Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Valley Christian sophomore quarterback Ike Lake throws a pass during a recent 7-on-7 passing scrimmage against Springfield at Salem High School. Lake is competing with sophomore Deon Miller for the starting quarterback position this season. They look to replace Jhordan Peete.

YOUNGSTOWN — In many regards, last fall might have been one of the greatest seasons the Valley Christian football program ever embarked on.

With a record of 9-0, the Eagles went undefeated during the regular season for the first time in program history. Then they proceeded to match the program’s all-time win total of 10 after a 53-0 rout of Trinity during the first round of the playoffs. The Eagles could’ve broken that record but their regular season finale against East Palestine was canceled.

Like the 2011 squad that also won 10 games, the 2022 iteration of the Eagles lost a nail-biter to Cuyahoga Heights in the second round of the playoffs, following missed opportunities in a 10-6 decision.

Despite that, coach Andy Hake is about as excited as one can be heading into this fall.

“The atmosphere is great, the kids are working hard,” Hake said. “I’m cautiously optimistic about how good we can be, but we’re young. We’re not an older team, we only have four seniors.

“You lose kids every year. You know what you do? You get kids ready to go. You make it mean a lot to them, it means a lot to these kids. They’re representing their part of town, they’re playing their butt off. (South High Stadium) is a great place, what a historic place. You can go to any stadium in the area and say they have this, and they have that, we don’t have a whole lot, but we have this history down there, and it means a lot to these kids. This is their neighborhood, and they play their butts off.”

Valley Christian will look to tap into some of that “old school” type of Youngstown this year, as Hake works to build tradition at a school that’s only sponsored football since 2004. A season like the one the Eagles had last fall is a big step.

“Keep the plan simple, we’re going to play fast and we’re going to play hard, and we’re going to play together. Then as long as the guys don’t get personal fouls, I’ll let them be themselves,” Hake said. “That means this, they’re charismatic, they love playing, they love playing hard, and they love playing with swagger.

“They’re good kids, some of my funnest years coaching have been right here, right now.”

It’ll be a test come late August with non-conference matchups on tap at Crestview before hosting Brookfield, and then LaBrae prior to entering Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference play.

OFFENSE

One of the younger positions on the team will be under center, as sophomores Deon Miller and Ike Lake come in green following the graduation of Jhordan Peete.

“I tell them, do what I tell you to do, and if they screw up then it’s my fault,” Hake said. “They have to be athletes. I can only guide from the sideline, but if they listen and do what they’re asked to do, most of the time they’re going to have success.”

With younger arms at quarterback, establishing a running game and controlling the line of scrimmage will be crucial for Valley Christian. The Eagles do boast an emerging and All-State running back with junior Ja’Sean Lindsey, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound back, who has over 2,000 rushing yards in hir career so far. He tallied 1,010 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last fall on 103 carries. He is already receiving interest from some Division I programs and will be the anchor on offense as Hake feels he stacks up against some of the best backs in the area.

“I think early in the season, having him in the line is a big deal because you’re inexperienced in the other positions and as you’re gathering experience and you’re gathering quality reps and guys are getting footholds in their positions, you have this maniac running the ball behind them with this experienced line,” Hake said. “They did have so much success last year, they know what to do early in the season.”

Returning three of out the five starters on the line is a strength for the Eagles and it is one of the position groups that Hake feels Valley Christian is strongest at.

Seniors Zion Rogers (right tackle, 6-foot-2, 280 pounds), Jemel Jenkins (left guard, 6-foot, 260 pounds), and sophomore Marcus Merchant (right guard, 6-foot-3, 280 pounds) bring plenty of Friday night reps into 2023.

Filling in the gaps will be Jymier Burrage, Jackson Bragg, Billy Kern, James Dobranchin, and Jarett and Jeremy Johnson.

“It’s a game of linemen. If your line is good then you have a shot at any game. If your line stinks and you play someone good, you’re going to get overran,” Hake said. “We’re very lucky the last few years we’ve been here, the kids that we have had have responded to tough coaching and demand and I believe that this line of that nature.”

The Eagles also have talent at wide receiver with Marquez Gibbs, Dailen Clark, Ahmire Dixon, Michael Claytor, Geordan Traylor, Alfred Coward, Jordan Rushwin, along with Lake and Miller when they’re not in as the quarterback.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes
Valley Christian running back Ja’sean Lindsay celebrates with a teammate after a score during a recent 7-on-7 passing scrimmage at Salem High School.

