Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Struthers senior quarterback Na’Jier Howard drops back to pass during a practice earlier this month. Howard is set to split snaps with junior quarterback Jason Dukes this season as both provide head coach John Bayuk with different skills sets.

STRUTHERS — Last season was a bit of return to form for the Struthers Wildcats. Following a sluggish start to the campaign, Struthers finished the fall strong, eventually earning a trip — and a victory — during the postseason.

Having some success to build off of, along with renewed interest surrounding the program from students in the district, the Wildcats find themselves with bolstered numbers and high expectations.

Head coach John Bayuk is thrilled heading into the 2023 season, especially after a lot of under classmen gritted their teeth last fall.

“We’re looking forward to not having those sophomore mistakes,” Bayuk said. “We had a lot of kids who had to step up to the plate last year, who may or may not have been ready yet at the beginning, but they definitely got better toward the end of the year. I’m happy our kids got the playoff experience, because we’re really looking forward to it this year.

“For our whole team to experience that type of adversity, and not give up, and not quit, and not complain, and to fight back to getting to the goal of Week 11, that’s something we wanted to get to. Luckily our kids have a never say die attitude.”

The Wildcats’ 49-14 playoff win over Edgewood was their first taste of the postseason in two years, along with posting their first winning record since 2019.

That success came after a 1-4 start, but a rout of Lakeview kickstarted a winning streak that led Struthers into the postseason. Bayuk hopes some of the momentum carries over into 2023, but one thing is already immediately obvious — the roster size.

Going from 50 to 63 high school players for a Division IV school bucks some of the national participation trends with football and adds invaluable depth.

“It’s getting contagious in the school as well. There’s excitement in the hallways. There’s excitement on the field. We’re just having a really good time,” Bayuk said. “When it comes down to it, that’s what high school football is about, having fun. If you want to be successful, stick together 7-12th grade and get kids out. Recruit the hallways, and get your buddies out and be proud to be from Struthers.

“That’s what we tell our kids. This junior class were freshman when I took over. We’re really excited that they’ve believed in that motto. They’re proud to be from Struthers. They want to play for their city every Friday night, and I think that’s what contagious throughout the football field and school.”

OFFENSE

It all starts with a pair of quarterbacks looking to find playing time in senior Na’Jier Howard and junior Jason Dukes. Both offer different looks for Bayuk and his staff, leading to a potential two-QB system for Struthers — something they see as an advantage.

“Na’Jier is 6-4, he’s definitely a pocket passer and loves throwing the ball around, and Jason is more of a read, zone-read guy,” Bayuk said. “They both have a different skillset, but what’s nice about them is that Jason can still throw and run the ball really well. Both of them have the skills to do whatever we want at any point in the game, so it’s really nice to have those two kids, because we can be a dangerous offense when they don’t know what’s coming.”

“We’re going to use them both all over the field.We’re going to have them at receiver sometimes, we’re definitely going to utilize their athleticism all over the field.”

The only receiver returning with experience is junior Robert Carcelli, who caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown last season.

“(Robert) is a leader on both sides of the ball. He’s a great kid offensively, defensively, and on special teams. He’s one of those kids that wants to be on the field everywhere,” Bayuk said.

One of the bigger names on the roster is running back Anthony Carter.

The four-year starter was a part of Struthers dynamic rushing attack last season, running for 842 yards and nine touchdowns on 106 carries. After rushing for 232 yards and four touchdowns last season, junior Devin Braham also returns.

“It’s almost like looking in the mirror. They both have power, they both have speed, and they both have a giddy-up, a little movement,” Bayuk said. “There’s very little differential with them, so I’m very excited to watch them with the ball in their hands this year. Legit four-year starters are rare, and Anthony has played three different positions on defense and he’s been our tailback for four years.

“He absorbs everything. He’s one of those kids that when you’re talking, he’s listening and that’s why I love him.”

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes
Struthers head coach John Bayuk gives direction during a preseason practice.

Adding into the tight end mix are junior Dom Liptak and sophomore Braylon Myers.

“We didn’t really utilize the tight end too much last year, but the way they’ve developed in the weight room, we’re definitely going to look to use the tight end more this year.” Bayuk said.

A trio of starting offensive linemen return in the form of senior Caleb Sakara, and juniors Vince Boila and Michael Meuter. They’ll provide some much-needed veteran experience in the trenches.

“Those two (juniors) are going to anchor it for us up front. They got some size and I’m telling you, they take pride in being linemen,” Bayuk said. “That’s contagious with the rest of our linemen, those guys are awesome. They’ve had an unbelievable offseason, just like everyone else. I’m really excited to see how they’ve grown this offseason coming into the season.”

