Rams bringing different vibe into season
Ringgold players take the field for a Friday night game last season at Joe Montana Stadium.
Ringgold's Landon Oslowski breaks free for a 25-yard run against Laurel Highlands during a game last season.
Ringgold's John Polefko (33) breaks through the line of scrimmage during a run last season.
The Ringgold Rams have only won a total of six games over the last four seasons, but there is a different vibe this season, according to third-year head coach Darwin Manges.
无毛视频淲e are excited as we enter our first senior class and we have shown great strides,无毛视频� said Manges. 无毛视频淥ur senior class of nine players will make an impact.无毛视频�
A big key has been how the team has grown stronger in the weight room, and this could lead to success.
无毛视频淲e have playmakers in our 1,000-pound club or 1,200-pound club,无毛视频� Manges said of combining the max weights of squats, deadlifts and on the bench press. 无毛视频淥ur linemen took second at the Pitt Big Man Challenge, trailing only Massillon (Ohio) High School.无毛视频�
Between the gains in the weight room, senior leadership and talented young players, Manges is excited.
无毛视频淲e have some great supporting underclassmen, but you can无毛视频檛 substitute game experience,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淲e would have liked to see more of a JV schedule last year, but we are who we are.无毛视频�
The Rams return eight offensive starters and nine on the defensive side of the ball.
无毛视频淎lmost everyone who will start on offense this year started last year,无毛视频� said Manges. 无毛视频淲e have experience back on both sides of the ball.无毛视频�
Manges likes what the team will put on the field, but knows even one injury could derail the season.
无毛视频淚f one guy goes down on the line, we have a domino effect,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淧lugging guys in will be a work in progress, but I will put my one无毛视频檚 up with anyone无毛视频檚 one无毛视频檚 (in the conference).
无毛视频淲e just have to stay healthy.无毛视频�
Manges said there is a competition at quarterback, and he is happy with it.
无毛视频淲e have a battle there with two seniors and a junior,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淏y the time we close out the McGuffey scrimmage, we should know more things.无毛视频�
The two seniors in the competition are seniors Braden Fine and Deandre Dotson, and junior Alex Coccagna.
无毛视频淏raden is dynamic with the ball in his hands, Deandre can make things happen and Alex can throw the ball,无毛视频� Manges said.
If Dawson isn无毛视频檛 at quarterback, he will be elsewhere on the field.
Senior Jacob Frahlich moves from left guard to left tackle and will lead the offensive line which includes junior Logan Simko at left guard, junior Jerry Mease at center, senior Jacob Meyer at right guard and senior Dante Compagni at right tackle.
无毛视频淚 can无毛视频檛 sing enough praise about the five guys up front,无毛视频� Manges said. 无毛视频淭hey are grinders and want to do the best they can every play.无毛视频�
Seniors Landon Oslowski and John Polefko, a team captain, return in the backfield and sophomore Maddox Sukel also saw significant time as the season wore on.
无毛视频淲e have some playmakers, and I am excited about that,无毛视频� Manges said. 无毛视频淲ith those three on the field at the same time, we will be tough to defend.无毛视频�
Senior wide receiver Donte Kinds and junior tight end Jake Pehowic will also be keys on offense.
Defensively, the Rams have changed to a 3-3 stack.
无毛视频淲e experimented with it last year, but injuries caused us to adjust,无毛视频� Manges said. 无毛视频淚 think it will be very good.无毛视频�
Defensively, the Rams will have plenty of experience back.
Dawson will once again man the safety position with Kinds at one corner. The coaching staff is still waiting for someone to step up and take the other cornerback spot.
Sukel will play all over the field defensively, while Polefko will be the middle linebacker and junior Kevin Willis will be the Will linebacker.
Fine will be at an outside linebacker position and will also see time at safety with Donte Newton providing depth. Other linebackers include Sukel and Simko.
Pehowic and Frahlich are the defensive ends, while Compagni is the nose tackle.
The team still has an open competition going on for the kicking and punting duties.
What kind of expectations does Manges have for the season?
无毛视频淲e want to see more growth,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淣ot only in win-loss column, but I think we are at a point now that they kids are free in their minds, running around and making plays.无毛视频�
Ringgold opens with three non-conference games to get prepared for Big Eight Conference play. First up is a home game with Elizabeth Forward, the WPIAL Class AAA runner-up a year ago.
After hosting Yough on Sept. 3 and heading to South Allegheny a week later, the Rams will open conference play when they host Laurel Highlands on Sept. 17.