DEFENSE

Bragg, a 6-foot, 205-pound junior defensive tackle, is one to keep an eye on. Coward and Clark are two others Hake feels can have a big impact on the interior of the defense.

Merchant, Rogers, Jenkins and Dobranchin will also contribute to the defensive front attack.

His key to those guys? Charge to the football like some of the best.

“Our defense is fast and inexperienced, but I think it’s fast. Defense is run to the ball and don’t be selfish. You don’t have the ball, so run to the ball and be aggressive,” Hake said. “With small school football, it’s always the same teams. Why? Because it means a lot to them to play defense. So run to the ball, because they want to run to the ball. Kirtland will beat you to the football, Mogadore will beat you to the football, it means a lot to them.

“It means more to their kids to run to the ball and play vicious and that’s what they do. So if we can correlate that and we can reflect that and play like that, you don’t have to be as good as them. If you can play kinda like Mogadore, Kirtland, and Marion Local, then my God, you’re doing well in the playoffs. We have just to play defense and get to the ball.”

Senior Marquez Gibbs, coming off a state title in the 4×100 meter relay, returns as a free safety. For the first time in his varsity career, Lindsey will be a two-way player at safety as well.

Dixon and Miller hold down the corners, with Lake at another safety position.

With a smaller roster, staying in game form will be important to rotate players in and out.

“You have to encourage those tweener guys that are right on the verge and encourage them to be brave, and play defensive line and take guys out,” said Hake. “Encourage them to give you meaningful reps where they play low and they’re able to, if nothing else, cause a pile up right there. Take out some linemen, not in a dirty way, not just take out their ankles, that’s not what I’m saying.

“Play brave and play low and don’t let them get the linebackers so those guys can get to the ball, it’s really just encouraging, being hopeful, and being optimistic.”

Feeling that a positive mindset can be contagious on a team, Hake lives by this.

“You have to be positive, even in the face of adversity, even when things look bleak, you have to be positive, and people will do what you expect them to do,” Hake said. “If you expect them to do nothing, then they’ll do nothing. If you expect them to give you the world, then they’re going to try and lasso the moon.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Lamar Claytor and Miller take over punting duties and the kicking position is still being worked on. A committee of the “willing and able” are to receive kicks, with plenty of options to choose from with Lake, Lindsey, Dixon, among others.

The operations are a vital factor just as much as the kicker however.

“We have to work on running down in our lanes, that’s our big thing, on kickoff and punt, staying in our lanes, rallying to the ball, don’t give up huge real estate on kickoff and punt, you have to make them drive the field,” Hake said. “It sounds crazy, but it’s high school football, make them drive the field, we’re fast, so a lot of times we can stall them out.”

2023 Schedule

Aug. 18 at Crestview 7 p.m.

Aug. 26 vs. LaBrae 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 vs. Brookfield 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 *at Leetonia 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 *at East Palestine 7 p.m.

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

Sept. 29 *at Lisbon 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 *vs. Southern 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 *at United 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 *at Columbiana 7 p.m.

*-Conference game

2022 Results (10-1)

at Campbell Memorial (2-8) W 47-7

at LaBrae (1-9) W 40-12

at McDonald (3-7) W 33-0

vs. United (9-3) W 36-17

vs. Lisbon (5-6) W 45-18

vs. Leetonia (0-10) W 46-0

at Columbiana (3-7) W 40-10

at Southern (11-2) W 15-6

at Wellsville (4-6) W 24-18

#Trinity (4-7) W 53-0

#Cuyahoga Heights (9-3) L 6-10

#-OHSAA playoffs

Coaching staff

Head coach: Andy Hake, 3rd season, 17-4 at Valley Christian

Staff: Aaron Agresta (defensive coordinator), Brett Powell (offensive and defensive lines), Mike Mradovich (offensive and defensive lines), Peyton Mradovich (running backs and linebackers), Brandon Pierce (wide receivers, running backs, strength and conditioning)

Team facts

Division VI, Region 21

Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference

Players on roster: 29

Returning letterwinners (8): Jemel Jenkins, Marcus Merchant, Zion Rogers, Ja’Sean Lindsay, Jackson Bragg, Alfred Coward, Dailen Clark, Marquez Gibbs

2022 season: The Eagles turned in arguably one of their greatest seasons a year ago. They matched the programs all-time record for wins in a season and could’ve possibly broke it if not for their regular season finale being canceled. Valley Christian then shutout Trinity in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Cuyahoga Heights in the second round.