With bolstered numbers comes added depth, including juniors Matthew McConahy and Jacob Pangio battling for the center position. Sophomores Brice Adams and CJ Harmon, along with junior Ahmarion Brown will play key roles throughout the fall.

“We’re really proud of the way their offseason has led to them getting a chance,” Bayuk said.

“We have a lot of guys that have an opportunity because they’ve worked hard for that opportunity.”

DEFENSE

Returning on the defensive line are juniors Tyler Hobart and Jerrell Jones. Mixing in with the duo are Myers, Liptak, and Sakara, but the depth will play into the Wildcats’ advantage.

“We’re fortunate to have the amount of linemen that we do, that want that Friday night playing time,” Bayuk said. “We got some big guys up front, so for us to give them a break whether it’s on offense or defense, it’s just a huge advantage. We’re just trying to find those kids right now that we can trust to give those kids a break, but I think we have them.”

Just as important is retaining both inside linebackers, especially Braham as the point man on defense.

He tallied 158 total tackles last season with 14 going for a loss. Senior Bryson Dodd is also back after recording 73 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and two caused fumbles.

Carcelli returns at outside linebacker.

“Those are your quarterbacks on defense,” Bayuk said. “We’re really excited for those three, they’re all great leaders.”

Carter is the lone returner in the secondary, a group Struthers is still trying to piece together.

“We’re definitely looking forward to seeing the guys that are back, how they’ve improved, but we definitely have a group of kids who are looking to step up in the secondary, who have a little bit of Friday night experience,” Bayuk said.

Dukes takes over at free safety with senior Lucas Patti at corner, along with Howard at corner.

“We have a lot of skill guys that we’re going to throw in there to see what they got,” Bayuk said. “But we’re definitely looking at (senior) Christian Pascarella and Jason Dukes to be our two safeties.”

Senior Mason Cappelli will add into the group as well, with Struthers wanting the safety and corner roles to be interchangeable.

“Pure athleticism can’t really get you far, especially in our league, in the playoffs in our region we’re in. The kids just mentally absorb everything. They want to be coached, they’re so coachable, and we’re just having a really good time this offseason,” Bayuk said. “Devin coming back on defense, I think he’s one of the most special players in our area. As long as he stays the course and keeps doing what he’s doing, a lot of people should know his name come his senior year.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior Kendis Macleod will take over kicking duties for Struthers, with Carter potentially coming in as the team’s punter.

Of course, there’s a plethora of options as returners on special teams.

“Fortunately we have enough of them to throw them in there, if one needs a break here and there, but we definitely have a core of kids that can step up to that role.” said Bayuk.

2023 Schedule

Aug. 18 at Beaver Local 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 at Geneva 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 vs. Brookville (Pa.) 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Girard* 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. South Range* 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Hubbard* 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Lakeview* 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Youngstown East 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Niles* 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Poland* 7 p.m.

*-Conference game

2022 Results (7-5)

Vs. St. Thomas Aquinas W 49-6

Vs. Geneva L 20-42

At Streetsboro L 41-42 (OT)

At South Range L 13-23

At Hubbard L 14-21 (OT)

Vs. Lakeview W 41-3

Vs. Jefferson Area W 42-14

At Niles W 27-13

Vs. Girard W 42-28

Vs. Poland W 35-7

#vs. Edgewood W 49-14

#at West Branch L 35-54

#-OHSAA playoffs

Coaching staff

Head coach: John Bayuk, 4th season, 13-16 record

Staff: Mike Maietta, Mike Mascola, Jeff Bayuk, Bud McSuley, Rod Greenamyer, John Pascarella, Brad Clyde, Mike Pape, Lou Mateo

Team facts

Division IV, Region 13

Northeast-8

Players on roster: 65

Returning letterwinners (19): Christian Pascarella, Mason Cappelli, Gino Carcelli, Lucas Patti, Donovan Derose, Anthony Carter, Bryson Dodd, Najier Howard, Gary Mudryk, Caleb Sakara, Jason Dukes, Devin Braham, Robert Carcelli, Kendis Macleod, Aiden Russell, Tyler Hobart, Jacob Pangio, Michael Meuter, Vince Boila.

2022 season: After a rough start to the 2022 season, losing four of their first five games, including two in overtime, the Wildcats won six straight games. They took down Edgewood 49-14 in the first round of the playoffs before falling to West Branch 54-35 in the second round.