[Eric Frantz]

Cleveland Benedictine (2-8)

* Players to Watch – TE/DE Mike Roberts (6'4", 240, Sr.), OL/DL Joe Nawalaniec (6'1", 250, Sr.), RB/DB Bryan Lacey (5'11", 180, Sr.), DB/WR Kelvin Blake (5'10", 170, Sr.), LB Giovanni DiPaola (5'11", 190, Sr.), LB/FB Richard Allen (6'1", 235, Sr.), OL/DL William Cloud (6'3", 250, Sr.), TE/LB Owen Reilly (6'1", 215, Sr.), OL/DL David Porter (6'0", 240, Sr.), QB/DB Dan Piascik (5'11", 175, Jr.), WR/RB/DB Marshall Howell (6'0", 190, Jr.), OL Pete Cvijanovic (6'4, 240, Jr.), OL Jaylen Funches (6'3" 260, Jr.), WR/DB Will Woodson (6'0", 180, Jr.)

* Outlook – Head coach Ben Malbasa starts his first year at Benedictine after leading Elyria Catholic to a 31-11 record the last four years. He takes over for longtime mentor Art Bortnick who led the Bengals to state titles in 2003 and 2004. Benedictine, which owns six state titles, hasn’t been to the postseason since 2005. Malbassa will employ a fast tempo, no-huddle attack, which will feature Roberts (33 catches, 453 yards), Lacey (143 carries, 808 yards) and Howell (600 yards total offense). Roberts owns offers from Toledo and Louisville. Defensively the Bengals return DiPaola (67 tackles), Allen (78 tackles), Cloud (51 tackles) and Reilly (91 tackles). In addition to beginning play in the North Coast League Blue Division this season, Benedictine also has non-league games against Columbus DeSales and Youngstown Boardman.