Summer is winding down, which in Lakewood means that football season is upon us. The Lakewood Rangers have been working very hard this offseason to improve on last year’s 2-8 record. Fourth year head coach Jim Slagle has been pleased with his team’s efforts. "We’ve had really good numbers in the weightroom," says Slagle. Some players have added as much as 15 to 20 pounds of muscle. This year’s squad has also added numbers. Compared to only 57 players in 2006, 74 have come out this year. The team has returned 16 lettermen and 14 starters, seven on each side of the ball.

THE OFFENSE

Scoring has been a major problem for the Rangers in recent years. Last season they failed to score in double digits in six of their 10 games. To remedy this, the team is returning to the Slot I offense that they ran during their playoff seasons in the 1990’s. The offense will also feature angle blocking that is suited to the skills of the linemen and misdirection and faking to confuse the defense.

The offensive line, the heart of any unit, returns the most experience of any unit on the team. Players who are working to gain spots on the offensive line are seniors Matt Milovanovic, Billy Snyder, Sam Moree, Dan Michaels, Ken Kinder and John Warrell. Juniors seeking starting positions are Jordan Williams, Anthony Perry, Justin Salo, Mahdi Daud and Brian Lupton. Sophomores Ayoub Hamidah and Tyler Sanford are also in the mix for playing time.

The offensive backfield features seniors Mike Harrington, Gahad Suleiman, Rob Trivett and Jon Ross. Underclassmen seeking playing time are juniors Devin Ross and Tony Sclimenti, sophomores Dahgoud Hamidah, Nate Giffels and Joe Young. The quarterback corps includes junior Dan Shannon, who is joined by sophomore Seams Gowan, Steve Caja and Mike Shestina. Jim Guzay, Geortge Newbrough and Matt Corrigall comprise the receiving corps.

THE DEFENSE

Games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. This makes the defensive line the key to the defense. The defensive line will include seniors John Warrell, Ken Kinder, Billy Snyder, Sam Moree and Van Hernlund. Junior candidates are Mahdi Daud AND Jordan Williams. Sophomore’ Ayoub Hamidah and Josh Barton are also vying for playing time.

The linebackers include senior Gahad Suleiman, Mitch Campbell and Andy Porach. Juniors Brian Lupton and Ervin Metaj are joined by sophomores Dahoud Hamidah and Nate Giffels in the competition for playing time.

The secondary features seniors Vinny Fox, George Newbrough, Caleb Robinson, Jim Guzay, Mike Harrington and Rob Trivett. Juniors Devin Ross, Duane Kalta and sophomores Kieran Nall, Mike Shestina and Joe Young are also in the mix.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS

The special teams will feature punters Jim Guzay and Brian Lupton. Taulant Bane and Ardjan Bako will handle the placekicking and kickoff duties. Long snapper candidates are senior Billy Snyder and sophomore Seamus Gowan. The kick return corps includes seniors Rob Trivett, Jon Ross, George Newbrough and Caleb Robinson. Junior Devin Ross and sophomores Kieran Nall and Joe Young are also working to return kicks.

THE COACHES

Jim Slagle is back at the helm this year, his fourth season at LHS after fourteen years as an assistant coach. The Varsity Football staff at Lakewood High School will include veteran coaches Vince Curiale assuming the role of offensive coordinator, Russ Germaine for offensive line and Todd Whitlock for defensive line. New members of the staff are Mike Jaissle (receivers coach), Matt Mutschler (offensive line), Jacob Cole (defensive backs) and Jeremy Rizzo (linebackers). Head Coach Tedd Bruening, Brian Cole, Tom Deanovic, Tim Rinehart, Kirk Tashin and Chris Sinagra will coach the Ranger Freshmen team.

THE INSPIRATION

Long-time assistant coach Jerry Gruss will be absent this season as he is battling cancer. However, his condition is always on the minds of the players and coaches. Gruss, who is also head coach of the LHS baseball program, is a beloved figure at the school. "He means a lot to a lot of these kids," says Slagle, "he’s a father figure to them." Despite his weakened health, Gruss appeared for the team photo and attended a practice this summer. His presence touched the players and his fellow coaches, who will be playing hard for him all season.

THE NEW LEAGUE

After 70 years in the Lake Erie League, this year marks the school’s first season in the Northeast Ohio Conference. The 18-team league is the largest in the state, and is divided into three six-team divisions. Unfortunately for the Rangers, their six-team division contains some of the strongest football programs in the state. All five of the other schools finished with winning records in 2006: Brunswick (10-0), Solon (7-3), Medina (7-3), Strongsville (6-4) and Elyria (6-4).

The new league presents interesting challenges for the coaching staff. After years of scouting familiar teams, there is an entirely new set of opponents. "It’s all new stuff to look at," says Slagle, "there is no point of reference," However, the staff is looking forward to the challenge. "We want to put Lakewood football back on the map."

THE OUTLOOK

Can the Rangers get back to a winning record in 2007? We will find out quickly. The season opens with nonconference games against Berea, North Ridgeville and North Olmsted. Then there are two cross-division games against NEO conference members Parma and Garfield Heights. It is essential that Lakewood plays well in these games, because the second half of the schedule is brutal. Three of the final five are road games, including back-to-back road games against perennial playoff teams Strongsville and Solon. Brunswick and Medina will visit Lakewood Stadium, and the season will end with a road game at Elyria.