Rams enter 2024 with a ‘quiet confidence’
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MINERAL RIDGE -- For a nine-year stretch from 2011 to 2019, Mineral Ridge posted a 37-53 record, with just a pair of winning seasons.
However, the Rams went 6-4 and won a playoff game in 2020 during Brian Shaner's second year at the helm. In 2022, 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.
Then last fall, Mineral Ridge went 8-5 with playoff wins over Jackson-Milton and Rootstown. It marked the first time in school history that the Rams won a pair of playoff games. It was just the second time in school history that the Rams made back-to-back playoff appearances.
When discussing Mineral Ridge football, Shaner rarely talks about his "team," but instead opts for the term "the program." Playoff appearances are expected to be the rule rather than the exception. Rebuilding is out. Reloading is in.
"We have a quiet confidence heading into the 2024 season," Shaner said. "We're putting together a program. Our kids understand what we expect. Our kids not only go out and execute, but they go out and demand of themselves to be great for this program and this community.
"All of a sudden, it's the norm. The expectation in this community now is to have a winning football team year-in and year-out. That wasn't necessarily the case when I got here (in 2019), but now this coaching staff and these players expect success. And more importantly the players have experienced success. They know what it takes to reach that next level and they are willing to put in the work to make it happen."
If Mineral Ridge does advance to the playoffs for a third straight year, it would be another first in program history. To do so, the Rams must fill the void left by Ian Erb, who last year rushed for 1,843 yards, passed for 402 yards and pulled in 400 receiving yards. Erb scored 37 touchdowns and on defense he recorded 102 tackles.
"It's impossible to replace a guy like Ian," Shaner said. "He was a generational player. We have to turn to a bunch of guys who will all be expected to fill their roles. We have the talent at each position. It's just a matter of putting it all together."
Senior Brady Balestrino is convinced the current group has what it takes to continue its winning ways.
"It seems like the entire community is on board with this football team, and we don't want to let anyone down," Balestrino said. "There's a different atmosphere in Mineral Ridge these days. There are different vibes in the locker room and in the weight room than there were when I was in junior high.
"The commitment during the off-season was off the charts. Everyone worked like crazy because we were kind of handed the blueprint on what it takes to succeed. We just have to keep moving in the right direction."
Mineral Ridge returns 16 lettermen, including six starters on both offense and defense.
OFFENSE
With Erb lost to graduation, the Rams will turn to a more balanced attack on offense this fall. Senior quarterback Owen Shingledecker battled his way to a starting role a year ago. This year Shingledecker is a clear-cut favorite to be under center.
"Owen wasn't our full-time starter going into the season last year, but he came in against Pymatuning Valley (in week 1) and threw three bombs to bail us out," Shaner said. "He learned the system as the season went on and now he is hands down our guy. Owen is a dual-threat guy. He can beat you with his arms and legs and he's a leader."
Shingledecker's favorite target will be Balestrino, who last year led the Rams in receiving yards while earning All-Ohio honorable mention honors. Senior Jon Rozzi, who was sidelined early on last year with an injury, is expected to make an impact in 2024.
"Honestly, we can go about eight deep at receiver," Shaner said. "We began camp with some question marks. We thought we would be thin at receiver, but guys have stepped up and now this is one of our deepest units."
When not throwing the ball, Shingledecker will be handing the ball to senior Jacob Russell and junior Preston Holbrook.
"Both of these kids are big, strong, pounding running backs," Shaner said. "They're going to be hard to bring down. We're a downhill running-style team and they fit our system well."
Anchoring the front line will be the Moore brothers, senior Jordan and junior Chase. Senior Aiden Overacre and sophomore Derrick Rakich also bring experience up front.
"We have four guys with experience and we have four more battling for that fifth spot," Shaner said. "This might be the deepest line I've had here in six years."
DEFENSE
Jordan and Chase Moore will also be anchoring the defensive line.
"As excited as I am to have these two kids playing on offense, they're even better on defense," Shaner said. "They're so fast off the ball. They are dominant forces. They can get to the quarterback, they can stay outside and contain. They are great guys to guide our defense. Our D-line will look very much like our offensive line."
Russell and Holbrook (All-Ohio Honorable Mention last year) will lead the linebacking corps while Balestrino, Rozzi and David Baker will be featured in the defensive backfield.
"We have a mix of experience and youth back there, and we're excited about the talent we have," Shaner said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
"Every year this is a question mark. We go into every season asking, 'who is going to be our kicker, who is going to be our punter?'" Shaner said. "Fortunately for us, our soccer program has bought into our program and every year they make sure we have a couple of kids ready to go. We have three guys battling right now at kicker. It could be a battle right up until week one."
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