YOUNGSTOWN — Paul Hulea isn’t taking credit for the Leetonia Bears’ first 5-0 start in over 10 years.

He doesn’t think he’s the reason Leetonia went from 0-10 in 2017 (the year before he took over) to likely being one of the top seeds in the Division VII playoffs.

“Coaching’s overrated,” said Hulea, who led Poland to a state title back in 1999. “You’ve got to have players. You’ve got to have kids that can play the game. You’ve got to have kids who play it the right way, and we’re lucky enough that we’ve got a good group that’s doing that right now.”

They did it again Saturday night, cruising past East Palestine, 51-7, in a game played at Youngstown State University’s Stambaugh Stadium.

There was a brief moment where it looked scary for the Bears (5-0, 5-0). Star running back Marco Ferry went down late in the first half when his legs got twisted on an ankle tackle. Ferry, who entered the contest with 926 yards in four games, finished with 208 yards and three touchdowns in two quarters.

While he jogged off the field, he did not return after the injury. Hulea didn’t want to speculate on his status for next week’s Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference showdown with United (4-1).

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Ferry seemed in good spirits after the game.

“It’s a little sore, but I’m all right,” he said.

He and the Bears are doing better than “all right” these days.

They’ve gradually improved each year under Hulea, going 4-6 in 2018, 6-4 last year and now 5-0 for the first time since 2008. A once-proud football program came under tough times for the better part of a decade, going 5-45 from 2013 to 2017. The losing was taking its toll, but finally, the Bears had enough.

“My sophomore year I really started to see it,” said Ferry, whose older brothers, Roman and Trent, were both stars at Leetonia as well. “We got together, all the sophomores, and we said we were tired of getting our butts whooped every week – I’m not going to lie.

“Now we’re not top, and it feels great.”

The Bears have outscored their opponents 165 to 48 over the first five games, including a big 14-13 victory over Southern in Week 1. It’s not all Ferry either.

Quarterback Dylan Lennon, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound senior, possesses a strong arm. He showed it off in the first quarter when he threw a perfect pass deep down the middle after a play-action fake. Jordan Baker hauled in the 44-yard strike for a touchdown. Lennon later added a 6-yard fade to the corner of the end zone to Jaedon Finley for another TD.

It was two of several big plays from a team that’s trying to keep a humble attitude, and while Hulea won’t take credit, Ferry said he deserves it.

“Definitely coach Hulea,” said Ferry of what has helped bring the team together. “He came in and changed the whole program. He changed our attitude about everything. He believed in us, we believed in him, and after that, things started to take off.

“It’s built up that last couple of years,” he added. “In junior high, we weren’t really that good either, but we definitely wanted to work hard because we knew that’s what it was going to take. We committed ourselves, and here we are now.”

Hulea and the team aren’t alone.

The village of Leetonia is behind them, evident by the large crowd at Stambaugh Stadium despite a game between two small-town teams. The longtime coach said the values instilled into the players are a big reason for their work ethic and success.

Sure, there’s plenty of talent. Ferry ran for 1,900 yards and 23 TDs a junior, and he runs behind a powerful offensive line. Lennon showed a glimpse of what he can do Saturday, and fullback Jacob McCool (5-10, 205) adds more power and toughness to a run-oriented offense. Throw in a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in a game this season, and there are the makings for a balanced team.

That’s not what Hulea believes makes this group special though.

“All 30 of our kids, they’re just great kids,” he said. “We’re really lucky as a coaching staff. We’ve just got a great group of kids that are playing hard and have a strong belief in what we’re trying to do. That’s why we’re successful.”

The Bears get a chance to see just how good they are next week.

United can earn a share of the conference title with a win, while Leetonia can win it outright with a victory. The Eagles have a few stars of their own in wide receiver Keaton Baker and quarterback Brutus Ogilivie.

Ferry, who also plays safety, is excited for the matchup.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “They’ve got a great offense, great defense. Keaton Baker especially, he’s having a phenomenal year. I think we’re going to be up to the challenge.”