the shoes of three-year starter Danny Graziano at QB is as clear as mud right now. Junior Nicky Cardiero was the JV QB last year, and has gotten some reps with the starters early in practice. Classmate Jordan Graziano, Danny's younger brother and a regular at WR last year, has also gotten a look at QB, where his primary strength would appear to be running the option.

Freshman Jake Ryser, son of Girard High's principal, is also in the mix at QB; and he's taken some reps as a back-up RB, too. And sophomore Christian Bello, son of assistant coach Mark Bello, can also play QB and may do some kicking.

With no clear-cut No. 1, it wouldn't be surprising to see all four guys see some action as the season progresses.

Junior James Cupan figures to be the main ball-carrier, with help and back-up from senior Evan DelBane.

The receiving corps will be led by senior Tyler Alejars, if he's recovered enough from a knee injury; Graziano, if he's not at QB; and juniors Chris Vince and Vince Maderitz. Others competing for time are Gino Minniti, Anthony Bryant, Trevon Mills, DeOndre Walker, and freshman Kenny Griffin.

On the line, senior and third-year starter Brandon Martuccio (6'3", 295) will move from guard to left tackle. Senior John Norman (6'0", 230) has been the top back-up for two years and will move into a starting role, likely at guard, where very possibly his younger brother Ben, just a freshman, may be the other starter. Sophomore Mark Rhodes could be the starting RT, and junior Tim Mazzella, although not real big, will likely be the starting center.

On defense, look for Martuccio to play some at the nose, platooning with a much smaller but quicker Matt Young (5'9", 225). John Norman figures to be one DE, and a host of others will rotate in and out regardless of whether the Indians are playing a 3-4 or a 4-3.

Senior Mitchell Smith is the only returning starter at LB. Others who should see plenty of action alongside him include Cupan, DelBane, Walker, Chris Vince, Michael Mills, Trevon Mills, and Isaiah Dunnivant.

In the secondary, Graziano, Minniti, Alejars, Maderitz, Bryant, and sophomore Colin Cramer will battle it out for starting positions.

Bello appears to be the front-runner for kicking duties, but the Indians will no doubt miss David Meigs' strong and accurate leg from the past three seasons.

The bottom half of Girard's coaching staff seems to churn each season, and this summer is no exception. Former assistant Jim Vivo went one-and-out, bolting to Youngstown East as their new head coach, taking two younger Girard assistants along with him. Veteran assistants Bello, Latell, and Tedesco return, as do three young second-year assistants Pat Pearson, Jim Keagy, and Mike Mills, all GHS alums.

If the Indians can finish 6-4 or 5-5, with a lot of younger players gaining valuable experience, I think the faithful will be satisfied, but expecting a big jump in performance the following year.

Go Girard!

[baked alaska]

Have you scrimmaged yet? I know you are coming to Poland Thursday.

[coldshoulder]

Scrimmaged this morning at home against Ravenna Southeast. Didn't make it, but heard we lost 4-2 in TD's.

[gotti]

6-4 or 5-5 maybe quite a stretch, believe the Indians open up 1-4 defeating Newton Falls to start the season. Niles, JFK and Hubbard are returning veteran teams tough opening stretch for Girard.

[dfoxfan37]

What time is the scrimmage on Thursday?

[lets_go_devils]

Could be a year of growing pains. No doubt you lost a ton. Best of luck this year, see you in week 10!

[baked alaska]

Scrimmage is at 10am.