The Spartans want to get back into the
playoffs this year after missing the field a year ago. Coach D.J. Ogilvie, back
for his sixth year at Boardman, has four starters back on offense and three on
defense.
Here is a look at the Boardman Spartans.
Youngstown Boardman (5-5)
* Players to Watch – QB Rob Boyd (6-0, 195, Sr.),
DE J.T. Moore (6-3, 230, Sr.),
WR Chase Hammond (6-5, 200, Sr.), WR Ken Jones (5-10, 180, Sr.).
* Outlook – The Spartans want to get back into the
playoffs this year after missing the field a year ago. Coach D.J. Ogilvie, back
for his sixth year at Boardman, has four starters back on offense and three on
defense.
“We have a big senior class, but we do not have that much
experience on either line,” Ogilvie said. “We have a lot of kids the same size.
I told them this summer I have no idea who is going to play (on the lines).
“We have some guys who played on the JV team last year. We
need them to step up and play well. The biggest hole we need to fill is on the
line.”
Moore, who had 79 tackles, four sacks and seven
tackles-for-loss, accepted an early scholarship offer from Ohio State.
“The number one thing with J.T. is he has a great motor,”
Ogilvie said. “He plays both ways for us. He is a good, quality kid with good
grades. The thing I like about him is he is a good leader. Even as a younger
player, he was looked upon for leadership by the older kids.”
Boyd started at quarterback last year. He was 92 of 177
passing for 1,186 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
“Rob has a great arm and he is very accurate,” Ogilvie
said. “He has a great throwing motion. He has a rifle for an arm.”
Jones had 27 catches for 305 yards and three touchdowns.
The season opener against perennial power Youngstown Mooney
looms large.
“They’ve lost a lot of the kids that helped them contend
the last few years,” Ogilvie said. “But Mooney is right next to Boardman. The
kids know each other very well. It may be Division III or IV in enrollment, but
that has no bearing on their football program. We know game one will be exciting
for our community.”
Boardman will then dive into Federal League play.
“There is always going to be a surprise team or two that
will do better than you expect,” Ogilvie said. “You’ve got to look at North
Canton Hoover having Erick Howard back. He was Mr. Football and they made the
state semifinals. They would be an obvious choice.
“I know Canton McKinley has a lot of returning kids. After
Hoover, anybody has a shot.”
Schedule
Aug. 28, Youngstown Mooney
Sept. 4, at Cuyahoga Falls
Sept. 11, Youngstown Chaney
Sept. 18, Uniontown Lake
Sept. 25, at Massillon Perry
Oct. 2, North Canton Hoover
Oct. 9, at Massillon Jackson
Oct. 16, Canton GlenOak
Oct. 23, at Canton McKinley
Oct. 30, Austintown-Fitch
