Correspondent photo / Lowell Spencer Leetonia assistant coach Joe Merritt speaks to the Blue Devils during a practice this offseason at Leetonia High School. Leetonia head coach Scott Fredericks is looking to lead the Bears after an 0-10 season.

LEETONIA — Following a very disappointing 2022 winless season, the Leetonia Bears football program needed a change.

With the resignation of veteran coach John Protopapa following the conclusion of the season, the Leetonia administration decided to go in a totally new direction.

The Bears administration decided to turn to experienced assistant coach Scott Fredericks to return the program to its proud football tradition. Fredericks has a strong background as a South Range graduate that played for Dan Yeagley and Rick Shepas and also coached under Jim Parry.

Retiring from the US Army after 22 years of service, he also has a military background concentrating on discipline, conditioning, and a total team concept.

“Camp has been a little different for the Leetonia Bears program,” Fredericks said. “They will stare down adversity in its face, and fight through all physical, mental, and emotional barriers that life, not just football, will throw at them. They will learn to live by our new values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.”

Frederick pointed out that there is a difference between managers and leaders. Frederick pointed out that retired South Range coach Dan Yeagley was a great example of a leader and is someone he looks to emulate.

“He taught us full circle,” Frederick said. “Faith, family, football, and success. Whether it be in the hallways, the classrooms, when you leave school and go to college, or the workforce, skill trade, or military. He taught us to be meaningful specifics rather than wondering generalities.”

With the Bears’ senior players having three different coaching staffs in their four years, they have seen a big change in the philosophies over that time period. Despite it all, they are thriving in Frederick’s new approach.

“We have a different style of plays, more conditioning, we have bigger hearts with team bonding, getting to know our teammates better. I hope that will help us pull some more (wins out) this year,” senior lineman Justin Desellem said. “I take a lot of pride in being a senior leader. After taking two years off due to covid, last year I was trying to get adjusted to playing. And I try to pick up my teammates when they are down.”

Although this is Fredericks’ first head coaching position, he has many years of being mentored and taught by some outstanding coaches. Jim Parry from Niles was one of his best teachers.

“I can’t say enough about him,” Fredericks said. “He gave me multiple opportunities to learn a lot from him.”

Fredericks sees great potential at Leetonia, drawing a comparison to the South Range community that he graduated from. That’s something that drew him to the opportunity to coach the Bears.

“I feel that Leetonia is like a South Range 30 years ago — a small school with great academics. Our facilities are state of the art. The campus is top-notch. And we have great administrators,” Fredericks said.

Fredericks admitted that success at Leetonia is not going 10-0, but making sure that the student-athletes grow and mature using athletics as a tool for their development.

“We want to be the best student-athletes that we can be,” Fredericks said. “From there I would like to see them go on to further their career as they become adults and graduate from high school and be success stories. We want to pour the footers, lay the foundation, and change the culture. But I still expect our boys to compete this year and win. That’s our motto, ‘Bears Win.'”

OFFENSE

The offense will be in the capable hands of returning starting quarterback Carson Brock who has the confidence of the Bears coaching staff while showing leadership at the position. They will look to open up the offense more this year by utilizing an option and shoot-style attack. Backing up Brock is athletically gifted freshman Dylan Johns.

“We have a very good line coming back with good receivers and running backs,” Brock said. “When our line can open up holes for the running backs, that will lead up to play-action passes and over-the-top passes.”

Joining Brock will be a number of players rotating in the backfield. Senior Hayden Cibula will be counted on at the tailback spot with senior Tatum Finley playing wingback. Junior Cameron Roller will see action as fullback with Jace Conway adding depth at tailback. Senior Ashton Houlette and sophomore Ethan Mathia will provide added depth in the backfield and as a receiver.

Frederick was quick to point out that the running backs will also see a lot of action as receivers in the Bears’ offense this year. But on the outside, Senior Ethan Mancuso will be a go-to target along with Mason Cibula and promising freshman Dylan Johns providing depth. Senior Ashbee Merritt will be the Bears tight end with sophomore Michael Mango serving as a backup.

The offensive line will be led by senior Justin Desellum as they hope to see improvement from last year. Also looking to see a lot of action up front will be senior Eric DiCross, and Jake Weikart, along with sophomores Jaden Rivers and Jacob Riffee.

DEFENSE

Defensive coordinator David Dozier anticipates the Bears showing opponents multiple fronts and multiple looks this season, but they will be an attack-style defense.

The focus of the defense will be to not give up big plays, cause turnovers, and get off the field for the offense.

“I will definitely say that we are going to be an attacking style of defense, eleven men to the football, and we practice that,” Dozier said. “The numbers are up, and the kids are enthusiastic about being part of the team. They are forming a bond and they have a great community, a great school system, and nice facilities. They have it all. Now they just need to believe in themselves and take off running with it.”

Senior Eric Dicross and sophomore Jacob Riffee will be the two main stalwarts up front in the Bears’ defensive line along with Merritt and junior Avery Phillips. Junior Cameron Roller will be the middle linebacker who Dozier designates as the leader of the defensive team.

Houlette and Finley will start as outside linebackers with Mancuso leading the secondary from his safety position. The Bears will utilize a large rotation of players at the cornerback position as Johns, Conway and Cibula will see plenty of action. Cibula will rotate between outside linebacker and corner depending on the offense they see.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Fredericks said that Finley will handle the kicking duties this year while freshman Mason Cibula will punt. Hayden Cibula will be the long-snapper and is receiving interest from YSU at the position.

Return specialists will be Finley, Johns and Mancuso.

2023 Schedule

Aug. 18 at Fairport 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 vs. Waterloo 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 at Strasburg 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. Valley Christian* 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Wellsville* 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Columbiana* 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. United* 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Lisbon* 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. East Palestine* 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Southern* 7 p.m.

*Conference game

2022 Results (0-10)

vs.Jackson-Milton (7-4) 0-54

at Martins Ferry (4-6) 13-43

vs. Mathews (8-3) 0-49

at East Palestine (1-8) 0-34

at United (7-3) 0-44

at Valley Christian (10-1) 0-46

vs. Southern (11-2) 6-48

at Lisbon (5-6) 6-41

vs. Columbiana (3-7) 0-41

vs. Wellsville (4-6) 8-46

Coaching staff

Head coach: Scott Fredericks, 1st season

Staff: Ed Fredericks (associate head coach) David Dozier (defensive coordinator), Ahmed Ali (special teams coordinator), Joe Buday (offensive and defensive line coach), Max Peppel (running backs and linebacker coach), Joe Merritt (assistant coach), Greg Wilkins (assistant coach)

Team facts

Division VII, Region 25

Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference

Players on the roster: 27

Returning letterwinners (16): Hayden Cibula, Eric DiCross, Ethan Mancuso, Avery Phillips, Cole Mangus, Justin Desellem, Draven Huston, Cameron Roller, Ralph Spotleson, Jacob Eichler, Carson Brock, Kasey Williams, Ethan Mathia, Michael Mango, Jaden Rivers, Jacob Riffee

2022 season: The 2022 season was a tough one for the Leetonia Bears. The offense only managed to muster 33 points, while defensively they didn’t fare much better, surrendering a league-worst 446 points. The Bears are currently on a 10-game losing streak and a 12-game league slide.