High school football preview: Elyria Pioneers
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ELYRIA — You could say it’s a case of deja vu all over again for third-year coach Steve Hamilton and his Elyria High football team as it prepares for the 2009 season.
For the fourth time in a little over a decade, the Pioneers are competing in a “different” yet familiar league setting. It’s still headlined as the Northeast Ohio Conference but this year Elyria has moved from the Valley Division to the River Division along with Lakewood, where they join Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Stow and Twinsburg.
Since leaving the old Erie Shore Conference in 1997, the Pioneers have competed in the Lake Erie League, the Pioneer Conference and the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division before stepping into the River Division this year.
The Valley Division remains arguably one of the toughest football conferences in the state with the likes of powerhouses Brunswick, Solon and Strongsville along with Medina, Mayfield and Nordonia. Mayfield and Nordonia traded places with the Pioneers and Rangers.
Elyria players run off field at the first day of practice Monday. (Photo by Steve Manheim, The Chronicle-Telegram.)
Elyria, 2-8 a year ago, opens with three familiar and rugged opponents — all Southwestern Conference schools – in Amherst, Avon Lake and North Olmsted. Those three schools own a cumulative 12-2 mark over the Pioneers since 2000.
The Comets (8-3 last year) and the Shoremen (8-3) both qualified for the playoffs. The Eagles finished 4-6.
“We wanted a little competition going into our league play,” Hamilton said. “And I think we found three opponents that are going to give us some fits. It’s going to be a challenge but it’s a challenge we’re willing to take. We have 20-some days ’til kickoff. We’re counting it down.”
Before starting River Division play, the Pioneers meet Mayfield (10-2) and Parma (6-4) in crossover NOC games that will not count in the standings. The only school in the River Division with a winning record last year was Twinsburg (9-3). Hudson went 5-5, Stow 4-6, Cuyahoga Falls 2-8 and Lakewood 1-9.
Derrick Laseke throws passes at the first day of Elyria football practice Monday. (Photo by Steve Manheim, The Chronicle-Telegram.)
Twinsburg is coached by former Elyria coach Mark Solis, who makes his first visit to Ely Stadium since leaving the Pioneers following the 2006 season. That game will close out the regular season.
“It’s still going to be a good conference,” Hamilton said. “It’s not going to be easy but I think the kids are excited about our chances. The kids will come out and they’ll compete every single game. I’m pretty excited about the change.”
Hamilton is optimistic about his team. Elyria had only a handful of seniors on last year’s team. This year, the Pioneers have 23 seniors on the roster. Hamilton hopes to learn more about them with scrimmages against Midpark and Mansfield before the season opener.
Elyria’s offensive line is a seasoned one with good size anchored by 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior tackle Isaiah Byler and 6-5, 275-pound junior tackle Chase Farris. Byler, who has a 3.8 grade-point average, is being eyed by several Division I programs. Seniors Caleb Shaffer and Josh Bonnett return at center and guard. Senior Dan Juchem, a wide receiver, heads the skilled position players in terms of experience. Senior soccer letterman Tim Jones will handle the punting and placekicking.
Junior defensive back Jake Neuschaefer and senior tackle Brandon Bailey, along with Farris, Byler and Bonnett, are expected to improve an Elyria defense that gave up a staggering 340 points a year ago.
“Obviously that’s where we need to improve,” Hamilton said. “Over the winter and spring we sat down as a coaching staff and discussed how can we get better. I think our staff has done a great job of coming together and becoming a champion-caliber team. That’s our goal.
“I’m looking to improve quite a bit. With the four returning guys (offensive linemen) we have coming back – and they’re all pretty good football players – we want to control the tempo on the offensive side of the ball and we’re looking to get a little crazy on defense and have some fun.”
Hamilton will be assisted by Brett Bechtel, Adam Burgess, John Cahill, Chad Heuser, Joe Pearce, Bryan Thomas, Anthony Quinn, Ryan Quinn and Keenan Williams.
Elyria Pioneers
- Coach: Steve Hamilton, 3rd year
- Conference: Northeast Ohio, River Division
- 2008 record: 2-8, 1-4 NOC Valley
- Fast fact: The Pioneers need to shore up a defense that gave up 340 points last season.
2009 schedule
- Aug. 28 at Amherst
- Sept. 4 North Olmsted
- Sept. 11 at Avon Lake
- Sept. 17 Mayfield
- Sept. 24 at Parma (Byers Field)
- Oct. 2 Cuyahoga Falls
- Oct. 9 Hudson
- Oct. 16 at Stow
- Oct. 23 at Lakewood
- Oct. 30 Twinsburg
Contact Tim Gebhardt at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.
Cameron Maassen runs through drills at the first day of Elyria football practice Monday. (Photo by Steve Manheim, The Chronicle-Telegram.)
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