OLMSTED FALLS — In most any other year, Olmsted Falls would be nearly euphoric over the amount of talent returning from a team that went 7-3.
But a few other Southwestern Conference schools are in the same pleasant situation, so nothing’s guaranteed. Still, the Bulldogs have good talent and a tradition of finishing in the top tier of the conference standings.
“It’s really up,” Olmsted Falls coach Jim Ryan said of the talent in the SWC this season. “Many teams have a great group of veterans returning. The conference is better than last year.”
The Bulldogs probably have the greatest number of the so-called “skill position” players — guys who get to touch the ball on offense — coming back.
“Don’t tell that to Midpark,” Ryan said with a laugh, citing an SWC that also enjoys the luxury of a fine nucleus of offensive stars. “But we do like what we have back. We like our team speed on defense, and it’s always good to have your starting quarterback return.”
John Atkinson was the quarterback in 2007, his first year as the starter. He had a good season with more than 1,000 yards passing, 311 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns to only three interceptions.
Atkinson worked behind a strong line last year, and that line might be a good one again. All-conference first-team pick Cody Connare has graduated, but second-team selection Zach Laird is back at one guard spot. Big (6-foot-1, 308 pounds) Jeremy Smith will start at one tackle and junior Eddie Gerus is slated to be the other guard.
Laird (6-4, 260) was also named to the All-Ohio second team on defense, giving Olmsted Falls two all-state second-team selections (Connare made it as an offensive lineman).
The other two interior line spots are up in the air. Senior John Czechowski and junior Jim Mulgrew are battling at one tackle position, and seniors Steve Battaglia and Aaron Lewis vie for the starting center role. Czechowski and Battaglia were tight ends in ’07, but were moved to the interior to provide some needed depth. Gerus saw action as a fullback in his sophomore year.
Wide receiver and running back is where Olmsted Falls has the most depth, if not talent. Brandon Russo, a jack of all trades, is back at one running back spot. The other starter will come from a trio of Jared Early, Ian Sparks and Kurt Carlisle. Owen Couglin takes one wide receiver position and Robbie VanZandt is the frontrunner for the other starting role.
Competing for the tight end job this year are underclassmen Brett Emerine and Denton Sagerman.
Seven starters return on defense, including leading tacklers Cody Smith and Ian Sparks (116 and 115 tackles, respectively). Smith will join Coughlin at linebacker and Sparks will join returning starter Charlie Trefny as the two safeties. Trefny’s younger brother, Cameron, will also see action at safety.
Russo will be one cornerback. Jake Bevilacqua and David Venezuela are candidates at the other corner. Laird, Brandon Terry and Tom Novak will play inside on the line and Early, Battaglia and Mike Lyon will handle the outside positions.
Cory Maddocks, the Bulldogs’ punter last year, returns to that job. He could also see a few snaps at wide receiver.
Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

OLMSTED FALLS BULLDOGS

CONFERENCE: Southwestern Conference
2007 RECORD: 7-3 (5-2 SWC)
COACH: Jim Ryan (21st season, 150-68)
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 19
RETURNING STARTERS: 10

3 – Receptions for Steve Battaglia in 2007
3 – Touchdown receptions for Battaglia in 2007
131 – Times Brandon Russo touched the ball last season (944 total yards), including rushes, receptions, kick returns, punt returns and interceptions. 

Jim Ryan was selected to be one of the coaches in the 2008 Big 33 game, pitting the top high school football stars of Ohio against their counterparts from Pennsylvania.

RUSHING
Name            Att.        Yds.        Avg.   TDs
Mike Varga                  131      827      6.3       8
Brandon Russo 85        413      4.9       4
John Atkinson               78        232      3.0       6
PASSING
Name                           Att.      Com.    Yds.     TDs      Int.
John Atkinson               166      87        1,134   13        3
RECEIVING
Name                           Rec.     Yds.     Avg.     TDs
Brandon Russo 30        362      12.1     3
Matt Jurcak                  22        367      16.7     5
Owen Coughlin 12        78        6.5       0
INTERCEPTIONS
Matt Jurcak 3, Brandon Russo 2, Charlie Trefny 2

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