Staff photo / Greg Macafee Mineral Ridge senior Ian Erb throws a pass during a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage against Toronto at the Joe Lane Sports complex at Mineral Ridge High School. After a standout season at running back last year, Erb could primarily be under center this season for the Rams.

MINERAL RIDGE — In mid-July, the Mineral Ridge football team spent three days attending a football camp at Walsh College.

Naturally, the camp involved plenty of time on the football field.

“It was grueling, it was a lot of practice time and we were on the field with Canfield and with Streetsboro because we wanted to get tested at the highest level,” said Rams coach Brian Shaner. “Our kids put in a lot of hard work. From a football standpoint, it was definitely worth the time and effort.”

From a non-football standpoint, Shaner believes the experience was “worth its weight in gold.”

“If this was just about football, we could have stayed in Weathersfield and put in the work at home,” Shaner said. “This was a bonding experience. This was bringing the players and coaches together. We always preach that our program is one big family, and when we were together those three days we truly were family.”

Unity is a clear message for the Rams heading into the 2023 season, according to senior Ethan Pemberton.

“We really are a family,” Pemberton said. “We spend so much time together all throughout the year. We have the same goals and we share the same drive to succeed.

“Even before we went to camp, there was a clear understanding that we were a pretty united group. Those three days just reinforced the belief that we are family. And I believe that the closeness off the field will result in success on the field.”

For a nine-year stretch from 2011 to 2019, the Rams were a combined 37-53, with just two winning seasons. However, the Rams went 6-4 and won a playoff game in 2020 during Shaner’s second year at the school. Last fall, Shaner led his team to an 8-3 record and the playoffs. It marked the most wins for a Mineral Ridge team in 15 years.

Now, Shaner says it’s time to maintain the momentum.

“Our expectations are high, we like the direction of this program moving forward and we cannot take a step back,” Shaner said. “We want eight-win seasons to be the standard. We want our kids to expect that type of success. More importantly, the kids themselves share those expectations.

“Mineral Ridge has been in leagues with schools like McDonald, Western Reserve, Springfield and Lowellville who have all had their runs. There is no reason why we can’t be in that mix.”

With a 45-man roster that includes 11 seniors, all signs do suggest that the Rams have the pieces in place to battle for a league title and another playoff appearance. Six starters return on offense and nine on defense.

OFFENSE

For a third straight year, the Mineral Ridge offense will have a different signal-caller. Shaner says that finding a replacement for Triston Valley (1,353 passing yards, 921 rushing yards) may last right up until the start of the season. Junior Owen Shingledecker and senior Ian Erb have waged a competitive but friendly battle throughout camp.

“It’s the friendliest battle I’ve ever seen,” Shaner said. “Both kids genuinely root for each other. It’s been a unique and fun competition. Both Owen and Ian provide similar dual-threat skills. We’re going to be comfortable with whoever ends up behind center.”

Regardless of whether Erb ends up at the quarterback or running back spot, one thing is certain – Erb will get his share of carries. As a junior, Erb rushed for 1,379 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 8.7 yards per carry.

“Ian is special. He’s one of the best backs in the area at any level, he’s dynamic and he has the ability to break it at any moment,” Shaner said.

Jacob Russell, Bryce Rohrman and Preston Holbrook will provide plenty of firepower and take some of the load away from Erb as well.

“All of those guys are so interchangeable, they’re all old-school smash-mouth backs while Ian is that breakaway back,” Shaner said. “All of our backs know our system and are ready to go.”

Staff photo / Greg Macafee
Mineral Ridge wide receiver Jon Rozzi makes a cut toward the sideline after catching a pass during a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Toronto at the Joe Lane Sports Complex.

Last year, Mason Miller was the focal point of the Rams’ receiving corps. With Miller lost to graduation, the Rams are ready to spread the wealth through the air.

Julian and Jon Rozzi, along with Pemberton and Brady Balestrino will all be targeted throughout the season.

“All of these guys are dynamic. They’re really good with yards after the catch and they are great competitors,” Shaner said. “They came into the summer playing like veterans at the position.”

The offensive line features three returning starters, including four-year starter Zack Stacy.

“He’s been our anchor, he’s our leader up front,” Shaner said.

Jordan and Chase Moore also bring experience on the line.

“These are the three guys who will make it happen,” Shaner said. “This is where you win football games. We’ll rely on the experience and leadership of these three while we look to fill the other two spots.”

DEFENSE

Jordan Moore and Mathew “Milkshake” Mounier will anchor the defensive line.

“Jordan is a scholarship kid who is having a great summer, both of these kids are lock-down players with experience,” Shaner said. In 2020, Russell started as a freshman on the defensive line. A year ago he was moved to linebacker, and this year Shaner says he will be “the face of our defense” at the linebacker spot.

Rohrman, a nose man in ’22, will be moved to linebacker this year.

Holbrook, Blake Basista “and a bunch of others” are looking to fill the other voids.

The defensive backfield will look much like it did last fall. Julian Rozzi and Pemberton will man the cornerback spots. Erb, Jon Rozzi, Balestrino and Shingledecker will all be in the rotation at the safety spots.

“We have six guys who can play back there, it’s a nice problem to have that many players fighting for positions,” Shaner said.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicking duties are still up in the air, but Shaner said a few soccer players have tried out, and it’s an open competition moving forward.

“We had a couple of soccer players come out last year and it caught wildfire,” Shaner said. “We have three soccer kids coming out who will try to give it a go. It’s an open competition and we’ll find a kicker.”

2023 Schedule

Aug. 18 vs. Pymatuning Valley 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 at Orange 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 at St Thomas Aquinas 7 p.m.

*Sept. 8 vs Jackson-Milton 7 p.m.

*Sept. 15 vs.Waterloo 7 p.m.

*Sept. 22 at Lowellville 7 p.m.

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

*Oct. 6 at Springfield 7 p.m.

*Oct. 13 at Western Reserve 7 p.m.

*Oct. 20 vs.McDonald 7 p.m.

*-MVAC-Scarlet tier

2022 Results (8-3)

at Pymatuning Valley W 41-8

Orange W 48-6

at Newton Falls W 33-14

at McDonald W 40-0

Springfield L 20-12

Western Reserve W 40-13

at Jackson-Milton W 42-7

at Sebring W 48-14

Lowellville L 21-7

at Waterloo W 28-20

#at Canton CC L 35-7

#-OHSAA playoffs

Coaching staff

Head coach: Brian Shaner, 5th season, 23-17 at Mineral Ridge

Staff: Chet Allen, Larry Blaniza, Mike Calderone, Michael Gordon, Marcus Higgs, TJ Koniowsky, Rob Reilly

Team facts

Division VI, Region 21

MVAC Scarlet Tier

Players on roster: 45

Returning letterwinners (11): Julian Rozzi, Jacob Russell, Jonathan Rozzi, Owen Shingledecker, Brady Balestrino, Ethan Pemberton, Matt Mounier, Ian Erb, Bryce Rohrman, Jordan Moore, Zack Stacy

2022 season: Mineral Ridge raced off to a 4-0 start, outscoring opponents 162-28 in the process. The Rams suffered a close 20-12 loss to Springfield in week five, then bounced back to record three more convincing wins before falling to Lowellville 21-7. It was Lowellville’s closest game of the regular season. The Rams defeated Waterloo in week 10, then fell to Canton Central Catholic in the playoffs.